The Water Will Carry Us Home

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

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: The Water Will Carry Us Home

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!