"Despite all that the African has produced and created culturally in the aftermath of enslavement, we have failed to acquire the cultural confidence necessary for us to retake our place as a powerful global people. This then is the task that confronts the conscious diaspora African storyteller. How can the ancient art forms of survival be used to reinvigorate our people by reaching into the minds of our children?"
In a wide-ranging paper, Eintou Springer shared with participants of a recent Storytelling conference, her views on this oral tradition and its importance as a vehicle of culturally-based transformation.
The conference which took place in Martinique, was entitled ‘An International Multidisplinary Symposium on The Role of Storytelling and Orality in the Imagination and Literary and Artistic Aesthetic. It was held to coincide with celebrations to mark the anniversary of emancipation for enslaved Africans in the Francophone Caribbean.
In addition to delivering a formal paper, Eintou also participated in a night of music, song, dance and traditional storytelling held as part of Emancipation celebrations, in the Place du Neg Mawon. This public square' has a huge sculpture called The Neg Mawon, in homage to the relentless struggle waged by Africans against enslavement. Eintou told one of her original stories in keeping with the occasion, "How Anansi Brought The Drum".
From May 18th to 21st writers, academics and storytellers from France, Germany, England, Haiti, Puerto Rico, U.S.A and Martinique came together at the picturesque
and historic Fonds Saint Jacques Cultural and Research Centre in Martinique to share ideas and of course, stories!
A special highlight of the entire conference was the drumming expertise of eight year old CHIBALE member and one of Eintou's grandchildren, Kayode Charles. Kayode stunned both the Symposium and the audience at the Place du Neg Mawon with his drumming expertise.
Eintou and Kayode at the Martinique Conference
Keep checking the site for further details and photos from this exciting conference.
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