E1 Ogbodo Enyi (“Elephant Spirit”) mask 

I’m not seeking the “home run” on this issue, just looking for a quiet place (or vantage) where I can compare, contrast and move on with a better understanding. Consider the example of the “Elephant Spirit” mask. The Ogbodo Enyi[1] masquerade was used in the process of male socialization in the Igbo tribe. Ogbodo Enyi (“spirit elephant”) is not specifically an elephant spirit but the elephant is a “fitting model” because it’s “singular power and endurance also characterize the volatile spirit” of the adult male. It is this level of “abstraction”, modeling, and “transposition of spiritual characteristics” that I find particularly creative throughout the ethos of African Tribal Art.

If a person considers his belief in the existence of a higher being or not, this can be mapped on a one- dimensional continuum of “atheist to believer”. We can also up the level of complexity by several orders of magnitude and model the mapping as a “realization-actualization-need-choice” transitive point bound by let’s say four dimensions.

At this point it would be clear that the mechanism behind the choice of a religion is neither “right nor wrong” (as opposed to the flawed logic of an analysis which is correct/incorrect). The dichotomies of “right/wrong”, “sin/sinless”, “good/bad” are based on a collective framework of rules used to determine conformance levels, much in keeping with the needs of a society to promote rules related to standards of behavior.

In both society and religion there is also a high propensity for the common existence of a “profit motive” which is tied to sustainability and longevity. As a result one may find the need to ostracize differences in opinions and suppress or ratify changes in thinking by using processes designed to obfuscate rather than clarify. In a nutshell, it is far easier to apply punitive measures than to change rules or even make slight adjustments in keeping with different scenarios. From an external perspective it may also be necessary to protect one’s way of life by taking a combination of tactical, strategic, and prophylactic measures.

The choice of the higher power or the religion we ascribe to denigrates simply to a personal preference.  The reasoning behind the preference or “the why” is related to “personal drivers” that can be diverse, and vary in complexity from combinations of timing, exposure, environment, value and reward, need, and experience.  The irony is that our closeness to God may be more linked to our ability or lack thereof to accept religious differences in others rather than to belong to a specific religion, or to follow a certain code.

KM (middle) hanging out with pals

I found KM in November of 2012, sans belly-button and genitalia – the belly button was a due to a recent break, while there was a 2 inch drilled cavity where his manhood should have been. There was actually some deterioration within the cavity (which required filling) and ultimately led to the following pictoral “famine to feast” or “rags to riches” story.

KM – Before & After!!

It’s not surprising to find the genitalia removed from Bieri or Dengese sculpture. The problem with restoring pieces is that one tries to develop a consistency of form, age, and cutting style. This is an expensive and risky process, but when it works it is well worth the effort.

Shaping the Belly-Button

Hexagonal Approach

Operating Table

Belly-Button insertion!

Belly-Button Inserted, “Aged”, & Stained!

Plugging cavity to stop rot and to keep insects out.

Glued & Attached with pins!!

KM smiling on the inside!!

In his analysis of the Igbo concept of their cosmos, M. A. Onwuejeogwu (1972) observes that their universe is divided into four major departments ‘uwa’ refers to the world of man; ‘mmo’ refers to the ancestors; ‘alusi’ includes forces such as the river force ‘Idemile’; and ‘Okike’ is God. These four divisions are conceptually united on the Ijele headdress.

Igbo Ijele mask

The size ranges from over four to as much as six meters in height, with a diameter of about three meters. Ijele is by far the most monumental of all Igbo masks, and makes an appearance once every 25 years. The structure is an open cone framework at the top supporting attached figures, and a cylindrical base. There may be some connection to the architectural forms used by the Northern Igbo, and hence by extension the community relation between all facets of family and society.

Ijele Community forms and symbols.

The symbols at the top of the mask represent important aspects of community life, and fall into three categories ;

• man and his activities,
• the Spirit world,
• the animals and the forest.

Ijele “uli” symbols

Panels of patterned velvet hang from the bottom of the frame. In body painting, these designs are called ‘uli’ patterns, named after the juice or indigo used as the painting medium.

Ijele is also a leading spirit (mmuo). As a rule, Igbo masks do not represent specific spirits but rather dramatize particular attributes of humans, animals, spirits and ancestors. However, since some Igbo masks dramatize the close parallels between the living and the dead, as does the maiden-spirit mask ensemble, which Ijele resembles in terms of style and artistic tradition, one may infer that the leading mask Ijele incarnates those venerated ancestors to whom a supra-sensible power had revealed the land and how to prosper on it (Davidson 1969).

“The Ijele mask broadens our understanding of the mask in African societies. The cone-cylinder form and the headdress construction relate to the Igbo environment in their architectural referents, and its tableau provides a social narrative of Igbo life. Its vivid colors and elaborate ornamentation reflect the resources of Igbo wall painting and door carving. Ijele as a mask is ultimately an artistic projection of the Igbo ideal of achievement, authority, and status associated with the founding fathers/ancestors, the channel through which flows the ideological strength of the Igbo universe.”[1]

Relief Site Layout

The site was organized in the gym, having approximately 12 stations, starting with Bleach and cleaning products on the right, Clifbuilders protein products, through blankets, hot meals (at the center), and warm clothing, sweaters, water, Nestle baby products, and pampers at the left. At the exit participants could also select a “cleaning kit” containing a mop and cleaning supplies, and a “relief box” containing food stuff and dried goods.

Kimberly Chandler with Ashley Burnett

Kimberly did a great job of keeping things moving, her experience at prior New Orleans (Katrina), efforts coming in handy. The volume of supplies was simply incredible and everyone, ladies included played a huge role in offloading the relief boxes from the trailer and stocking them inside the center. The atmosphere was incredible and the pace frenetic at times but we all did the best we could.

Tyson Chandler manning the Exit station!!

There are a lot of positives and takeaways, but the Knicks played the Wizards on Friday night, with a midday game at the Garden on Sunday, and Tyson found time on Saturday evening to show up and assist. It’s a hard way to build a brand, requiring sacrifices from family, and friends, but it’s the best way. Maybe it’s a sad testament to our society, when sportsmen step up and are readily embraced as role models, but his arrival sent a lift throughout the center, among the volunteers, and rippled to the hundreds of people seeking relief supplies, some of whom had waited in line for FL-voting like  hours. It was simply a fantastic day!!

Ikenga Statue

For the person collecting African Tribal Art the Ikenga is a true find. The carving can be artistically abstract, represents a value system linked to societal advancement, but at the same time provides a physical manifestation of a supernatural link. The primary ideas behind an Ikenga carving are physical strength, determination, and will to succeed. Although typically used as a ritualized figure for Igbo men and groups, the symbolism of Ikenga has survived over the years to provide a cultural basis for components of a related value system, and connects historical with modern motifs of individual wealth, and capitalistic principles.

“The two ram horns means that the owner of the Ikenga must go ahead in his business with the stubbornness of a ram. The knife is his right hand means that he must cut down any obstacle on the way… Every Ikenga must be carved straight and rigid, because straightness is the sign of exactitude, and rigidity means perseverance.” (Onwuejeogwu 1972:92)

The notions of individual enterprise, determination, and achievement are the mainstay of Igbo personality:

“an essential aspect of ‘right and natural’ that talent should lead to enterprise, enterprise to promotion, and promotion to privilege”. (Basil Davidson 1969:25).

Four basic forms of carved Ikenga were identified,[2]

Ikenga forms 1 & 2

Fig 1.  This is the sculptured Ikenga object type.

Fig 2. The abstract Ikenga type with the body in cylindrical form.

Ikenga forms 3 & 4

Fig. 3  Another abstract Ikenga symbol form.

Fig. 4  This is a figure of a typical Ikenga symbol object belonging to the broad class of “less abstract and more humanistic type”. Note the sitting position of the human figure, the scarification marks (ichi) on the face, the matchet and the human skull in the right and left hands respectively.

Bonsai with Congo Fetish, and Fang Byeri

I put together a quick Bonsai (I know right, Bonsai masters somewhere are cringing) layout that actually took several years of planning, A few years ago I came across a sturdy little azalea that wouldn’t die, despite the occasional nip with the bushwhacker. On replanting I trimmed the roots, restricted their downward growth (using a layer of gravel), then hoped for the best. The following is a brief “step by step” walkthrough of the bonsai potting exercise.

Bonsai pot with guaze and anchor wires

The bonsai pot is fitted with gauze and wire anchors. There is very little science to this.

Bonsai pot with wire anchors – Bottom view

Add some gravel to facilitate drainage.

Bonsai drainage layer

Keep bonsai specimen safe (somewhere)!

Bonsai (Azalea) – note shallow root ball.

Anchor root ball and/or trunk as necessary, add filler dirt as required, water, and position between African Art.

Bonsai with African Tribal Art – Fang, Bwa, Bambara, Kota, Kongo, Kurumba, Igbo, Songye, and Yombe.

Kick back, pop a can, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!!

That the Christian right in Trinidad & Tobago failed to promote the slightest material opposition to the firestorm of “Bacchanal” which swept the Carnival 2012 celebrations is telling. Where are the defenders of the faith, and more importantly “what exactly do they stand to lose” by specifically speaking out against the concept of a “Bacchanalian” carnival, and educating the partying public to the line that separates a unique cultural festival from borderline hedonism and idolatry. (note: given that Easter celebrations may be similarly linked to the worship of Eostre, a goddess of Germanic paganism, the reluctance may be understandable).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship…Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money etc.” [2]

 

The song “Bacchanalist” explicitly refers to the freedoms associated with T&T carnivals, as in the catchy lyric, “this foot is mine.., and you can’t tell me what to do”; it  also promotes the 3D concept of Dancing, Drinking, and Debauchery. This is typical of most years, but the difference this year is that the term “Bacchanal” has roots to the Roman God Bacchus…. also known as the Liberator,

“whose wine, music and ecstatic dance frees his followers from self-conscious fear and care, and subverts the oppressive restraints of the powerful.”[3]

Without reaching across the pulpit, one may argue that Trinidadians understand the difference between substance and form. Yet there exist standards, and benchmarks that are sometimes unclear. A hedonist for example does not differentiate between deriving one’s pleasure from serving God or mammon, arguing that “pleasure is the only intrinsic good.”[4]

In times past there was a clear line of demarcation between Christmas, Carnival, and Lent.  While the celebrations have retained historical borders, the spirit and substance of Carnival has infused the Christmas celebrations, and threaten the Lenten season as well. One can ask the question, for example, who is the true alcoholic?

a) One who loves to drink, but is seldom seen drunk in public,

b) One who drinks occasionally but when he does usually ends up drunk,

c) The teetotaler who sacrifices life and limb for the occasional drink (think abstaining from antibiotics during Carnival week).

Point being that there are many flavors of celebration and one should always question the alignment with one’s philosophy, (given that one does indeed have a philosophy (Epicurean, Hedonistic, Christian etc,,) to begin with).

2012 Carnival Revellers/"Bacchanalists"

The problem in a nutshell is that someone needs to take a stance, albeit balanced. The Catholic Church and Christian community doesn’t get to take a “pass on this one”, or defer arguments to the post-Carnival period. Society always needs balance, and guidance. For all the beauty of carnival there are stories of excessive drinking, juvenile stabbings, car accidents, and economic opportunity costs. What one may view as collateral damage is not necessarily the norm. Carnival is not for everyone!

In true Confusist fashion one need not necessarily pay heed to an argument…. one simply requires that the argument be articulated, and that all proponents have their day in the sun…. some people need perspective.

Disclaimer: Carnival 2012 was a blast!!

---

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysus

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonism

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism

[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idolatry

In short Capitalism represents the interests of the market economy (think Wall Street, Goldman Sachs).  “There is general agreement that elements of capitalism include private ownership of the means of production, creation of goods or services for profit or income, the accumulation of capital, competitive markets, voluntary exchange and wage labor.”[1]

 Many people use the term “democracy” as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights; and elements of civil society outside the government.[2]

Several interesting dichotomies were outlined by Francis Fukuyama.[3]

“Middle class people do not necessarily support democracy in principle: like everyone else, they are self-interested actors who want to protect their property and position. In countries such as China and Thailand, many middle-class people feel threatened by the redistributive demands of the poor and lined up in support of authoritarian governments that protect their class interests”.

In the US although “the Tea Party is anti-elitist in its rhetoric, it’s members vote for conservative politicians who serve the interests of precisely those financiers and corporate elites they claim to despise… (reasons being) a deeply embedded belief in equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome, and the fact that cultural issues, such as abortion and gun rights, crosscut economic ones.”

From a cautionary perspective, “over the last two generations, the mainstream left has followed a social democratic program that centers on the state provision of … pensions, health care, and education… welfare states have become big, bureaucratic, and inflexible… and most important, they are fiscally unsustainable given the aging of populations”.

The real issue lies in the inflexibility inherent in these systems of social governance. A simple example would be to consider the early development of an area rich in natural resources. A capitalist model may offer early gains all around, but with subsequent wealth distribution, and an increase in living standards/education the onus may shift towards increased regulatory control, class segmentation, external market and internal social protections (welfare, progressive tax system). While the ideal model is inflexible the external environment is not. Competition, dwindling resources, and substitutes will place a strain on profits as other areas play catch-up.

“Left to itself, capitalism produced long term aggregate benefits along with great volatility and inequality…”, but what exists today is a hybrid system of capitalism “tempered and limited by the power of the democratic state and often made subservient to the goals of social stability and solidarity, rather than the other way around”.[4]

Yet it is clear that the American system today is no social panacea, since with increased globalization and developments in China (state capitalism), India, and Brazil, the deficiencies of the system are becoming more apparent. These developing nations are reaping the benefits of a global market, being uniquely positioned to take advantage of the increased flow of natural resources, labor, technology, and capital. The American system of the 21^st century  is characterized by the numbing balancing act of their leadership.

“Many people currently admire the Chinese system not just for its economic record but also because it can make large, complex decisions quickly, compared with the agonizing policy paralysis that has struck both the US and Europe…”[5]

While Democrats and Republicans fight (think stagnate), over who gets the bone the irony is that by the time the smoke clears the “bone” will be resting comfortably in an upscale Shenzhen suburb, or rocking in downtown Sao Paulo.

When Roland Martin tweeted  “If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him.”[1] during SuperBowl XLVI, GLAAD – Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said the remark advocated violence against gays. CNN subsequently placed him under suspension.

If Giselle Bundchen (wife of Tom Brady), made a Victoria Secrets ad sans wings, and the same comment was made with reference to married men, the tweet would not even have been a footnote ….. anywhere in cyberspace.

The question begs to be asked…. who exactly died and made GLAAD the new keepers of the Kark Rove playbook for connecting the gay dots. Even if one stretched the comment to include gays it seems that there is sufficient reasonable doubt that they were not the only possible target segment. David Beckham has enough of a rabid soccer following, and female audience (think jealous male), to warrant the remark, and if that were not enough it also brings to question whether or not another ‘straight’ guy can admire a male physique without being labeled “gay”…. which would put GLAAD in the unenviable spot of ‘gay tagging’ most guys who buy “Muscle and Fitness”, and “Men’s Health” magazines…. as Wendy Williams would say, “How U doing”.

That was actually the less SERIOUS part (did anyone catch that if I used “funny” instead of “less serious”, then GLAAD could come after me as well)…. It gets a lot tougher from here on in, but there are two decent points.

Martin Luther King Jr. (E1)

First, the Negro Spirituals were a fascinating part of the culture of passive resistance adopted during slavery. The admirable takeaway is that even under the worse of times the African American spirit has endured and found ways to thrive, prosper, and survive. This is no small feat, and though some point to the welfare system as being a bedrock for African American advancement, the fact is that the African American came out of slavery with nothing more positive than the scars on his/her back. Welfare, as much as a progressive tax system, acting at both ends of the economic continuum, stabilizes the economy through good and bad periods. (Society benefits, and of the 40 million Americans in poverty, approximately 10 million are African American and 20 million are White.)[2] These processes are crucial programs in linking, and tempering the needs of a capitalist system with a liberal democratic system. This is the umbrella under which American society provides recourse for the minorities, but a working democracy of this scale is as undefined, unmanaged, and untested as any other ideology in history. It is imperative that minorities continue to be unbiased supporters, and advocates for the clear, and unequivocal development of individual rights.

Through the (say) two hundred years of American slavery (1865), and the 100 more years to the civil rights movement of the 1960s it seems odd that any African American has not learned the lesson that he has not earned the right to offend ANYONE, (although some groups have earned the right to fire everyone, or be recognized as sovereign entities[3]). After arguably being subjected to the worst example of human degradation, evil, and humiliation, devised by a society of any life form known to man, the empathy for marginalized groups, and minorities should be embedded in the DNA of the black diaspora everywhere. If anything, in an ideal world we should all aspire to be drum majors “for justice, peace and righteousness,”.[4]

Many African tribes have used initiation through “secret” societies as a cultural tool in developing a Value, Norm, Ritual, and Punishment system. This system however runs into differences due to scale, environment, wealth, and religious differences. In a nutshell therefore, after some analysis, one can only surmise that “e pluribus, unum” can only really succeed on a psychological level where the following (somewhat adjusted), popular quote holds,

“We hold this truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”…

Beyond this simple phrase one may easily disenfranchise atheists, homosexuals, and /or agnostics.  We may be reaching for too much, and it never worked in the fable titled “the dog and the bone”. In this story a dog with a bone in his mouth, caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water. In an attempt to get what he perceived to be the bigger bone he lost the very bone he possessed!!

But I digress…. I came across the amazing procession of the Filipino religious procession of the Black Nazarene ….. an extreme example of a culture dialed in to a VNRP system.

E1 The Black Nazarene

The Black Nazarene, known to devotees in Spanish as Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (abbreviated as NPJN, Filipino: Mahal na Itim na Nazareno, English: Our Father Jesus Nazarene) is a life-sized, dark-coloured, wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying the cross, believed to be miraculous by many Filipino Catholics. Originally fair or light-complexioned, it turned dark after it was exposed to fire on its arrival from Mexico. The image is currently in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines, where it is venerated with the weekly Friday Novena Masses and several annual processions. The most famous of these is on January 9, celebrating its transfer (Traslación) and enshrinement in the Basilica, and is attended by several million devotees.^[1]

E2 The Black Nazarene Procession 2012