Abstract

     This piece explores how Afro-Caribbean rituals and myths, particularly those in the Dominican Republic, open the space for the exploration of fractured identities shrouded in self-neglect and denial through their multi-referential natures. These can be arranged into palettes of intentions, narratives, and aesthetics that constitute a dramaturgical and design language. The structure of this piece follows the narrative structure of the Gagá ritual in the Dominican Republic. Divided into four main chapters, each represents a fragment of the journey undergone to mend the distance with this fractured identity. The Sacred Palm, a first approach to the sacred tree hosting the loas of the group, in this case hosts a future version of myself which holds higher knowledge—the mind as an ori. The Enramada, where the main ceremonies and rituals take place, is an initiation into the ideas, expressions, and aesthetics— baptized objects which will be reassembled to birth new stories. Pilgrimage consists of experiments and subsequent reflections following the theoretical and aesthetic research. Return offers reflections, insights, intentions and opportunities for future growth and development—finally, dousing the flame. The flame carried throughout this piece holds the sacredness of personal intention as the soul travels to meet a higher version of itself, and while doused here, like spring, will be ignited once again.