Hair History- We're Taking It Waaaaaaaay Back!

"It's not just hair!"

Serious info on our natural hair that goes way back!

Very interesting ;o)

Inspirational Locs - We're Taking It Waaaaaay Back!

Today's inspirational loc picture comes from Sudan, Africa. 

As many of you will know, locs have been around in the Motherland Africa looooong before Bob Marley... 

"A relatively young Nuer prophet holding a spear aloft in his right hand, his face uplifted, showing the characteristic unkemptness of a prophet's beard and hair. In his left hand by his side he holds a spear with a very large blade and another with a smaller blade, and a curved baton called dang with metal and attachments. The dang was an instrument commonly used in wedding invocations, but was also associated with the prophet Ngundeng and thus became a symbol of spiritual power for subsequent prophets. He also wears ivory arm ornaments and leg ornaments of large strung beads. The prophet (guk) was a possessor of an air spirit (gwan kwoth) whom the Nuer greatly revered, but was a relatively unknown character before the mid 19th century, probably a result of the assimilation of Dinka people and their religious ideas. Such men were considered to have spiritual powers such as healing. Prophets were considered tirbal agitators by the government and were frequently persecuted."   [Source]

Afropean: Lucía Asué

It's funny how at times like these, questions are asked. "Who do you support in the World Cup?" - for example - and "Who do you feel you are?"... The truth is, there are any sides and cultures to me and I can't say that only one defines me completely... The changing face of Europe is also an exciting thing to explore. I am so supportive of those who are changing the landscape of what a well-defined small box used to look like. This lady is one of them, shifting and gliding a small wave across a sea that needs many more changes... in Spain. It's about time too!

Art In London: Yinka Shonibare’s Bottle

If you're planning on strolling around central London any time soon, you will most probably look up and see it!

Yinka Shonibare, MBE was born in London and moved to Lagos, Nigeria at the age of three. He returned to London to study Fine Art first at Byam Shaw College of Art (now Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design) and then at Goldsmiths College, where he received his MFA, graduating as part of the ‘Young British Artists’ generation. He currently lives and works in the East End of London.

Over the past decade, Shonibare has become well known for his exploration of colonialism and post-colonialism within the contemporary context of globalisation. Shonibare’s work explores these issues, alongside those of race and class, through the media of painting, sculpture, photography and, more recently, film and performance. Using this wide range of media, Shonibare examines in particular the construction of identity and tangled interrelationship between Africa and Europe and their respective economic and political histories. (source)

Read the full article

NNEKA - Africans

Emmanuel Jal: Activism & African Hip Hop

Supporting African artists and creativity, Emmanuel Jal especially hits home to me as a fellow Sudanese... by raising awareness of the issues and sharing his life story. I first heard his music on an ER episode in Darfur and wandered who it was... through myspace and Sudanese community websites, I found out more about his work and have followed him through the years...

Africa Day, 25th May - Celebrating Africa In Spain

After doing a recent blog on life in Madrid, Spain, I received an email from a traveller asking about events that were taking place to celebrate Africa in Spain - great timing too! Here are some upcoming events and positive news:

Africa Day 25th May: Africa Vive - English
(Original Website - Spanish)

Casa Africa - English
(Original Spanish Website - Spanish)


African Film Festival
(22 - 31 May 2009)


I will be posting more African culture/awareness events in Europe soon too!
Stay tuned!

Daily African Wisdom

My first poetry scrap book was part of a photography book on landscapes (which was part of an impulse buy) that moved me. I carried it everywhere! And every time I felt moved to write, I'd scribble down any words that would come to mind, choosing a landscape that I felt suited it. This was when I first moved to London... To this day, I still carry it close, filled with many poems that described how my transition to this city was like for me.

It has been a while since I've meditated on art work or photography that moves me... Today I decided it was time to break from this... I found this wonderful gem!

African Wisdom: 365 Days
By Danielle Follmi and Olivier Follmi

I would recommend this book to anyone!

Daily affirmations and wisdom with moving images.

Perfect!

Super Natural... Sista Clarisse

Sista Clarisse

I'm loving this woman ;o)

This song is a constant in my player at this moment...

I enjoy tuning into music that celebrates how a woman feels about their Self.... the way SHE wants to celebrate her beauty (inner/outer) and not what we are often told is a symbol of beauty... So what truly does make you feel be-you-to-full?

This is what this song means to me when I listen to it. I wonder how I have changed through the years in my own inner vision of what makes me feel/look beautiful. So much has changed. But there is always a familiar theme that runs through the stages... "Your health is your wealth" - I feel beautiful when I feel healthy (Grounded by a healthy body/Earth vehicle and uplifted by an inspired mind/soul). And when the sun shines!

We've been getting plenty of that here! London has had a nice taste of Summer sunshine and the warmth has kept me far FAR away from my computer... so I've been a bit lazy with updates in this blog. It's nice to be able to return and find some emails with your feedback on these posts - Give thanks!

Yoga In Africa - Retreats Info & Videos

"The word Yoga means union and discipline. It is not a religion, it’s exploring your own spirituality by learning how to control your mind through exercising the body, breath and practicing concentration. Yoga is about learning to be present, living in the present moment—creating a union between mind, body and spirit." (a description that I've taken from a few websites)

As well as being a Self union, I love how yoga is a union of like-minded people... Union in being able to connect, explore, learn and grow with people who are dedicated to living life in awareness. An every day tool to positive conscious networking!

This is a wonder-full video about yoga in Africa - Changing lives!

The International Association of Black Yoga Teachers (IABYT): www.blackyogateachers.com

Upcoming African Yoga Retreat!

If you enjoyed the video and wish to experience a yoga in Africa for your Self, here is some information that you don't want to miss!

In 2009, you can be part of the upcoming Afrikan yoga retreat from January 3rd-14th 2009 in Ghana.

This 10 day retreat is a complete holistic package - including yoga sessions, delicious vegie meals, day trips, drumming, dance - and more!

For more details:

UK contact - Pable Imani +44 0 7904769696 www.afrikanyoga.com nubeinghealth@yahoo.co.uk

USA contact - Deirdre Lovell 1.832.465.8966 www.bodynsoultherapies.com deirdre@bodynsoultravel.net

Inspirational Beauty: Roots & Romi

Romi Anauel

... a womban who celebrates roots, loves experimenting and enjoys expressing Self through music and life!

It was first introduced to me while doing a moving/dance meditation workshop lol... Her performances/music always promises to be lively, uplifting, diverse and joy-full! It always puts a smile to my face and feels really familiar for some reason.

Catch her with her band Terrakota - I look forward to also hearing her solo work!

Sweet Memories - Hibiscus Tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

" Have you ever wondered what the Pharaohs of the ancient Nile Valley drank to refresh themselves in the desert heat?

Hibiscus tea.

The Nile River Valley is the cradle of one of the world's oldest civilizations. The hibiscus flower and its usage for making hibiscus tea have long been an important part of the culture, and of the economies of the Nile River Valley. Nubian villages along the Nile River still share many, many of the customs and practices of their ancestors, whose civilization dates back more than 5,000 years.

And throughout history until the present, hibiscus tea has been a preferred beverage in many cultures, in China, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. In fact, all over the world people drink hibiscus tea for health (hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure and fights cancer), for cooling (hibiscus tea is a refrigerant and helps cool the body), for a relaxing refreshment (hibiscus tea contains no caffeine), for ceremonies (every wedding and celebration in Sudan and Egypt is "toasted" with glasses of hibiscus tea), and for enjoyment (hibiscus tea is a beautiful rich crimson color and is tart and delicious)." .... from this source

This is a home comfort that takes me waaaaaaay back into my early years Yum lol.

Karkade is the popular name for it - I remember how this drink would always be part of our family gatherings and for special occasions. A very distinct taste that never fails to leave me feeling refreshed and uplifted!

Along with it's fantastic health benefits , it is such an easy-to-make drink... at any time of the year. Over the years, I have enjoyd relaxing with green tea and other herbal teas (especially after having a tough time sourcing out a place to buy quality karkade in the UK) - This drink is by far my favourite treat that I look forward to.

Personally, I enjoy brewing this on its own with a touch of lemon juice and/or honey, depending if I want a sweeter or bitter-sharper taste - both hot and cold. You might like to try the following recipes or experiement with your herbs!

Iced Hibiscus Tea Spritzer

Serves 4

1 vanilla bean (you can use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract as a substitute)

2/3 cup honey

2 2/3 cups water

1 cup dried hibiscus flowers, lightly rinsed

Ice cubes

Soda water or plain water

Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrap the seeds into a small saucepan. Toss in the bean, and add the honey and water. Stir. Bring to a boil, and then remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the hibiscus flowers and cover. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes.

Strain the liquid using a fine sieve, and then place the liquid in the refrigerator to chill. When you are ready to drink your beverage, fill four glasses with ice cubes and divide the liquid between them – each glass should be about 1/3-1/2 full. Top up with soda water and serve.

Hot Hibiscus Tea

Serves 2 (using mugs) or 3 (using teacups)

2 cups of water

½ cup dried hibiscus flowers, lightly rinsed

¼ cup honey

¼ teaspoon grated fresh ginger

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Lemon slices, for garnish

Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan, take it off of the heat and add the hibiscus flowers. Cover the pan, and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Strain the tea using a fine sieve into a small bowl. Add the honey, ginger and lemon juice and stir until the dissolved.

Serve hot, with lemon slices.

Mellow Moods With Asa

I love how music has a magical way of coming forward to you just at the right time, when it's needed most! I felt a certain way and heard a certain song - and fell in love with the energy! The song "Jailer" was an accidental bliss-full find that brought me to this artist.

Asa's music is so perfect for those mellow moments - I tend to listen in to my music most when I'm doing a home yoga session or when I'm writing articles, my way of reflecting with both my own body/mind to the words of music.

Asa's bio: "Africa, like a bubbling melting pot at the heart of today’s most exciting musical movements… Africa, like a cry of rebellion ringing in your ears… Africa, like an enduring mark on all the television screens of the world… Africa, like…

Asa was born in Paris. Her early life in the City of Light left the little girl with only the vaguest of (happy) memories, since she was no more than two years old when her family returned to live in Nigeria. Paris was just one stage in the life of her courageous and hard-working parents. But her fate was tied up with the city: it was to Paris that Asa returned twenty years later and where her life as an artist took wing. " (read more)

Her album is out now.