Nekita

There are copious amounts of scientific research proving that human beings orijinated in Africa and migrated across the world. As we migrated, our features changed, thereby enabling us to better acclimate to our new environments.  While initial research indicated that we orijinated in Northern Africa, recent scientific research has show that human orijins began on […]

My university years were characterized by my internal struggle to find myself. Who knew that choosing courses was more than just ‘getting’ an education and a good job? This internal struggle was caused by a yearning to learn more about myself and my culture. I remember this ‘white’ girl talking to a classmate about Africa […]

In our April-March 2011 Orijin Magazine issue we addressed the issue of skin bleaching in the Africa and the detrimental affects it can have. Keeping this article in mind, it comes as a surprise that international reggae superstar Vybz Kartel has announced the launching of his new skin care line of products called ‘OH.’ The […]

When asked “what advantage do women have over men?”, recently crowed Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes declared that “women are more powerful than men… they can do everything a man can do and more.” While many men probably brushed off her comments and instead chose to focus on the stunning contestant’s beauty, her comments were […]

For many parents with newborn children in the Caribbean, it is an expected gift. Thus, shopping for a toddler’s christening or first birthday is not a difficult task. While one appreciates the gesture of the copper or silver, the gold is preferred.  Each child wears it until his/her wrist outgrows it, however, it is expected […]

September 11 th, 2001 will forever remain entrenched in the minds of most Americans and the rest of the world as it remains a watershed event in modern-day history. It has been exactly three-thousand six-hundred fifty-two days since planes hijacked by the militant group al-Qaeda crashed into America’s most iconic and symbolic buildings – the Twin […]

As immigrants from “developing” countries, many of us have left our home nations in search for a “better” life in the “developed” west. We predominantly settle in countries in Europe and North America as we have been conditioned to believe that these countries will enable us to attain a better quality of education, superior jobs […]

In the uplifting documentary ‘Slums, Drums and Capoeira’ Maestre Moraes declared that “Capoeira for me is a way of living. Whereby you reach out to your ancestry, and thus your identity.” Copoeira takes on many titles. It’s an art, a dance, a form of martial arts, a powerful medium of communication, a form of combat, rhythm, […]

Col Gaddafi was declared “king of kings” after a meeting this over 200 African Kings and traditional rulers in 2008. This rather grandiose title was bestowed upon the now ousted Libyan leader after  his meeting with the respective leaders was filled with calls by Gaddafi for a ‘united Africa;’ one that will be an par […]

Psalms 68:31 proclaims that ‘Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.’ This biblical reference to the land of Ethiopia has been one of the main premises upon which Rastafarians have based their desire to go to Zion – a place of unity, peace and freedom; a place […]

While many found humour in the discovery that Colonel Gaddafi greatly admires former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, his admiration speaks volumes to the appeal of women, especially  Black women, in power. When Gaddafi declared in an interview in 2007 that “I support my darling black African woman…. I admire and am very proud […]

I remember reading a brief article online about Rihanna’s recent appearance and participation in her country’s yearly Kadooment celebration and I was outraged at the media’s response. Some called her costumes and moves ‘scandalous,’ ‘raunchy’ and ‘overly sexual.’ ‘Ignorance!’ I declared.   To me, these responses are rooted in these people’s ignorance and their lack of knowledge […]

One of South London’s biggest exports has been lover’s rock riddimz. While it was orijinally created to fit within the more conservative London reggae scene, lovers rock has become a staple of reggae music worldwide.  Incorporating the smooth sounds of soul music and reggae baselines and riddimz, lovers rock tunes have emerged as one of […]

Is Mixed Race “really” better? I came across this video by Dr Aarathi Prasad which claims to investigate the scientific advantage of being ‘mixed race’ and asks the question “It is better to be mixed race?” As a ‘mixed-race’ person I couldn’t help but feel a bit ‘special’ at the notion that I might in some […]

Its commonplace on almost every Caribbean cruise; older men dressed in tropical shirts, hitting the sticks they hold in their hands against the corners of the shinny hollowed silver ‘bowls.’ To a large extent, these ‘bowls’ or steelpans have come to symbolize the Caribbean. Also referred to as ‘pans,’ steelpans orijinated in Trinidad and Tobago […]

On January 5th, 2010, the US congress, under the leaderships of President Obama, passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act. This Act, also known as the ‘Loi Obama’ or ‘Obama Law’ in the République démocratique du Congo (DRC), was put in place with a mandate “To promote the financial stability of the […]

Bat Men: Fire in Babylon: Documenting how the Sport of Cricket Enabled the Emergence of African Pride and Culture in the West Indies I was 12 years old; my first year at a school in Canada and a friendly red-haired girl approached me. I was different. I had a funny accent and wore colourful clothing. […]

While many political pundits like to add their input as to what they consider the main impediments to development in Africa (all of which ranges from corruption, impunity, exploitation, ect.), many often fail to take into account the most debilitating factor to African development – the weather. Much of Africa, particular the horn of African/Sub-Saharan […]

A few months ago I had the gall to suggest that porn should be legalized in Africa and the Caribbean. My suggestion was in response to a recent publication that showed that the porn industry was gaining strength in many African countries, yet it remains illegal in most. Porn is one of the biggest industries […]

I remember watching one of the judge shows (I can’t recall which one) and the case involved two ladies; one of whom had defaulted on her contribution to the sou-sou hand. While I was a bit shocked at the woman breaching the trust essential to the sou-sou system, I also felt a sense of fear and […]