Blue Whales Tan to Avoid Sunburn

Here is a tale

one of many 
from Nature's archive

 about the Blue Whale

doing what we do

reach out to get more Sun

keeping us healthy and alive

because of its delicate skin

it needs the Sun for a tan

a whale getting a suntan?

go on, really?

Yes it can

Henri van Bentum

Back to School Rap

"How come you're so smart?"

asked the teacher to a youngster

 "You're barely 5 and know all this by heart.

Are you getting this from the Internet

or maybe watch too much telly?"

"No, no", piped up the youngster.

"My mum is a lawyer

and I had 9 months of pre-school in her belly!"

Henri van Bentum

Part Two: the Huichol "Peyoteros" of Mexico (see below for Part One)

[Huichol is pronounced “Wee-chole”.] These humble but proud people live today in a culture of transition. Meaning, our high impact, high-stress culture and a silver mine development is having a major effect on the Huichol. In some areas of their territory, small groups are holding onto their traditions.  Others, more vulnerable, have already succumbed to ‘progress’. 

At one time not long ago, the Huichol embodied a beautiful way of life that was protected by their relative isolation and a strong lack of desire to mix with the Spanish, Mexicans or, until recently, North Americans and Europeans.  They avoided contact, even if it meant having to leave their usual places and hide in unknown territory. You could say the Huichol have been invaded by contemporary conquistadores, all the more ironic since they were amongst the very few who eluded the original conquistadores centuries ago. 

Today there are not many pre-Columbian living cultures intact for all to see, as that of the Huichol Indians. It’s no surprise they are on the brink of losing what was and is so dear to them. Especially now with a mining project threatening their sacred, ceremonial lands. Click here to visit “Salvemos Wirikuta” (“Save Wirikuta). Because of this situation, once again the Human Family on this planet is about to lose an invaluable link to our ancient collective past. The Huichol people are one of few ancient cultures maintaining their tradition for centuries up until the present time. Their way of life is rich with symbolism and mythology.  They revere everything in Nature. 

"Kauyumari Comes Home", by Jose Benitez Sanchez

The Huichol have been called a ‘culture of doctors’, for no less than one-third of the men are shaman / healers.  For us that would mean out of 100 people, 33 would be doctors. Each year they go on pilgrimage to the land of the Peyote cacti, “Wirikuta”.  They walk over 350 kilometers in twenty days to San Luis Potosi, where the magic peyote is taken in a ceremony under the guidance of the Shaman. This annual pilgrimage keeps their legends and myths alive. There is also an annual pilgrimage to Lake Chapala, where the shaman tell the story of “The Tree That Rains”.  They keep this Flood Myth (like so many cultures have, such as Noah’s Ark), alive. 

It’s through their yarn paintings and intricate beadwork the Huichol tell their stories best.  This highly symbolic form of expression reflects their religious beliefs and vivid connection with Nature. Some of these yarn paintings seem to ‘flow’ like real paint.  The coloured strands of yarn are painstakingly pressed onto beeswax-covered plywood, transforming cotton or wool to a never-never land. One of the Huichol masters of yarn painting was Jose Benitez Sanchez. A dignified and proud Shaman, (the Huichol had no word for “art” or “artist”), he went ‘over the horizon’ four years ago.   

"Our Elder Brother's Kauyumari's Nierika", Jose Benitez Sanchez

 Standing in front of one of these works by Jose Benitez Sanchez, realizing human fingers have gently pushed these strands of yarn into the beeswax-covered plywood, is an awesome revelation. The strands are applied so closely together, there is no space between them. From a distance the works look like a ‘painted’ painting.  It puts shivers down my spine. It was an honour for me to have met Juan Benitez Sanchez long before he became famous. Someone must have recognized the quality of these yarn paintings, because they can now be seen in museums all over the world. Click here for more information about Juan Benitez Sanchez and works by other Huichol masters to see examples of their work.

Henri van Bentum 

Part One: Remembering the "Peyoteros" or Huichol People of Mexico - the WIXARITARI

On our daily stroll along the ocean shore, we met a woman who was a passenger aboard an Alaska-bound Holland America ship docked 500m away at Ogden Point.  We noticed her colourful shoulder bag and asked where she got it.

 

 Huichol man in traditional dress, including a shoulder bag similar to what the passenger carried

“Oh’”, she replied with a strong Texan drawl, “I bought it at a "funny" store in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.I say "funny" as in peculiar because everything there was either made from beads, embroidered or from strands of wool."

 Huichol man in Puerto Vallarta gallery where Huichol art is sold

The American tourist continued, "I also bought a bead jaguar sculpture and a small beaded mask.  Forgot the name of the store and the name of the people who make that stuff.”

 Huichol artist finalizes beaded JAGUAR head

N. replied to the tourist, "You're talking about the extraordinary Huichol people".  N. had noticed the shoulder bag at first sight. We have two Huichol shoulder bags in our own collection. 

This chance meeting made me travel back to the year 1981 when we had our first encounter with the Huichol in Jalisco State, Mexico. They call themselves “Wixaritari” people. It was early December. We were in a taxi in the old part of Puerto Vallarta and went over a bridge that crosses the Cuale River. (Not far from where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had their ‘love nest’).  Suddenly N called out, “Stop the car!”   

 "Ceremony of the Gods", animistic cosmos, yarn painting by Shaman Jose Benitez Sanchez

She’d spotted beneath the bridge a group of native people dressed in traditional attire.  The taxi could not wait for us, so we got out to see what was going on. The Huichol are physically small, shorter than the Maya or Aztec descendants.  

Yarn painting by the late Jose Benitez Sanchez 

It turned out to be an ‘outdoor’ sale of their artwork which is deeply connected with their religion. Intrigued by the psychedelic-looking colours, we spent some time exploring the works on display, and acquired four small works on plywood panel completely covered with delicately-applied strands of yarn. Also a mask, fully covered with multi-coloured beads. 

We met the organizer who was responsible for arranging the exhibition, an American former paramedic who had been moved by the plight of the Huichol people and was attempting to help them gain their livelihood. These panels of plywood are first covered with beeswax, and then with incredible precision and remarkable patience, multi-coloured strands of yarn are tightly applied in an extraordinary variety of designs and patterns.  These depict symbolic images unique to the Huichol. Likewise, the masks are first covered in beeswax on which beads are placed one by one.  

Huichol Mask, Beads pressed onto beeswax-covered plywood

They also make intricately-embroidered and patterned shoulder bags. Likewise, their white cotton attire is beautifully embroidered with their symbols. Back in those days (1981), the Huichol people still wore their unique  traditional attire, not for the tourists, but for themselves.  They believe they honour their gods by appearing as beautiful as possible so it is a form of religious service to create and also to wear these objects. 

 Huichol man creating small yarn painting 

At this memorable outdoor exhibition we happened upon ‘just by chance’, everywhere we looked, vivid colours dominated under the shadows of the bridge. A psychedelic display of all their art. These gentle but proud people from Mexico were relatively unknown until the 1960’s.  It’s all very well to say yarn paintings, masks, jaguars, shoulder bags etc all covered with beads or strands of wool. However, the beads used on an object are so closely applied there is no space left between each bead. Just imagine. Likewise with the yarn paintings.  Strands of wool are so closely applied nothing of the plywood shows underneath. An amazing skill and feat of patience and awareness. Today the international art world is well aware of the Huichol and their art and works can be found in various museums around the world.   

 The late artist and Shaman  Jose Benitez Sanchez, who personally gave me this autographed photograph when we met in the 1990's

Since our first encounter, we have added more works to our collection, including one by the master Jose Benitez Sanchez: a large yarn painting on plywood panel depicting Deer, Shaman, Peyote Cactus, Sun and Snake symbolism. This was given to me by the artist as a gift. We’d met up with him, again impromptu, at a gallery.  When he learned I was an artist, he very generously presented the yarn painting and refused to accept any money. He ‘went over the horizon’ in 2009. Click here for more information about Jose Benitez Sanchez.

 Amazing Huichol eggs covered with beads gently applied to the fragile shells. Just imagine.

Years later during our annual visit to Mexico we acquired the latest Huichol creation:  beaded eggs, rich in symbolism and colour.  You know how fragile eggshells are, so imagine, without breaking the shell, applying myriad tiny beads. 

To learn more about the Huichol (Wixaritari) people, visit the Wixarika Research Centre.  

End of Part One (to be continued)

Henri van Bentum

Historic Totem Pole raising on Gwaii Haanas

On Thursday history was made in Haida Gwaii here on the Pacific coast. Members of the Haida Nation raised a colourful, impressive, 13m totem pole at Hlk’yah GawGa at Windy Bay, a ceremony witnessed by over 400 people who arrived in kayaks, canoes and boats. 

Head carver, Jaalen Edenshaw, was joined by his crew who finished off the top of the pole with copper eagle feathers. It was the first pole to be raised in this remote region in 130 years. The totem pole is located at the site where, in 1983 native elders faced off against the RCMP to stop logging. It became known as the Lyell Island blockade. The clearcut logging was doing untold damage to their land. The protests led to negotiations that eventually ended in the creation of a national park, Gwaii Haanas. The park is jointly managed by the Haida Nation and the government of Canada.

The raising of the totem pole on Thursday marked the twentieth anniversary of the signing of this milestone agreement. 

"The Five Good People" symbolizes the Lyell Island protestors who blockaded the logging road in 1983

The totem pole depicts the grizzly bear, the raven, the sea wolf, and “the five good people”, symbolizing those who blocked the road to prevent the logging trucks from going through. The 3,000 kg pole was raised in a moving ceremony that demonstrates the strength of their culture and their compassion despite all the wrongdoing they have endured in the past since arrival of the “white man”. 

Hlk’yah GawGa, Windy Bay

The ceremony underscored not only the Haida people’s love and respect for their ancestors, but also for their brothers and sisters, the environment and all creatures. In this way they serve as role models for western cultures, where our world leaders more often show negligence and indifference in these matters.  

Haana Edenshaw, child of head carver Jaalen Edenshaw, throws eagle feathers during the blessing ceremony

You can watch a video of the legacy pole raising here: http://www.haidanation.ca/

“The legacy pole tells the story of how we work together for the common good, resulting in the successful care of land and waters for the benefit of all people”, said Peter Lantin, President of the Haida Nation. This homage pole is not ‘just’ a totem pole but a proud and powerful statement by an indigenous people who, in spite their circumstances, can show the world they are not defeated. 

"Disappearing Culture", oil on masonite, 

Henri van Bentum, 1959, Banff.  
Formerly Permanent Collection The Banff Centre, Now in Artist's Private Collection.

This moving ceremony reminded me of my very early days in Canada after emigrating in 1957 from the Lowlands. Less than two years later, while painting in the Rocky Mountains in 1959, I created this work. It is my ‘impression’ of how I viewed the state of the culture of the indigenous people at that time. Notice the Sun is not smiling. 

Henri van Bentum 

A "Vodou" Session and Fortune Telling Experience

Here In Victoria at the Inner Harbour many First Nations people have their artwork on display, along with other vendors. Amongst these we noticed a distinctive Folk Art painting from Haiti. 

Made me travel back in time to an experience locked up in my memory cells waiting to be revisited and released.  My eighty-fourth orbit around the “Leo” Sun is coming up and this reminded me of our visit to Haiti many years ago and my first meeting with a “Fortune Teller”. We were aboard a ship going around the world (Royal Viking Line’s “Royal Viking Sky”) back in 1974. I was guest artist and lecturer.   

One of the many ports-of-call was Port-au-Prince. We had volunteered to serve as minders for a shore excursion, organized in those days, by American Express. One of these was advertised as a Vodou Ceremony.  The description said “Not for the faint of heart”. There were 15 of us on the tour. We arrived at the destination after a drive through rugged, mountainous countryside and passing some small villages. 

We were met by a local interpreter, who told us the ceremony would not be “staged”, but the real thing, which our driver had already mentioned. Three chickens were sacrificed. Whirling and high-pitched chanting brought on a trance state.  

A few of the ship’s passengers were feeling uneasy. Indeed it was not something for the faint of heart. The ceremony was eerie and mesmerizing.  Then the guide announced  the priestess had offered to tell anyone their future if they were interested. However, she only spoke Patois and French. No one spoke French apart from us, so I agreed to have my ‘fortune’ told.  Thus I found myself alone with the Vodou Priestess.

She predicted I would reach the age of 80, holding my hands with her leathery, wrinkled hands – looking me straight in the eye and repeating it twice, “Quatre-vingt ans, quatre-vingt ans.”   Almost forty years later, and approaching my eighty-fourth birthday, she was at least correct in saying I’d reach 80.  The additional years are a bonus. Following the ceremony, we started to walk towards the van parked a distance away. Suddenly we were greeted by a major thunder and lightning storm.  Thick raindrops came pelting down. 

"The Haiti Umbrella"

The locals rushed to give us each a huge banana leaf to hold over our heads.  These makeshift Haiti-style umbrellas really did the trick. We must have looked a funny sight, walking in line through the mud with the enormous banana leaves on our heads. The rain, thunder and lightning “sobered” everyone up quickly after the intensity of the ceremony, an experience that seemed “unreal”, to the reality of elemental fury and a deluge. Needless to say, those who were on this particular excursion had lots to talk about with their fellow passengers back aboard ship.  Just like us, with this blog post, sharing this unforgettable experience in Haiti after all these years.

Henri van Bentum