Fact or Fiction?

In class we were asked if we thought chapters 51-52 were history or mythology. In these chapters we are told the story of the origins of Jes Grew. We are introduced to Osiris who brought Jes Grew to Egypt and spread it all over the world.  We are also introduced to Set who was against Jes Grew and is the origin of the Atonist’s. We learn how different forms of Jes Grew were created and how Jes Grew has shaped the world we live in today. We are also told about the Atonists group and their work to stop Jes Grew. Papa LaBas also explains how Hinkle Von Vampton found the book of Thoth and used it to become powerful. 

I think in the world of Mumbo Jumbo what we read in chapters 51-52 is actual history. However, for me as the reader I thought it was more similar to mythology. In the novel Papa LaBas practices Voodoo and Earline is taken over by a loa. We are tolf that Voodoo's powers are the same as Jes Grew's. Because of Voodoo/Jes Grew practiced I do not find it hard to believe that there is god like figures in the world of Mumbo Jumbo. No ordinary human would be able to start something as powerful as Jes Grew. The story that Papa LaBas tells also makes sense in the context of the book, so what reason is there for us as the readers to think that to Papa LaBas, this is actual history. 

When I looked at the story Papa LaBas tell us in the context of our world I thought it seemed more like mythology. Just as Jes Grew is a representation of the Harlem Renaissance the story of Jes Grew is a representation of the history of oppression in our world. In class when we discussed this question of fact or fiction I also thought about how bias the telling of history is. The point of view of the person writing down history has a huge effect on what is written down and in what way. As a result, I do not think we ca prove Papa LaBas wrong either. The story he tells could have been erased and we would not know the difference.