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	<title>Orijin Culture &#187; ghana</title>
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	<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community</link>
	<description>A unique &#34;Brand&#34; connecting all African descendants together through culture; Fashion, Music &#38; Lifestyle. Keep the culture Alive.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:35:28 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Orijin Culture: African Caribbean Business Council 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/acbc/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=acbc</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/acbc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:49:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cadmin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Event]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African Caribbean Business Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ambassador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Botswana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diaspora]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Orijin culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sierra Leone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Togo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trinidad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western Union]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=5353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Watch Highlights of the Round Table below..

[PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS]
Orijin&#8217;s Memorable message from the great event:
&#8220;In our minds all of us when we leave this hall, we need to continue to preach the message that Africa is a continent. It is so unfortunate that to this day, in a lot of peoples minds Africa is a Country. But I can also appreciate the fact that in the United States, you look at those divisions between the States and you just transpose it to Africa and say because Africa is all these lines and United States these lines it means it is one. The powerful message however of looking at Africa as one is the solidarity; because that solidarity is important for trade, its important for us as a people&#8230;. How many of us were taught by history that Africa is the dark continent. Today that we know better, you wonder a continent so rich in minerals, in people, in cultures, in beauty,  in tourism, how could anyone ever have said it was a dark continent?&#8221; &#8211; Honorable Tebelelo Seretse(Botswana Ambassador to the US)
]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Remember Me: AFI&#8217;s Africa Fashion Week&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/afis-africa-fashion-week/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=afis-africa-fashion-week</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/afis-africa-fashion-week/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:57:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>NoelleBonner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fashion & Style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adama Paris]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFI's Africa Fashion Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexander Koutny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Avant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bunmi Koko]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christie Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Tiale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Duaba Serwa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Egypt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast Track Collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foschini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gloria Wavoumo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johannesburg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kenya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kiki Clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kluk CGdt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laquan Smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maki Oh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriane Fassler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mozambique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senegal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sierra Leone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simon Diener]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soucha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tanzania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uganda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United States]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zimbabwe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4798</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa organized by African Fashion International (AFI) is one of the most important fashion events in Africa. With the aim of highlighting some of the best in African fashion and creative design, AFI has done a phenomenal job giving designers a platform to showcase and market their designs. Including a unique competition for up and coming designers through their collaboration with Foschini (a popular international women&#8217;s brand).  The Foschini/AFI FASTRACK competition launched in 2011 creates a platform for young designers to kick-start their careers in the fashion retail industry. After showing at Johannesburg Fashion Week and Cape Town Fashion week in front of a panel of judges; the winners are taken through a supply chain internship at Foschini where they are taught the &#8220;in&#8217;s and out&#8217;s&#8221; of the retail industry. All culminating in a collection from the designers thats sold in flagship Foschini stores. AFI is an important and  truly progressive company to be aware of that is intimately involved in the international support and promotion of African fashion.
Held at the Sandton Convention Centre from October 20th to October 23rd, designers from the United States, Zimbabwe, Kenya, London, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa presented their Spring 2012 collections. Not all of the designers are featured below, but I believe the strongest and most relevant looks are shown. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the diversity in style and design of all the collections at this years Africa Fashion Week.
  In my post last week &#8220;The Larger Implications Behind Burberry&#8217;s Use of African Fabric&#8220;, I talked about seeking out African designers until the industry responds to the consumers demands. So take this opportunity to pay attention to the names, styles and designs of the designers below. Remember them, seek out more information about their brands and most importantly buy their designs!
&#160;
Adama Paris


Alexander Koutny 




&#160;
&#160;
Avant

&#160;


&#160;
&#160;
Bunmi Koko




&#160;
&#160;
&#160;
Christie Brown





&#160;
&#160;
David Tiale




&#160;
&#160;
&#160;
Duaba Serwa





Gloria Wavoumo



&#160;
&#160;
&#160;
Fast Track Collections




&#160;
Maki Oh


&#160;
&#160;
Marriane Fassler

&#160;
Kiki Clothing



&#160;
Kluk CGdt

&#160;

&#160;

&#160;



Laquan Smith






Soucha


Photos by: Simon Diener
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Is this REALLY Africa?!: Child Sacrifice and &#8216;Witch Doctors&#8217; in Uganda</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/africa-child-sacrifice-uganda/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=africa-child-sacrifice-uganda</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/africa-child-sacrifice-uganda/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:18:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Culturally Misunderstood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anthropologist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bbc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[child sacrifice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chinese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inca]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uganda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[witch doctors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4670</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently came across an “investigative” BBC report about the issue of child sacrifice by &#8216;witch doctors&#8217; in Uganda and looked at the video with total disgust! After watching the video, I was reminded of when I went to the store with a friend, who was questioned by the young inquisitive African-American cashier. She asked about the orijin of the bracelet he was wearing and when he responded by stating “Ghana, Africa; you should go there one day,” she looked at him in utter disgust and replied “uh uh… I don’t wanna to go to Africa.” Noticing that he might be from the very place she obviously disapproves of, she changed her tone and attempted to pacify the situation by further declaring that she did not want to leave the U.S.   After watching such a disturbing video, why would anyone want to go to Uganda or anywhere in Africa for that matter?! A place where ‘they’ practice such barbaric and inhumane rituals such as child sacrifices? A place where &#8216;they’ have ‘witch doctors;’ where people with money kidnap and kill children for sacrificial purposes in hopes of attaining wealth and prosperity? WTF is wrong with ‘these’ people?! If your understanding of Uganda or Africa is limited to the scope if this video, then the above response is warranted. If you are well informed about Africa and watched the video with Fela Kuti’s declaration that “99.9% of the information you get about Africa is wrong” in mind, then you will have questions about the detrimental impact it will have on Ugandans and Africans and the extent to which it further exoticizes and perpetuates negative stereotypes of Africans. I am not of the position that everyone is out to “get” Africa and that everything done to question African culture and practices is done out of malice. I am cognizant of the fact that there are certain cultural practices that are inhumane, regardless of their cultural and historical background. However, I do believe that any issue surrounding or criticizing culture should be done in an all encompassing and well informed manner. The bottom line is that the practice of child sacrifice is barbaric and downright wrong. However, in this recent 2011 report by the BBC and the preceding report on the same issue in 2010, I am also disturbed by the fact that: 1) It does not provide any background about the practice of child and human sacrifice and leaves the impression that it is solely inherent to Uganda and for many, by extension Africa 2) The “investigation” is done with the input of a very selective group of people, most of whom who have a lot to gain by exaggerating and simplifying the practice 3) It provides a myopic view of the general issue of child disappearance in Uganda and leaves the impression that all child disappearances are related to them being sacrificed 4) Its limited scope of the practice of child sacrifice and its ostensible rise and prevalence in [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>You Nah See A Ghana Mavado Mad Ova?</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/you-nah-see-a-ghana-mvado-mad-ova/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=you-nah-see-a-ghana-mvado-mad-ova</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/you-nah-see-a-ghana-mvado-mad-ova/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:45:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Accra]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dakar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Heritage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Movado]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Orijin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reggae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Samini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senegal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4651</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

While many of us throughout the African Diaspora have never been to the “Motherland,” we often feel a sense of connectedness to it. Africa, the place of our beginning and orijin, has this ability to compel us &#8211; its descendants, to yearn for its embrace.
Internationally celebrated and renowned Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage took heed to this yearning in 2009 and documented it. In their in brief trailer release, ‘Morgan Heritage – Africa is Calling,” the group spoke about their initial encounter with the people of Dakar, Senegal. Group member Gramps Morgan explained that “the people received us with a warm heart.” He also spoke of the “ancient sound” he heard, through the playing of the African drums, which transcended anything he had ever experienced. As he explained, the experience “wasn’t normal&#8230;.it feels like your heart is coming out of your chest.” The music and the people “connected” to his heart.
Recently, international reggae artiste and singjay Mavado also expressed his sense connection to Africa and his intention to move there. After performing at a concert that was hosted by Ghanaian reggae artiste Samini,  the “Gully God” Movado declared “Ghana reminds me of home” and expressed that he would love to move to the African country as soon as he is able to acquire land there. He further explained that Ghana reminds him of “home” because of his African ancestry and was very excited about his prospects of living in the “Motherland.”
By going back to their historical roots and culture, Morgan Heritage and Movado were granted the ability to experience what many of us throughout the Diaspora long for; a sense of understanding, belonging and liberation. While each of our experience and encounter with Africa might be different, we can all appreciate its rich history and culture and the sense of connectedness we feel to it.



]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Amber Rose Gets Schooled by Local Ghanaians</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/amber-rose-schooled-local-ghanaians/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=amber-rose-schooled-local-ghanaians</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/amber-rose-schooled-local-ghanaians/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:46:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amber Rose]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Biaka pygmies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Central Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[human origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Khomani bushmen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Namibian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandawe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Southern Africa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4299</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
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 Southern Africa. According to Dr Francois Balloux, a researcher of a comprehensive report published in the Journal of Nature (July 19, 2007) “To test the alternative theory for the origin of modern humans we tried to find an additional, non-African origin. We found this just did not work. Our findings show that humans originated in a single area in Sub-Saharan Africa.&#8221;
Further supporting this theory is a recent report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in March 2011 which noted that &#8220;Africa is inferred to be the continent of origin for all modern human populations.&#8221; The study further suggests that “the genes of the Namibian and Khomani bushmen (southern Africa), Biaka pygmies (Central Africa) and the Sandawe (East Africa) appear to be the most diverse, and by implication these are the most ancient populations of Homo sapiens.” These conclusions were drawn from the fact that various populations in Africa, mostly in Southern Africa, had the greatest degree of human diversity in the world. This serves as an indication of longevity because there is a loss of generic variation when a new population is established.
We also published a report in May 2011 by biologist Dr. Quentin D. Atkinson from the University of Auckland in New Zealand who published an article in the journal science detailing how phonetic clues imply that modern human language originated in Southern Western Africa. While some of us are unaware or choose to turn a blind eye to this information, Africans, particularly Ghanaians, are well informed about our orijins and extended their knowledge to American model Amber Rose upon her recent visit to the their country.
The model recently tweeted &#8220;Just Landed in Ghana everyone here is so sweet! I really can&#8217;t believe I&#8217;m in Africa right now! God is Great  &#8221;. In additional to their noted hospitality and welcoming nature, the model further tweeted  &#8221;The guys played the drums for me &#38; said they wanted to Welcome me home, naturally I told them I wasn&#8217;t from Africa &#38; They said &#8220;We r all brothers &#38; sisters everyone comes from Africa Welcome home Amber&#8221; #Deep&#8221;

Local Ghanaians welcomed Amber Rose ‘Home’- to the Motherland &#8211; the birthplace of the human race. Equipped with the knowledge of human orijin, local Ghanians extended their hospitality to Amber because they did not see her as an outsider but rather as their ‘sister.’
Acknowledging and accepting the fact that ALL human being share a single orjin – Africa (a place described by racist theory as the “dark continent’) will do wonders in dismantling the very foundation upon which racist ideology is premised and will also make us more welcoming and accepting of each other. As soon as [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>&#8220;Do It Like De Man Dem&#8221;: Yaa Asantewaa [Queen Mother of Ejisu]</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/de-man-dem-yaa-asantewaa-queen-mother-ejisu/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=de-man-dem-yaa-asantewaa-queen-mother-ejisu</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/de-man-dem-yaa-asantewaa-queen-mother-ejisu/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:45:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roots & Culture Effect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angola]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asante]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[British]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[colonialism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leila Lopes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miss universe 2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Queen Mother of Ejisu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yaa Asantewaa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=4220</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When asked “what advantage do women have over men?”, recently crowed Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes declared that “women are more powerful than men&#8230; 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 welcomed and celebrated by women around the world. Despite their ascribed subaltern position in a male dominated world, many women have long argued that if given the full opportunity to exercise the power we possess in this world, the world will be a better place. This is not to argue that men are a not the chosen leaders of their families nor to insinuate in any way that men are inferior to women, but rather, it is said to affirm the strength and power women possess &#8211; a fact denied to far too many women around the world.
While the current Miss Universe Leila Lopes will inevitably serve as a positive role model and inspiration for Africans (African as expressed in this piece refers to all Africans throughout the Diaspora), there were other courageous and inspirational women who have paved the way for her. Threatened by the invasion of the British and their incoming encroachment upon her nation’s sovereignty and authority, Yaa Asantewaa demonstrated strength, courage and resilience when she led the men of Asante (Asante Warriors) in battle against the British. With all of the male leaders of her tribe, including her brother Nana Akwasi Okpese the ruler of Ejisu (now part of modern-day Ghana) and the King of Asante Prempeh I, exiled to Seychelles, the Queen Mother of Ejisu exercised the strength of a woman by not only calling on her fellow men but also fellow women to lead the Asante rebellion against the British. The goal of the “war of the Golden Stool” in 1900 was to defend the symbol of their nation, the Golden Stool (the supreme symbol of the sovereignty and authority of the Asante people) and bring her King back to his rightful place.

In a secret meeting with the remaining Asante chiefs on how to defend their nation, Yaa Asantewaa expressed her fearlessness by stating:
&#8220;Now I see that some of you fear to go forward to fight for our king. If it [was] in the brave days of Osei Tutu, Okomfo Anokje, and Opoku Ware, chiefs would not sit down to see their king to be taken away without firing a shot. No European could have dared speak to chiefs of Asante in the way the governor spoke to you this morning. Is it true that the bravery of Asante is no more? I cannot believe it. It cannot be! I must say this: if you, the men of Asante, will not go forward, then we will. We, the women, will. I shall call upon my fellow women. We will fight! We will fight till the last of us falls in the battlefields.”
Although the British will eventually become successful in [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Stop speaking Vernacular in Class</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/stop-speaking-vernacular-class/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=stop-speaking-vernacular-class</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/stop-speaking-vernacular-class/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:36:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cadmin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[African education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stop speaking Vernacular in Class]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taboo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=3821</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Please teacher somebody is speaking vernacular in class&#8221; Ama said.
&#8220;Hey!!! who is speaking vernacular?&#8221;, the teacher replied. With a smirk on her face, she points her finger at Yakubu. &#8220;Ohh!!! what did I say Ama? I don&#8217;t like that&#8221;, Yakubu replied back; scared and ready for war with his lie. Unfortunately, Olu heard it too and rats on him. &#8220;You said, mi ti paa mi&#8221; (I got a headache)
&#8220;Come here&#8221;, the teacher grabs his cane and viciously whips Yakubu to the ground, with cane marks all over his body. His crime, Speaking Vernacular.
Wait a minute, let us define Vernacular. According to the dictionary, vernacular a derivative of the Latin word &#8220;vernaculus (native)&#8221;, meaning the native speech or language of a place. Wikipedia further explains vernacular as a mother tongue and mother language of &#8220;a population located in a country or in an area defined on some other basis, such as a locality. For example, Navajo is a local language in the southwest of the United States, and English is the state language of a number of countries.&#8221;
Growing up in Ghana, we were not allowed to speak our native tongue anywhere around school. It was more of a taboo, at least in my eyes.The punishment was cane whipping. I never understood the idealogy of why English, which is a foreign language, had more power than our native language, and why it had such a negative connotation. However, I dared not ask why. It was a simple law without an explanation. My assumption was that it was probably a way to help us improve our english.
As I grew older and left home to school in the US, I was always in shock when I heard my Latino friends speak Spanish in and out of class,especially when the professor was around. Anytime they spoke, my heart will jump for a second with an echo in my mind &#8220;stop speaking vernacular&#8221;. What was meant to be my language to embrace became a physiological trauma for me. Gradually it wore off and I began to see the beauty of my language. I would drive by and even play my High Life music and other African music loudly in my car. Some will walk and ask about the music. I will speak broken english with my friends who were from other African countries. My Latino brothers and sisters taught me that it was OK to embraced my culture through language.
Have you ever wondered why it was a taboo to speak our local language in school? Did it somehow make you look down upon your rich language or feel embarrassed when your parents spoke vernacular to you in public?
I can understand the need of learning english which is one of the universal languages out there, but why does that result necessitate the eradication of vernacular in our school systems. The psychological implications it brought and loosing the taste and flair on my language. While in the latter part native language was implemented in our studies and was [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Who Makes Claim to Being the Reggae Capital of the World? France, Côte d&#8217;Ivoire or Japan?</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/claim-reggae-capital-world-france-cte-divoire-japan/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=claim-reggae-capital-world-france-cte-divoire-japan</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/claim-reggae-capital-world-france-cte-divoire-japan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:49:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roots & Culture Effect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Marley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burkina Faso]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Côte d'Ivoire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[france]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jimmy Cliff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter Tosh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reggae music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senegal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Africa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=3553</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
While Jamaica is known as the birthplace of reggae music, it no longer holds the title as reggae capital f the world. With reggae music legends such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff taking reggae music and it message of love, peace and positive vibrations to the world stage, reggae music has become the music of choice for many countries outside Jamaica. Reggae/culture music, which should not be confused for dancehall music, has been and continues to be used as a tool for activism and resistance. Void of its political implications and purpose, reggae music just gives that feel good positive vibe and enables it’s listeners to appreciate its messages of love and togetherness.
In the 1970’s, outside of Jamaica, Europe particularly Britain, was one of the largest consumers and distributors of reggae music. Today, another European country, France, has been leading the way in reggae music production and distribution. As noted by reggae music producer/ engineer Sam Clayton, who also happens to be the son of Rastafari elder Sam Clayton Sr., &#8220;I know France is the biggest reggae country outside of Jamaica. Yes, it&#8217;s a bigger market than the US; it&#8217;s a bigger market than England.&#8221; In recent years, France has been plagued by various uprising, predominantly led by discontent immigrant youths, who find it difficult to strive in what many of them see as a xenophobic society. This discontent could be a contributing factor to the surge of reggae music in France. Reggae music is used as a means of activitism and its positive message also serves as a voice of hope. Reggae music in France is not only popular because of the importation for reggae artists and music but there is also a strong and market and production of home-grown reggae music.
Another country that is making claim to being the reggae capital of the world is the West African nation of Côte d&#8217;Ivoire. Recently, CEO of Jamaica Arts Development Foundation Inc, Lloyd Stanbury, declared that Abidjan &#8212; the former capital of Côte d&#8217;Ivoire &#8212; is now the reggae capital of the world. He explained that &#8220;The love and respect for reggae music and Jamaica remain strong. This was evident from my experiences during the many days I spent in Ouagadougou, Dakar and Abidjan. Abidjan is actually considered to be one of the reggae capitals of the world, and while there I was able to witness the stirring live presentations of home-grown reggae bands.&#8221; Côte d&#8217;Ivoire is not the only African country claiming reggae music as one of their main forms of music genres. Other West African countries including Senegal, Burkina Faso and Ghana are also among the largest consumers, distributors and producers of reggae music.


Japan has also made claim to being the reggae capital of the world. In recent years, Japan has openly expressed its love and appreciation for reggae music by holding one of the largest reggae music festivals in the world, Japansplash, which is a festival modelled after Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica. Reggae artists [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Anansi Stories: From West Africa to the Caribbean</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/anansi-stories-west-africa-caribbean/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=anansi-stories-west-africa-caribbean</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/anansi-stories-west-africa-caribbean/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:10:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nekita</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Roots & Culture Effect]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anansi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ashanti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caribbean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diaspora]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[folktales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[traditions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Africa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=3246</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Most North American children learn moral lessons through cartoons and story books, however, in the Caribbean, we learn these lessons through folktales passed on to us by our elders. As a child growing up, I couldn&#8217;t wait for my grandmother to tell me Anansi stories. I marvelled at its/his cleverness, envied its/ his seemingly indestructibleness and admired its/his ability to use cunningness as a survival mechanism. For every new Anansi story I was told, I could not wait to gather the other kids under the mango tree behind the school yard to brag about them.  To retell these stories, was to live vicariously through Anansi&#8217;s character. I felt as if I too possessed it&#8217;s/his abilities and I pretty sure my classmates thought the same.
As a child, I never questioned the orijin or purpose behind these stories that were seemingly about a spider, although in all descriptions and characteristics he was human.  Instead, I accepted them as an exciting tale about a quick-witted spider/man, who was able to get things done by any means; even if it meant engaging in trickery and cunningness. Despite Anasi&#8217;s cleverness and wisdom, my grandmother always made a point at the end of each story to show that the often dishonest tactics he employed always backfired and that honesty and sincerely always prevailed.
Anansi stories (also spelled Ananse or Anancy and referred to as Kwaku Ananse) were brought to the Caribbean by our West African ancestors during slavery.  Rooted in the traditions of Ashanti people in Ghana, Anansi stories provided as a means of temporary escape for captured slaves in the Caribbean. Just like Anansi, many slaves had to employ their wit, unconventional skills and wisdom in order to survive.
To this day, Anansi stories still play an important role in storytelling and the formation of morals in most Caribbean islands. While the context of many of these stories have inevitability been altered to fit the  various cultural traditions and practices inherent to the different Caribbean communities, the core elements, such as the animal/human like nature of Anansi, his intelligence, trickery, wisdom and character flaws, all remain the same.
As a child who grew up with Anansi stories, the North American equivalents such the the character Wile Coyote, never seemed compelling enough. They lacked the dept, complexity and variety Anansi possessed. I admired him for his wisdom and intelligence while at the same time, I feared the outcome of his deceit and trickery. He was a hero and a villain and his seeming indestructibly provided as a means of hope.
 Through the retelling on Anansi stories, I was able to cultivate invaluable oratory skills.  The preservation and continuation of Anansi stories helps to serve as a means of connecting us in the Caribbean to our African ancestors.  It also helps to demonstrate the importance of history and culture in the cultivation of morals and values. Time and distance are inevitable factors for people throughout African Diaspora, however, folktales and oral traditions like that of Anansi, helps to maintain our connectedness.
Watch some Popular Anansi Stories


Random

 
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		<title>Fabolous and Redcafe thrill fans in Ghana</title>
		<link>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/fabolous-redcafe-thrill-fans-ghana/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fabolous-redcafe-thrill-fans-ghana</link>
		<comments>http://www.orijinculture.com/community/2011/fabolous-redcafe-thrill-fans-ghana/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:44:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ameyaw Debrah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fresh Off the Boat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fabolous]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Redcafe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.orijinculture.com/community/?p=2800</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
American rappers, Fabolous and Redcafe thrilled their fans in Ghana with about two hours of back to back performances this Easter season. The much-anticipated 233 Connect concert at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre saw the headlining act, Fabolous performing some of his old hits and some new tracks from his latest mixtape, &#8216;The S.O.U.L Tape&#8217;.  Fabulous and Redcafe were obviously excited about performing in Ghana for the first time as they told patrons about how happy they felt about being in Ghana throughout their performances. They were also overwhelmed by the response from the Ghanaian crowd that turned out in their numbers and rapped along to their songs.
The Fabolous concert also saw performances from supporting Ghanaian and Nigerian acts including Sarkodie, VIP, Ruff N Smooth, 4&#215;4, J-Town, Bra Kevin Beats, Tribesman, Ice Prince, Wizkid and D-Money. DJ-Black provided mixes to set off the party at the Dome, while DJ Abrantee of London’s Choice FM was the host.


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