Shocking! bet you didn’t know…out of 144 non-European countries of the world, only 8 were NOT colonized by a Europe—Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Ethiopia, Japan, Liberia, Thailand and Turkey.
“The shadows of the past will haunt the present.” Proverb
My own ancestral homeland, the Philippines was a colony of Spain for over 300 years–then sold and became the first colony of the US.
European invaders/colonizers carved out their territories without consideration to ancient tribal boundaries or ancestral homes… it’s no wonder the Philippines has more than 50 ethno-lingustic groups, and counting….nation tribes mush together…di ba? warring tribes will less likely consolidate power..super galing.
These islands, rich in ancient hardwood for shipbuilding, blessed with natural port perfect for docking enormous galleons and filling them with goods from China, Indian, Burma…perfection! Populated by sea faring and mountain peoples belonging to independent tribes–pit them against each other.. and you got yourself a perfect labor pool who won’t form a union! well.. ok.. uhmm …maybe in 300 years?
The ability to divide the world to serve only one’s interest…the lucrative movement of goods, of slaves/workforce to make the goods? power!
Today, the awful legacy of colonization is embedded within social, cultural and governmental systems…like diseased genes, impacting generations of the children of both the colonized and the colonizers… in seen and unseen ways..katakot, diba?
“Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters.” African Proverb
“ My role as an artist is to cultivate the conditions for beauty and truth to emerge. Art is a second chance for us, a second chance of reflection, of feeling like a human being. I believe in that so much… that is so true. This is our second chance – I know that.” Lemi Ponifasio, Choreographer/Theater Samoan Artist living in New Zealand
They say that with in the specificity of anyone’s experiences are life’s universal truths.
What if we can examine and challenged ‘known’ history?
What if we can de-construct and re-imagine of our stories?
What if we can uncover information about our own history and culture which have been dismantled, repressed and hidden?
Is being validated enough?
Can the arts really do that?
Will we recognize our voice and silence the oppressive noises within?
What if we truly understand the ‘now’ is not yesterday or tomorrow allowing for that destructive voice to morph into another form of energy?
Will the process of healing begin?
It takes courage to cross that bridge…quick run or slow deliberate steps, kailangan ng tapang…happy trips uy!
