Spiritual Recognition

Baule spirit spouses

are the belief

among an African people

wherein there is also a

husband or wife in heaven

for everyone-

 

So they create sculptures

and ritually care for them

once a week

by feeding them,

bathing and sleeping

with them to keep them

near their sides.

 

Similarly, the Nigerians

create Ere Ibeji figures

as twins birth are very

common there and there

is a high fetal mortality rate

and these figures

stand for the dead twins or twin-

they are worn in a sash

around the mother

and ritually cared for

and dressed much like the Baule

spirit spouse figurines.

 

Carved from wood

and adorned with cowry shells

and scented oils

the Ere Ibeji are later

passed down the family line

either to a surviving twin

or an aunt or another child

once an adult

to honor the dead spirit

of their family

and keep their souls appeased

and comforted.

 

Honorable traditions

for the dead

mapped out in sculpted hands

African traditions

that I have learned in my studies

in graduate school

that inspire awe within me

as the amount of homage

and respect for the dead

doesn't end at burial

or the mark upon the tombstone

but is carried on for generations

throughout every week and day

so that they are not forgotten.

 

 

Reviews

[Marie Anzalone]

I think sometimes the American desire for cleanliness borders on a national obsession for comfort. When you cannot tolerate discomfort or illness, the natural progression is a removal from the natural processes involved with dying. The dying all over the world want only one thing- to be remembered; to have their passage through time and space acknowledged. You bring this simple wish to life by showing us an achingly beautiful glimpse of it in cultures that can live with the dichotomies of life and loss much better than we do.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Simply wonderful, congratulations on this piece winning the Africa Rising contest, truly deserving.

[robin]

And the dead are with us always so who would forget them? Oh how modern product oriented media has caused us to look at gum or SUV's for warmth and meaning. Lovely is how your reflections often strike me, even when you're molding clay with African Spirits. And your reverence of the sacred is also important, even when your rolling on the floor or carpeting between your legs with nature's art.

[Celtic Cat]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. It is very interesting indeed. Funny, last night at school I was talking about a character I'm writing a monologue for, and I said of her "she has much respect for the dead. Moreso than for the living." Just struck me funny to be compelled to come here and see that my character is not the only one who respects the dead! Of course, I'm sure the people of which you speak also respect the living, unlike my character. Excellent informative piece. Love it. How cool to have a husband in heaven. Awesome.

[Arthur Henn]

I thought this was very interesting. This alone could be a poem its self.
__________________________________________________________________

Honorable traditions
for the dead
mapped out in sculpted hands
African traditions
that I have learned in my studies
in graduate school
that inspire awe within me
as the amount of homage
and respect for the dead
doesn't end at burial
or the mark upon the tombstone
but is carried on for generations
throughout every week and day
so that they are not forgotten.
_________________________________________________________________
Looking down on the headstone of a name unknown
the gates of heaven opens up
a tug at my heart I feel
emotions crying out your name
no longer an unknown name.

Forgotten not, you are
forgotten not, I still think of you
the way we looked into each others eyes
the way we held each other tight
keeping each other warm on cold nights.

Your lips, sweeter than any wine
fruit of the vine.
The sweetness I still taste,
thinking of our first kiss.

Your eyes, larger than any universe
a universe of love, never to be forgotten
the awe inspired legacy, I'm missing
wanting you back
won't you please, come back.

(((Hugs)))

Art