“We retained the language and the religion (of Africa) so both could serve us. I would say like two scissor tips cutting the skin, they could cut the chains of slavery.”

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Feb 22

Ati Max Beauvoir (ah-tee max bow-vwahr)

Supreme chief

IMAGE SOURCE: Photo by Thony Belizaire in Ed Mazza, “Vodou Leader Max Beauvoir Dies In Haiti At 79.” Huff Post. 14 Sept. 2015. | TEXT SOURCE: “Interview with Ati Max Beauvoir by Valerio Saint-Louis.” Vodou Archive.10 Dec. 2012.

QUOTE CONTEXT: “With this whole blend (of African languages and cultures) came a mixture that is going to harmonize in Bwa Kayiman (ceremony). I believe we harmonized. It’s actually then in the same moment we founded the Creole language.”

QUOTE QUESTION: What ancestral language or religion continues to serve your People?

IMAGE CONTEXT: “Haitian voodoo leader Max Beauvoir shows a relief painting of a voodoo ceremony.”

IMAGE QUESTION: What ceremonial images are you free to share with the world?

MEDIA LITERACY CONTEXT: The quote is from an interview held in a university archive. The photo is from an article in a news aggregator and blog website.

MEDIA LITERACY QUESTION: How widely do you share notice of the passing of your elders?

“We retained the language and the religion (of Africa) so both could serve us. I would say like two scissor tips cutting the skin, they could cut the chains of slavery.”

Ati Max Beauvoir (ah-tee max bow-vwahr)

“I see my role as a human rights activist and as a Manbo Asogwe (high priestess) as one…to help to literally conjure memory, so that our sense of self and sense of place is restored.”

“I worship my ancestors. They were free people in Africa, minding their business. Invaders came and took everything from them. The only thing they brought with them was vodou.”