CN: mention of blood, colonizers’ names, assimilation, Transatlantic captive trade, hostility to the land
This soundscape is a collab between writers published in 'Space[s]’, elemental ancestors, and nonhuman animals living on the traditional land of Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabeg, and Attawandaron folk. In part, it is the story of a Black/Original/Afrikan person teaming up with Asase Yaa/Parent Earth to duck capture and being traded for clout and money. Their reconnection is when everything changes: they open a portal to destiny.
May we steal ourselves back.
May we be unruly.
May we be wild.
Asé asé-o.
Collaborators:
Cricket choir of Haldimand Tract
Yasmeen Nematt Alla
Zehra Nawab
Nitica Sakharwade
Sibling Owl, location unknown
Amy Smoke
Omi Ra
Ancestor Shango/Thunder
Ancestor Oshun/Grand River of Haldimand Tract
DIJAH
Transcript
CRICKET CHOIR [droning chirps]
[A slow jazz-hiphop beat plays on drum kit, bass, and piano]
YASMEEN
I am leaving this house that has left me biting my lips… until they bleed
DIJAH
[sings] mhmm ! [continues over beat]
ZEHRA
The day starts for the poor long before it does for the rich;
for the ruled long before it does for the rulers;
for the sun long before it does for the moon [echoes ‘for the moon’],
and for the Indians long before it does for the British
CRICKET CHOIR
[stops]
[Trap hi-hat joins jazz-hiphop beat]
NITICA
I get homesick for places I have already been;
SIBLING OWL
[hoots]
NITICA
For places that disappeared before I was born [echoes ‘I was born’]
AMY
We are still here, we will not be assimilated
SIBLING OWL
[hoots]
DIJAH
Ratatatatata - ah!
[spacey music joins the instruments]
NITICA
I get homesick for places I’ve never been
SHANGO
[rumbles]
OMI
Aunty Edna, I can go get the cerasee from de bush?
AMY
Nurturing
[OMI and AMY repeat their lines 3 times]
AMY
Those coming next
[Vocal riffs end]
DIJAH
[raps]
Runnin like a riva thru Haldimand Tract
Fyah bun Kkkolumbus an first contact
Yeah they say it’s all good, people’s sh! got jacked
People’s lives was stole, an di land get mash
Nahve fi read di sign in di zodiac
Ye di time is now, is the time to act
Is the time to act
Running thru Haldimand Tract, imma steal myself back
[repeat X4]
[All music stops]
[inhale exhale]
OSHUN/GRAND RIVER
[water flowing]
[Ethereal music drones]
OMI
As she followed the voice she was led deeper and deeper into its thickness,
until she came across a river clear as glass that split into two
On its banks, Dawn looked down at herself in the reflection of the river
As the two girl’s eyes met, the trees began to dance [echoes ‘ to dance’]
[Ethereal music and OSHUN continue and fade out]