"Alima b'ê dê, Naviyu b ê dê," meaning "soul has left, ship has sailed," is a poignant verse sung in D’jambi, a syncretic ritual in São Tomé e Príncipe that melds spiritual and religious traditions from Angola, Benin, and Congo with Catholicism. This project delves into the rich cultural and social heritage of São Tomé e Príncipe, an archipelago on Africa's western coast crucial to the Portuguese slave trade from the 16th century until its independence in 1975. Considering D’jambi as a vector—or boundary object—this project addresses the struggles of people torn from their families and forcibly enslaved and brought to the archipelago, and their descendants, examining how trauma and violence are healed individually and collectively within this ritual.
Through photographs, videos, sound recordings, and interviews conducted in collaboration with local healers, anthropologists, writers, and poets, the project captures the intense rhythms, the atmospheric dynamics, and the bodily movements that precipitate men, women, and children into becoming vessels for spirits and ghosts within the 'terreiro'. It is ultimately a profound meditation on life, death, the body, spirits, and ghosts' role as restitution agents. This idea is framed within a broader contemplation on existence, mortality, and the spiritual legacy of colonialism, emphasizing the role of spirits and ancestral figures in mediating past injustices.
The project presents a nuanced interpretation of ghosts, hauntings and spectral presences: as agents that challenge temporal and spatial constraints to revise historical narratives; as symbols for critiquing the residual impacts of colonial oppression and calling for social justice; and as figures in the process of "ghosting" those marginalized by historical narratives, thereby critiquing and challenging their continued marginalization. Through this, the project engages in a multifaceted dialogue across disciplines including memory studies, cultural history, and postcolonial critique, pushing forward the discourse on healing and restitution from imperial legacies.
"Alima b'ê dê, Naviyu b ê dê" emphasizes the vital role of art and cultural narrative in fostering critical introspection and dialogue. It connects the echoes of historical events with ongoing discussions about identity, belonging, and resilience, offering a reflective space for confronting and healing from the traumas of colonialism. This artistic project enriches the appreciation for the intricate cultural fabric of São Tomé e Príncipe, highlighting its importance in understanding broader postcolonial contexts.
