Dance is a big part of life across the African continent. It serves many purposes; entertainment, enjoyment, religious rituals, celebrations, some are even used before warriors enter into battle. Whatever the dance is used for, the all share one characteristic – they are all very well structured and require a certain amount of talent toContinue reading “Not Everyday Shaku Shaku, Sometimes Adumu Adumu: Dance Cultures of Eastern Africa”
Tag Archives: Black history
Mami Wata, La Sirene, Mama Dlo
Mermaids in African & Caribbean Mythology By Michelle The myth of the mermaid is a universal cultural staple. They feature in fairytales, fantasies, adventures, and the like. The concept of mysterious beings who live in the sea and other bodies of water has captivated the minds of those who live on land for milenia. TheContinue reading “Mami Wata, La Sirene, Mama Dlo”
Black Music as a form of Protest
By Michelle Aboagye What makes protest so impactful and so effective is its versatility. Protest comes in many shapes, forms and mediums, and as seen through history it can be inspired from even the smallest events. Protest is a human response to unpleasant and unfavourable conditions. Protest can be something as unifying as taking toContinue reading “Black Music as a form of Protest“
The history of Black Hair
By Christivie Black hair was and still is used as a tool for resistance. Black hair is a very important part of Black culture. Black hair is beautiful, Black hair is elegant and Black hair is proud. Black hair is not easy to define as Black hair comes in different shapes, styles and sizes. DifferentContinue reading “The history of Black Hair”
The History of Brixton
By: Michelle Aboagye ‘Little Jamaica’, the ‘one-time Oxford Street’, and other nicknames sometimes refer to this multicultural, multi-ethnic melting pot – Brixton. Brixton is a district in the South London borough of Lambeth known for multiple traits, such as its high population of Black communities and the creativity of its residents. Before being built upContinue reading “The History of Brixton“
The History of Saturday Schools
By Michelle Aboagye Black Saturday schools have been in existence for as long as there has been a significant Black presence in the UK. Saturday schools, also referred to as supplementary schools, have had a long history in the UK. They were first associated with Irish migrants in the late 19th century, but since theContinue reading “The History of Saturday Schools”
Black women and false nails
By the Grounded Project Team Acrylic nails were invented in 1954, by a dentist called Fred Slack. After breaking his fingernail at work, he used dental products to create a replacement, later going on to create an acrylic nail company with his brother called Patti Nails. Although Fred Slack was a white man and acrylicContinue reading “Black women and false nails”
A Brief History of African Dance
Definitions:Aesthetics: principles relating to what is beautiful, pleasing, and appreciated.Polycentric: the idea that movement can initiate from any part of the body Dance in African and African Diasporan cultures crosses many boundaries. It is part of celebrations, religion, war, and theatre. It comes in many forms, from masquerade to ritual spirit dance to theatre. SomeContinue reading “A Brief History of African Dance”
Dance cultures of the Caribbean
By Rianna Wilson We all love a good boogie. The Electric Slide at the end of a family party (that’s the Candy Dance for those who are not familiar with the official title), a Zanku in the middle of an Afrobeats set or maybe just a simple two step at a work party. Once theContinue reading “Dance cultures of the Caribbean”
Notes in time: Retracing the influence of Black British musicians in the 15th-19th centuries.
By Sophia Harberd For centuries Black people have been shaping the popular music scene in Britain. By the 15th century, Black music traditions were being carried en masse with the African diaspora over the 400-year period when swathes of Africans were stolen and brought across the Atlantic into the ‘New World’. This population of theContinue reading “Notes in time: Retracing the influence of Black British musicians in the 15th-19th centuries.“
BLAM UK CIC 