LESOTHO: ART AND LITERATURE

The Basotho people in Lesotho still produce many of the same textile and weaving arts that they have made for hundreds and even thousands of years. In a country with a struggling economy, people depend on the sale of weaving arts and crafts. The Lesothan arts and crafts scene is not as prevalent as other African countries, but it does exist, even though it’s small. For a country that spends most of its money and energy battling high HIV/AIDS rates and poverty, the arts seem to take a back burner. There are no art schools and very few art galleries. Most of their arts take the form of practical art: pottery, wooden utensils and tools, carpets, tapestries, woven goods, beadwork, and other items.

 

One of the most iconic pieces of art that comes from Lesotho is a traditional conical hat called a mokorotlo. It’s typically made of grasses, and while most times they are plain, there are many made with colored grasses. Most people think of Africa as being a really hot place to live, but the Basotho live mainly in the mountains, and it can get pretty cold! So, it’s no wonder that their traditional clothing includes a blanket. I think this is great. The ones I’ve seen are colorful with geometric designs. I actually want one. The colors and designs are indicative of different regions of the country. And women wear them differently than men.  

  

Like most African cultures, storytelling is an important part of the Basotho culture and different kinds of stories (histories, moralistic stories, etc.) have been passed down from generation to generation. Many Lesothan authors write in Sesotho, which is written in the Latin script. Others prefer to write in English. Sesotho is an interesting language because it is built on inflectional prefixes. It’s related to the Tswana language that is spoken in Botswana. The first Lesothan literary works were published during the time they were under British control. 

  

One of the most influential writers from Lesotho is Thomas Mofolo. He is widely known for his 1939 novel Chaka, which has been translated in several languages. This novel covers a fictionalized history of the Zulu warrior Chaka. A.S. Mopeli-Paulus is another 20^th century author who writes in both Sesotho and in English. His novels Ho tsamaea ke ho bona, Blanket Boy’s Moon, and Turn to the Dark brought him into prominence. Basildon Peta is a Zimbabwean journalist who fled his home country after receiving threats for his hard journalistic style of writing and criticisms of the government. He currently works out of the Lesotho. Other writers whose works are widely read are Simon Majara, Zakea D. Mangoaela, Everitt Lechesa Segoete, Joseph I. F. Tjokosela, Edward Motsamai, and Azariele M. Sekese. Lesotho has also produced a number of poets including David Cranmer Theko Bereng and Kem Edward Ntsane. 

The Ba re e ne re (lit. "they say it was said..." from Sesotho) is a literary festival held in Maseru. It celebrates writers and writing in general and brings up issues of the role of literature in the larger context of the political and social instability that many African countries face. Many of these writers stressed the importance of a free press and how writing can be the catalyst people can use to express their frustrations and joys. Many writers also see this as a means to create a thinking class of students by promoting reading.

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KIRIBATI: ART AND LITERATURE

 

Much of the culture in Kiribati is tied to the sea, their religion, and their closeness to family. Many of these are so intertwined that it’s hard to separate one from the other. Because of its geographical limits of being a group of islands spread far apart from one end to the other, it makes it hard for new ideas to spread and materials to be transported. Therefore, many of the arts and building practices in Kiribati are the same ones that have been going on for decades and centuries even. Many homes and buildings are simply built using materials found on the islands. Homes are decorated using woven mats and baskets. However, you will also find European-style buildings as well, such as churches and other buildings. Buildings are limited in height because the soil types tend to be sand and reef, which can’t sustain large buildings in many areas. 

As far as art goes, most of it falls under two categories: woven arts and handicrafts. Woven arts include mats, baskets, shoes/sandals, and other objects used for everyday use. Handicrafts include figurines (especially indigenous religious ones), bead and shell jewelry, and other carved trinkets, many of which are sold to what tourists may come. These woven arts and handicrafts actually make up a significant portion of Kiribati’s economy. 

Tattoos are common throughout the islands in this corner of the world. The designs vary from island to island, but there are often a variety of designs, many based on religious images or characters. Both men and women are tattooed, and full body tattoos on either sex are quite common. 

Like much of the cultures of other South Pacific islands, canoe making is also a centuries-old art form. For the people who must communicate and trade with people from neighboring islands, canoes were the main source of transportation. Canoes in Kiribati are different from what I'm accustomed to seeing, which are normally used on lakes and rivers. To combat the ocean currents and winds, these canoes are equipped with sails. 

After they received their independence from Britain, they continued on a path of blindly mimicking Eurocentric artistic styles solely for the tourists who visited (especially in the larger, more touristy cities). In fact, sometimes they would put aside their own traditional arts in lieu of attempting other styles of art.  However, the push to celebrate and promote their own artistic styles prevails. On the other hand, Kiribati is also a haven for foreigners to come and paint its beautiful landscape as well.

I came across the blog of Peter Dunn-Rankin, a retired educational psychology professor from Univ of Hawaii at Manoa. (I've taken two ed psych courses in my lifetime from two different universities, unfortunately not in Hawaii.) He is a very gifted artist and often paints fish and fishing scenes. Check out his other artwork at www.peterdunnrankin.wordpress.com.

Literature in Kiribati is either written in English or Gilbertese. Probably the most famous author from these islands is Teresia Teaiwa. Although she was born in Hawaii and raised in Fiji, her father was an I-Kiribati and her mother was African American. She has her doctorate and has taught history and politics in the past as well as currently being the co-editor of the International Feminist Journal of Politics. Francis Tekonnang is another educator who also published a list of short stories about daily life and culture in Kiribati.  

There are also a few books and papers written by foreigners about the culture of Kiribati. Edward Carlyon Eliot describes his experiences in the Gilbert & Ellice Islands from 1913–1920 in his book Broken Atoms. Sir Arthur Grimble also wrote about his time in service working in the Gilbert Islands from 1914–1932 in A Pattern of Islands and Return to the Islands. J. Maarten Troost, a current Dutch travel writer, also published a novel about his experiences on the Tarawa Atoll entitled The Sex Lives of Cannibals. The title alone makes me want to find this book. (Luckily, my library has this book. Apparently, he also has a book called Getting Stoned With Savages about his experiences in Fiji and Vanuatu. Thank the gods for public libraries.)

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GUINEA: ART AND LITERATURE

Most Guineans live in poverty.  It’s estimated that roughly half of the population live below the poverty line, which is far below the poverty line in the US. Because of this, materials for art are scarce.  And for this reason, most of the art coming from Guinea is of practical use.  Woodworking art is common, mostly in the form of benches, tables, chairs, tools, and utensils. There are some nice woodcarving pieces; many of these artists sell their works in the markets.  Carved figures, reliefs, masks, and ornaments on furniture and musical instruments are probably the most common places to see wood carving.  

There are some metal works as well. However, for a country whose biggest export is bauxite and aluminum goods, the vast majority of the people must rely on recycling used cans and such in order to obtain materials rather than having access to the raw materials. (Either that, or they do have access per se, but it’s sold a such a high price that the people can’t afford it.) Most metal work falls under the categories of tools, utensils, bowls, plates, and similar items. 

There is also a market for woven goods, mostly made from reeds and straws.  These are usually used to make baskets of all sizes and for a variety of functions, mats, wall and floor covers, etc.  Weavers and dyers who make cloth are always in demand; in much of West Africa, many of the designs are specific to different ethnic groups, and some patterns are geometric in form, often in a repeating pattern. Bright colors are often used, and many times more than one contrasting cloth is worn at the same time. 

There are several arts festivals held throughout the year, mostly in the capital of Conakry. Most of these festivals, such as Kini Africa, Macao Arts Festival, and the Festival International Kora et Cordes de Conakry include an array of Guinean visual and performing arts to celebrate their culture.

Like other traditions in West Africa, literature started out as an oral tradition, meaning that stories were passed down by word of mouth.  Written literature wasn’t established until after the French arrived, and Guinean literature in French didn’t emerge until after WWII when a collection of poems by Keïta Fodeba was first published.  Camara Laye’s L’Enfant noir was published shortly afterwards in 1953.  Some people viewed this novel with acclaim for its description of the character’s inner struggles and thoughts throughout the book, but others viewed it with disdain for its stereotypical view on African life. Despite its mixed reviews, it paved the way for many Guinean authors to write and get published. 

Kesso Barry

Although a widely male-dominated field, there have been several successful women Guinean writers emerge with powerful books.  Some of these novels fell into the “historical” category, and some are biographies stemmed in Guinean history as well as social commentary.  Sirah Baldé de Labé, Nadine Bari, Bilguissa Diallo, Binta Ann, Marie Bernadette Ouédraogo Tiendrébéogo, Kesso Barry, Aïssatou Barry are female writers you should look for.   

When I was in high school, I used to keep a collection of quotes and proverbs that I used as my own go-to book when I needed inspiration.  Guinea has also contributed a number of proverbs to African literature that I should add.  Here are a few that I enjoyed (as found on proverbsafricanliterature.wordpress.com):

            -- One camel does not make fun of the other camel’s hump.

            -- Around a flowering tree, one finds many insects.

            -- He who has done evil expects evil.

            -- He who does not cultivate his field will die of hunger.

            -- A cow that has no tail should not try to chase away flies.

            -- The toad likes water but not when it is boiling.

            -- When a needle falls into a deep well, many people will look into the well,

but few will be ready to go down after it.

            -- Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.

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GRENADA: ART AND LITERATURE

Although the earliest people here, the Carib Indians, were driven away or died there to avoid the first option, they left a part of them behind: their art. The Caribs etched important events of their daily lives into the sides of cliffs, in caves, and other areas around the islands.

Painting is huge on the island of Grenada. And who can blame them? They have a wonderful backdrop of some of the most beautiful scenery to paint. Whereas most painters typically use canvas as the main medium to paint on, Grenadian artists don’t stop there. These artists have been known to paint on a variety of mediums: wood, metal, cloth, bamboo, and even the calabash (a type of gourd). St. George’s has several art shows and showcases throughout the year bringing hundreds of visitors to local artists. Some of the most influential painters in Grenada are Canute Caliste, Elinus Cato, and John Benjamin MBE.

by Elinus Cato

Woven crafts are also very popular, especially in the tourist markets. However, items such as hat, purses, placemats, and baskets are also regularly used in the average Grenadian home as well. You’ll find most of these items are made from wicker, straw, or bamboo. 

Woodcarving is also especially popular as well.  Many of these items are also used in the home, like bowls of all sizes, kitchen utensils (wooden spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.), or furniture. Typically, these items are made from mahogany or red cedar but other types may be used.

As with most other Caribbean countries, jewelry is an art form going back centuries. Known for jewelry made from local materials, black coral and turtle shell are common materials from these islands. Actually, shells of all types are used in jewelry, as well as wooden beads and even paper beads. 

Storytelling is at the heart of Grenada’s literary traditions. This tradition is closely tied to the African traditions that were brought over during the Slave Trade.  Today, the vast majority of Grenadian literature is written in English, but some of it is in French Creole. Literary festivals, such as Spice Word Literary Festival and Poetry Slam, are held throughout the year to showcase the best of what this island nation has to offer.

Tobias S. Buckell is a science fiction author who was born in Grenada. He is most known for being the author of the sixth book in the Halo series, Halo: The Cole Protocol. As successful as he is as a writer, he suffers from dyslexia.

Merle Collins was actually born in Aruba, but later moved back to Grenada since her parents were Grenadian. She got her bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish in Jamaica, her master’s degree in Latin American studies in the US, and her Ph.D. in Government in the UK. She has spent many years teaching and was active in the Grenadian Revolution. Collins has published literary and social commentaries, poetry, short stories, and novels.

Gus John is a writer, educator, and social commentator. He was born in Grenada and later moved to the UK where he was instrumental in writing and advising on the problems with the education of minorities. He worked closely with various groups aimed at curbing youth violence and has written many articles and books on the subjects of education, race, violence, the Caribbean, and the inequality persistent in all of these things.

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