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Writers
of the Dark Regions
An article written
for, and because of African Writers
By Ken Mulholland
Click here if you'd like to exchange critiques
Writers of the Dark Regions.
An article written for, and because of
African Writers.
In this particular instance, the 'Dark Regions' can be
defined as any place on Earth where writers struggle against exterior
influences that threaten their abilities to write, distribute their writing,
fraternize with other writers or even to have opinions that they wish to
express through their writing.
Jackee Budesta Batanda. Mildred
Kiconco Barya. Fungai James Tichawangana.
So it is, that even in my country Australia, our own
indigenous population have struggled throughout the last two hundred years
which have seen them invaded, overwhelmed, subjugated, dispossessed of their
own territories and excluded (up until the 1950's) in population census
counts, and in the case of 'The Stolen Generation', separated from their own
families and dispersed into the wider white community, there to survive as
best they could.
In the early process of such progress, their own traditional
culture, folklore, mythology and art forms were looked upon as primitive
curiosities or largely ignored.
Mazi Guinness. Gracious Changaya.
By the Nineteen Forties and after, some few of the white
population of Australia began to recognise the potential inherent in the
indigenous peoples. Over the years, as old traditions were passed on,
largely via cave art and oral recollections, augmented by ritual dance and
music as closely authentic to that of the past as was possible, it was
realised that there lay a treasure trove of myth, legend, folklore and
pre-history still untapped.
Steve Ogah. Blessing Musariri.
When sane heads prevailed, it was already too late. Much of
the Aboriginal tribal society, it's various ways of life; its pre-white
condition, memories, bush-craft, and the driving force of being at one with
the vast Australian Continent in all its magnificent variations had
vanished, to be lost forever.
This was a terrible breakdown. A tragic loss.
This was the last fatal echo of those early white invaders
who had come from England, Ireland, Europe and Asia, convinced that their
stamp of authority must supplant, suffocate and expunge all that had gone
into the past fifty to sixty thousand years of occupation by the first
peoples of the 'Great Southern Land'.
Of course those usurpers (some of them probably my
ancestors,) had no way of knowing just how long aboriginals had dwelt in the
lands they began to claim for themselves, and seemed to have cared little in
their endeavours to dispossess the indigenous folk of their tribal grounds.
Gladys Namukasa. Uchechukwu Agodom.
Adrain Ashley.
There is nothing new in this stance of the Invader. The same
scenario has been enacted in many lands and many climes, in all times,
around the world.
The invasion and subsequent colonization of Australia was one
thing, the events that followed were another. Instead of taking History's
example of the Romans, who also subjugated other tribes, countries and
nations and then set about drawing them into the cultural and political
influence of Rome itself, so that to be a Roman was a goal that many
outsiders not only avidly sought, and upon attaining such status were then
enabled to rise through the ranks even to the supreme and heady heights of
Caesar, Aboriginals were dismissed as mere bystanders who could not take any
useful place in the spreading communities of the newcomers. It is only in
the latter years of the Twentieth Century that the Koori population, as
Australian Aboriginals name themselves, have risen against the odds to
heights that none could have suspected. Many have excelled in sport, art,
music and literature to make their most valuable, most individual
contributions. They are a truly magnificent People busy reclaiming
their status as founders of The Sacred Land. They have already given their
life's blood over generations and at last, they will come again as a force
in the Country we can all share.
David Lukudu. Dennis Ezechukwu.
What was missing?
What was it, what is it, that still to this day dooms peoples
around the world to repeat the same mistakes?
Part of the answer is that there isn't one thing, one single
ingredient; because the question is too complex and demands so much to be
resolved that any lone course of action could not completely avail.
Yet there is Communication.
True, it is of minor import compared to water, (the
wellspring of all human life,) food and shelter; the three simple
cornerstones of humanity, indeed of practically all life upon the planet.
These basics are embodied and ennobled in the beliefs
of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms: "Freedom from Wont, Freedom from Fear,
Freedom to Worship, Freedom of Speech and Expression." Here I précis his
words, but you get the general idea, and here we have communicated on a
complex level.
Nyankami Atandi. Rais Nesa Boneza.
It has been postulated that the greatest difference between
human beings and every other creature on Earth (excluding the broad family
of apes) is an opposable thumb which enables us to utilize our hands in a
way that sets us apart, yet others suggest that it is in the ability to
communicate between each other that outstrips every competitor.
'I think! Therefore I am!'
But what is the good of thinking, and knowing we exist,
unless we can communicate that very essence to another being that also
'Thinks and Knows' ?'
Monica Arac deNyeko. Eyitemi Egwuenu.
Here we move from the realm of apes with opposable thumbs to
the realm of Human Beings with opposable thumbs, who think and communicate
in ways far more superior than their distant ape relatives.
How did our early ancestors communicate?
Primitive speech? Primitive art? Primitive ritual,
embodying dance?
Answer. All.
All and more.
Communication.
Tony Esezobar. Aniete Isong.
How wonderful is it that we can listen to music composed by
another human being who may have lived a hundred or more years ago and spoke
another language, and yet enjoy, be borne away, lifted on feathery wings and
touched by emotions that send us soaring through the clouds of our own
emotions. This is communication without language. How wonderful to gaze upon
a painting by one of the Old Masters and see it as it was seen by the eyes
of the painter and to feel the thrill of that communication back over the
centuries before, when it was no more than pigment until the execution that
transformed it into a work of art.
And perhaps just as thrilling and even more exciting, to
watch dancers working at their business; the business of The Dance: ballet,
folkdance, traditional dancing, dancing of the Dreamtime. Dancing that
threads its way back through history and beyond; that reveals so much of the
cultures of long ago.
Expression through the movement of human bodies.
In other words, Communication.
Steveria Kadangwe. Stanley Kenani.
And now, The Twenty-First Century.
The Internet.
Communication at a keystroke.
Communication around the globe.
That is, for those who can access it. For those permitted to
access it.
For those prepared to dare the consequences of surveillance,
censorship and possible punishment.
These are the Writers of the Dark Regions.
They can be found in Cuba, in Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq,
Lebanon, Columbia, Russia and yes, Australia.
(And if you think writers from these regions are inferior,
seek out a copy of 'The Prophet' written by the legendary writer Kahlil
Gibran. Almost forty years later it still resonates in my mind and
thoughts.)
They can be found anywhere in the world where the voices of
the common peoples, the minorities, the impoverished, the oppressed are
hidden away by the powers of forceful regimes; be they political, religious
or military.
And each of these writers are striving with all their might
and mein to be heard, to communicate, to tell their tales of oppression and
suppression, of everyday life in places of war and famine, disease,
pestilence and poverty. And through all that, of love and laughter and the
simplest desires and needs of the basic comforts for themselves and for
their peoples.
These are the Writers of the Dark Regions.
They deserve to be heard, to be understood and acknowledged,
to communicate with us.
Chika Onuoha. John Oryem. Valentine
Umelo.
Their passion should not go unnoticed.
In the AuthorMe article 'Writers Agendas', I recommended
African Writers, and I again commend them to you The Readers. They are the
beginnings of a new enlightenment. They are the forerunners of Writers to
come. These African Writers seek recognition. They seek to speak their
truths; their tales of mythology, religious convictions, history, their
longings and yearnings, their abilities as Communicators.
They will lead a new convocation of writers from all parts of
the world, inspiring more as they go so that these new writers will find the
fortitude to bring forth their stories into the light.
All these writers will seek to open our eyes to what
lies inside the 'Dark Regions' and amongst them there will be those who hold
hopes of recognition and reward.
It is not feasible to offer rewards, nor even recognition,
without the input of Readers.
Readers can make such things possible.
And Readers can do exactly what Writers are striving to do.
Communicate!
Yes. You the Reader can communicate with these Writers of the
Dark Regions.
I repeat, you can communicate with them. They are only an
email address away. And of them, there are those who risk a great deal in
such communication, and yet they are accessible.
They desire your interaction, your support. Your
Communication. They may never attain the goals of riches and rewards,
but without support from Readers in the world at large they will remain
bereft of the spirit required to propel them and their fellow writers into
the future.
Don't give a donation at the office, instead give a damn!
Give an email of support! Yes you! African Americans, African Brits,
supporters of all free writers whoever you are. And also all writers from
other countries who consider yourselves in similar situations; make
yourselves known! Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree and then add
it to your key-board. A few minutes, a few key-strokes to
AuthorMe.com is all that it takes. You don't have to say much: "I read
your story. You are in my thoughts. Keep going. Don't give up."
"You're the Voice, try and understand it. Make a noise
and make it clear! We're not gonna live in silence, We're not gonna live in
fear!" These are a part of the lyrics of an Australian song written
some fifteen or twenty years ago and they have the same impact now as they
did then.
Help to show other writers from 'The Dark Regions'
of all the corners of the world that, through your voice, they may lift
their heads and speak their truths.
And again, Monica Arac deNyeko. Rais Nesa Boneza.
Valentine Umelo. John Oryem. Chika Onuoha. Stanley Kenani. Steveria
Kadangwe. Aniete Isong. Tony Esezobar. Eyitemi Egwuenu. Nyankami Atandi.
Dennis Ezechukwu. David Lukudu. Adrian Ashley. Uchechukwu Agodom.
Gladys Namukasa. Blessing Musariri. Steve Ogah. Gracious Changaya. Mazi
Guinness. Fungai Tichawangana.
Mildred Kiconco Barya. Jackee Budesta
Batanda.
No doubt I've mis-spelled or missed names. No doubt I'll be
taken to task over this. No doubt I deserve it. And so do You, if You do not
respond with a few keystrokes, a few moments of Your life. Read these
writers and let them know Your thoughts.
The 'Writers of the Dark Regions' may only ever burst into
the brightness of 'Enlightened Day' (however fragile and fractured that
'Enlightened Day' still is,) with the support and communication of we, who
already dwell there.
Ken Mulholland.
Editor. AuthorMe Australia.
