Author: Pashington Obeng
ISBN No: 978-1-920294-09-0
Cost: 40.00
This paper addresses the post-colonial subjects of Africans whose histories and voices are assigned invisible sites in India. The focus is thus related to, but different from other discussions of cultural articulation and identity formations within African diaspora contexts. This discussion problematizes the canon used in determining the significance or worth of the cultural production and reproduction that emanates from the margins of the locations of enunciation (Hall 1990). The canon often used to silence and erase African-inspired experiences is considered “the authorized version.” Decisions are by themselves not neutral but are often shaped by caste, gender, class and ideological interests of those who control resources, histories and lives of others in India. The yardstick deployed by the decision makers never questions itself and thus, is preoccupied with its own narratives that devalue other narratives. I draw on the general arguments in Trouillot’s (1995), Silencing the Past: Power and Production of History, to call attention to the hidden histories and accomplishments of a few Indians of African descent (Siddis/Cafrees/ Khapris Habshis/Abyssinians). The identities and experiences of these Africans are embedded, not only in the obvious aspects of their social and cultural organizations, but also in aniconic shrine objects, sculptured forms of religious icons and a burial ground. These African-inspired shrines and burial ground are sites of spirituality and sources of new knowledge and the articulation of African diasporic identities. The paper uses these sites to explore the Africanness that is being underprivileged, silenced (Depelchin 2005) and distorted in India.
ISBN No: 978-1-920294-09-0
Cost: 40.00
This paper addresses the post-colonial subjects of Africans whose histories and voices are assigned invisible sites in India. The focus is thus related to, but different from other discussions of cultural articulation and identity formations within African diaspora contexts. This discussion problematizes the canon used in determining the significance or worth of the cultural production and reproduction that emanates from the margins of the locations of enunciation (Hall 1990). The canon often used to silence and erase African-inspired experiences is considered “the authorized version.” Decisions are by themselves not neutral but are often shaped by caste, gender, class and ideological interests of those who control resources, histories and lives of others in India. The yardstick deployed by the decision makers never questions itself and thus, is preoccupied with its own narratives that devalue other narratives. I draw on the general arguments in Trouillot’s (1995), Silencing the Past: Power and Production of History, to call attention to the hidden histories and accomplishments of a few Indians of African descent (Siddis/Cafrees/ Khapris Habshis/Abyssinians). The identities and experiences of these Africans are embedded, not only in the obvious aspects of their social and cultural organizations, but also in aniconic shrine objects, sculptured forms of religious icons and a burial ground. These African-inspired shrines and burial ground are sites of spirituality and sources of new knowledge and the articulation of African diasporic identities. The paper uses these sites to explore the Africanness that is being underprivileged, silenced (Depelchin 2005) and distorted in India.
