My journey

**bigrootz** · 10-02-2008, 09:50 AM

I am a afrikan child of the diaspora. I have been initiated into some afrikan spiritual systems,I have been studying afrikan drumming,spreading culture through the arts all the while trying to give what I have gained to the youth that I work with in my life.I have been on a long path to gain whatever knowledge of our culture that I can to better serve my lifes work. Spirit always gives me what I need when I need it. I never ask for things until it is really necessary. I try to pay homage to my ancestors everyday and help others to remember theirs too through my art. Spirit led me to carving and it is something I cannot shake. I am like a carving monster. WHen I come home from work and whenever I have a moment. I am somewhere trying to bring the spirits out of the wood. It has become a great passion of mine. I have been blessed to have a Queen who supports what I do. My next goal is to link with anyone who can help me to link to anyone who can help me to better show the spirit of our ancestors through stiltwalking. I learned how to from my father and he from his. It is something I have done off and on for fun. There is a feeling I cannot describe when you are up there. I am trying to link with any stiltwalkers out there who can give me some direction on how to learn and become initiated into a mask guild. I will forever be grateful if I can be pointed in the right direction. I have never asked anyone before. But, I keep having these dreams and I know I must use whatever tools out there to find the treasure I am seeking. Peace and thank you family

**Obadele Kambon** · 10-02-2008, 04:05 PM

Meda ase ne kasa.

Thank you for speaking.

I would try someone like Chuck Davis. He has done Dance Africa throughout the years and has brought stiltwalkers. He would certainly have the contacts on the continent to link with a mask guild.

I remember seeing stiltwalkers at a Dogon festival in Tireli, Mali back in 2001. They were caricatures of tall Fulani women with droopy breasts. Amazing sight to see them dancing around on cliffs and very rocky terrain.

Obadele

**Kamau_Kambon** · 10-03-2008, 02:30 PM

You may also want to contact the International Afrikan Arts Festival, located in Brooklyn, NY. There were excellent stiltwalkers at the Festival this past summer- look on-line for the website for the Festival and try to contact the office.