Category Archives: Week 12: The Ocean as Archive

Blogpost Week 12 – The Water Will Carry Us Home

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To be quite frank I totally blanked on work coming out of break but more importantly I wanted to still be able to understand what was happening in class tomorrow and I am glad I still decided to watch the video. Although I lack complete understanding of the short story, I thought that it was brilliantly put together and tells one incredibly powerful and dark story of our history. The eye displayed on the hand of the man with the key is a typical sign of wisdom, and the fact that he has a key attached to it (which unlocks the door) resembles the concept of unlocking hidden wisdom. In my personal opinion, I believe that knowledge is power, and the man with the hat possesses much of it. Furthermore, merpeople (and more specifically sirens) have been known to hold the secrets of the world, which tend to lead sailors off course. The idea that Omambala, the water spirit, will still serve as a guide and source of hope along this horrific journey is something to take note of. I am not sure if Omambala represents an afterlife, and an afterlife of wisdom, power, and understanding due to being killed along the journey or if instead, she resembles a choice to subject oneself to that alternative lifestyle, and as other merpeople convince others of the same fate that might have been better than what was waiting on the other side. In a nutshell I really have no idea but I am very fascinated by the entire video all around and am excited to hear other people’s opinions. Something else I found that spoke to me was the quote at 1 minute and 21 seconds, “[t]he water spirit Omambala brought us here. The water spirit Omambala will bring us home” (Tesfaye). I find this to be beautiful because it resembles something huge of hope. It seems to me like a resounding, unquestionable sense of faith and hope, something that I think I personally lack and envy; and the pure fact that it is a water goddess with wisdom and power makes it that much more attractive to me. I think I am probably at a similar level of confusion as the Sirenomelia video, but after having learned so much I have high hopes for the discussions we have about this one. Lastly, I think it was super cool that when the music stopped, the lady (maybe Omambala?), started building an earthy headset, and the second she put it on the music continued. 

The Water Will Carry Us ( to Movement)

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This week I wanted to focus on the Stop Motion Animation, ¨The Water Will Carry Us Home¨ by Gabrielle Tesfaye. I wanted to focus on this blog post specifically for the way that it was filmed and for the way that the story was told, focusing on the developmental elements of the film. The film opens with a woman where the audience is walking through what appears to be a ritual that she is performing. The camera follows her through prayer, the burning of candles, her stretched ears, the henna on her hands, the burning of incents, etc. Where the audience is carefully exposed to the woman and her culture, as her presence fills the entire screen and all of the camera angles are very close up, forcing you to look at the woman and her actions. This showcases culture and how one may utilize art and body to represent themselves.

This scene switches into the stop motion scenes that felt unsettling to me due to the movement of the objects and the music that came along with the transition. I think it is interesting how the figures move in a stop-motion way because it is so much different than the ocean it is trying to represent, as the ocean does not stop and is only ever in constant movement. The film switches to the movement of real water and the actual ocean after the story is commenced. I believe that this describes how there is movement in resolution, meaning that in order to resolve something you must be uncomfortable, you will face rockiness that may feel like a stop motion, but at the end of the rockiness and uncomfortableness you have the potential to flow. While it seems cliche I feel like its important to point out, because water is movement and leads us to movement through movement. The theme of moving or not moving ( through stop-motion) is important and means something for the essence of the film and the essence of our lives.

There is almost this magical touch to the film as the music in the ending and beginning plays like a Siren song. As I watched it drew me in and gave me a comfort that I did not feel when the music was stopped. While confused by this film, I enjoyed it, and enjoyed how the artist told their story.

The Water Will Carry Us Home

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In the video “The Water Will Carry Us Home” by Gabrielle Tesfaye, we are presented to a story of “stolen Africans being thrown off the slave ship whilst sailing through the Middle Passage” (Tesfaye). This story was heart breaking because it was a lived reality by Africans, and the video beautifully captured the saving of their spirits. A lot of emotions went through me when watching this video, especially because of the music that was being played through such tragic scenes. The music was peaceful and giving a sense of hope, a feeling of “everything will be ok, I’ll take care of you.” And this feeling goes alongside the transformation of those who were thrown overboard into Merpeople. This transformation happens as fish swim around them, nurturing them as they become spirits. Which further allows for the exploration of water and the significance it has. In this video, water served as an avenue for rebirth, where what is assumed to be lost at sea is instead tranformed into an immortal spirit. I saw the ending as a form of reclaiming not only the spirits but the souls of the individuals who suffered because of this. It demonstrates resilience and empowerment.

The Water Will Carry Us Home

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This film looks like it has a lot to unwrap, and I think I missed a lot. What I did pick up on and really liked on my first watch is the personification of elements. The sense that the elements are divine, as well as Omambala. What I couldn’t quite understand was whether each of the elements and the mermaid were separate entities, or if they were all Omambala. I also noticed that the ship itself is personified, looking tired and ill. I like that all the sea creatures and the water seemed to be comforting those who were thrown overboard.

I wonder if it was on purpose when Tesfaye used water-based paint for her story.

This could be a misinterpretation on my part, but one thing that I noticed is that the ship moved from left to right (East to West), opposite from the direction that these ships historically traveled across the Atlantic. I wonder if this was done with intention.

The ending scene had me fascinated, as the bird sounds and the shells reminded me of the East Coast, where my parents are from. I wonder if the character is listening for the souls of those thrown off the ships, or could it be that she is listening for Omambala? As she puts the shells over her ears, the woman (possibly Tesfaye) hears the sounds of singing, but it isn’t obvious to me who it is. It seems like she may be using this film as a way to represent her ancestors, and show that it is important to communicate and understand your history, no matter how dark.

Week 12: Water Will Carry Us Home

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The video “The Water Will Carry Us Home” by Gabriella Tesfaye invoked several emotions throughout the film. At first, I felt a sense of calmness and purification with the ladies singing in harmony and the sight of incense and candles burning. It reminded me of some sort of holistic chakra/reiki ceremony. Then, when the film cut to a drawing of a man (1:40) with no mouth and with two eyes tattooed on his hands I felt a little eerie because it seemed like the man was staring through my soul. One thing I did notice in this video was the Egyptian symbolism, the eyes tattooed on his hands is similar to the Egyptian god “Ra” and as well in the beginning (00:08 and 00:17) there are depictions of what might be Egyptian Pharaohs or figures. I assume this symbolism has something to do with the water spirit Omambala who is an ancient goddess whose power resides on both Earth and the “underworld” which is a popular setting in Egyptian culture. The scenes where the African slaves are thrown overboard and turn in to mermaids (4:15 and 4:50) is possibly a reference of Omambala taking them to the underworld where they can have eternal life. The ending where the lady wears seashells like headphones and plugs it into the sand could mean she is trying to reconnect with the African slaves Omambala took to the underworld (5:45).

Week 12: The Water Will Carry Us Home

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In Gabrielle Tesfaye’s stop motion animation, “The Water Will Carry Us Home,” the scene depicting the throwing of stolen Africans off a slave ship during the Middle Passage followed by their transformation into mermaids serves as a poignant exploration of sacrifice, transformation, and spiritual liberation.

The act of casting the stolen Africans off the ship carries profound symbolism, reflecting the brutality of the transatlantic slave trade and the disregard for human life and dignity. The description reveals that this act is a ritualized sacrifice, echoing the harrowing experiences endured by countless individuals forced into the horrors of slavery. It signifies a loss of hope and humanity, as the enslaved are cruelly discarded into the depths of the ocean.

However, amidst this tragedy emerges a moment of divine intervention and transformation. The presence of Yoruba Orishas dwelling in the water saves the spirits of the enslaved Africans, preventing their demise and offering them a chance at redemption. This supernatural occurrence signifies a spiritual awakening and liberation from the chains of bondage and suffering. The transformation into mermaids symbolizes a return to ancestral roots and a reclaiming of identity and power.

The scene’s visual imagery, coupled with its emotional weight, leaves a profound impact on the viewer. The juxtaposition of violence and spiritual redemption creates a powerful narrative that resonates deeply with the audience. It invites reflection on the enduring legacy of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Week 12: The Sea is History

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After looking at this weeks readings, I found the poem, “The Sea is History,” to be quite interesting. Even the name of the poem itself proves its importance as it suggests that the sea serves as an archive of history, that contains the memories, struggles, and experiences of the people who have traveled it. Rather than focusing solely on written records or official accounts, Walcott suggests that the sea itself holds valuable insights into the past, offering alternative perspectives and voices that may have been marginalized or silenced. Derek Walcott uses biblical allusions and imagery throughout the poem, drawing parallels between the experiences of the Caribbean people and stories from the Bible. The sea can represent both a source of liberation (in the Exodus) and a site of suffering and oppression (in the Middle Passage). This shows the sea as a symbol of both hope and tragedy within the Caribbean imagination.

The line, “and then each rock broke into its own nation;” really stuck out to me and I think it is because it is bringing up the significance of boundaries once again. In a response to the European colonization of the Caribbean communities, separate nations were formed on each island. The metaphor of rocks breaking into nations creates an image of upheaval and division, reflecting the violent and disruptive impact of colonialism on the region. As Europeans colonized the Caribbean islands, they enforced their own political, social, and economic structures, which led to the displacement and oppression of indigenous peoples and the forced migration of enslaved Africans. But, this line cannot be interpreted as solely negative, as it also appreciates the resilience of these communities and the formation of new ones under the destructive forces of colonization. Also, the two lines toward the end that read, “there was the sound/like a rumour without any echo,” are thought provoking, as the stories of history go deeper than the surface. By Walcott comparing history to a “rumour,” he is implying how history can be manipulated, just as a rumour can. And as the absence of an “echo,” he is suggesting that these stories have not been fully acknowledged or even heard. This reminds me of history being called “his story” because it is just so prevalent and true. There is such power dynamics inherent in historical narratives, as many primary authors and interpretators of history have been people in positions of power, who are often men. This has obviously shaped our understanding of the past and perceiving different groups of people. It makes me question the things I have learned in school and to take in to consideration who is writing these historical narratives.

Week 12: The Water Will Carry Us Home

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One thing that really stood out to me in the short video “The Water Will Carry Us Home” is the portrayal of the drawing of the slave ship, in which millions of African people were brought to Western countries such as the United States, what in my opinion demonstrates the exploitation of water and the clash between slave trade and cultural heritage. In the first segment of the video, cultural rituals as well as drawings, instruments or sculptures (possibly gods) were presented (cf. 0:00 -1:17 min). The water spirit thus inherits knowledge and is of big significance for African cultures. By showing those cultures, the viewers are confronted with a feeling of safeness and possibly even liberation. When in the next segment the slave ship first got presented to the viewer, the perspectives kind of shifted (cf. 2:17 min). Water, through which millions of people got displaced from what they call home, now poses a threat to that culture who sacred water before. It is, as if that change shows the endured trauma of the slaves. I found it particularly interesting that the background music changed, too (it sounded melancolic or even menacing? cf. 1-17 to 3:55 min). What we can conclude from that video is, that the exploitation of water as a means of transportation during the time of slavery must be seen as a brutal act of Eurocentric selfishness. Slave owners not only kidnapped millions of people from their homeland, but they ultimately also disrespected and erased the ancestral roots of the African peoples. The juxtaposition in the use of water portrayed in the video really made me angry and I felt so bad for the sorrow and trauma people from African cultures have endured once again. With that being said, thank you for choosing that video for us, Professor!

Week 12: The Water Will Carry Us Home

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This week’s stop motion animation left me curious but also fascinated with the art that was used. There were a couple of details that stood out to me but watching the short video I couldn’t help but focus on the key that was used. When the key is first showed it is to unlock the story of slaves were being moved through the ocean on ship and those who had fallen into the water eventually came to be mermaids, and the key is later then showed again as it is locking up the story again. The key shows a way in which there are beings that are able to hide or make visible stories about the ocean but it’s a “pick and choose” which they believe should be told, this going back to the story that was showed about African American merpeople first coming to be which is unusual in history as it has been portrayed to be only white merpeople. The key is also showing the way in which stories are told from different cultural backgrounds, in this short animation we are viewing the origin of merpeople through Yoruba Orishas who helped cause this phenomenon to happen. Stories like these are ones that aren’t heavily present in any sort of history, so I think it’s interesting that there are even stop motion animation to tell these stories as they are important not only to the history of mermaids but to the history of Ocean. The Ocean is a fluid place with so much history and with that history holds so many different stories for so many cultures that it’s not easy to think one version of a story exist, to think that multiple variations of a story exist as it translated differently throughout cultures.

Week 12: The Sea is History

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After doing this week’s readings, I found the poem to be super interesting. The way that the author uses the first half of the poem to describe biblical events as seen through the perspective of the ocean is fascinating. Going through those events and describing them using the ocean, shows just how long the ocean has been around and how constant the ocean is. The poem states, “but the ocean kept turning blank pages / looking for History” (lines 24-25). These two lines explain that while the sands in the ocean move and the structure of the ocean floor changes, the ocean itself remains a stable entity. The capitalization of History is also interesting because it makes the subject appear to be much more important and is almost used as a name. In a way, history is personified and the ocean becomes a more dynamic living organism that is searching for history. 

I also found the constant reference to history really interesting. Multiple times throughout the poem the author states that an event or something he just described was not history, but who decides what is history? The poem says, “but that was not History, / that was only faith / and then each rock broke into its own nation;” (lines ). This stanza disregards the events explained at the beginning of the poem because it states that history cannot be faith and faith cannot be history. This hints that history starts when the continents separate and nations start to form. I think that’s an interesting idea because faith to me is something that people believe in that helps them to explain their existence while the formation of the continents is a more scientific event. Is the author referencing history as seeing human impact on the ocean or is it something else entirely?