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THE LAND, DECEMBER 14, 2012
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Figures wear traditional costumes of local cultures
NATIVITY, from pg. 7A figures for the western market. Finally, through a company called World Nativity, she was able to purchase one with Chinese figures, made from camphor wood by Chinese Christians. The culture in which a nativity scene is made is reflected not only in the look of the people, she said, but also in the style of art, the material used, the colors, the animals and the setting. Her scene from Alaska has a stable shaped like an igloo, with a polar bear and a moose among the animals. It is because of such unexpected details that one does not tire looking at Leach’s multiple nativity scenes. There is a newness to each one. The scenes from Central and South America are often brightly colored, but not all. A nativity of the Holy Family and the wise men made in the Amazon is white with black markings. “The figures wear the traditional costumes and have the facial artistry that is unique to the Ashaninka people of the Amazon rainforest,” Leach said. “The artist is Alberto Aparicio
Canchari.” The variety of African nativity scenes is equally fascinating. From Kenya alone Leach has one carved from black ebony, another carved from white kisii stone, another woven from banana fibers, and yet another carved from a six-inch piece of a branch that opens into a triptych with Joseph and Mary on the side panels and Jesus in the center. Asia also figures large in her collection. A Nepal nativity scene is carved from lustrous reddish Karma wood. The hands of Mary are held with the palms out, which in our culture would suggest pushing away, but Leach explained that in Nepalese culture it is a sign of welcome. Knowing about the artist and learning the symbolism they have used is one reason Leach supports World Nativity, a company started by a Salt Lake City man who sells nativities from around the world but takes no profit for himself. He is promoting native artists, and the scenes come with explanations of gestures and symbolism. Leach retired in 2009 from Southwest Minnesota State University in
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Marilyn Leach proudly displays her 110 nativity scenes throughout her home in Marshall, Minn. Marshall where she had served as director of the Academic and Diversity Resources Department. Since 2005 she has been a part-time priest at St. James Episcopal Church in Marshall. St. James is a small congregation that raised up a group of members as a ministry team, Leach being one of two who were ordained to the priesthood. Her nativity collection “didn’t start as a collection,” she said. Her mother brought her a nativity set from Jerusalem, and a few years later traveled to Switzerland and brought her a nativity set from there. “Then my kids gave me a nativity, and then I started collecting,” Leach said. Of course, she has American nativity scenes, too, many given to her by family and friends. There is a ceramic one she purchased because she loved the colors. She has a large, full nativity scene made of brass with a wooden stable that was made in Minnesota. And she has one with multiple angels made by local glassblower Ed Carberry. “You never know where you’re going to find a nativity,” Leach said, showing both a bracelet and a cigarette lighter with nativity scenes on them. One of her favorites she recently pur-
chased through World Nativity. It was made by a young man in war-torn Liberia. He walked through the city streets and picked up empty bullet casings, using each casing to make a figure in the scene. “He wanted to make peace out of war,” Leach said. “That is absolutely one of my favorites.” Once a year Leach’s nativity scenes are opened to the public. It is part of her congregation’s “Anglican Christmas: From the Nativity to the Victorian.” The basement of the church building is filled with the Victorian Village of Charlotte Wendel. A few blocks up the street Leach opens her home for folks to view her nativity scenes. “Anglican Christmas: From the Nativity to the Victorian” is the second week in December. The days and times when the nativity scenes are open for viewing along with other activities and directions are at the congregation’s website, www.stjamesepiscopalmarshall.com. Marilyn Leach can be contacted at mmleach@me.com. The World Nativity website is www.worldnativity.com. ❖