Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: anthropology

  • Below—apparently

    They call it sub-Saharan—as if Africa were a submarine,ducking politely beneath elsewhere,periscope up, waiting for permission. Wait. Sub like “less than,”like a footnote that forgot it was a library,like history that somehow happenedbefore it was discovered. I’m thinking out loud. A desert becomes a ruler.A line in the sand gets tenure.Everything south of it is “sub,”as if…

  • Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks

    Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting. This is a response to the prompt above. I’ve always hoped to travel to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon National Parks in California and Arizona, respectively, to experience their vast, breathtaking landscapes, towering red rock formations, and intricate canyon…

  • Indigeneity 101d: Indigenous Animals and Spaces

    I like to think with nature. Much of my research is shaped by Indigenous ways of knowing and the question of how Indigenous knowledge is produced, preserved, and erased. I’m especially interested in moving beyond a human-centered view of the world to consider more-than-human life. We often talk about speaking for Indigenous peoples, but we…

  • Two Sides of a Coin

    Stories have a significant impact. They can inform or misinform, create opportunities or impose limitations. Ultimately, stories shape our understanding of the world. Those who tell these stories play a crucial role in what we recognize as history or facts. However, it’s important to remember that there are often multiple sides to a story. The…

  • Nature’s Creepiest Nun

    Let’s talk about the praying mantis. Sounds holy, right? With a name like that, you’d think it spends its days in quiet meditation, sipping herbal tea and whispering affirmations to butterflies; however, if “preying mantis” could have been a better name. Just saying. This bug is a straight-up ninja assassin in a leaf-green or sometimes…

  • Indigeneity 101c: Indigenous Knowledge and Ecology

    I invite you to read an article in Romanian (which can be translated into other languages) about the importance of incorporating indigenous practices into our ecological efforts. The article provides examples of environmental initiatives from communities in France, Vanuatu, Nigeria, Kenya, and Chad. How can we sustainably resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife in rural…

  • Shades of Mount Sandia

    Mount Sandia will rise majestically. Its silhouette reminds me of a picturesque landscape painted on an expansive canvas. The view from which it is observed influences its allure. For instance, on Easter Sunday, I was fortunate enough to witness the sunrise, with her golden rays piercing the horizon, casting a divine light that bathed the…

  • Quote: Nature

    We are tenants, and nature is our landlord. No one treats their landlord wrongly – Oke Iroegbu

  • Maybe 3

    Maybe shadows tell stories too

  • Indigeneity 101b: Indigenous People’s Day

    Today is Indigenous People’s Day, so let’s take time to celebrate and support Indigenous communities around the globe.

  • Indigeneity 101a: Multiple Ways of Knowing

    In my research, I challenge the misconceptions that indigenous cultures have not contributed to modern knowledge. Different cultures have historically documented their knowledge in diverse ways, including through cultural practices such as music, spoken poetry, and dance performances. Recognizing multiple ways of creating and documenting knowledge can facilitate mutual understanding and acknowledgment, paving the way…