Elevating African Culture Through Illuminating African History as a Foundation for Western History

    Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed is a book that in many ways seeks to expand public consciousness of the realm of black art and the extent of black history when it comes to polytheism by calling attention to the rich history of black cultures and the historic white plot to undermine the prominence of black culture within society. The main way it, in turn, uplifts black culture is by shedding light on the ways in which white culture has created this sense of diluted African heritage and made Western Culture out to be the more valid one, largely by forcefully making itself the centerpiece of a global historical narrative. Reed also accomplishes this uplifting of African cultural ideas by shedding light on the power and influentially superior aspects of ancient African culture. Mainly, he highlights the high level of connection they shared with their surroundings, environment, which resulted in their elevated expertise with agriculture. In doing so, Reed can assert the idea that many of the features claimed to be invented by “civilized Western society” were in fact around long before within African culture, as well as the fact that many of the African practices which were lost over time due to European suppression, were in fact more advanced. Regardless of the accuracy of the depiction of the events of the African past and the events that unfolded in ancient Egypt I think that the way in which Reed depicts the framework by which white society undermines African culture, largely through theft and suppression (this feature largely being represented by the Atonists), is very intentional and in many ways is emblematic of the way African culture has been brought down in real society over the course of history and speaks to of the societal problems which still occur today. In a sense, even though it's impossible to trust the account of one man when it comes to the telling of an entire history, especially with little citation and such heavy use of conspiracy regarding underground orders within society, we can still take away a sense of the nature in which the exploitation of black culture has taken place and further recognize the depth of black culture and its art forms through reading this novel. To take this idea even further, Reed can transition us from this exploitative way of thinking African culture is framed within a superior Western lens and offer an alternative perspective, and instead use a rich African history to show how white culture and its icons have been derived from African thought and culture.

    The first interesting feature of Reed’s depiction of ancient African history and culture within Egyptian society which is recounted by Papa La Bas (coming from Haitian higher-ups) is its inclusion and distortion of the known role of prominent Western figures who represent the centerpiece of many monotheistic societies and religions. These figures who have been historically taught as the most prominent, righteous, and powerful players within the narrative of monotheistic society are brought down to a sub-deity level, and shown to be small players within a larger African historical narrative. In some cases, the perception and behavior of the characters is even twisted to reveal them as the villain of another story that has largely been covered up to preserve the power of a more ruthless Western society. At the convention held by Von Hampton to display the talking android, Papa La Bas primarily brings up two characters which have been historically worshiped in western society and reveals their darker sides, true secrets, and deeper influences. Firstly, Papa La Bas brings up the unparalleled figure within Western society, Jesus Christ. In this way, La Bas calls attention to Jesus’ lack of remarkability and use of an already existing African power that is built around a connection to nature, and a dance and song which enables a person a greater degree of human spirit and happiness. Papa La Bas establishes Jesus Christ’s “work” in resurrecting the dead, as an already practiced magic invented by African leaders many years prior, and pertaining to the style of groove and life originating from Osiris. In doing so, Western culture and its prominent figures like Jesus Christ become a small piece of a larger African historical narrative and Jesus Christ himself is brought down to a level below the supremacy he is given within many Western Societies today.

    The second character which works to repeal the power given to Western figures within modern society is Ishmael Reed’s introduction and use of the prominent Biblical figure Moses, who is, in fact, revealed to be the villain of this larger African narrative. Moses is introduced later in La Bas’ narrative about the emergence of Osiris and Isis and their slow downfall to Set and a more violent Western society, but his role within La Bas’ narrative is incredibly crucial in explaining the coverup of African history. This is because Moses' actions establish the oppressive means and theft which help explain why African culture was ignored and downplayed to the level it is today. The African story of Moses’ deeds starts by depicting him as wanting to use his position as pharaoh-to-be to justify his pursuit of a greater power. In pursuing this power, Moses discovers the sacred book once belonging to a follower of Osiris. Knowing the consequences of his actions, Moses intentionally makes use of the evil powers of the book which he obtained by taking advantage of and manipulating Jethra and Isis, to make himself more powerful. In doing so, Reed reveals Moses to be an immoral character undeserving of worship who has no regard for the wellbeing of others and the trust they have placed in him. Reeds goes on to depict Moses’ wrongdoings.Once he has attained this power from the temple in K, he then uses it as a tool to fear monger and control the same Egyptian people which once looked up to Osiris and practiced his work (and in some cases still practice it) to force them into submission and subvert the power of Osiris’ teachings. Over the course of it all, Moses is shown to be interfering where he shouldn’t be for the purpose of obtaining greater power over the Egyptian people. What’s more, through it all, this desire to manipulate and rule is fed by the words and justification of a group of followers belonging to the Atonist order and who are influencing Moses. At this point, not only are revered Western figures revealed by Reed to be mere imitators, but they are also in direct opposition to black power, livelihood, and greatness over the course of history, who are unafraid to use deceit and violence to get what they want. Additionally, the inclusion of Moses receiving influence from the Atonist order, a symbol for Western society and religion, further complicates his historical fame. The Atonist order, who, over the course of history is shown to be the great instigators of the opposition to peace and the death of millions which culminates in the suppression of mainstream African culture not only gives Moses a bad wrap by mere association, but makes him unqualified to be a praiseworthy character in Western society.

    By defacing various prominent Western figures, Ishmael Reed successfully helps undermine the overwhelming supremacist power of Western society which has prevented African Culture from being recognized for so long. In doing so, he can finally begin to retell a story of rich African and African American culture, or at the very least, start his own new wave of culture through the use of postmodernist storytelling from the perspective of African American authors and through characters that are capable of calling attention to societal issues.