I've also heard of people on this forum considering Beyonce as a mask for Erzulie.
Well, if pop stars and celebrities are indeed the saints of the modern age, then that might not be too far a stretch in some cases. But Erzulie is as complicated a goddess as they come. In my opinion Miss Knowles, lovely as she is, lacks the fragility and tragedy associated with Erzulie Freda Dahomey, often known as Erzulie Maitress. Erzulie Freda is often represented by the Madonna Dolorosa, a pale skinned virgin surrounded by jewelled hearts, her own breast pierced by a sword. In Haitian mythology, it is her lot, as the essence of all that is delicate, beautiful and luxurious, to be continually disappointed by the ugliness of the material world and all its shortcomings. Hence the tears, which are cathartic, and link her to vast reservoirs of creative energy. A voudissant would perceive Freda as the force behind all artistic creation and aesthetic appreciation… A muse both generous and demanding.
I have several representations of Erzulie Freda on my home altar for her. There’s the Mater Dolorosa, of course, but photographs of Marilyn Monroe and Vivian Leigh have also been known to grace it at times. My Freda is particularly fond of the enigmatic New Orleans photographer E.J Belloq, who is best known for his portraits of Storyville prostitutes in the early 20th century. Storyville was the old red light district of New Orleans, and Belloq obviously had a fascination with the women who worked in its saloons and brothels. His work has a haunting, spooky beauty…the fragile, damaged glass plate negatives, nearly a hundred years old…all these dead women…it’s unsettling and sublime.
The character of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, could without a doubt be seen as a manifestation of his particular Freda, and a rather dark one at that. There’s just so much in the play, and also in Elia Kazan’s film adaptation, that expresses Freda’s mysteries. I’d have no idea where to start, except to wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Lady.
Freda is, however only one manifestation of Erzulie. The Erzulies all share a common core, but vary immensely in personality and temperament, as do the expressions of their mysteries. The goddess has many roads of manifestation, and many names. Take for example, Erzulie Dantor… There ain’t nothing fragile about her! She’s credited with starting the Haitian Revolution among other things, and is as fond of knives as she is perfume.
But back to Beyonce…
Personally, I’ve got to say that I’m somewhat uncomfortable with the deification and glorification of celebrities in contemporary culture. Beyonce Knowles is, according to those who know her, a rather quiet and nice Christian girl from Texas, very guarded about her personal life, who with a lot of talent and hard work, became famous and is now a superstar. And yes, I can see the mysteries of a certain Lady shining through Beyonce’s image at times. But for me to then make the statement, “Well, Beyonce’s like a modern day Oshun…” does a double disservice to them both, negating their respective complexities. I don’t know Beyonce, I only know her image, and to deify that image cheapens her as an actual woman. As for Oshun, to pigeonhole her thus is as equally restrictive, for her power is immense and manifold, and she may choose to appear in any number of guises.
But a lighter note, I’m really looking forward to Dreamgirls! At cinemas from Friday. Can’t wait! |
