Otherness

This week of articles and class discussions was a nice eye opener to connecting everything we've learned so far and relating it to our own terms. While reading these articles, Imaging Otherness in Ivory and Mami Wata Shrines, I tried to put myself in their respective time periods so it was easier to relate or understand the concept of the "others." Presently, we've all grown up knowing about most of the world, its peoples, cultures, religions and such. But we all know about these 'others' now because of explorers from way back when like we see explained in the articles. Both articles describe the concept of 'others' while showing the effect of interculturation into African visuals.

In the Imaging Otherness in Ivory article by Preston Blier, the word "other" describes the Portuguese that came to Africa, who had an effect on their cultures. For example, The Beni saltcellars depict Portuguese human figures with their white skin, long hair, mustaches, thin and such other features. In the Mami Wata article by Henry Drewal, "others" are featured as any foreigns from across the sea. This includes Europeans, Americans, and even Indians. Basically, anyone they don't know is foreign, or an "other."

Through these "others," African cultures have been influenced in their visual forms, also referred to our class word of interculturation. Blier talks about how the Portuguese are widely seen as a connection to the dead African ancestors because they have white pale skin, speak unintelligible language, possess higher technology and also come from across the ocean, which is a deeper meaning of the connection of the living and the dead. These ideas of connection to the dead are reflected in visual forms, like the cross symbol. In the Kongo, the spiral forms support the European view of transition, death, and life. In Beni, vessels like the saltcellars detail Portuguese features so prominently that it can date it itself. Portuguese figures are often shown in pairs, which also associate with Benin court officials and religious figures and are commonly displayed in active poses. The connection to Beni’s fish motifs supports the relationship of the Portuguese with movement, water and otherworldly realms. Blier links objects held by the Portuguese with their identity of power and prosperity including swords, lances, rifles, manillas, and books. In Sapi, early ivory carvings reference Portuguese foreign figures such as angels, unicorns, crosses, mermaids, lions, eagles and religious acts such as Virgin and Child.

As I talked about in our class discussion, I wondered where we would be if cultures weren't mixed or if we didn't learn from others. Europeans brought great technological advances to Africa and also brought back African cultural knowledge and visuals to the world. Although we as Americans have our own interpretation of other cultures, it is respectively better than nothing. As said by Drewal, "Museums may be windows on other worlds, but they are also mirrors reflecting their creators. By framing our view and directing our gaze, they influence what we see, how we see, and, therefore, what we understand." Another comparison I used to help understand it is by food. In America, we have, for example, Mexican restaurants but its an American version of mexican food and not actual food from Mexico or what Mexicans eat. I have actually been to Mexico several times so its always fun to compare and see the actual difference between the actual and the revised American way. This concept also goes for visual arts and other foreign influences.

Overall, interculturation is very effective in all countries around the world and allows us to learn more about everyone else and to expand our own knowledge. I see so many benefits that came from a bad or scary time but thats how life is and sometimes it takes awhile to see the good in the bad.