COMMUNITY EVENTS
WOLOF LANGUAGE
intensive beginners course
Saint-Louis, Senegal, 15 Oc-2 Nov 2012
This course is organised by the Waaw centre, an artists’ residence and a centre for art and design in the old town of Saint-Louis.
What will you learn?
You will learn enough Wolof to make yourself understood in everyday situations. The emphasis is on communication. No matter if you want to learn the language just for fun or for professional reasons: after the course, you will better understand the people and culture in Senegal and West Africa in general. You will also be given an overview of Wolof grammar, giving you a base for further study or even language research on your own.
Programme
The course will start on Monday 15 October and end on Friday 2 November 2012. Classes will be held Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Homework tasks will be given. In the afternoons and evenings, there is an optional programme of extra conversation in Wolof and activities and lectures related to Senegalese culture (in English, French or Wolof): including cooking, music and dance, religious traditions, literature and architecture. We will also make weekend excursions to the beaches of Langue de Barbarie and to Djoudj National Park, known for its rich bird life.
Your main teacher is Professor Abdoulaye Dial, Université Gaston Berger, who has a long experience in teaching Wolof for foreign students and professionals. He has also published teaching materials and a Wolof-French dictionary. Senegalese course hosts are responsible for extra conversation and extra-curricular activities. Lectures will be given by experts in the fields concerned. In order to ensure an optimal learning experience, we are accepting maximum 12 people onto the course.
Who can take part?
The course is intended for anyone interested over the age of 18, irrespective of professional or academic background. Knowledge of English or French is required. Professor Dial will use a communicative method and Wolof as the language of instruction right from the start, but he will explain grammar in French. If you don’t speak French – don’t worry: all the course material is available in English. The course hosts speak English.
If you already happen to know some Wolof - do get in touch with us. We are also planning to offer a course for advanced learners.
Course material
The course material is included in the course fee and will be distributed to participants at the beginning of the course: Abdoulaye Dial’s text book Gan gi: a beginning self-study Wolof course for tourists and foreigners (2004), a grammar book, a short dictionary as well as photocopies.
Why learn Wolof?
If you are interested in learning an African language, Wolof is a good choice. There is a variety of learning materials available, and you can find music, films and some literature in Wolof. The basics are not very difficult, and you will quickly learn enough in order to communicate. A linguist, however, will find many fascinating features in the structure of the language.
Are you interested in Senegal? The Wolof language is the key to the country. It is the de facto national language, spoken by over 90% of the population. You can get by in Senegal in French, but knowing Wolof will make your experience more rewarding. English is not widely understood. Wolof is also spoken in the Gambia and southern Mauritania, as well as by a large Senegalese diaspora.
Do you want to understand the lyrics of the songs of Youssou N’Dour? Here you have your chance!
Why learn Wolof in Saint-Louis?
As this is an intensive course, you can make the most of your time and money. We offer a package which includes on-site accommodation. In picturesque and peaceful Saint-Louis, everything is close at hand - in contrast to the bustle and traffic jams of Dakar. On the other hand, there are enough things going on in town to keep you busy. The Waaw centre is right in the middle of the Saint-Louis island, with shops and restaurants just around the corner.
The Waaw centre
Waaw is an independent Finnish-Senegalese artists’ residence and centre for art and design, starting its activities in 2012.
Accommodation
We offer accommodation in the Waaw residence in basic but adequate rooms for one or two persons, with beds, desks and storage facilities. Bathrooms (hot water) are shared. Lunch and dinner Senegalese style (1,000 fcfa/€1.50) can be provided on request. At your disposal is also a communal kitchen, equipped with refrigerator, gas cookers, pots and pans. On the other hand, there are several restaurants nearby, where you can have a good meal for 2,000 fcfa/€3.
How to get to Saint-Louis
Transfer from Dakar to Saint-Louis will be arranged on Sunday 14 October and back to Dakar on Saturday 3 November. Airport pick-up and transfer is included in the course fee. For those arriving in Senegal just before the start of the course, we will arrange accommodation in Dakar the night between 13 and 14 October. We will get back to those registered with more information regarding travel arrangements.
Course fees
Course with accommodation: €650 (425,000 fcfa, £540, $870)
The course price includes tuition, all course materials, activities in the evenings and on weekends, airport pick-up and accommodation (shared twin room) in Dakar 13 October, transfer from and to Dakar, accommodation (shared twin room) from 14 October to 3 November. Single room supplement: €150 (100,000 fcfa, £125, $200). The price does not include meals, air fare or any transport outside the planned programme. There is no reduction for late arrival or early departure.
Course only: €350 (230,000 fcfa, £300, $465)
The price includes tuition, all course materials, evening and weekend activities. Transfer from and to Dakar can be arranged but is not included.
Registration and further information
Please fill out the registration form and e-ail it to the course administrator Mr Staffan Martikainen at info@aawsenegal.org. There are a few places left - be quick! If you have any queries, you can contact us at the same address.
Kaayleen ñu jàng wolof - let’s learn Wolof!
~ ESSAY CONTEST FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT 2013
Hello Judges, (Version francaise ci-dessous.)
For those of you who have participated in the annual Essay Contest for Children of African Descent in previous years, it’s that time of the year again when I ask “Can I count on your support as a Judge again?”
If you have been a Judge before no need to complete the Registration form - simply reply to this email “Count me in” or “Not this time”.
If you are able to contribute to the prizes, please let me know what amount you are able to offer. To take the pressure of the handful of friends who contribute towards the prizes, …… with a lot of wishful thinking, hopefully this will be the last year I ask people to contribute towards the prizes.
This e-mail is also sent out to Africans who have expressed an interest in being a Judge and whom I had told I would add them to the list and contact closer to the time.
The annual Essay Contest for Children of African Descent – now in its eighth year, is about us showing children of African descent across the African diaspora that we care about them and are willing to show our support for their efforts.
The aims are very simple: to encourage and support our children in their educational development.
Judges play a vitally important role in this contest as they read and provide positive and constructive feedback on essayists’ work. This feedback is given to each essayist. I have heard personally from teachers, parents and children how much the Judges’ feedback meant to them and how the comments they received encouraged them with their schoolwork.
We particularly need English-, French-, Portuguese- and Swahili-speaking Judges. Any other traditional AFRICAN language speakers interested? I would ALSO like to encourage Our children to write in their native languages and not only in colonial languages!
Over the last few years, I have had to turn away children who wanted to participate in this contest – 300 in 2011 - as I did not have enough Judges. Help me to avoid having to turn more away.
Please visit the website
(http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Impact.html under “Impact”) for feedback received unsolicited from a wonderful teacher whose students had participated in this contest in 2012 explaining how the winners have spent their prize money.
This will give you a good idea of the impact this small contest is having on children in Africa and the diaspora.
For more information - and the winning essays since the beginning of the contest go to: http://www.lornajones.net
Please download and complete the Judges Registration Form and return it to me as soon as possible. If you know anyone of African descent who might be interested in being a Judge, please forward this email to them and ask them to contact me.
As Judges, your work will not commence until early February and you will have two weeks in which to read and provide feedback on your 10 essays. You do not even need to leave the comfort of your home as your essays will be emailed to you.
I do hope you will see value in this initiative for our children’s development and that you will choose to participate in the Essay Contest for Children of African Descent 2013.
Do contact me should you have any questions or comments. I look forward to hearing from you.
With kind regards,
Lorna Jones
Essay Contest for Children and Young People of African Descent
http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Welcome.html
- FRENCH
Mon Cher Juges,
Que le temps passe vite! Je vous invite encore une fois d’être Juge lors du Concours de Rédaction pour Enfants d’Ascencence African 2013. Nous sommes déjà au huitème année.
Le but du concours reste le même: simplement d’encourager et de soutenir les jeuns où qu’ils soient dans l’Afrique et le diaspora dans leur dévelopment surtout en ce qui concerne l’éducation!
Le rôle d’un juge est très important dans ce concours.
1) Lire jusqu’au10 rédactions.
2) Fournir des commentaires positives et utiles à chaque essayiste.
3) Fournir une note pour chaque rédaction. Le Guide vous sera fourni pour vous aider.
J’ai déjà recu de nombreuses commentaires positives des parents et professeurs et je suis convaincue que ce concours a un effet positive sur les jeuns.
Les rédactions vous seront envoyées en fèvrier 2013. Je vous prie de me rendre vous commentaires et notes deux semains plus tard.
Voila un message j’a recu d’un professeur dont quelques uns de ces eleves ont participle dans ce concours l’annee derniere: http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Impact.html
“Nos lauréats du concours de la fois passée vous remercient beaucoup. De commun accord avec leurs parents, les prix qu’ils ont gagnés les aideront à payer les frais scolaires du 3e trimestre cette année. Okwir Benson Moses aura ses frais couverts en totalité, Salomon 3/4 de ses frais et Paul a déjà utilisé sa somme pour compléter les frais du 2eme trimestre car il avait encore une dette à payer à l’école. Ceci a motivé beaucoup d’apprenants, ils veulent participer au prochain en grand nombre.”
“Our winners of the last Essay competition thank you very much. In agreement with their parents, the prize they have won will help pay school fees of third term this year. Okwir Benson Moses will have his costs covered in full, Solomon 3/4 of his fees and Paul has already used his money to supplement the cost of the 2nd term because he still had a debt to pay for school. This has motivated many students; they have pledged to participate in huge number in the forthcoming competition.”
Si vous connaissez d’autres personnes d’ascendance africain que s’intèresse à être Juge dans ce concours, je vous prie de bien vouloir me mettre en contact avec eux. J’ai un besoin urgent de Juges francophone. Je risque d’être obligé de limiter sévèrement le nombre de participants francophones cette année si je n’arrive pas à trouver assez de Juges francophones.
Dans l’attente de votre réponse.
De la part des jeuns, je compte sur vous.
Lorna Jones
Essay Contest for Children and Young People of African Descent
Concours de Rédaction pour Enfants d’Ascencence African 2013
http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Welcome.html
~ HELP HLLN MAKE THIS DREAM COME TRUE FOR FOUR HAITI WOMEN, TWO VILLAGES
Hello friends;
HLLN/Zili Dlo has negotiated with Barefoot College of India to provide six week training in solar energy to four Haiti women. Upon their return to Haiti, their efforts will light up and provide clean water for two rural Haiti villages - with equipment being provided by the Indian government. Our Zili Dlo contribution has been to provide the Haiti expertize, choose the women, the villages, prepare warehouse for the equipment, and to do all that’s necessary to facilitate their departure and get them on a plane to India, including obtaining the four passports, visas, medical clearances, paying for luggage, clothes, delegation to Haiti at end of this month to document their stories, bio, the village’s story “before the light”, et al.
We’re well on our way with the necessary documentations/preparations and have managed to reduce our immediate shortfall to only $14,000. But to succeed we need your help, your participation and it’s crunch time.
We must raise the shortfall immediately. Anything you and your associates (friends/interested parties), etc... could do to help us get these eager women on the plane to India would be deeply appreciated. If this initial training goes well, we have an exclusive deal with Barefoot College and India to choose two more villages and four more poor Haiti women for the next Barefoot College (March 2013) 6-months training class. If you could help us light up these villages and get these initial women set to travel to India, that would be most appreciated. Help HLLN make this dream come true for four Haiti women, two villages. Thank you very much.
DONATE NOW
Support Ezili’s Work, Give
Ezili Dantò/HLLN
Donate to Support this work
If you’re interested in celebrating this life giving gift of clean water, solar lighting and training to our friends and family in Haiti and helping us meet our fundraising goal, or to join this September’s Ezili Network “Zili Dlo delegation to Haiti” and you are a member of the Ezili Dantò/HLLN Listserve for at least one year, write to ezilidanto@yahoo.com or call 203 829 7210 - Subject: Zili Dlo: dlo pwòp e eneji solèy pou tout moun.
Help HLLN/Zili Dlo launch the Barefoot-Haiti solar training and light project. We hope to share photos and stories so you will see how your donation was applied in the next few weeks. Get your friends to donate. Men anpil chay pa lou! - Many hands make light a heavy load. Further info at: Zili Dlo: Solar engineers for Haiti
LETTERS
Re: NUBIART DIARY (3 Sep 2012) - North and Horn of Afrika News Round-Up
Dear Kubara
Re Nubiart Diary: Excellent and getting better. Re the word Black: A little bit of personal history. I remember as a small boy in Jamaica in the early 1950s my mother used to say, quietly, in the kitchen of the white people she worked for in the parish of St Andrews: “Song of Solomon, 1:5: Me (I am) black but comely.” This reference to the dignity Queen of Sheba must have influenced the great/important Black American poet Langston Hughes to write the identity theme phrase…”black but beautiful” in a poem…long before the 1960s.
Best wishes
Geoff
~ Hi Geoff,
Hope you are well. Thanks for your thoughts on Black and Blackness. I’ve always felt at ease in most cases with using Black and Afrikan, often interchangeably in most cases but I have been made well aware of other people’s objections. It is often based on an English dictionary version of ‘Black’ from the 18-19th century rather than an ancient cosmological understanding of Black, Blackness, dark energy, dark matter and dark / black holes that takes in a wider human understanding that starts millions of years before colonial and imperial definitions took sway.
Take care
Kubara
~ Dear Kubara
Agree. Black (with a capital B) is, like Jazz, our invention / expression of self…it frightens those who rely on the English dictionary for all meaning of words.
There has been new activity up here to form and reform Afrikan associations. Honoured that all have asked me (the old man!) to help…historical time makes no difference to the genes we carry!
Best wishes
Geoff
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
NUBIART AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH (OCTOBER)
~ ‘Fear of the Afrikan Man Part 2’: Including review of ‘Carry-Beyond Reflections: An Audiography By Lezlee Lyrix’ [Nu-Beyond Ltd: Learning By Choice! ISBN: 978-0-9554-0942-4]
~ ‘Is the Afrikan Man Afraid of Himself?’ [Ed: Thanks to Messenger for the subject.]
SEP PROMOS
~ ‘MALAYE WARR’ - Jally Kebba Susso & Manding Sabu [Open the Gate / Jally Kebba Susso – Out Now] In West Africa, a griot combines the roles of musician, storyteller, historian, archivist, diplomat and flatterer. Jally Kebba Susso started playing the kora at the age of seven. By the age of 13, he was touring Europe with Gambian stars including Baatou Askan Wi, Maslabii and his sister Sambou Susso. Recently Susso has been experimenting blending traditional griot music with hip hop, jazz, blues and funk and this shows as plays the kora almost like an electric lead guitar with all the effects to go with it. Last month we saw him live in a solo performance but on this album he is with his band. ‘Bampa Bojang’ kicks off the album and then the band head into ‘Afrika’, a plea for unity across the motherland. ‘Sajar’ explains that love can only be pure and real when it is unconditional. The funk rock / Afrobeat ‘Nikinagka’ is a celebration song. ‘Malaye Warr’, the title track, is another call for unity and a supportive community. ‘Sini’ tells children to be aware of actions as they may have unexpected consequences in future. ‘Touba’ is a slow groove dedicated to the home of the Baye Fall Mourids. Continuing in that theme ‘Jaliya’ points out that the griot tradition teaches you not to be a traitor. You should be a needle to sew not a knife to cut. The album is sealed up with ‘Susso Sora’ a homage to Jally Kebba Susso’s griot ancestors.
~ ‘VOCALISM’- Vusa Mkhaya [ARC Music – Out 25 Sep] Vusa Mkhaya says, ‘The voice is my favourite instrument. So this album is full of voices because I think I am a vocalist first and then a musician.’ ‘Vocalism’ was recorded mostly in Vusa’s native Bulawayo at Ramadu’s 10th District Studios and partly in Vienna. The album features Vusa’s Insingizi band mates Blessings Nqo and Dumisani ‘Ramadu’ Moyo, and friends like Silethemba Magonya, Nomathamsanqa Mkhwananzi and Brian ‘Soulfamilya’ Bangura, Lyrically, the album is a mixture of missing and longing such as ‘Diaspora’ for the expatriates who for a variety of reasons are outside Zimbabwe and the rap and mbira-based ‘Ngiyazula (I am a traveller)’ which reflects the cry of a restless artistic soul yearning to find peace. But the majority of the best tracks concern matters of an even more spiritual nature. ‘S’thethelela’ is the plea of a confessed sinner; ‘Khetha Eyakha (Make your choice)’ points out that there are two choices in life - good and bad - and time is running out to do the right thing; and ‘Sohlangana Khona (We will meet there)’ assures friends and family they will meet in the afterlife but that should also be a caution against judging others as God is the only judge. There are musical and a capella versions of ‘Ukukhala (Mourning)’ which hopes of a time of no pain. The album ends with ‘Ngale Komfula (Beyond the river)’ a reassurance of God’s presence in the afterlife. This is a powerful and uplifting album that expands even further the Afrikan Gospel tradition.
NUBIART LIBRARY – SEP MEDIA
We will only review books we have read and DVDs we have seen and that are available at reasonable prices online or in shops or libraries. However, given the nature and current state of Afrikan publishing and production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘THE UNCANNY CANDROIDS’ - Carib Ian [Nu-Beyond Ltd: Learning By Choice! ISBN: 978 -0-9554-0943-1] This first children’s book by this author tells the story of Araya, an 11-year-old girl, who encounters a living, speaking can that leads her into a journey that teaches her how others view the often dysfunctional behaviour of humans. This interesting book which is suitable for children (and adults) over seven has an open ending that allows for many more adventures.
~ ‘WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM? – Tim Brannigan [Blackstaff Press. ISBN: 978-0-85640-853-3] Tim Brannigan is someone we knew of by reputation through the related anti-imperialist circles we moved in across northern Britain in the 1980s. This is his story of growing up in Northern Ireland as the son of a short-term liaison between a Ghanaian doctor working in Belfast and a married Irish mother. Born in 1966 his mother put him in St Joseph’s Baby Hospital at birth, ‘adopting’ him a year later. It was only when he was 19 that his mother told him she was actually his birth mother but had to provide a cover story in a community that would not be accepting of children from racially mixed relationships out of wedlock and where abortion was illegal.
Tim Brannigan’s life is framed by what became known as the Troubles. He was one of the few Afrikan members of the Republican / Nationalist Sinn Fein and was eventually jailed in 1990 after a Provisional IRA arms cache was found in a car in his mother’s driveway. Although he never actually touched the weapons he took responsibility in order to avoid other members of his family - including his mother - being charged as he had given permission for their storage. He was released after serving five years of a seven year sentence. On release he followed his ambition to become a national press and TV journalist. BBC Radio Four produced a programme of his journey to meet his father in Ghana. This book covers issues of transracial adoption and fostering, Afrikans living outside an Afrikan diaspora network, media perceptions of Afrikans, racism in British society, life under military occupation, prison life, the role of education in improving life chances, Afrikan migrants, anti-imperialism and socialist politics.
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES IN ASSOCIATION WITH PCS LEARNING CENTRE
- ‘I’m Not Black, I’m Coloured: Identity Crisis at the Cape of Good Hope’ Premiere! On Wed 19 Sep. ‘I’m not Black, I’m Coloured’ is one of the first documentary films to look at the legacy of Apartheid from the viewpoint of the Cape Coloured, a people who in 1994, embraced the concept of the ‘Rainbow Nation’, but soon realised that freedom, privilege, economic growth and equal representation would not include them. For more than 350 years they had been disregarded, ignored, belittled, and stripped of anything they can call their own enduring a complex psychological oppression and identity crisis unparalleled in South African history. Local elders, community leaders, members of Parliament, pastors, educators, and college students give first hand accounts of their past experiences under Apartheid and discuss their concerns for the future as tensions continue to build.
- ‘The Souls of Black Girls’. On Wed 26 Sep. ‘The Souls of Black Girls’ is a provocative news documentary that takes a critical look at media images - how they are instituted, established and controlled. The documentary also examines the relationship between the historical and existing media images of women of colour and raises the question of whether they may be suffering from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain the standards of beauty that are celebrated in media images. The documentary features candid interviews with young women discussing their self-image and social commentary from Actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, PBS Washington Week Moderator Gwen Ifill, Rapper / Political Activist Chuck D, and Cultural Critic Michaela Angela Davis, among others.
All events at 7-9pm at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 2LN. Adm: £5. Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail: info@blackhistorystudies.com
~ THE PAN-AFRIKAN SOCIETY COMMUNITY FORUM PRESENTS A COMMEMORATION OF KWAME NKRUMAH’S 103RD BIRTHDAY. On Sat 22 Sep at 4-8pm at West Indian Association of Service Personnel, 163 Clapham Manor Road, London, SW4 6DB.
Kimathi Donkor, When shall we 3?
(Scenes from the life of Njinga Mbandi),
2010, oil on linen, 160 x 105 cm.
~ INIVA PRESENTS ‘QUEENS OF THE UNDEAD’. A solo exhibition by Kimathi Donkor. which includes newly commissioned paintings that celebrate heroic women from Afrikan diasporic history, along with earlier contemporary portraits. The free exhibition brochure with texts by David Dibosa and Carol Tulloch is a collector’s item and we would urge all our readers to contact the gallery to get a copy if they are unable to make it to the venue themselves. Until 24 Nov at Institute of International Visual Arts), Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA. Tel: 020 7729 9616. Web: www.iniva.org
~ MOK SPACE GALLERY PRESENTS ‘LETTING GO’. A solo exhibition by Nigerian-Cameroonian Adjani Okpu-Egbe, a part of the Afro-Surrealist Expression Movement. Adjani’s street artwork reflects a mixture of Ifa spirituality, his interest in political, socio-economic and environmental concerns and the influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Pablo Picasso. Until 27 Sep at 11am-7pm at Mok Space Gallery, 33 Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LH. Tel: 020 7637 8880. E-mail: adjani_arts@yahoo.com
~ BLACKHISTORYWALKS PRESENT CARRY-BEYOND REFLECTIONS WITH DR LEZ HENRY. Dr Lez is one of the pioneers of ‘edutainment’ and has been a goal model for Black History Walks and many other history providers. He has delivered numerous sell out interactive presentations and on this day he will ‘freestyle’ and ‘sample’ from his new book. On Thurs 27 Sep at 7-9pm Pimlico Academy, Lupus Street, SW1. Adm: £5. Web: http://www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk/rokstories/carry-beyond-reflections-with-dr-lez-27-sept
~ PACM PRESENT ASHRA AND MERIRA KWESI LECTURE TOUR. Theme: ‘Reclaiming African Knowledge to Reclaim African Self’
- ‘African Builders of Civilization’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Sat 29 Sep at 7pm at Harris Academy, 112 Peckham Road, London, SE15 5DZ. Adm: £10 / £7. Tel: 07793 724 845 / 07956 052 821. E-mail: Kwame_pacm@yahoo.co.uk
- ‘African Origins of the Bible’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Mon 1 Oct at 7pm at African Caribbean National Artistic Centre, 31 Hungerhill Rd, St Ann’s Nottingham, NG3 4NB. Adm: £10 / £7. Tel: 0115 969 1364 / 07952 369 112. E-mail: admin@acna.org.uk
- ‘African Origins of the Bible’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Wed 3 Oct at 7pm at Leeds West Indian Centre, 10 Laycock Place, Chapeltown, Leeds, LS7 3JA. Adm: £5. Tel: 07974 611 667. E-mail: pastudygroup@yahoo.com Web: www.perankhce.com
- ‘African Builders of Civilization’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Sat 6 Oct at 7 pm at Soho Community Hall, 48 Chapel Street, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 0PA. Adm: £6 / £5. Tel: 0121 554 2747 / 07940 709 311. E-mail: mamaauset@hotmail.com
- ‘African Origins of the Bible’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Tues 9 Oct at 7pm at Barnfield West Academy, Leagrave High Street, Lewsey Farm, Luton, LU4 0NE. Adm: £5. Tel: 01582 595 995. E-mail: nyabingi.nyabingi@gmail.com
- ‘African Builders of Civilization’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Sat 13 Oct at West Indian Community Centre, 74 Carmoor Road, Longsight, Manchester, M13 0FB. Adm: £5. Tel: 07577 057 960 / 07908 820 918. E-mail: manchesterpacam@yahoo.co.uk
~ MARIANDINA 8th HEALTH AWARENESS DAY IN HONOUR OF PROF CHARLES SSALI. On Sat 30 Sep at 2-9pm at Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton, London, SW2. Adm: £9. Tel: 020 7978 8321 / 07506 625 881. E-mail: info@netervital.com Web: netervital.com & www:mariandina.com
~ TOWARDS A NATIONAL AFRIKAN PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT GENERAL (PEOPLE) ASSEMBLY. Themes: ‘People Empowered for Self-Determination’ and ‘Taking Responsibility, Effecting Solutions’. On Sat 13 Oct at 5-9pm at Queen Mother Moore School, Clapham Methodist Church Hall, Nelson’s Row, London, SW4 7JR. Tel: 020 8539 2154 / 07908 814 152. E-mail: arm6227@yahoo.co.uk
~ ‘JOURNEYS AND KINSHIP’ EXHIBITION. Is the face not currency enough? This display of face casts responds to the irony that members of the African Diaspora must pay to visit sites from which their ancestors were transported into enslavement. ‘Journeys and Kinship’ explores further the themes of the London, Sugar & Slavery gallery at the Museum of London Docklands through a project between the visual artist Jean Joseph and a group of young Londoners working together with Calypsonian, Alexander D Great, and Yvonne Wilson from Equi-Vison. Until 4 Nov 2012 at Museum of London, Docklands 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London, E14 4AL. Tel: 020 7001 9844. Adm: Free. Web: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Docklands/Whats-on/Exhibitions-Displays/JourneysandKinship.htm
~ 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY (5TH ICAT): TECHNOLOGY FAIR EXHIBITION. The 5th ICAT Organizing Committee is hosting an Appropriate Technology Fair on Fri Nov 23 2012 as part of the 5th ICAT activities. A call has gone out for 20 exhibitors who have been researching, developing or implementing appropriate and sustainable technologies. Appropriate technology (AT) is ‘technology to empower people’. Focusing on technologies that are human-centred promotes: better health, better education, improved access to clean water, necessary shelter and safe food, as well as transportation and energy solutions that do not cause ecological imbalance. There will be conference delegates from across Africa, as well as other developing countries like India and Guyana. Leaders from the business and NGO communities will also be attending. You will then have opportunities to talk to delegates about the technology your organisation is promoting. The conference will run from 20-24 Nov in Pretoria, South Africa. For full conference and exhibition details contact Ms Grace Kanakana. Tel: 076 499 0489. E-mail: grace@iproeng.co.za
Contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest International, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU. Tel: 07811 494 969. E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
NB: Nubiart Diary can also be read at www.ligali.org and on the Afrikan Quest website.
External Links
Afrikan Quest international
WOLOF LANGUAGE
intensive beginners course
Saint-Louis, Senegal, 15 Oc-2 Nov 2012
This course is organised by the Waaw centre, an artists’ residence and a centre for art and design in the old town of Saint-Louis.
What will you learn?
You will learn enough Wolof to make yourself understood in everyday situations. The emphasis is on communication. No matter if you want to learn the language just for fun or for professional reasons: after the course, you will better understand the people and culture in Senegal and West Africa in general. You will also be given an overview of Wolof grammar, giving you a base for further study or even language research on your own.
Programme
The course will start on Monday 15 October and end on Friday 2 November 2012. Classes will be held Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Homework tasks will be given. In the afternoons and evenings, there is an optional programme of extra conversation in Wolof and activities and lectures related to Senegalese culture (in English, French or Wolof): including cooking, music and dance, religious traditions, literature and architecture. We will also make weekend excursions to the beaches of Langue de Barbarie and to Djoudj National Park, known for its rich bird life.
Your main teacher is Professor Abdoulaye Dial, Université Gaston Berger, who has a long experience in teaching Wolof for foreign students and professionals. He has also published teaching materials and a Wolof-French dictionary. Senegalese course hosts are responsible for extra conversation and extra-curricular activities. Lectures will be given by experts in the fields concerned. In order to ensure an optimal learning experience, we are accepting maximum 12 people onto the course.
Who can take part?
The course is intended for anyone interested over the age of 18, irrespective of professional or academic background. Knowledge of English or French is required. Professor Dial will use a communicative method and Wolof as the language of instruction right from the start, but he will explain grammar in French. If you don’t speak French – don’t worry: all the course material is available in English. The course hosts speak English.
If you already happen to know some Wolof - do get in touch with us. We are also planning to offer a course for advanced learners.
Course material
The course material is included in the course fee and will be distributed to participants at the beginning of the course: Abdoulaye Dial’s text book Gan gi: a beginning self-study Wolof course for tourists and foreigners (2004), a grammar book, a short dictionary as well as photocopies.
Why learn Wolof?
If you are interested in learning an African language, Wolof is a good choice. There is a variety of learning materials available, and you can find music, films and some literature in Wolof. The basics are not very difficult, and you will quickly learn enough in order to communicate. A linguist, however, will find many fascinating features in the structure of the language.
Are you interested in Senegal? The Wolof language is the key to the country. It is the de facto national language, spoken by over 90% of the population. You can get by in Senegal in French, but knowing Wolof will make your experience more rewarding. English is not widely understood. Wolof is also spoken in the Gambia and southern Mauritania, as well as by a large Senegalese diaspora.
Do you want to understand the lyrics of the songs of Youssou N’Dour? Here you have your chance!
Why learn Wolof in Saint-Louis?
As this is an intensive course, you can make the most of your time and money. We offer a package which includes on-site accommodation. In picturesque and peaceful Saint-Louis, everything is close at hand - in contrast to the bustle and traffic jams of Dakar. On the other hand, there are enough things going on in town to keep you busy. The Waaw centre is right in the middle of the Saint-Louis island, with shops and restaurants just around the corner.
The Waaw centre
Waaw is an independent Finnish-Senegalese artists’ residence and centre for art and design, starting its activities in 2012.
Accommodation
We offer accommodation in the Waaw residence in basic but adequate rooms for one or two persons, with beds, desks and storage facilities. Bathrooms (hot water) are shared. Lunch and dinner Senegalese style (1,000 fcfa/€1.50) can be provided on request. At your disposal is also a communal kitchen, equipped with refrigerator, gas cookers, pots and pans. On the other hand, there are several restaurants nearby, where you can have a good meal for 2,000 fcfa/€3.
How to get to Saint-Louis
Transfer from Dakar to Saint-Louis will be arranged on Sunday 14 October and back to Dakar on Saturday 3 November. Airport pick-up and transfer is included in the course fee. For those arriving in Senegal just before the start of the course, we will arrange accommodation in Dakar the night between 13 and 14 October. We will get back to those registered with more information regarding travel arrangements.
Course fees
Course with accommodation: €650 (425,000 fcfa, £540, $870)
The course price includes tuition, all course materials, activities in the evenings and on weekends, airport pick-up and accommodation (shared twin room) in Dakar 13 October, transfer from and to Dakar, accommodation (shared twin room) from 14 October to 3 November. Single room supplement: €150 (100,000 fcfa, £125, $200). The price does not include meals, air fare or any transport outside the planned programme. There is no reduction for late arrival or early departure.
Course only: €350 (230,000 fcfa, £300, $465)
The price includes tuition, all course materials, evening and weekend activities. Transfer from and to Dakar can be arranged but is not included.
Registration and further information
Please fill out the registration form and e-ail it to the course administrator Mr Staffan Martikainen at info@aawsenegal.org. There are a few places left - be quick! If you have any queries, you can contact us at the same address.
Kaayleen ñu jàng wolof - let’s learn Wolof!
~ ESSAY CONTEST FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT 2013
Hello Judges, (Version francaise ci-dessous.)
For those of you who have participated in the annual Essay Contest for Children of African Descent in previous years, it’s that time of the year again when I ask “Can I count on your support as a Judge again?”
If you have been a Judge before no need to complete the Registration form - simply reply to this email “Count me in” or “Not this time”.
If you are able to contribute to the prizes, please let me know what amount you are able to offer. To take the pressure of the handful of friends who contribute towards the prizes, …… with a lot of wishful thinking, hopefully this will be the last year I ask people to contribute towards the prizes.
This e-mail is also sent out to Africans who have expressed an interest in being a Judge and whom I had told I would add them to the list and contact closer to the time.
The annual Essay Contest for Children of African Descent – now in its eighth year, is about us showing children of African descent across the African diaspora that we care about them and are willing to show our support for their efforts.
The aims are very simple: to encourage and support our children in their educational development.
Judges play a vitally important role in this contest as they read and provide positive and constructive feedback on essayists’ work. This feedback is given to each essayist. I have heard personally from teachers, parents and children how much the Judges’ feedback meant to them and how the comments they received encouraged them with their schoolwork.
We particularly need English-, French-, Portuguese- and Swahili-speaking Judges. Any other traditional AFRICAN language speakers interested? I would ALSO like to encourage Our children to write in their native languages and not only in colonial languages!
Over the last few years, I have had to turn away children who wanted to participate in this contest – 300 in 2011 - as I did not have enough Judges. Help me to avoid having to turn more away.
Please visit the website
(http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Impact.html under “Impact”) for feedback received unsolicited from a wonderful teacher whose students had participated in this contest in 2012 explaining how the winners have spent their prize money.
This will give you a good idea of the impact this small contest is having on children in Africa and the diaspora.
For more information - and the winning essays since the beginning of the contest go to: http://www.lornajones.net
Please download and complete the Judges Registration Form and return it to me as soon as possible. If you know anyone of African descent who might be interested in being a Judge, please forward this email to them and ask them to contact me.
As Judges, your work will not commence until early February and you will have two weeks in which to read and provide feedback on your 10 essays. You do not even need to leave the comfort of your home as your essays will be emailed to you.
I do hope you will see value in this initiative for our children’s development and that you will choose to participate in the Essay Contest for Children of African Descent 2013.
Do contact me should you have any questions or comments. I look forward to hearing from you.
With kind regards,
Lorna Jones
Essay Contest for Children and Young People of African Descent
http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Welcome.html
- FRENCH
Mon Cher Juges,
Que le temps passe vite! Je vous invite encore une fois d’être Juge lors du Concours de Rédaction pour Enfants d’Ascencence African 2013. Nous sommes déjà au huitème année.
Le but du concours reste le même: simplement d’encourager et de soutenir les jeuns où qu’ils soient dans l’Afrique et le diaspora dans leur dévelopment surtout en ce qui concerne l’éducation!
Le rôle d’un juge est très important dans ce concours.
1) Lire jusqu’au10 rédactions.
2) Fournir des commentaires positives et utiles à chaque essayiste.
3) Fournir une note pour chaque rédaction. Le Guide vous sera fourni pour vous aider.
J’ai déjà recu de nombreuses commentaires positives des parents et professeurs et je suis convaincue que ce concours a un effet positive sur les jeuns.
Les rédactions vous seront envoyées en fèvrier 2013. Je vous prie de me rendre vous commentaires et notes deux semains plus tard.
Voila un message j’a recu d’un professeur dont quelques uns de ces eleves ont participle dans ce concours l’annee derniere: http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Impact.html
“Nos lauréats du concours de la fois passée vous remercient beaucoup. De commun accord avec leurs parents, les prix qu’ils ont gagnés les aideront à payer les frais scolaires du 3e trimestre cette année. Okwir Benson Moses aura ses frais couverts en totalité, Salomon 3/4 de ses frais et Paul a déjà utilisé sa somme pour compléter les frais du 2eme trimestre car il avait encore une dette à payer à l’école. Ceci a motivé beaucoup d’apprenants, ils veulent participer au prochain en grand nombre.”
“Our winners of the last Essay competition thank you very much. In agreement with their parents, the prize they have won will help pay school fees of third term this year. Okwir Benson Moses will have his costs covered in full, Solomon 3/4 of his fees and Paul has already used his money to supplement the cost of the 2nd term because he still had a debt to pay for school. This has motivated many students; they have pledged to participate in huge number in the forthcoming competition.”
Si vous connaissez d’autres personnes d’ascendance africain que s’intèresse à être Juge dans ce concours, je vous prie de bien vouloir me mettre en contact avec eux. J’ai un besoin urgent de Juges francophone. Je risque d’être obligé de limiter sévèrement le nombre de participants francophones cette année si je n’arrive pas à trouver assez de Juges francophones.
Dans l’attente de votre réponse.
De la part des jeuns, je compte sur vous.
Lorna Jones
Essay Contest for Children and Young People of African Descent
Concours de Rédaction pour Enfants d’Ascencence African 2013
http://www.lornajones.net/Essay_Contest_for_Children_of_African_Descent/Welcome.html
~ HELP HLLN MAKE THIS DREAM COME TRUE FOR FOUR HAITI WOMEN, TWO VILLAGES
Hello friends;
HLLN/Zili Dlo has negotiated with Barefoot College of India to provide six week training in solar energy to four Haiti women. Upon their return to Haiti, their efforts will light up and provide clean water for two rural Haiti villages - with equipment being provided by the Indian government. Our Zili Dlo contribution has been to provide the Haiti expertize, choose the women, the villages, prepare warehouse for the equipment, and to do all that’s necessary to facilitate their departure and get them on a plane to India, including obtaining the four passports, visas, medical clearances, paying for luggage, clothes, delegation to Haiti at end of this month to document their stories, bio, the village’s story “before the light”, et al.
We’re well on our way with the necessary documentations/preparations and have managed to reduce our immediate shortfall to only $14,000. But to succeed we need your help, your participation and it’s crunch time.
We must raise the shortfall immediately. Anything you and your associates (friends/interested parties), etc... could do to help us get these eager women on the plane to India would be deeply appreciated. If this initial training goes well, we have an exclusive deal with Barefoot College and India to choose two more villages and four more poor Haiti women for the next Barefoot College (March 2013) 6-months training class. If you could help us light up these villages and get these initial women set to travel to India, that would be most appreciated. Help HLLN make this dream come true for four Haiti women, two villages. Thank you very much.
DONATE NOW
Support Ezili’s Work, Give
Ezili Dantò/HLLN
Donate to Support this work
If you’re interested in celebrating this life giving gift of clean water, solar lighting and training to our friends and family in Haiti and helping us meet our fundraising goal, or to join this September’s Ezili Network “Zili Dlo delegation to Haiti” and you are a member of the Ezili Dantò/HLLN Listserve for at least one year, write to ezilidanto@yahoo.com or call 203 829 7210 - Subject: Zili Dlo: dlo pwòp e eneji solèy pou tout moun.
Help HLLN/Zili Dlo launch the Barefoot-Haiti solar training and light project. We hope to share photos and stories so you will see how your donation was applied in the next few weeks. Get your friends to donate. Men anpil chay pa lou! - Many hands make light a heavy load. Further info at: Zili Dlo: Solar engineers for Haiti
LETTERS
Re: NUBIART DIARY (3 Sep 2012) - North and Horn of Afrika News Round-Up
Dear Kubara
Re Nubiart Diary: Excellent and getting better. Re the word Black: A little bit of personal history. I remember as a small boy in Jamaica in the early 1950s my mother used to say, quietly, in the kitchen of the white people she worked for in the parish of St Andrews: “Song of Solomon, 1:5: Me (I am) black but comely.” This reference to the dignity Queen of Sheba must have influenced the great/important Black American poet Langston Hughes to write the identity theme phrase…”black but beautiful” in a poem…long before the 1960s.
Best wishes
Geoff
~ Hi Geoff,
Hope you are well. Thanks for your thoughts on Black and Blackness. I’ve always felt at ease in most cases with using Black and Afrikan, often interchangeably in most cases but I have been made well aware of other people’s objections. It is often based on an English dictionary version of ‘Black’ from the 18-19th century rather than an ancient cosmological understanding of Black, Blackness, dark energy, dark matter and dark / black holes that takes in a wider human understanding that starts millions of years before colonial and imperial definitions took sway.
Take care
Kubara
~ Dear Kubara
Agree. Black (with a capital B) is, like Jazz, our invention / expression of self…it frightens those who rely on the English dictionary for all meaning of words.
There has been new activity up here to form and reform Afrikan associations. Honoured that all have asked me (the old man!) to help…historical time makes no difference to the genes we carry!
Best wishes
Geoff
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
NUBIART AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH (OCTOBER)
~ ‘Fear of the Afrikan Man Part 2’: Including review of ‘Carry-Beyond Reflections: An Audiography By Lezlee Lyrix’ [Nu-Beyond Ltd: Learning By Choice! ISBN: 978-0-9554-0942-4]
~ ‘Is the Afrikan Man Afraid of Himself?’ [Ed: Thanks to Messenger for the subject.]
SEP PROMOS
~ ‘MALAYE WARR’ - Jally Kebba Susso & Manding Sabu [Open the Gate / Jally Kebba Susso – Out Now] In West Africa, a griot combines the roles of musician, storyteller, historian, archivist, diplomat and flatterer. Jally Kebba Susso started playing the kora at the age of seven. By the age of 13, he was touring Europe with Gambian stars including Baatou Askan Wi, Maslabii and his sister Sambou Susso. Recently Susso has been experimenting blending traditional griot music with hip hop, jazz, blues and funk and this shows as plays the kora almost like an electric lead guitar with all the effects to go with it. Last month we saw him live in a solo performance but on this album he is with his band. ‘Bampa Bojang’ kicks off the album and then the band head into ‘Afrika’, a plea for unity across the motherland. ‘Sajar’ explains that love can only be pure and real when it is unconditional. The funk rock / Afrobeat ‘Nikinagka’ is a celebration song. ‘Malaye Warr’, the title track, is another call for unity and a supportive community. ‘Sini’ tells children to be aware of actions as they may have unexpected consequences in future. ‘Touba’ is a slow groove dedicated to the home of the Baye Fall Mourids. Continuing in that theme ‘Jaliya’ points out that the griot tradition teaches you not to be a traitor. You should be a needle to sew not a knife to cut. The album is sealed up with ‘Susso Sora’ a homage to Jally Kebba Susso’s griot ancestors.
~ ‘VOCALISM’- Vusa Mkhaya [ARC Music – Out 25 Sep] Vusa Mkhaya says, ‘The voice is my favourite instrument. So this album is full of voices because I think I am a vocalist first and then a musician.’ ‘Vocalism’ was recorded mostly in Vusa’s native Bulawayo at Ramadu’s 10th District Studios and partly in Vienna. The album features Vusa’s Insingizi band mates Blessings Nqo and Dumisani ‘Ramadu’ Moyo, and friends like Silethemba Magonya, Nomathamsanqa Mkhwananzi and Brian ‘Soulfamilya’ Bangura, Lyrically, the album is a mixture of missing and longing such as ‘Diaspora’ for the expatriates who for a variety of reasons are outside Zimbabwe and the rap and mbira-based ‘Ngiyazula (I am a traveller)’ which reflects the cry of a restless artistic soul yearning to find peace. But the majority of the best tracks concern matters of an even more spiritual nature. ‘S’thethelela’ is the plea of a confessed sinner; ‘Khetha Eyakha (Make your choice)’ points out that there are two choices in life - good and bad - and time is running out to do the right thing; and ‘Sohlangana Khona (We will meet there)’ assures friends and family they will meet in the afterlife but that should also be a caution against judging others as God is the only judge. There are musical and a capella versions of ‘Ukukhala (Mourning)’ which hopes of a time of no pain. The album ends with ‘Ngale Komfula (Beyond the river)’ a reassurance of God’s presence in the afterlife. This is a powerful and uplifting album that expands even further the Afrikan Gospel tradition.
NUBIART LIBRARY – SEP MEDIA
We will only review books we have read and DVDs we have seen and that are available at reasonable prices online or in shops or libraries. However, given the nature and current state of Afrikan publishing and production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘THE UNCANNY CANDROIDS’ - Carib Ian [Nu-Beyond Ltd: Learning By Choice! ISBN: 978 -0-9554-0943-1] This first children’s book by this author tells the story of Araya, an 11-year-old girl, who encounters a living, speaking can that leads her into a journey that teaches her how others view the often dysfunctional behaviour of humans. This interesting book which is suitable for children (and adults) over seven has an open ending that allows for many more adventures.
~ ‘WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM? – Tim Brannigan [Blackstaff Press. ISBN: 978-0-85640-853-3] Tim Brannigan is someone we knew of by reputation through the related anti-imperialist circles we moved in across northern Britain in the 1980s. This is his story of growing up in Northern Ireland as the son of a short-term liaison between a Ghanaian doctor working in Belfast and a married Irish mother. Born in 1966 his mother put him in St Joseph’s Baby Hospital at birth, ‘adopting’ him a year later. It was only when he was 19 that his mother told him she was actually his birth mother but had to provide a cover story in a community that would not be accepting of children from racially mixed relationships out of wedlock and where abortion was illegal.
Tim Brannigan’s life is framed by what became known as the Troubles. He was one of the few Afrikan members of the Republican / Nationalist Sinn Fein and was eventually jailed in 1990 after a Provisional IRA arms cache was found in a car in his mother’s driveway. Although he never actually touched the weapons he took responsibility in order to avoid other members of his family - including his mother - being charged as he had given permission for their storage. He was released after serving five years of a seven year sentence. On release he followed his ambition to become a national press and TV journalist. BBC Radio Four produced a programme of his journey to meet his father in Ghana. This book covers issues of transracial adoption and fostering, Afrikans living outside an Afrikan diaspora network, media perceptions of Afrikans, racism in British society, life under military occupation, prison life, the role of education in improving life chances, Afrikan migrants, anti-imperialism and socialist politics.
Nubiart Diary
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES IN ASSOCIATION WITH PCS LEARNING CENTRE - ‘I’m Not Black, I’m Coloured: Identity Crisis at the Cape of Good Hope’ Premiere! On Wed 19 Sep. ‘I’m not Black, I’m Coloured’ is one of the first documentary films to look at the legacy of Apartheid from the viewpoint of the Cape Coloured, a people who in 1994, embraced the concept of the ‘Rainbow Nation’, but soon realised that freedom, privilege, economic growth and equal representation would not include them. For more than 350 years they had been disregarded, ignored, belittled, and stripped of anything they can call their own enduring a complex psychological oppression and identity crisis unparalleled in South African history. Local elders, community leaders, members of Parliament, pastors, educators, and college students give first hand accounts of their past experiences under Apartheid and discuss their concerns for the future as tensions continue to build.
- ‘The Souls of Black Girls’. On Wed 26 Sep. ‘The Souls of Black Girls’ is a provocative news documentary that takes a critical look at media images - how they are instituted, established and controlled. The documentary also examines the relationship between the historical and existing media images of women of colour and raises the question of whether they may be suffering from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain the standards of beauty that are celebrated in media images. The documentary features candid interviews with young women discussing their self-image and social commentary from Actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, PBS Washington Week Moderator Gwen Ifill, Rapper / Political Activist Chuck D, and Cultural Critic Michaela Angela Davis, among others.
All events at 7-9pm at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 2LN. Adm: £5. Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail: info@blackhistorystudies.com
~ THE PAN-AFRIKAN SOCIETY COMMUNITY FORUM PRESENTS A COMMEMORATION OF KWAME NKRUMAH’S 103RD BIRTHDAY. On Sat 22 Sep at 4-8pm at West Indian Association of Service Personnel, 163 Clapham Manor Road, London, SW4 6DB.
Kimathi Donkor, When shall we 3?
(Scenes from the life of Njinga Mbandi),
2010, oil on linen, 160 x 105 cm.
~ INIVA PRESENTS ‘QUEENS OF THE UNDEAD’. A solo exhibition by Kimathi Donkor. which includes newly commissioned paintings that celebrate heroic women from Afrikan diasporic history, along with earlier contemporary portraits. The free exhibition brochure with texts by David Dibosa and Carol Tulloch is a collector’s item and we would urge all our readers to contact the gallery to get a copy if they are unable to make it to the venue themselves. Until 24 Nov at Institute of International Visual Arts), Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA. Tel: 020 7729 9616. Web: www.iniva.org
~ MOK SPACE GALLERY PRESENTS ‘LETTING GO’. A solo exhibition by Nigerian-Cameroonian Adjani Okpu-Egbe, a part of the Afro-Surrealist Expression Movement. Adjani’s street artwork reflects a mixture of Ifa spirituality, his interest in political, socio-economic and environmental concerns and the influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Pablo Picasso. Until 27 Sep at 11am-7pm at Mok Space Gallery, 33 Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LH. Tel: 020 7637 8880. E-mail: adjani_arts@yahoo.com
~ BLACKHISTORYWALKS PRESENT CARRY-BEYOND REFLECTIONS WITH DR LEZ HENRY. Dr Lez is one of the pioneers of ‘edutainment’ and has been a goal model for Black History Walks and many other history providers. He has delivered numerous sell out interactive presentations and on this day he will ‘freestyle’ and ‘sample’ from his new book. On Thurs 27 Sep at 7-9pm Pimlico Academy, Lupus Street, SW1. Adm: £5. Web: http://www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk/rokstories/carry-beyond-reflections-with-dr-lez-27-sept
~ PACM PRESENT ASHRA AND MERIRA KWESI LECTURE TOUR. Theme: ‘Reclaiming African Knowledge to Reclaim African Self’
- ‘African Builders of Civilization’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Sat 29 Sep at 7pm at Harris Academy, 112 Peckham Road, London, SE15 5DZ. Adm: £10 / £7. Tel: 07793 724 845 / 07956 052 821. E-mail: Kwame_pacm@yahoo.co.uk
- ‘African Origins of the Bible’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Mon 1 Oct at 7pm at African Caribbean National Artistic Centre, 31 Hungerhill Rd, St Ann’s Nottingham, NG3 4NB. Adm: £10 / £7. Tel: 0115 969 1364 / 07952 369 112. E-mail: admin@acna.org.uk
- ‘African Origins of the Bible’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Wed 3 Oct at 7pm at Leeds West Indian Centre, 10 Laycock Place, Chapeltown, Leeds, LS7 3JA. Adm: £5. Tel: 07974 611 667. E-mail: pastudygroup@yahoo.com Web: www.perankhce.com
- ‘African Builders of Civilization’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Sat 6 Oct at 7 pm at Soho Community Hall, 48 Chapel Street, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 0PA. Adm: £6 / £5. Tel: 0121 554 2747 / 07940 709 311. E-mail: mamaauset@hotmail.com
- ‘African Origins of the Bible’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Tues 9 Oct at 7pm at Barnfield West Academy, Leagrave High Street, Lewsey Farm, Luton, LU4 0NE. Adm: £5. Tel: 01582 595 995. E-mail: nyabingi.nyabingi@gmail.com
- ‘African Builders of Civilization’ and ‘African Fashion Once Sacred Now Desecrated’. On Sat 13 Oct at West Indian Community Centre, 74 Carmoor Road, Longsight, Manchester, M13 0FB. Adm: £5. Tel: 07577 057 960 / 07908 820 918. E-mail: manchesterpacam@yahoo.co.uk
~ MARIANDINA 8th HEALTH AWARENESS DAY IN HONOUR OF PROF CHARLES SSALI. On Sat 30 Sep at 2-9pm at Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton, London, SW2. Adm: £9. Tel: 020 7978 8321 / 07506 625 881. E-mail: info@netervital.com Web: netervital.com & www:mariandina.com
~ TOWARDS A NATIONAL AFRIKAN PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT GENERAL (PEOPLE) ASSEMBLY. Themes: ‘People Empowered for Self-Determination’ and ‘Taking Responsibility, Effecting Solutions’. On Sat 13 Oct at 5-9pm at Queen Mother Moore School, Clapham Methodist Church Hall, Nelson’s Row, London, SW4 7JR. Tel: 020 8539 2154 / 07908 814 152. E-mail: arm6227@yahoo.co.uk
~ ‘JOURNEYS AND KINSHIP’ EXHIBITION. Is the face not currency enough? This display of face casts responds to the irony that members of the African Diaspora must pay to visit sites from which their ancestors were transported into enslavement. ‘Journeys and Kinship’ explores further the themes of the London, Sugar & Slavery gallery at the Museum of London Docklands through a project between the visual artist Jean Joseph and a group of young Londoners working together with Calypsonian, Alexander D Great, and Yvonne Wilson from Equi-Vison. Until 4 Nov 2012 at Museum of London, Docklands 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London, E14 4AL. Tel: 020 7001 9844. Adm: Free. Web: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Docklands/Whats-on/Exhibitions-Displays/JourneysandKinship.htm
~ 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY (5TH ICAT): TECHNOLOGY FAIR EXHIBITION. The 5th ICAT Organizing Committee is hosting an Appropriate Technology Fair on Fri Nov 23 2012 as part of the 5th ICAT activities. A call has gone out for 20 exhibitors who have been researching, developing or implementing appropriate and sustainable technologies. Appropriate technology (AT) is ‘technology to empower people’. Focusing on technologies that are human-centred promotes: better health, better education, improved access to clean water, necessary shelter and safe food, as well as transportation and energy solutions that do not cause ecological imbalance. There will be conference delegates from across Africa, as well as other developing countries like India and Guyana. Leaders from the business and NGO communities will also be attending. You will then have opportunities to talk to delegates about the technology your organisation is promoting. The conference will run from 20-24 Nov in Pretoria, South Africa. For full conference and exhibition details contact Ms Grace Kanakana. Tel: 076 499 0489. E-mail: grace@iproeng.co.za
Contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest International, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU. Tel: 07811 494 969. E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
NB: Nubiart Diary can also be read at www.ligali.org and on the Afrikan Quest website.
Afrikan Quest international
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