by Colson and Sam N.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIEsmVPduYI&feature=related

http://www.travelblog.org/World/ug-gov.html,

http://www.enotes.com/genocide-encyclopedia/uganda,

http://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=uganda&aq=f&aqi=g-s4g-o1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&emsg=NCSR&noj=1&ei=U4DITKijJ6jkpgT7_KzZCQ&safe=active

Poems on Uganda

The Blood of the Land

               By Colson

I see black jutting peaks like blades of charcoal-black obsidian that stab at the misty blue wing membranes of thin sky protruding from the vile serpent that is the unknown.

I feel the beating of callused soles from life in the village, kind grandmothers standing to welcome their children in to hear tales of mischievous njuzu spirits.

My people planting fruits to nourish the land, even when their brothers leave sulfurous smoke hanging in the air and gouge chunks of earth from the ground under their feet.

I wonder how suddenly great plagues choke the life out of forlorn villages and sweep away the their essence, like termites fleeing from a smoldering nest.

Then the blood of the land seeps in inky blackness from the rich native soil, feeding rusted iron monsters of desolation, cruel sunset-orange eyes glowing malevolently from behind grease stained cogs.

The blood of the land, a war torn land dying like a field suffering from torrents of an acid rain scourge.

Using or abusing the democratic freedom nursed to health and sustained with the sacrifices of mortal men, souls dissipating like ashes on the western wind.

The echoing bellow of guns, mines, and other finely-honed servants of death.

But even in this joy-deprived land, cities spring up thriving in trade and the night life of bars, friends, and the intercontinental zealots breaking down the frail wall of  that cursed blessing of isolation.

This is Uganda…

African Mask Project 

Mask artist statement

From the View of an Abnormal Entity

By Colson

            An actor, a tribal chief, a spooky ghoul on Hallow’s Eve . . .around the world, masks portray the raw emotion of the human spirit.  What better way to express our knowledge of that diverse continent of Africa then these powerful and solitary faces of plaster, wood, and stone. 

            For my mask of Uganda, this second skin is devoid of most ornamentation to symbolize life in rural villages, without things that are commonly taken for granted.  The base of a light brown portrays the main export of Uganda, believe it or not—soil!  How Uganda got the scheme of selling their dirt is beyond me.  The black tribal paint and feathers is the unknown that shrouds the isolated villages.  The green symbolizes the lush and diverse wildlife paired with the one blue feather of exotic native species.  All in all, the mask is a cryptic portrayal of the diverse land of Uganda.

Artists Statement

By Sam N. 

     A blue tear symbolizing sadness slowly runs down the cheek of my mask. On the opposite eye a red tear symbolizing death lingers on my mask. A blood shot eye on the top of my masks forehead represents tiredness and frustration. An arrow dripping blood on my masks cheek symbolizes genocide. A fish with a red slash through it represents starvation and poverty. A British flag symbolizes who colonized Uganda. Sky Blue on the forehead represents hope.  Yellow on the face represents peace and relief of AIDS and Malaria. 

Help Us

By Sam N. 

I am a poor, violent country that struggles with genocide.

I wonder if I will ever see my fields free of shot shells?

I hear the shouting and crying after a bombing.

I see my beautiful Lake Victoria and Nile River.

I want peace, no more fighting and genocides!

I am a poor violent country that struggles with genocide.

I feel mortified to see so many of my people die and suffer.

I touch the bottom of my deep Lake Kyoga.

I smell the smoke of the village’s cooking fires.

I worry that the AIDS epidemic will never end.

I cry for the people who suffer from sickness and violence.

I am a poor, violent country that struggles with genocide.

I understand that something must be done to help us.

I say that God will bring peace to me.

I dream peace will soon come to my people!

I try to strengthen my government.

I hope the pain and fear of my people will disappear.

I am Uganda.