finding a text
One of the central conflicts of Ishmael Reed’s Mumbo Jumbo is the narrative of how Jes Grew is struggling to “find its text.” Although it originally is ambiguous what, exactly, that means, it becomes clear that on some level there is a literal “text” that describes the history of Jes Grew and the world. However, like Jes Grew itself, this text has been suppressed by the Atonists and their wallflower order. The vivid story that Papa LaBas describes about Osiris, Set, and the rest of Jes Grew history is replaced by the more sterile, monotonous narrative that the Atonist view believes in
In the larger context throughout the novel, there is a theme of events in the novel being obviously fictional, but nevertheless very parallel to real-life themes and ideas. For example it’s not exactly correct to say that Jes Grew “is” jazz music, or a specific type of dance, or something like that -- but it does suggest elements of all of those ideas. In a similar way, I think that the idea of Jes Grew needing to “find a text” because its story had been suppressed by the Atonists is parallel to how in real life, white Eurocentric history has suppressed most other narratives of history, leading to the need for increased efforts to re-discover and study that history.
It was interesting to me how Professor McDuffie’s Black History month Uni Period talk coincided with us reading this book because it seemed like many of the themes he addressed in his presentation were the same themes in Mumbo Jumbo. McDuffie mentioned many times how African history is often regarded as less important than European history, and even ignored altogether, leading to the widespread misconception that Africa doesn’t really have a history. He discussed how important it is to understand that this is incorrect, and brought up the point about how without being aware of history, it’s difficult to have a clear vision of the present and future.
This is essentially the same idea as Jes Grew needing a text -- the idea that a concrete understanding of the history and narrative of a culture is essential for that culture to properly thrive. The theme of Atonism as a conspiracy to suppress Jes Grew is also almost exactly the same as how white Eurocentric history, even today, continues to paint European/American history as the only relevant narrative and leaving all others out.
It’s also interesting to consider how the theme of “finding a text” applies to modern day Jes Grew in contrast, even, to what Ishmael Reed experienced in the 1970s as he was writing this book. We’ve discussed, several times in class, how hip hop and rap music are possibly an unique example of Jes Grew because of how long-lasting and relatively unadulterated by Atonist influence/appropriation they’ve been. It’s interesting to consider whether changes or developments in the “text” of Jes Grew has had an impact on the fact that hip hop and rap has become this kind of long-lasting Jes Grew art form. Have there been advances in recognizing non-Eurocentric approaches to history, or was it the impact of late-20th century black nationalist/black pride movements on early hip hop and rap artists, or was it hip hop itself that became a kind of text to facilitate this long-lasting type of Jes Grew? It’s probably impossible to know the answer, of course, but it’s interesting to think about.
I like your connection to Professor McDuffie's talk and I agree that it is incredibly relevant to the story Reed portrays in "Mumbo Jumbo". I think it also helped shed a lot of light on the fact that much of the historical narratives that are being told today are still heavily influenced by Atonist ideas, especially how history is still often told with a Eurocentric perspective, which leads people to believe that Africa's history is not important enough to be taught. Jes Grew would definitely be a the counter position to that narrative, emphasizing how important it is to look past the Atonist perspective on history.
ReplyDeleteI think that Professor McDuffie's speech itself presents an answer to your question. In that, while the Uni administration was aware enough to recognize the need for students to be informed about the importance of Black History month and the "text" surrounding racial relations in the United States. Yet, at the same time Uni administration should take it upon itself to permanently implement the themes Professor McDuffie spoke about into the curriculum, rather than presenting the quick solution over the span of a single Uni Period.
ReplyDeleteProfessor McDuffie's talk really did have parallels with Mumbo Jumbo! I appreciate you revealing and further explicating these parallels. Perhaps this is a way to interpret Jes Grew searching for its Text; finding its Text, finding its roots, helps it grow, but until the Text is fully revealed will there be complete understanding. Understanding is important.
ReplyDeleteI was also struck between the parallels between Professor McDuffie's talk and the message in the book. Another similarity that I though was important that you don't touch on is that there are a variety of different and distinct African cultures. In western culture we like to think of Africa as being one homogeneous place, but Reed wants us to think about the different cultures that make up Voodoo and Jes Grew.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing about the Jes Grew text, I think, is that although Papa LaBas doesn't really find it, he makes a new one. It is not recorded in text, as far as we know, but Papa LaBas shares the history and life of Jes Grew. Maybe that is the new text? He does do a lecture at the end so it's possible his speech at the party has become a well-known thing.
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