Snakes

This blog will discuss the use of imagery involving snakes within the novel, "Almanac of the Dead." There are many instances in this novel where there are either dreams about or encounters with snakes and I believe that this imagery is very important to many of the main themes in this novel; those themes of power, corruption, fear and renewal. If looked at religiously the snake can be seen as a symbol of a spiritual opposition in achieving one's goals or desires. Snakes are apparent in the lives of Sterling and Menardo and in many other areas.
Menardo is a main point of interest when discussing snakes because he has dreams that involve snake skin. According to dreammoods.com Dream Dictionary: "To see the skin of a snake in your dream, represents protection from illnesses." This makes sense in regards to Menardo because he is dealing with insurance and security. The use of snake in reference to power and corruption also applies to Menardo and his business dealings. Menardo has become very powerful in his attaining of an air force and power over the security industry and there is definitely underlying corruption in all of this.
Another aspect of the novel that deals with snakes that I found interesting is when Clinton is talking about Mardi Gras and the part about the black Indian queen. The following is an excerpt from the novel:
"Here the queen darts her tongue out like a snake's, and her hips and stomach writhe like a snake's because black Indians still keep in touch with the serpent spirits Damballah and Simbi" (Silko 422).
After reading this I decided to look up these serpent spirits and this is what I found:
" Damballah is the eldest and chief of the Loas, a primordial serpent deity who created the world and the Gods. He, along with his wife Ayida, is sometimes likened to the Kundalini serpent of Hindu mysticism. Damballah has many aspects, including his Petro manifestation, Damballa la Flambeau (Damballah torch).

Damballah is of such great age and antiquity that he does not speak; when possessing a follower during a ritual, he prefers to slither on the ground or sit in the basson."
Here is a picture associated with Damballah:


In reference to Simbi this is what was found:
"Simbi (also Sim'bi) is a large and diverse family of serpent Loa (Vodoun spirit) from the West Central Africa/Kongo region. Some prominent Simbi Loa include Simbi Dlo (also Simbi d'l'eau - Simbi of the Water), Simbi Makaya, Simbi Andezo (Simbi of Two Waters), and Gran Simba. Traditionally in their Kongo context they are all associated with water, but in the Haitian Vodoun context they have wide ranging associations. For example Simbi Makaya is a great sorcerer, and served in particular in the Sanpwel secret societies. Simbi Anpaka is a Loa of plants, leaves, and poisons.

Milo Rigaud (City Lights, NY; c1969; "Secrets of Voodoo") speaks of Simbi as the Vodou Mercury, the messenger of Legba (the Sun). In this aspect Simbi is the bearer of souls to all places, and the creative principle."

Here is a picture associated with Simbi:


Works Cited:
-http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/s3.htm
-http://manbodanielemangones.com/art/about.htm