c qoi o jus' ? ki sa sa ki sa yé ?

RELIGION IN ST. LUCIA

"The younger generation of Caroos have no idea what our history is, and our parents do not even seem to know about it themselves..."

"After the Indians were brought to the Caribbean the various churches saw an opportunity to increase their flocks and to break the Indians away from their "pagan" and "idolatrous" behavior. 

They aggressively pursued this in most of the colonies, but their successes never eclipsed the cultural teachings in those colonies that had large number of immigrant Indians such as Guyana and Trinidad, since these colonies had a large enough population that included Brahmin priests and Muslim teachers to officiate in ceremonies and create Hindu and Muslim temples.

In the smaller islands this was not the case and the Christian churches were able make great headway in their teachings.

HARO SUR L'INCONSCIENT COLONIAL!

NOTA:
Cet univers scolaire a aussi existé, et ses séquelles-mémoire restent encore présentes, aux Antilles françaises. Cet ouvrage est donc tout aussi recommandé aux Créoles et créolistes. JS.

Symbole et Châtiments
Regard sociologique sur l’inconscient scolaire colonial
en Afrique noire francophone par Emmanuel AMOUGOU.

En mettant en place, en Afrique noire, des écoles spécifiquement destinées à la formation des élites indigènes et coloniales, le pouvoir colonial français a généré du même coup un univers scolaire tout à   fait particulier.

Un univers au sein duquel les maîtres, les instituteurs et autres formateurs métropolitains, devaient appliquer des types de punitions qui n’étaient plus pratiqués, au moins théoriquement en France , depuis la Loi Guizot du 28 juin 1833. 

Autant les instituteurs métropolitains tiraient leur légitimité de la logique de domination coloniale dont ils servaient les intérêts tout en servant les leurs propres, autant les maîtres et moniteurs indigènes - dépourvus du capital pédagogique nécessaire - devaient construire la leur en puisant (par compensation !) dans les pratiques punitives liées aux représentations traditionnelles de l’enfant dans l’univers familial africain.

C’est donc dire combien tout inconscient scolaire ne saurait être le résultat des seules ‘‘expériences proprement scolaires’’.

Dans la construction de cette dimension fondamentalement arbitraire qu’est l’inconscient scolaire colonial, les châtiments corporels et autres punitions comme le port du symbole constituent des pratiques redoutables qui, encore de nos jours, rappellent aux générations entières d’élèves africains, les images, les comportements et les pratiques inoubliables de leurs anciens maîtres d’école.

Et parmi ces élèves, peut-on véritablement imaginer le nombre de ceux qui ont déserté cet univers scolaire impitoyable ?

 Emmanuel AMOUGOU est sociologue et enseignant-chercheur à l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux. Il est membre de l’équipe de recherche ‘‘Production de la Ville et Patrimoine’’ - UMR n°5185 CNRS-ADES.

Sur la question coloniale, il est l’auteur de "La Construction de l’Inconscient".

Autres livres d'Emmanuel.

Genre: Essai
Parution: Mars 2006
Nombre de Pages: 232
Format: 10x15cm
Poids: 300 g
EAN: 978 2911372902
ISBN: 2-911372-90-5
Prix public: 18 €

Collection ‘‘Logiques Sociales’’, Paris 2002.
Editions Menaibuc / Contact Presse : 06 61 53 28 60
BP. 109 - 75862 Paris Cedex 18
Web : www.menaibuc.com / Mail : menaibuc@wanadoo.fr
Interview auteur : menaibuc.com, africamaat.com
Diffusion : librairies, menaibuc.com, fnac.com, dilicom.

Genre: Essai
Parution: Mars 2006
Nombre de Pages: 232
Format: 10*15cm
Poids: 300 g
EAN: 978 2911372902
ISBN: 2-911372-90-5
Prix public: 18 €
INFORMATIONS
Editions Menaibuc
Contact Presse : 06 61 53 28 60
BP. 109 - 75862 Paris Cedex 18.

HOLI, AND APRIL'S FOOL...

"One of the Hoolie diversions, by the way, is what in England is called making April fools, by sending persons on errands and expeditions that end in disappointment and raising a laugh against them. 'The Hoolie (says Colonel Pierce, in the 'Asiatic Researches') is always held in March, and the last day is the general holiday.' In India high and low join in the fooling custom; and Suraja Doulah told Colonel Pearce that he was very fond of making Hoolie fools, though he was a Mussulman [Muslim] of the highest rank.

"They carry the joke so far as to carry letters making appointments in the names of persons who, it is known, must be absent from their homes at the time fixed upon; and the laugh is always in proportion to the trouble given.

"The least inquiry into the ancient customs of Persia (notes Brand, in his Popular Antiquities), or the minutest acquaintance with the general astronomical mythology of Asia, would have told Colonel Pearce that the boundless hilarity and jocund sports prevalent on the first day of April in England, and during the Hindoo festival of India, have their origin in the ancient practice of celebrating with festival rites the period of the Vernal equinox, or the day when the new year of Persia anciently begins."

Source  and cont'd : great text and photo resource harappa.com

MEAT OUT: FRUIT IN! LA VIANDE FAIT PLACE AUX FRUITS!

Mwen pito Fwi
I prefer Fruit.

By Maude Heurtelou. A fun way to learn about food.

Ecrire en Créole me donne le sentiment d'embrasser ma culture,
mon peuple et mon pays dans ce qu'ils ont de plus intime: la langue.

Maude Heurtelou est nutritionniste. 

Voir ici sur le site KK.

MEATOUT OBSERVANCE SETS RECORDS IN DIET EDUCATION

At a Michigan KFC outlet, a “policeman” arrests a knife-wielding "Col. Sanders" for his role in crippling and torturing millions of chickens.

A thousand communities in all 50 states and 28 other countries welcomed spring this week, with colorful educational events ranging from information tables, exhibits, and lectures to cooking demonstrations, receptions, and elaborate “lifestivals.”

Visitors were asked to “kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and to explore a nonviolent, wholesome diet of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.” The observance had widespread support from celebrity entertainers, health authorities, public officials, and the media.

International Meatout observances have been coordinated since 1985 by FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), a nonprofit educational organization in the nation’s capital.

This year’s observance was co-sponsored by In Defense of Animals and Vegetarian Times, with support from PETA . Community events are arranged by local consumer and animal protection groups.

Lifestivals, featuring live bands, speakers, food samples, exhibits, and literature, were held in San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, Portland, Detroit, Boston, Knoxville, Atlanta, and San Juan.

More than 10,000 were expected at the Seattle event. Nearly 300 staffers were treated to a vegan lunch and literature at the annual Congressional Meatout Reception in the nation’s capital.

Activists distributed samples of wholesome, nonviolent veggie burgers, soy dogs, and “chicken” nuggets in front of scores of KFC and other fast food outlets.

At a Michigan KFC outlet, a “policeman” arrested a knife-wielding "Col. Sanders" for his role in crippling and torturing millions of chickens. Several Meatout walks called public attention to the Meatout message.

Forty U.S. universities arranged information tables, exhibits, lectures, and meat-free dining halls. These included Alabama, American, Arizona, Brigham Young, Colorado, Florida, George Washington, Georgetown, Georgia, Harvard, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwestern, Pennsylvania, Sarah Lawrence, Stanford, Syracuse, Utah, Utah State, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Elementary and high school teachers held special classes on the benefits of plant-based eating. Humane societies and animal sanctuaries throughout the U.S. offered Veg Starter Kits to visitors.

Hundreds of giant billboards and bus cards in ten major metropolitan areas, along with scores of letters to editor and media interviews, carried the Meatout message to millions.

Seventeen governors and mayors issued Meatout proclamations promoting consumption of vegetables, fruits, and grains.

The All-Yours greeting card company designed a set of special Meatout greeting cards. Celebrity headliners included Casey Kasem, Joaquin Phoenix, James Cromwell, Mary Tyler-Moore, Ed Asner, Jennie Garth, and Bill Maher.

A record 28 other countries took part in this year’s Meatout observance.

Canada, Croatia, England, Germany, and India held multiple events. Irish activists simulated a bird flu die-in. Spanish activists were displayed in a public square inside meat-like plastic trays.

France and Germany built their own Meatout web sites.

Other participating countries were Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Tanzania, Thailand, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.

http://meatout.org/
FARM -10101
Ashburton Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817.

See Maud Hetlou's advice!

Ooty, Nilgiris Mountains, South India. ©J.S.2006.

WHAT TO WEAR?

The clothing we wear shapes our attitudes, cultural behavior and the friendships we hold. Clothes do affect our moods and emotions and make a declaration of who we are.

I will never forget seeing the many spiritual and parliamentary leaders in Moscow at the Global Forum on Human Survival in January of 1991.

Many were dressed in Western suits and ties, and it was hard to tell who among them were from the West, or from Africa or India, and harder still to tell who was a religious person and who a politician.

But at the Millennium Peace Summit of Religious Leaders at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York in 2000, there were so many, perhaps most, who wore their native dress.

I knew instantly who they were, where they were from and what they represented.

They carried the stronger message and showed by their clothes that they were proud of their tradition, and that they intended to preserve it.

That kind of strength is good to see in a world that has mistaken drab uniformity for security.

Perhaps the way things are heading, one day the Gods in the temples will have the dress of the day: a baseball cap turned backwards, a T-shirt, baggy pants. Perhaps that would satisfy the issue and end the controversy. What do you think?

Women say that they think and act and move differently when they are dressed in a sari than in Western casual clothing. Another point--men look nicer in the traditional Indian outfit than they do in Western coats, shirts and trousers.

But many are shy to wear Hindu clothing, especially the men. They need not be.

Last summer a girl we know was scared to death to go to college in her punjabis. But she tried it. Within four days some of the American coeds came up and asked, "What do you call that outfit? We want one like it, too. It's so beautiful." So much for our fears!

Swami Vivekananda noted,
"The sari of our women and the choga and turban of our men defy comparison as regards beauty in dress. The tight dresses cannot approach in loveliness the loose ones that fall in natural folds."

Sivaya Subramunyaswami
(excerpted from Living with Siva 347).

Ooty Beauty. Nilgiris Mountains, South India, jan. 2006. ©J.S.

MAURITIUS: RESTORING J.G. GILLET'S PAINTINGS OF TAMIL CITIZENS

"Certes, les souliers fins sont dans le meilleur modèle occidental et le costume est fait sur mesure dans les meilleures toiles anglaises, tissu à rayures fines, pantalon et veste assortis; cependant, comment ne pas voir en même temps tous les éléments purement tamouls du tableau, choisis et montrés avec fierté.

C'est toute cette complexité identitaire dont rend compte l'oeuvre de Gillet: modernité et tradition semblent s'y être donné rendez-vous pour le plus grand bien du personnage qui s'en accommode lui-même parfaitement.

Conciliation de plusieurs univers, plusieurs mondes, plusieurs époques, ce regard franc et résolu, d'intelligence et de quiétude, interpelle résolument l'amateur d'art et questionne le Mauricien sur son passé..."

Lire l'article complet d'Emmanuel Richon et voir les images sur le site Kapes-Kreyol.

Tamoul en compagnie d'une de ses filles. Photo appartenant à la famille Ragoonaden.

GENETIC DIVERSITY EXTRAORDINAIRE

Indians constitute important segments of the population in many islands, including St. Lucia and Barbados. Whites called the blacks "niggers" and the Indians "coolies"...

The DOS map of St. Lucia, printed by the Government of St. Lucia in 1988, includes the village of "Coolietown" in the formerly rich sugar producing region of the Roseau Valley.

That term is functionally equivalent to "Niggertown" in Mississippi.

Racial terms typically demarcate socially significant categories from the perspective of the white population, and have been adopted with a vengeance by members of the brown population (...) hence Coolietown persists on the map. 

But there has been no attempt to systematize the terminology to reflect the extraordinary genetic diversity of the Caribbean population as a whole...

Labels are good for insulting people, but they don't carry much information...

 

CHINESE INDENTURE IMMIGRATION TO GUYANA

Indenture Roots Website 

The Chinese in Guyana

 Their introduction to Guyana (then called British Guiana) as indentured immigrants took place between 1853 and 1879.

 

Reasons for and results of Chinese immigration.

Typical contract of indenture used in 1873 for the Chinese labourers.

Details of the travels of the 39 immigrant ships. 

Chinese immigration site.

Chinese workers in Guadeloupe.

«Le fond du coeur est plus loin que le bout du monde.» 
Proverbe Chinois.

Et que dans ce combat là
Chaque peuple quelque petit qu'il soit
Tient une partie du front
Donc en définitive est comptable
D'une part même infime
De l'espérance humaine.
- Aimé Césaire.

 

Indenture Roots Website 

The Chinese in Guyana

 Their introduction to Guyana (then called British Guiana) as indentured immigrants took place between 1853 and 1879.

 

Reasons for and results of Chinese immigration.

Typical contract of indenture used in 1873 for the Chinese labourers.

Details of the travels of the 39 immigrant ships. 

Chinese immigration site.

Chinese workers in Guadeloupe.

«Le fond du coeur est plus loin que le bout du monde.» 
Proverbe Chinois.

Et que dans ce combat là
Chaque peuple quelque petit qu'il soit
Tient une partie du front
Donc en définitive est comptable
D'une part même infime
De l'espérance humaine.
- Aimé Césaire.

 

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES ESTABLISH INDIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Efforts are being made to set up a St.Vincent and the Grenadines Indian Heritage Foundation.

In August 2005, a group of Indian descendants met and discussed the possibility of establishing a foundation to disseminate and share information about the Indian Heritage of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

By the end of this month, the foundation should be registered as a legal entity.

An official launching is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 1.

June this year will mark the 145th anniversary since the first group of Indian Indentured Labourers arrived in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Through the foundation a series of activities will be staged leading up to the 150th anniversary of the Indians’ arrival in 2010.

The foundation will also establish a website.

INFO SOURCE : Searchlight.

South India, near Chennai. ©J.S. 2006.

WISE WORDS: MENISSA RAMBALLY

Youngest and only St. Lucia lady cabinet member, a descendant of indian indentured workers, Menissa Rambally came into the political mix when her father passed away shortly before an election.

She speaks on the condition of Caribbean women in politics.

"Dr Martin Luther King Jr dreamed of the  day when his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by their content of their character — I just dream   of the day when women at the top of their game won’t need  to be qualified as the “first woman to . . ."

...for me politics is not the focus on me so I am not here trying to create sort of a legacy for myself.

So when I think of politics I am grateful to the society, to women for having the confidence in a woman. That is what it has done, it has demonstrated confidence in women, in youth, that somebody like me today can stand in the House of Parliament."

Read full article on The St. Lucia Star paper.