Terno Dos Reis, Henry John Drewal, January 5 1998. Madison Libraries Terno Dos Reis (Day Of The Kings)

The more I study and the more I meet myself that all the kind of African studies: African ethnology, Noirism, indigenism, negritude, Africanism in the Caribbean have never been able to achieve their ultimate goal of emancipation, freedom and education for the Afro-descendant peoples of the Caribbean; because they never could achieve sovereignty. These currents were infiltrated and parasitized by the imperialist/ colonial nations and their local allies (elites and oligarchies), for the control of knowledge and all that this implies. The black owned is really the solution for all afro initiatives, whether in the academic, social, cultural, economic, political, educational, health… one must self-finance, one cannot depend or remain vassals of foreign funds, of foreign interests, foreign ideology. In the future we can only be united among ourselves if we really want to be free.

“Vodou means “spirit.” It’s a Fon [a people of Benin, formerly Dahomey] word. It’s like, in English you say “spirit”; in Spanish you say “espirito,” and in French you say “esprit.” But it’s all the same; this is what we are. Our bodies are made of pieces of dust, just made up of dust. Inside the body is a spirit. That’s the mystery. An ant is a mystery; the chicken is a mystery; plants are mysteries. All is spirit. Until we understand that and raise our consciousness to see that we are not only made of flesh, we remain prisoners. We must be conscious that we are spirit. That way we will know what possibilities we really have, what power we really have as people.”

— Mimerose Beaubrun, interview in Angels in the Mirror: Vodou Music of Haiti

Susan Matthews

Calao, oiseaux à cornes, production du peuple Sénoufo présent en Côte d'Ivoire et Mali.

Tomorrow I'm going to become a teacher, I'm going to do my first class. I can't wait! I have prepared everything. 

It's a big step for me. Once my thesis is finished, I want to become an anthropologist and historian of Caribbean societies. My dream is to do research, write on many subjects, transmit knowledge, make cultural films and many other projects!! 

I have so much gratitude to all those who have accompanied me and who are still with me.  Future.

Objets blessés - La réparation en Afrique, Gaetano Speranza, 2007

Terno dos Reis, Henry John Drewal, January 5 1998. Madison Libraries Terno dos Reis (Day of the Kings) festivals are celebrated annually during the christmas season. The January 6th feast commemorates the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem bearing gifts for the Christ child. Brazilian celebrations include processions in which community members dress in costumes, dance, play music, and carry banners. This Terno festival took place on January 5, 1998 in Liberdade, Salvador.

Material and visual heritage of Manman dlo, Lasiren, Yemọja and Ọṣun.

Susan Matthews

flow state permits beautiful things to happen.