American Schools

[anglinsbees]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C5931
From: anglinsbees
Subject: Re: American Schools
Reply To: [Yahoo! #5908] Re: American Schools
Date: 8/6/00 3:46 am  (ET)

Catlady wrote:

"But in my theory: all the African traditions of wizarding are in
Africa. The African wizard folk used their magic to avoid being captured
by slavers, and -- with the disrespect for Muggles that we have seen so
much of in British wizard folk -- felt no need to travel to the New World

Ebony AKA AngieJ Replied

Did you know there is a definite basis for this theory in African American
folklore? (Details of the story of the Flying people followed)

I hadn't considered the story of the flying people- I love the Idea
of the mahgical folk who were able to "Dissapearing" and separating
themselves from the Muggle world at this point.

It makes sense- magical folk breaking away from the muggle world
and separating their societies at a time of major political unrest or
persecution. In the European traditions, the final separation could have
happened during the so called "Burning times"

I still will support the Idea of an Afro-Diasporic tradition in the
Americas tho- because of these actual political happenings.

During the time of the Slave Trade, many areas in africa were undergoing
huge political upheavals. Localized kingdoms or empires bent on conquest
were busy conquoring and wiping out neigboring kingdoms. The losers were
captured, and promptly sold to the European Slave traders.

These kingdoms had long had a tradition of enslaving conquored enemies,
but the presence of the European traders unbalanced the equation. Aquired
slaves no longer had to be dealt with locally, they could now be sold
at a profit, and disposed of quickly.

Because of this, entire cities, entire ethnic sub groups were captured,
enslaved, and shipped off to Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and other New World
locales in need of labor. Those sent included people of all social levels
and professions- it was an easy way to get rid off political enemies.

Because of this, I Imagine many loyal wizarding folk, standing by their
people, would be captured, their wands broken, and sent off along with
everyone else from their village.

Today, in the real life Afro- Diasporic religious traditions, many
traditions are better preserved and practised in Brazil, Cuba and America
than they are back in Africa, simply because everyone who practised that
tradition was captured and shipped off to the New World.

Today if you want to study Dillogun (African Seashell Divination) the
best teachers are Cubans or Cuban Americans. If you wish to learn the
mysteries of Ochosi, or many of the other orishas (Ancestor Spirits/
Guardians/ Guides/ or Saints) most sources will recommend joining a Cuban
or Brazilian "House" or "Ile" While the rituals are still practised in
Nigeria, only the new world traditions have preserved that "Secrets"
intact.

Forgive me for simplifying a very complex political and social situation-
many books have been written about this tragic era, and the only ones
I have studies are about the Yoruba people, and their area of Africa-
I don't claim to be an expert, just a student.

Ellen the Beekeeper