Home Place - Kijimba Kind

In 2000, while attending OCAD U, I apprenticed under Master Wood Sculptor Dorsey James on the Home Place project. The contents and artistry presented on this page is the work of Dorsey James. For more information visit: www.homeplace.ca or www.novacan.ca/djames or view a documentary on Dorsey James’ work at Empty Cup Media. The Home Place sculpture garden is located at Alex Robertson Park in Picking

These carvings are called Kijimba Kind. The term is comprised of two words and meanings from three different cultures. The word Kijimba comes from the Bambara people of black Africa. It means spirit. As it applies to these carvings, it takes into account three spirits: the spirit of the character carved, the spirit of the material and finally the spirit of the carver. The word Kind is from white Germany. It is taken from the word Kinder, which means children. i.e. kindergarten. In the English language, kind refers to a type, like mankind. It is, also a word that refers to the warmer or gentler side of a person's nature i.e a kind person. I have taken these words from cultural and racial extremes in an effort to reflect all races as black and white incorporates all colours and values.

Kijimba Kind are, then, spirit children or children of the spirit from all types and colours. They symbolize our history as well as the diversity of our religions, our myth and our legend. They are reminiscent of the kinder, gentler side of who we are and who we may someday be.

Kijimba Kind are carved from recycled hydro poles which were used to bring the light and communication into our homes. As Kijimba Kind it is hoped that these same poles will rekindle and maintain that light for all who have that spiritual need and inspire meaningful communication which is so necessary in our personal lives as well as in our community "Home Place".

Dorsey James

Aquula - The Eagle

The eagle is a universal symbol of power. Some cultures see this as power of good as in the eagle being the bringer of fertility to crops, the good harvest or creativity. Others see the eagle as a symbol of destructive power as in the bringer of floods or periods of great loss. Most often the eagle is seen as a symbol of determination i.e possessing fortitude and forthrightness sufficient to overcome adversity and tenacity.

Spring

When the lord of the underworld, Hades, abducted Persephone her mother Demeter, who had change of the weather, searched long and hard for her. During this time, the world became cold. Zeus, concerned about the earth, told her of the abduction and sanctioned the returned of Persephone provided she has not eaten any food of the dead. Unfortunately, she had eater six seeds from a pomegranate. Zeus, therefore, decided that Persephone would spend one month in the underworld for each seed eaten. So, during the time that her daughter is away, Demeter grieves and our weather becomes cold (winter). When she returns, however, Demeter rejoices and our weather warms (spring). This is how the early Greeks explained the seasons. Hidden in this piece are six seeds and the face of Ascalaphus, the “Hidden one” who spied Persephone eating them.

Eden Seed

Eden Seed reminds us of our dependence on nature and our responsibility to take care of our earth. We, as mankind, can be the agent of its destruction or of its continual renewal and longevity. Hidden in this piece is the serpent. Some cultures see the serpent as a symbol of regeneration, rebirth or a second change because as the serpent sheds its skin. Which serpent symbolism we acknowledge and embrace is up to us.

Thor

Thor is the Norse god of thunder. He is the protector of mankind from chaos, destruction and the forces of evil. His mother, being Earth itself, is the reason Thor has such a close association and/or attraction to the earth. Though adorned with the highly recognizable horded helmet, Vikings helmets, historically, had no horns.

Bridge Builder

Tji-Wara is an African equivalent of Moses. She, however, had the power to metamorphosis. When her pursued people arrived at the banks the raging waters, Tji-Wara changed herself into a tree and fell across the river thereby spanning the two sides. Her people, then, walked across her back safety. When her people become hungry, she changed into an antelope and they ate of her body and drank of her blood. (Think of the Last Supper). Both the antelope and sign of the tree are in this piece.

Sentinel

Some cultures believe that the crane is forever alert. It stands on one leg when it rests while clasping a pebble in the raised foot. If it should happen to drift off to sleep, the pebble drops into the water, thereby awaking the crane. It is for this reason that some see the various species of crane as a symbol of vigilance.

Hibou - The Owl

The owl, a creature of the night, is seen by some as the bird of ill omen representing death or mourning. Others see the owl, because of its exceptional ability to see and navigate in the darkness, as a symbol of knowledge, awareness and timeless wisdom.

The Moirai

These three sisters were believed to be responsible for one’s allotment in life or their past, present and future. They include Clotho who spins the thread at the beginning of life and Atropos who weaves the thread of life into the fabric of one’s actions and Lachesis who snips the thread at the end of life. This trio is also know as the Fates.