Today in class, we were talking about how Mumbo Jumbo is like a detective novel, with Papa LaBas being the detective. It becomes confusing as to who the bad guy is, because Hinckle seems to be a likely choice, but his end is surprisingly anticlimactic. Another possibile villain is Atonism. I would argue, however, that LaBas is not fighting Atonism. It seems to me that LaBas sees all subcultures (eg. Atonism, Haitian religion, etc.) as merely parts of one huge culture that is the sum of everything. He tries to emulate this "all-culture" through the Mumbo Jumbo Kathedral, combining all of the mystical beliefs that he can find. This also leads me to believe that LaBas is very tolerant of all religious views, and so would not want to harm Atonism. In stopping Hinckle, he is merely acting out of defense for cultures, but he does not try to harm Atonism. I would go so far as to claim that if Atonism was in danger, LaBas would work to keep it alive.
Obviously, Atonism does not was LaBas and any of the religions he sponsors to survive. I think that is the key difference between Ancient African beliefs and Atonistic Western ones in Mumbo Jumbo: the Africans believe in tolerance and the Atonists in intolerance. LaBas, who represents African religious beliefs, is very tolerant in the book. When he wants something to change, he does not push against what is currently happening (as the Atonists do) but he gently directs things and events towards what he wants, without disturbing much. Throughout this all he remains calm. These characteristics are displayed clearly in the epilogue. LaBas is completely content to have students walk out on him, tolerant of their wishes and views of disinterest. Even when some guy starts yelling at him and being obnoxious and whatnot, LaBas just calmly nudges him away with his car, without getting all worked up about it. All of these things are the exact opposite of how the Atonists would react. Interestingly, although LaBas is the protagonist (I think maybe) of Reed's novel, Reed seems to view tolerance with derision. He wants abrupt social change, and fights for it. I'm not sure what exactly to make of this, so if anyone has any thoughts they would be very welcome.
This is an interesting point: in contrast to Berbelang, who leaves LaBas's organization precisely because he's impatient with the pace of change they're bringing about, LaBas seems much more chill about everything around him. There is a kind of detached, "seen it all" kind of wisdom implied here--the young folks get all worked up and try to agitate, while LaBas sees loas at work everywhere. He can maybe assist their efforts, make the conditions right for them to flourish, and he is actively seeking to stop Hinckle once he realizes what's going on. I don't know that I'd call him "tolerant" of intolerance, but he does take the "long view" (as reflected in his *long* historical narrative in chaps. 52!). Even the loss of the text doesn't really phase him: he'll just keep on doing The Work, and Jes Grew will be just fine, finding no doubt some new manifestation somewhere down the line. I'm reminded of the early line that Atonists tend to mistake LaBas's chill manner for "laziness". He might appear passive, next to Berbelang, but he's moving things forward at his own pace.
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