EXHIBITION REVIEW
Photomontage©Sammy Baloji 2013
‘WHEN HARMONY WENT TO HELL - CONGO DIALOGUES: ALICE SEELEY HARRIS AND SAMMY BALOJI’.
“The philanthropist revealed himself to be the greatest pirate of all times.” – comment on the Belgian King Leopold the Second.
This exhibition juxtaposes photographs and montages of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a century apart. Alice Seeley Harris was a missionary with her husband the Rev John Harris who was active in the Congo Reform Association and Anti-Slavery International. During her time there she took extensive photographs of the atrocities and genocide being committed by the Europeans led by the Belgian King Leopold the Second at the start of the 20th Century. ‘Congo Dialogues’ marks the 175th anniversary of Anti-Slavery International and the invention of photography. The Alice Seeley Harris archive was last shown to the public 110 years ago although many of her photographs of the amputations, appropriation of land, forced labour and torture have been widely circulated. Sammy Baloji is a photographer working in D R Congo today.
On the ground floor Baloji’s large photographs cover a range of themes from the poverty to recent modern housing and business developments. There is also a range of photographs that mirror the 50 flies Congolese had to submit to the authorities in the 1920s in order to qualify to get access to food. In the decades before it had been made illegal for any Afrikan to sell directly to a European without the intervention of a state sanctioned middle man who would ensure that on the rare occasions where trade did take place it was always to the disadvantage of the Afrikan. With their land expropriated they were considered tenants of the state. Baloji also has a still photograph of the spot marked by a pile of bricks where the first Congolese PM Patrice Lumumba was assassinated. We have seen the film Baloji made of his journey there in a previous exhibition.
Seeley Harris also has photographs in the section. The gallery on the second floor is dedicated to her work with 60 photos and some leaflets and pamphlets advertising her and her husband’s speeches on their return to Britain with their findings. There is an audio description divided into sections explaining the significance of each of the pictures.
Pt 1 – ‘Philanthropy in the Making’ – The population of the land considered as the Congo after the 1884-5 Berlin Conference was estimated to be around 10-15 million. The explorer Henry Morton Stanley was one of the main advisers to the Belgians who were given the area in the carve-up.
Pt 2 – ‘Philanthropy in Operation’ – For 286 days of the year the Afrikan was considered the slave of the state and effectively held hostage. The conditions were so onerous that people did whatever they had to do to avoid a whipping or amputation. This also affected the environment as proper horticultural and agricultural practices were not observed. For instance, vines that were meant to be tapped only twice a year were cut down to extract as much rubber as possible immediately. The colonists subjugated the monarchs and village heads in order to destroy their prestige and the entire social and cultural life of Afrikans. It was at this time that Roger Casement, the British Ambassador to the Congo, published the cases he knew of rampant abuse.
To save bullets people were lined up so that one shot would go through several people. People were shot for climbing trees to get palm kernels when they should have been looking for rubber for the colonialists. Monarchs and village heads were jailed for protesting the atrocities or if their village came up short with their rubber quota. It is estimated the colonialists perpetrated an extra 100,000 excess deaths a year.
Pt 3 – ‘Philanthropy Exposed’ – “Congo Free State is neither a state nor free but a huge slave estate.”
Pt 4 – ‘Philanthropy, But Maybe’ – the racist King Leopold, despite all the wealth he accumulated, still considered that Afrikans were lazy (an attitude still prevalent among many non-Afrikans today).
The Congolese, despite their history, are still trying to get their country to function and gain access to the resource wealth that have so been a magnet for exploiters, profiteers and freeloaders from all parts of the world who have no interest in the welfare of the indigenous population.
OBITUARY
WILLIAM CLARKE (BUNNY RUGS / BUNNY SCOTT) – Feb 6 1948-Feb 2 2014. Singer-songwriter. Bunny Rugs, the Jamaican lead singer with Third World, who also had a successful solo career, has passed away from leukaemia. Born in Mandeville he moved with his family to downtown Kingston aged two. He had been called Bunny from a young age because he was so full of energy while the Rugs referred to his later habit of sleeping on the floor.
Coming from a church background with his father a preacher Bunny was blessed with a powerful, infectious singing voice. In his teens, he began singing at the Kittymat Club with the local band Charlie Hackett and the Souvenirs. He sang with Vic Taylor while studying to be a painter at the Jamaica School of Arts and Crafts. But his first big move came the following year when he became the leader singer for Inner Circle. In the band at the time were guitarist Steven “Cat” Coore, keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, and percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett who would later form the core of Third World.
Bunny left Inner Circle in 1971, when he went up to New York. There he played with Hugh Hendricks and the Buccaneers and, followed by the Bluegrass Experience whose line-up included the former Wailers keyboardist Glen Adams, Eric Frater and Sparrow Martin. During this time Bunny recorded a successful cover version of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’. He returned to Jamaica in 1974, and like most credible roots artists found himself in the crew around genius producer Lee “Scratch” Perry. In 1975 he released his debut album, ‘To Love Somebody’ under the name Bunny Scott. As Bunny & Ricky (with the producer Leslie Kong’s nephew Ricky Grant) he released two singles for Perry’s Black Art label, ‘Freedom Fighter in 1974 and the evergreen ‘Bushweed Corntrash’ in 1975.
Bunny returned to New York in 1976, where he found his old band mates from Inner Circle were now performing as Third World. Their name indicated not only their political allegiance but also their wider musical influences which spanned across jazz, soul, reggae and the Afro-Rock of bands like Osibisa.
They were already signed to Island Records and had released their self-titled debut. Following a reunion at the Bottom Line club in Greenwich Village, Bunny became their permanent lead singer until his passing. However he still had time to return to the Black Ark in 1977, contributing backing vocals with Earl 16 on Yabby You's ‘Chant Down Babylon Kingdom’.
Third World’s first album with Bunny Rugs on vocals was the classic ‘96 Degrees In The Shade’, with the title track a reference to the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion led by Paul Bogle and George William Gordon against British colonialism. The album should be in any sensible person’s top 50 albums of all time for its themes and musical accomplishment. The follow-up, ‘Journey To Addis’, was even more successful thanks to a cover version of the O’Jays ‘Now That We’ve Found Love’. The track would be regularly revisited by the band throughout their career.
In 1981 after three more albums for Island, including the live ‘Prisoners In The Street’, Third World signed to Columbia. Their 1982 release ‘You’ve Got The Power’ featured the hit ‘Try Jah Love’, which was written and produced by Stevie Wonder who had performed with the band in Jamaica at Reggae Sunsplash. Third World switched in 1989 to the Mercury label for the ‘Serious Business’ album.
As Third World recorded less Bunny reactivated his solo career, recording the album ‘Talking To You’ in 1995, followed by ‘What A World’ and ‘Carry On’. He also showed up on several singles most notably with Gregory Isaacs on ‘Here Comes Rudie’ and Shabba Ranks on ‘Bridges Instead’. He contributed to the Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band album in 2009, contributing a version of ‘Lovely Rita’ recorded with U-Roy. His final release was the 2012 album ‘Time’. There were also recuts of ‘Now That We’ve Found Love’. He released the single ‘Land We Love’ from the album, with profits going to the charities the Jamaican Children's Heart Fund - for which he was a spokesman - and Chain of Hope. Later that year he received a Caribbean American Heritage Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reggae. An album originally recorded in 2008 ‘Thinking Bout You’ was due to be released on 6 Feb this year, to coincide with Bob Marley Day celebrations, the date also being Bunny's birthday.
Health problems forced him to miss some of the shows on Third World's fortieth anniversary tour in 2013, and he confirmed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Third World now consists of two original members Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore on guitars and cello and bassist Richard Daley along with drummer Tony ‘Ruption’ Williams and keyboardist Herbie Harris. Bunny Rugs is survived by his wife and eight children.
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
FEB PROMOS
~ ‘Africa Moo Baalu’ – Sousou & Maher Cissoko [ARC Music – Out Now] This is the third album from the Swedish-based artists. Maher Cissoko comes from a long line of kora playing jalis from the Casamance region of Senegal. While Sousou has been around kora players since her father worked with the Gambian Alagi Mbye when she was 10. ‘Africa Moo Baalu’ is a beautifully crafted album and kicks off with ‘Wula’ a song dedicated to Maher’s brother Aliou who passed away in 2010. ‘Aline Sitoe Diatta’ is the name of a woman who led resistance to French colonialism in the city of Ziguinchor. She was imprisoned and passed away at the age of 24. Today the Senegalese national football stadium and the ferry that runs between Dakar and Ziguinchor are named after her. ‘Fentangya (Poverty)’ – ‘Poverty is like being in prison to live in slavery wanting to be free’. ‘Fall’ is a passionate love song that begins ‘I never fell in love I jumped in love and I let myself fall, fall, fall.’ ‘Doole (Power / Strength)’ pleads to be given the strength and fortitude to survive through all the obstacles. ‘Sinaya’ is a cautionary tale about some of the problems that can arise in families when the different branches from different parents don’t work together. ‘Malouya’ and ‘Gummal Sa Bopp’ speak in praise of the history of the jalis and for their eternal continuation. The album ends with the title track which means ‘big people of Afrika’ or ‘leaders of Afrika’. It calls for leaders to focus on peace, stability and economic advancement.
NUBIART LIBRARY – FEB 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 film production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘HORSEMEN ADORE PERFUMES AND OTHER STORIES’ - Wael Shawky. [Sharjah Art Foundation, Serpentine Galleries, Koenig Books. ISBN: 978-1-908617-17-0] This book is designed as an introduction to the work of Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, to accompany his exhibition which just ended at the Serpentine Gallery in London. It consists of three short stories by the writer Mohamed Mustagab from Upper Egypt that were used by Shawky as scripts in his most recent film series, ‘Al Araba Al Madfuna’ (2012) and ‘Al Araba Al Madfuna II’ (2013). The drawings throughout the book are by Shawky and were the sketches for his films which all featured child actors dressed as adults. The book is in English at the front with the same stories in Arabic starting from the back. Very handy for those learning either language.
‘The Offering’ tells of a village of farmers, traders and businessmen who through their eloquent speech had become very prosperous. In a short period of time all the villagers are struck dumb and there is no cure. The villagers are forced to learn to communicate by gesture and because no-one else wants to do serious business with them anymore they can only earn a living through entertaining as dancers and being expert clappers. The story ‘Horsemen Adore Perfumes’ features an evil Enchantress who is beheading warriors and their relatives who come to avenge them. ‘The J-B-Rs’ is another cycle story where The Great Jabirs just before their passing are continually asked for their final words and each time they advise their listeners to purchase a lesser and lesser auspicious animal.
Wael Shawky currently has another exhibition of films, soundscapes, drawings and metalwork called ‘Dictums’ at the Lisson Gallery in Paddington in London until Sat Mar 8. The recently ended exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery also featured his films ‘Cabaret Crusades: The Horror Show Files (2010)’ and ‘The Path to Cairo (2012)’ which retold some of the major events of the Crusades using puppets.
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES EVENTS
- ‘Stepping Razor: Red X’. On Mon 10 Feb a 7-9.30pm at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London SW11 2LN, Adm: £5. A loyalty card event. February is Reggae Month in Jamaica. This is the best time to learn about the history of reggae music and the influence it has on Jamaican culture. 'Stepping Razor: Red X' explores the life of the late Peter Tosh, reggae artist, Jamaican folk hero, prophet and radical political activist. Based on his personal taped diaries, the Red X tapes, the film reveals the inner thoughts of this volatile musician. Told by interviews with his mother, father and friends it charts the meteoric rise to fame of Peter from 'The Wailing Wailer" to 'The Wailers' his disillusionment with Marley and the pro-Christian stance that Marley took in his music to his solo career and his fights with various record labels. Archival interviews with Tosh and rare concert footage fill out this picture of the Rasta visionary.
- Black History Studies in association with the Marcus Garvey Library presents 'Sankofa Saturdays' screening of ‘Happily Ever After: A Positive Image Of Black Marriage’. On Sat 15 Feb at 5-8pm at Marcus Garvey Library, Tottenham Green Centre, 1 Phillip Lane, Tottenham, London, N15 4JA. Adm: Free. From the creators of the award winning website Black and Married With Kids.com comes a ground breaking documentary set to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding marriage and parenting in the Black community. Couples and experts discuss topics such as the image and portrayal of Black marriages and families, the effect the Obamas will have on marriage in the Black community and the importance of parenting. There will be a discussion after on Black Marriage and Black Male Female Relationships. Unity begins at home and relies on you and me. We all have internal challenges. How can we keep the Black Family together?
Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail info@blackhistorystudies.com Web: http://www.blackhistorystudies.com
~ ‘HISTORICISING SLAVERY AND ENGAGING THE YOUNGER GENERATION’. The Legacies of British Slave-ownership project has developed an online database which uses the compensation records, a listing of all of those who received money when slavery was abolished in the 1830s, to highlight Britons’ connection to slave-ownership. Of those listed, over 3000 were absentees, men and women who lived in Britain – many of whom never visited the Caribbean. The project team is now tracing the development of estates in the Caribbean held by these absentees in order to further understand how their estates were managed and transferred over time. Kristy Warren, Research Associate, UCL, one of the Research Associates on the project, completed her PhD at the University of Warwick in 2012. Her thesis investigates the extent to which the positions taken by Bermudian politicians and social commentators, concerning the question of independence in the British Overseas Territory, are informed by their lived experiences and understandings of the island’s past. Prior to starting the PhD, she worked at The National Archives in Kew on a Heritage Lottery Funded cataloguing and outreach project entitled Your Caribbean Heritage. She is interested in the ways in which people remember, interpret, and value the past. This talk will show how the database can be used. On Tues 11 Feb at 1-2pm at Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre, Wilkins Building, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, Web: http://events.ucl.ac.uk/event/event:vc-hobm246s-e5f2a4/historicising-slavery-and-engaging-the-younger-generation
~ FIND YOUR VOICE PRESENTS DVD SCREENING OF DR. LLAILA AFRIKA ON SUGAR & DIABETES. With Dr Melanie Stevenson. Panel discussion with experienced health practitioners:
King Lion, herbalist & holistic health practitioner; Debrose, researcher, raw foodist & Radio Talk Show presenter; Professor Stephen Ssali Tamale, Mariandina Health Consultant, lecturer & body-mind expert; and Sister Kandake, holistic health practitioner, herbalist & nutritionist. On Sat 22 Feb at 4–7pm at Park View Academy (The West Green Learning Centre), West Green Road, London, N15 3RB. Adm: £5.
Tel: Douglas on 07960 239 493 / 07882 403 871. E-mail: findyourvoice@hotmail.co.uk
~ THE WINDRUSH FOUNDATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH CROYDON SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION PROJECT PRESENT MAKING FREEDOM. An exhibition marking the 175th anniversary of the 1838 Emancipation of nearly a million Africans in the Caribbean. It was on the First of August that liberty was won after they had been enslaved for all or most of their lives. Until Sat 22 Feb at 3-7pm (weekdays) and 1-6pm (Sat) at Croydon Supplementary Education Project, 32 Sydenham Road, Croydon, CR0 2EF. Adm: Free. Tel: 020 8686 7865. E-mail: windrush.project@gmail.com Web: http://www.makingfreedom.co.uk/
~ THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SUPPLEMENTARY SCHOOLS WEEK 2014
- ‘Being and Becoming a Parent Governor with the Association of Muslim Governors’. On Sat 15 Feb at 3-6pm.
- ‘Why Do We Still Need Black History Month’. On Sat 22 Feb at 3-6pm.
All at Birkbeck University Stratford, University Square, 1 Salway Place, Stratford, London, E15 1NN. Adm: Free. E-mail: info@nabss.org.uk Web: http://www.nabss.org.uk/#/nbssw-sponsors-and-stalls/4562987683
~ SOAS WOMEN SOCIETY IN ASSOCATION WITH BLACK FEMINISTS UK AND MEDIA DIVERSIFIED PRESENT ‘AIN'T I A WOMAN? WHAT'S RACE GOT TO DO WITH IT?’ A week-long series of events centred around Ntozake Shange's play 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.’
- 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf' + Q&A with director and actresses. Directed by Adam Tulloch. On Mon 17 Feb at 8pm at DLT, G2. Adm: £3.
- ‘Redefining the Strong Black Woman: recognising and resisting oppression’. On Tues 18 Feb at 7pm at JCR. Adm: Free. Speakers: Mundia Situmbeko (Writer and Present of 'Kickin' It With The Kinks'), Femi Otitoju (Equality and Diversity Consultant), Chardine Taylor-Stone (Drummer for Black feminist punk band Big Joanie), Michelle Holmes (Yogi and blogger)
- ‘Black (Mis)Representation’ Panel Discussion. On Wed 19 Feb at 7pm at JCR. Adm: Free. Talking points: Mainstream feminism and Black Feminism; mainstream representations of Black women; shadism; Black masculinity. Panellists: Minna Salami - MsAfropolitan (blogger), Emma Dabiri -The Diaspora Diva (blogger), Lola Okolosie (Black Feminists), Ife Adedeji (journalist), Ini Dele-Adedeji (SOAS PhD Student). Chaired by Brenna Bhandar (SOAS).
- 'Black Feminism 101: Claiming Spaces in Mainstream Feminism’. On Thurs 20 Feb at 7pm at JCR. Adm: Free. Facilitated by Charmaine Elliott, Black Feminists UK.
- ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf’ + reception. Directed by Adam Tulloch. On Fri 21 Feb at 7pm at DLT, G2. Adm: £3.
All events are at SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, London. Web: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/event-series-aint-i-a-woman-whats-race-got-to-do-with-it-tickets-5718119048
~ ‘THE HUNTLEY CONFERENCE - WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG: RE-SEARCHING OUR ARCHIVES’.
Specially dedicated to the late Jessica Huntley (1927-2013). The conference will launch the brand new Huntley website. The Huntley youth forum will explore London in the 1970s when diasporas met and intellectuals were fighting on the front line. Speakers include Toyin Agbetu and Patrick Vernon. On Sat 22 Feb from 9.30am-5.30pm at London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Rd, London, EC1R 0HB.
Adm: £10 / Under-18 – Free. Web: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-huntley-conference-when-they-were-young-re-searching-our-archives-tickets-8973133885
~ BBM/BMC PRESENT ‘LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME...?’ Book & DVD documenting Afrikan British histories from the context of racism and racial equality policies launch. On Tues 25 Feb at House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1. E-mail: editor@BritishBlackMusic.com Web: www.BritishBlackMusic.com www.LookHowFar.eventbrite.com
~ BUNDU DIA KONGO (BDK). Afrikan cultural and spiritual group working towards the spiritual and psychological growth and development of Afrikans all over the world. Let us make a positive change now. Learn about Afrikan prophets, Afrikan history and Afrikan spiritual practices at our weekly Zikua.
- Sun at 1.30–4.30pm at Chestnuts Community & Arts Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London, N15 5BN. Tel: Makaba - 07951 059 853.
- Sun at 12.30–3.15pm at Malika House, 81 George Street, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 1Sl. Tel: Mbuta Mayala – 07404 789 329.
~ THE AUSAR AUSET SOCIETY GI GONG CLASSES. Every Monday at 7.30–9pm at Hazel Road Community Centre, Hazel Road, Kensal Green, London, NW10 5PP. Adm: £5 per class. Tel: 07951- 252-427. E-mail: Tauinetwork.europe@gmail.com
~ ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH PRESENT YINKA SHONIBARE MBE AT GREENWICH. The series of works include a new site-specific commission and sculptures never before seen in the UK. The works respond to the historic surroundings of the Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich, while also exploring themes of Britishness, trade and empire, commemoration and national identity, which are central to both Shonibare’s work and the Museum’s collections. There will be works referencing the life and death of Admiral Lord Nelson including The Fake Death Pictures series, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, Wind Sculpture and Cheeky Little Astronomer, The exhibition will be supported by a full programme of events including curator’s tours, talks and debates. Until Sun 23 Feb 2014 at 10am-5pm at National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10. Adm: Free (except Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory). Tel: 020 8312 6565. Web: www.rmg.co.uk
~ ‘AUTOGRAPH ABP PRESENTS CONGO DIALOGUES: ALICE SEELEY HARRIS AND SAMMY BALOJI’. A rarely seen archive dating from 1904, created by English missionary Alice Seeley Harris in the Congo Free State. These pioneering photographs publicly exposed the violent consequences of human rights abuses at the turn of the century, and are exhibited alongside newly commissioned work from acclaimed contemporary Congolese artist Sammy Baloji. ‘Congo Dialogues’ marks the 175th anniversary of Anti-Slavery International and the invention of photography. The Alice Seeley Harris archive was last shown to the public 110 years ago. Until Fri 7 Mar at Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA. Adm: Free.
- ‘Panel Discussion: Politics of the Congo, Now and Then’. On Thu 13 Feb at 6.30-8.30pm. Adm:
Free, booking essential.
- ‘Film Screening & Q+A, Sven Augustijnen: Spectres’. On Mon 24 Feb at 6-8.30pm. Adm: Free, booking essential.
- ‘Film Screening & In Conversation, Sammy Baloji: Mémoire’. On Thu 27 Feb at 6.30-8.30pm. Adm: Free, booking essential.
- ‘Curators' Gallery Talk’. On Sat 1 Mar at 2-3pm. Adm: Free, no booking require
All events at Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA.
~ ‘BEN OKRI ON AYUBA SULEIMAN DIALLO: A DIALOGUE ACROSS TIME’. The eighteenth-century portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo is the earliest known British portrait of a freed enslaved Afrikan. Fascinated with Diallo's enigmatic story, poet Ben Okri responds to the subject in a new poem, 'Diallo's Testament', as part of his involvement in the portrait's tour of partner venues around the UK. Until Sun 16 Mar 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2. Adm: Free.
~ EXHIBITION APPEAL: RETIRED CARIBBEAN NURSES IN HACKNEY / NEWHAM / EAST LONDON. Hackney Museum are working with Black Women in the Arts Project on an exhibition about Retired Caribbean Nurses to take place in Sep 2014 at Hackney Museum. Do you know of any retired Caribbean Nurses in Hackney / Newham / East London area? Contact: Cheryl Bowen, Community Education Manager, Health and Well Being, Hackney Museum Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Tel: 020 8356 2658 / 2545. E-mail: cheryl.bowen@hackney.gov.uk
Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/hackneymuseum
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
External Links
Afrikan Quest International
Photomontage©Sammy Baloji 2013
‘WHEN HARMONY WENT TO HELL - CONGO DIALOGUES: ALICE SEELEY HARRIS AND SAMMY BALOJI’.
“The philanthropist revealed himself to be the greatest pirate of all times.” – comment on the Belgian King Leopold the Second.
This exhibition juxtaposes photographs and montages of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a century apart. Alice Seeley Harris was a missionary with her husband the Rev John Harris who was active in the Congo Reform Association and Anti-Slavery International. During her time there she took extensive photographs of the atrocities and genocide being committed by the Europeans led by the Belgian King Leopold the Second at the start of the 20th Century. ‘Congo Dialogues’ marks the 175th anniversary of Anti-Slavery International and the invention of photography. The Alice Seeley Harris archive was last shown to the public 110 years ago although many of her photographs of the amputations, appropriation of land, forced labour and torture have been widely circulated. Sammy Baloji is a photographer working in D R Congo today.
On the ground floor Baloji’s large photographs cover a range of themes from the poverty to recent modern housing and business developments. There is also a range of photographs that mirror the 50 flies Congolese had to submit to the authorities in the 1920s in order to qualify to get access to food. In the decades before it had been made illegal for any Afrikan to sell directly to a European without the intervention of a state sanctioned middle man who would ensure that on the rare occasions where trade did take place it was always to the disadvantage of the Afrikan. With their land expropriated they were considered tenants of the state. Baloji also has a still photograph of the spot marked by a pile of bricks where the first Congolese PM Patrice Lumumba was assassinated. We have seen the film Baloji made of his journey there in a previous exhibition.
Seeley Harris also has photographs in the section. The gallery on the second floor is dedicated to her work with 60 photos and some leaflets and pamphlets advertising her and her husband’s speeches on their return to Britain with their findings. There is an audio description divided into sections explaining the significance of each of the pictures.
Pt 1 – ‘Philanthropy in the Making’ – The population of the land considered as the Congo after the 1884-5 Berlin Conference was estimated to be around 10-15 million. The explorer Henry Morton Stanley was one of the main advisers to the Belgians who were given the area in the carve-up.
Pt 2 – ‘Philanthropy in Operation’ – For 286 days of the year the Afrikan was considered the slave of the state and effectively held hostage. The conditions were so onerous that people did whatever they had to do to avoid a whipping or amputation. This also affected the environment as proper horticultural and agricultural practices were not observed. For instance, vines that were meant to be tapped only twice a year were cut down to extract as much rubber as possible immediately. The colonists subjugated the monarchs and village heads in order to destroy their prestige and the entire social and cultural life of Afrikans. It was at this time that Roger Casement, the British Ambassador to the Congo, published the cases he knew of rampant abuse.
To save bullets people were lined up so that one shot would go through several people. People were shot for climbing trees to get palm kernels when they should have been looking for rubber for the colonialists. Monarchs and village heads were jailed for protesting the atrocities or if their village came up short with their rubber quota. It is estimated the colonialists perpetrated an extra 100,000 excess deaths a year.
Pt 3 – ‘Philanthropy Exposed’ – “Congo Free State is neither a state nor free but a huge slave estate.”
Pt 4 – ‘Philanthropy, But Maybe’ – the racist King Leopold, despite all the wealth he accumulated, still considered that Afrikans were lazy (an attitude still prevalent among many non-Afrikans today).
The Congolese, despite their history, are still trying to get their country to function and gain access to the resource wealth that have so been a magnet for exploiters, profiteers and freeloaders from all parts of the world who have no interest in the welfare of the indigenous population.
OBITUARY
WILLIAM CLARKE (BUNNY RUGS / BUNNY SCOTT) – Feb 6 1948-Feb 2 2014. Singer-songwriter. Bunny Rugs, the Jamaican lead singer with Third World, who also had a successful solo career, has passed away from leukaemia. Born in Mandeville he moved with his family to downtown Kingston aged two. He had been called Bunny from a young age because he was so full of energy while the Rugs referred to his later habit of sleeping on the floor.
Coming from a church background with his father a preacher Bunny was blessed with a powerful, infectious singing voice. In his teens, he began singing at the Kittymat Club with the local band Charlie Hackett and the Souvenirs. He sang with Vic Taylor while studying to be a painter at the Jamaica School of Arts and Crafts. But his first big move came the following year when he became the leader singer for Inner Circle. In the band at the time were guitarist Steven “Cat” Coore, keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, and percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett who would later form the core of Third World.
Bunny left Inner Circle in 1971, when he went up to New York. There he played with Hugh Hendricks and the Buccaneers and, followed by the Bluegrass Experience whose line-up included the former Wailers keyboardist Glen Adams, Eric Frater and Sparrow Martin. During this time Bunny recorded a successful cover version of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’. He returned to Jamaica in 1974, and like most credible roots artists found himself in the crew around genius producer Lee “Scratch” Perry. In 1975 he released his debut album, ‘To Love Somebody’ under the name Bunny Scott. As Bunny & Ricky (with the producer Leslie Kong’s nephew Ricky Grant) he released two singles for Perry’s Black Art label, ‘Freedom Fighter in 1974 and the evergreen ‘Bushweed Corntrash’ in 1975.
Bunny returned to New York in 1976, where he found his old band mates from Inner Circle were now performing as Third World. Their name indicated not only their political allegiance but also their wider musical influences which spanned across jazz, soul, reggae and the Afro-Rock of bands like Osibisa.
They were already signed to Island Records and had released their self-titled debut. Following a reunion at the Bottom Line club in Greenwich Village, Bunny became their permanent lead singer until his passing. However he still had time to return to the Black Ark in 1977, contributing backing vocals with Earl 16 on Yabby You's ‘Chant Down Babylon Kingdom’.
Third World’s first album with Bunny Rugs on vocals was the classic ‘96 Degrees In The Shade’, with the title track a reference to the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion led by Paul Bogle and George William Gordon against British colonialism. The album should be in any sensible person’s top 50 albums of all time for its themes and musical accomplishment. The follow-up, ‘Journey To Addis’, was even more successful thanks to a cover version of the O’Jays ‘Now That We’ve Found Love’. The track would be regularly revisited by the band throughout their career.
In 1981 after three more albums for Island, including the live ‘Prisoners In The Street’, Third World signed to Columbia. Their 1982 release ‘You’ve Got The Power’ featured the hit ‘Try Jah Love’, which was written and produced by Stevie Wonder who had performed with the band in Jamaica at Reggae Sunsplash. Third World switched in 1989 to the Mercury label for the ‘Serious Business’ album.
As Third World recorded less Bunny reactivated his solo career, recording the album ‘Talking To You’ in 1995, followed by ‘What A World’ and ‘Carry On’. He also showed up on several singles most notably with Gregory Isaacs on ‘Here Comes Rudie’ and Shabba Ranks on ‘Bridges Instead’. He contributed to the Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band album in 2009, contributing a version of ‘Lovely Rita’ recorded with U-Roy. His final release was the 2012 album ‘Time’. There were also recuts of ‘Now That We’ve Found Love’. He released the single ‘Land We Love’ from the album, with profits going to the charities the Jamaican Children's Heart Fund - for which he was a spokesman - and Chain of Hope. Later that year he received a Caribbean American Heritage Award for Outstanding Contribution to Reggae. An album originally recorded in 2008 ‘Thinking Bout You’ was due to be released on 6 Feb this year, to coincide with Bob Marley Day celebrations, the date also being Bunny's birthday.
Health problems forced him to miss some of the shows on Third World's fortieth anniversary tour in 2013, and he confirmed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Third World now consists of two original members Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore on guitars and cello and bassist Richard Daley along with drummer Tony ‘Ruption’ Williams and keyboardist Herbie Harris. Bunny Rugs is survived by his wife and eight children.
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
FEB PROMOS
~ ‘Africa Moo Baalu’ – Sousou & Maher Cissoko [ARC Music – Out Now] This is the third album from the Swedish-based artists. Maher Cissoko comes from a long line of kora playing jalis from the Casamance region of Senegal. While Sousou has been around kora players since her father worked with the Gambian Alagi Mbye when she was 10. ‘Africa Moo Baalu’ is a beautifully crafted album and kicks off with ‘Wula’ a song dedicated to Maher’s brother Aliou who passed away in 2010. ‘Aline Sitoe Diatta’ is the name of a woman who led resistance to French colonialism in the city of Ziguinchor. She was imprisoned and passed away at the age of 24. Today the Senegalese national football stadium and the ferry that runs between Dakar and Ziguinchor are named after her. ‘Fentangya (Poverty)’ – ‘Poverty is like being in prison to live in slavery wanting to be free’. ‘Fall’ is a passionate love song that begins ‘I never fell in love I jumped in love and I let myself fall, fall, fall.’ ‘Doole (Power / Strength)’ pleads to be given the strength and fortitude to survive through all the obstacles. ‘Sinaya’ is a cautionary tale about some of the problems that can arise in families when the different branches from different parents don’t work together. ‘Malouya’ and ‘Gummal Sa Bopp’ speak in praise of the history of the jalis and for their eternal continuation. The album ends with the title track which means ‘big people of Afrika’ or ‘leaders of Afrika’. It calls for leaders to focus on peace, stability and economic advancement.
NUBIART LIBRARY – FEB 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 film production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘HORSEMEN ADORE PERFUMES AND OTHER STORIES’ - Wael Shawky. [Sharjah Art Foundation, Serpentine Galleries, Koenig Books. ISBN: 978-1-908617-17-0] This book is designed as an introduction to the work of Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, to accompany his exhibition which just ended at the Serpentine Gallery in London. It consists of three short stories by the writer Mohamed Mustagab from Upper Egypt that were used by Shawky as scripts in his most recent film series, ‘Al Araba Al Madfuna’ (2012) and ‘Al Araba Al Madfuna II’ (2013). The drawings throughout the book are by Shawky and were the sketches for his films which all featured child actors dressed as adults. The book is in English at the front with the same stories in Arabic starting from the back. Very handy for those learning either language.
‘The Offering’ tells of a village of farmers, traders and businessmen who through their eloquent speech had become very prosperous. In a short period of time all the villagers are struck dumb and there is no cure. The villagers are forced to learn to communicate by gesture and because no-one else wants to do serious business with them anymore they can only earn a living through entertaining as dancers and being expert clappers. The story ‘Horsemen Adore Perfumes’ features an evil Enchantress who is beheading warriors and their relatives who come to avenge them. ‘The J-B-Rs’ is another cycle story where The Great Jabirs just before their passing are continually asked for their final words and each time they advise their listeners to purchase a lesser and lesser auspicious animal.
Wael Shawky currently has another exhibition of films, soundscapes, drawings and metalwork called ‘Dictums’ at the Lisson Gallery in Paddington in London until Sat Mar 8. The recently ended exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery also featured his films ‘Cabaret Crusades: The Horror Show Files (2010)’ and ‘The Path to Cairo (2012)’ which retold some of the major events of the Crusades using puppets.
Nubiart Diary
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES EVENTS- ‘Stepping Razor: Red X’. On Mon 10 Feb a 7-9.30pm at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London SW11 2LN, Adm: £5. A loyalty card event. February is Reggae Month in Jamaica. This is the best time to learn about the history of reggae music and the influence it has on Jamaican culture. 'Stepping Razor: Red X' explores the life of the late Peter Tosh, reggae artist, Jamaican folk hero, prophet and radical political activist. Based on his personal taped diaries, the Red X tapes, the film reveals the inner thoughts of this volatile musician. Told by interviews with his mother, father and friends it charts the meteoric rise to fame of Peter from 'The Wailing Wailer" to 'The Wailers' his disillusionment with Marley and the pro-Christian stance that Marley took in his music to his solo career and his fights with various record labels. Archival interviews with Tosh and rare concert footage fill out this picture of the Rasta visionary.
- Black History Studies in association with the Marcus Garvey Library presents 'Sankofa Saturdays' screening of ‘Happily Ever After: A Positive Image Of Black Marriage’. On Sat 15 Feb at 5-8pm at Marcus Garvey Library, Tottenham Green Centre, 1 Phillip Lane, Tottenham, London, N15 4JA. Adm: Free. From the creators of the award winning website Black and Married With Kids.com comes a ground breaking documentary set to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding marriage and parenting in the Black community. Couples and experts discuss topics such as the image and portrayal of Black marriages and families, the effect the Obamas will have on marriage in the Black community and the importance of parenting. There will be a discussion after on Black Marriage and Black Male Female Relationships. Unity begins at home and relies on you and me. We all have internal challenges. How can we keep the Black Family together?
Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail info@blackhistorystudies.com Web: http://www.blackhistorystudies.com
~ ‘HISTORICISING SLAVERY AND ENGAGING THE YOUNGER GENERATION’. The Legacies of British Slave-ownership project has developed an online database which uses the compensation records, a listing of all of those who received money when slavery was abolished in the 1830s, to highlight Britons’ connection to slave-ownership. Of those listed, over 3000 were absentees, men and women who lived in Britain – many of whom never visited the Caribbean. The project team is now tracing the development of estates in the Caribbean held by these absentees in order to further understand how their estates were managed and transferred over time. Kristy Warren, Research Associate, UCL, one of the Research Associates on the project, completed her PhD at the University of Warwick in 2012. Her thesis investigates the extent to which the positions taken by Bermudian politicians and social commentators, concerning the question of independence in the British Overseas Territory, are informed by their lived experiences and understandings of the island’s past. Prior to starting the PhD, she worked at The National Archives in Kew on a Heritage Lottery Funded cataloguing and outreach project entitled Your Caribbean Heritage. She is interested in the ways in which people remember, interpret, and value the past. This talk will show how the database can be used. On Tues 11 Feb at 1-2pm at Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre, Wilkins Building, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, Web: http://events.ucl.ac.uk/event/event:vc-hobm246s-e5f2a4/historicising-slavery-and-engaging-the-younger-generation
~ FIND YOUR VOICE PRESENTS DVD SCREENING OF DR. LLAILA AFRIKA ON SUGAR & DIABETES. With Dr Melanie Stevenson. Panel discussion with experienced health practitioners:
King Lion, herbalist & holistic health practitioner; Debrose, researcher, raw foodist & Radio Talk Show presenter; Professor Stephen Ssali Tamale, Mariandina Health Consultant, lecturer & body-mind expert; and Sister Kandake, holistic health practitioner, herbalist & nutritionist. On Sat 22 Feb at 4–7pm at Park View Academy (The West Green Learning Centre), West Green Road, London, N15 3RB. Adm: £5.
Tel: Douglas on 07960 239 493 / 07882 403 871. E-mail: findyourvoice@hotmail.co.uk
~ THE WINDRUSH FOUNDATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH CROYDON SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION PROJECT PRESENT MAKING FREEDOM. An exhibition marking the 175th anniversary of the 1838 Emancipation of nearly a million Africans in the Caribbean. It was on the First of August that liberty was won after they had been enslaved for all or most of their lives. Until Sat 22 Feb at 3-7pm (weekdays) and 1-6pm (Sat) at Croydon Supplementary Education Project, 32 Sydenham Road, Croydon, CR0 2EF. Adm: Free. Tel: 020 8686 7865. E-mail: windrush.project@gmail.com Web: http://www.makingfreedom.co.uk/
~ THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SUPPLEMENTARY SCHOOLS WEEK 2014
- ‘Being and Becoming a Parent Governor with the Association of Muslim Governors’. On Sat 15 Feb at 3-6pm.
- ‘Why Do We Still Need Black History Month’. On Sat 22 Feb at 3-6pm.
All at Birkbeck University Stratford, University Square, 1 Salway Place, Stratford, London, E15 1NN. Adm: Free. E-mail: info@nabss.org.uk Web: http://www.nabss.org.uk/#/nbssw-sponsors-and-stalls/4562987683
~ SOAS WOMEN SOCIETY IN ASSOCATION WITH BLACK FEMINISTS UK AND MEDIA DIVERSIFIED PRESENT ‘AIN'T I A WOMAN? WHAT'S RACE GOT TO DO WITH IT?’ A week-long series of events centred around Ntozake Shange's play 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.’
- 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf' + Q&A with director and actresses. Directed by Adam Tulloch. On Mon 17 Feb at 8pm at DLT, G2. Adm: £3.
- ‘Redefining the Strong Black Woman: recognising and resisting oppression’. On Tues 18 Feb at 7pm at JCR. Adm: Free. Speakers: Mundia Situmbeko (Writer and Present of 'Kickin' It With The Kinks'), Femi Otitoju (Equality and Diversity Consultant), Chardine Taylor-Stone (Drummer for Black feminist punk band Big Joanie), Michelle Holmes (Yogi and blogger)
- ‘Black (Mis)Representation’ Panel Discussion. On Wed 19 Feb at 7pm at JCR. Adm: Free. Talking points: Mainstream feminism and Black Feminism; mainstream representations of Black women; shadism; Black masculinity. Panellists: Minna Salami - MsAfropolitan (blogger), Emma Dabiri -The Diaspora Diva (blogger), Lola Okolosie (Black Feminists), Ife Adedeji (journalist), Ini Dele-Adedeji (SOAS PhD Student). Chaired by Brenna Bhandar (SOAS).
- 'Black Feminism 101: Claiming Spaces in Mainstream Feminism’. On Thurs 20 Feb at 7pm at JCR. Adm: Free. Facilitated by Charmaine Elliott, Black Feminists UK.
- ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf’ + reception. Directed by Adam Tulloch. On Fri 21 Feb at 7pm at DLT, G2. Adm: £3.
All events are at SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, London. Web: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/event-series-aint-i-a-woman-whats-race-got-to-do-with-it-tickets-5718119048
~ ‘THE HUNTLEY CONFERENCE - WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG: RE-SEARCHING OUR ARCHIVES’.
Specially dedicated to the late Jessica Huntley (1927-2013). The conference will launch the brand new Huntley website. The Huntley youth forum will explore London in the 1970s when diasporas met and intellectuals were fighting on the front line. Speakers include Toyin Agbetu and Patrick Vernon. On Sat 22 Feb from 9.30am-5.30pm at London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Rd, London, EC1R 0HB.
Adm: £10 / Under-18 – Free. Web: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-huntley-conference-when-they-were-young-re-searching-our-archives-tickets-8973133885
~ BBM/BMC PRESENT ‘LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME...?’ Book & DVD documenting Afrikan British histories from the context of racism and racial equality policies launch. On Tues 25 Feb at House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1. E-mail: editor@BritishBlackMusic.com Web: www.BritishBlackMusic.com www.LookHowFar.eventbrite.com
~ BUNDU DIA KONGO (BDK). Afrikan cultural and spiritual group working towards the spiritual and psychological growth and development of Afrikans all over the world. Let us make a positive change now. Learn about Afrikan prophets, Afrikan history and Afrikan spiritual practices at our weekly Zikua.
- Sun at 1.30–4.30pm at Chestnuts Community & Arts Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London, N15 5BN. Tel: Makaba - 07951 059 853.
- Sun at 12.30–3.15pm at Malika House, 81 George Street, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 1Sl. Tel: Mbuta Mayala – 07404 789 329.
~ THE AUSAR AUSET SOCIETY GI GONG CLASSES. Every Monday at 7.30–9pm at Hazel Road Community Centre, Hazel Road, Kensal Green, London, NW10 5PP. Adm: £5 per class. Tel: 07951- 252-427. E-mail: Tauinetwork.europe@gmail.com
~ ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH PRESENT YINKA SHONIBARE MBE AT GREENWICH. The series of works include a new site-specific commission and sculptures never before seen in the UK. The works respond to the historic surroundings of the Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich, while also exploring themes of Britishness, trade and empire, commemoration and national identity, which are central to both Shonibare’s work and the Museum’s collections. There will be works referencing the life and death of Admiral Lord Nelson including The Fake Death Pictures series, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, Wind Sculpture and Cheeky Little Astronomer, The exhibition will be supported by a full programme of events including curator’s tours, talks and debates. Until Sun 23 Feb 2014 at 10am-5pm at National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10. Adm: Free (except Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory). Tel: 020 8312 6565. Web: www.rmg.co.uk
~ ‘AUTOGRAPH ABP PRESENTS CONGO DIALOGUES: ALICE SEELEY HARRIS AND SAMMY BALOJI’. A rarely seen archive dating from 1904, created by English missionary Alice Seeley Harris in the Congo Free State. These pioneering photographs publicly exposed the violent consequences of human rights abuses at the turn of the century, and are exhibited alongside newly commissioned work from acclaimed contemporary Congolese artist Sammy Baloji. ‘Congo Dialogues’ marks the 175th anniversary of Anti-Slavery International and the invention of photography. The Alice Seeley Harris archive was last shown to the public 110 years ago. Until Fri 7 Mar at Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA. Adm: Free.
- ‘Panel Discussion: Politics of the Congo, Now and Then’. On Thu 13 Feb at 6.30-8.30pm. Adm:
Free, booking essential.
- ‘Film Screening & Q+A, Sven Augustijnen: Spectres’. On Mon 24 Feb at 6-8.30pm. Adm: Free, booking essential.
- ‘Film Screening & In Conversation, Sammy Baloji: Mémoire’. On Thu 27 Feb at 6.30-8.30pm. Adm: Free, booking essential.
- ‘Curators' Gallery Talk’. On Sat 1 Mar at 2-3pm. Adm: Free, no booking require
All events at Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA.
~ ‘BEN OKRI ON AYUBA SULEIMAN DIALLO: A DIALOGUE ACROSS TIME’. The eighteenth-century portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo is the earliest known British portrait of a freed enslaved Afrikan. Fascinated with Diallo's enigmatic story, poet Ben Okri responds to the subject in a new poem, 'Diallo's Testament', as part of his involvement in the portrait's tour of partner venues around the UK. Until Sun 16 Mar 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2. Adm: Free.
~ EXHIBITION APPEAL: RETIRED CARIBBEAN NURSES IN HACKNEY / NEWHAM / EAST LONDON. Hackney Museum are working with Black Women in the Arts Project on an exhibition about Retired Caribbean Nurses to take place in Sep 2014 at Hackney Museum. Do you know of any retired Caribbean Nurses in Hackney / Newham / East London area? Contact: Cheryl Bowen, Community Education Manager, Health and Well Being, Hackney Museum Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ. Tel: 020 8356 2658 / 2545. E-mail: cheryl.bowen@hackney.gov.uk
Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/hackneymuseum
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
Afrikan Quest International
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