Study Notes on 'A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn' by Karen McCarthy Brown

A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn

Overview of the Book

This book, "Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn" by Karen McCarthy Brown, is published by the University of California Press. It explores the life and religious practices of Haitian Vodou priestess Mama Lola while providing a broader view of the cultural and spiritual landscape of Vodou in New York, specifically in Brooklyn.

Chapter 1: Joseph Binbin Mauvant

Introduction to Joseph Binbin Mauvant
  • Joseph Binbin Mauvant is depicted as an elderly man who does not die but rather disappears from the living. His transition is marked by his appearance to his wife in a dream, conveying a wisdom that he has returned to Ginen, which refers to Africa, where he originated from.
Setting
  • The story begins in the early morning in Jean Rabel, a mountainous region of Haiti. The environment is rich with imagery, including deep shadows clinging to mapou, mango, and sour orange trees, illustrating the lush, vibrant life in Haiti despite the difficult living conditions.
Manman Marasa’s Morning Routine
  • Manman Marasa, the wife of Joseph, is introduced as she prepares breakfast early in the morning. She ponders the scarcity of food for her family and considers the meager options they have, expressing concern for her hardworking boys in the field. Their breakfast typically consists of coffee, sometimes accompanied by sugarcane rum or sowosi leaves.
  • Manman Marasa demonstrates practicality and resilience, indicating that it is common for men in the fields to start their day on very little food.
Joseph Mauvant's Morning Reflections
  • Joseph Mauvant, 79 years old, has a slow start to his day. He is characterized by his stiffness, reflective of his age, and his preparations for a bath signify a departure from his ordinary routine.
  • Mauvant's character encapsulates a mix of elder wisdom and eccentricity as he prepares to leave, leading him to ponder deeper existential themes.
Dynamics Within the Family
  • The household dynamics are highlighted through interactions among family members. Manman Marasa dismissively refers to her husband's eccentricities, indicating a blend of care and frustration in their relationship. Mauvant’s inability to communicate his intentions clearly adds to the familial tension.
  • Characters like Jepete, another family member, illustrate their own personal struggles, including jealousy and suspicion surrounding family favoritism—primarily towards Marie Claire, who is highlighted as the favored child.
Mauvant’s Unique Identity and Spiritual Role
  • Mauvant's identity plays a significant role in the family and community. His background as a real African places him in a unique position of authority and respect within the village. He practices healing not through traditional tools like an ason but through intrinsic natural power, emphasizing the old traditions of healing that once were commonplace.
  • Mauvant's capability to heal without financial compensation is presented as a noble, selfless aspect of his character. His prowess reflects a wider narrative of lost African traditions in Haiti.
Mauvant’s Ritualistic Practices
  • The morning ritual of singing and invoking the spirits showcases Mauvant’s deep ties to his heritage. His calls to "Manman Ginen" and other divine figures emphasize the connection between spirituality and African ancestry; these practices maintain a sense of identity for Mauvant and his family.
Conclusion of the Chapter
  • Mauvant’s eventual disappearance, and the family’s realization of his absence is revealed dramatically at the chapter's end. The haunting silence that occurs when he is missing culminates in the fearful call from Manman Marasa, who finds no trace of her husband—implying a profound connection to both loss and the spiritual realm.
  • The chapter closes with a powerful implication that the Mauvant family, had they not been informed of his fate in a dream, would continue to suffer from uncertainty and loss as they search for Mauvant, illustrating the impact of spiritual beliefs on their lives.
Key Themes
  1. Cultural Identity: The tension between traditional African practices and their existence within modern, diasporic contexts.
  2. Family Dynamics: Interpersonal relationships that define the roles of individuals within a family, showcasing love, resentment, and duty.
  3. Spiritual Beliefs: The rituals and beliefs associated with Vodou, emphasizing the importance of ancestry and spiritual connections.
Important Definitions
  • Ginen: A term representing Africa, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and spiritual connection among the characters.
  • Franginen: A term used to signify one who is authentically African, demonstrating Mauvant's unique position in the community and his connection to ancestral powers.
Complex Concepts
  • Mauvant's capacity as a healer without the use of traditional items points to a larger philosophical discussion regarding spiritual efficacy and the nature of healing arts traditionally practiced in African cultures.
Implications
  • This narrative serves not only as a recounting of individual memories and family stories but also as a critical exploration of the larger implications of migration, the blending of cultures, and the practices that accompany such transitions.

References

  • Brown, Karen McCarthy. Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn. University of California Press, 1991.