Dynamic Africa
Formerly, "This is Africa/fyeahAfrica".
(Profile Photo by Mama Casset)
DISCLAIMER:
I do not endorse any of the products or opinions shared on this site, nor do I claim any of the work posted here to be my own - except where stated. All posts originally made by me are credited. If no credit is given then the work is either my own/written by me or reblogged from another source.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
Student, 24
Based in Cape Town, South Africa
From Lagos, Nigeria
Want to advertise through us? Send an email to dynamicafricablog@gmail.com
(As an unemployed media student, all donations go into ensuring my survival in this cruel world and future projects I hope to embark on).
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(since Oct. 21th 2012)
“As long as their blood is not avenged, the dead remain on earth”
Trailer for Burkinabe filmmaker Fanta Régina Nacro’s 2004 feature film La nuit de la vérité.
Mirroring the political strife and genocide in contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa, this film opens as preparations are being made to end a decade of civil war in a fictitious country. A peace agreement is about to be signed and celebrated in a night of reconciliation with a laying down of arms. As the powerful drumming begins, both rebels and government forces gather, bringing with them years of rage, grief, hope, suspicion, and bitterness. In this first feature film, Fanta Régina Nacro boldly presents the sometimes unintentional but inhuman behavior inherent in all people.
Stills from La nuit de la vérité, a 2004 film directed by Burkinabe filmmaker Fanta Régina Nacro.
Shades of Swagger #40 | Portrait of Portraitist - A smiling Malick Sidibé.
Photography by Vittore Buzzi
A group portrait of Yoruba women wearing Aso oke. 1890s.
Vintage Nigeria
Akan Fishermen, The Gold Coast, Ghana (2009 Series)
by Elisabeth SundayThe Akan Fishermen have been fishing the shores of West Africa over hundreds of generations. I met six Akan fishermen along the shores of the Gold Coast in 2009. After talking a while, they began to express concern over the declining fisheries. They fish by night from handmade canoes using only lines and small nets. I asked the men if I could photograph them and they agreed. I urged them to express their love for the sea by using the fish they capture as metaphor in the way they hold them. They chose the fish and made their own poses understanding that their body language and expressions would tell their story. I photographed the same men in 2010 and again in 2011. This last March of 2011, they were much more comfortable with the camera and their deep connection to the sea and to themselves is fully evident.
Munit + Jörg Debut American Performance
Kicking off their East Coast Tour in DC at Tropicalia
Contact: Beshou Gedamu
(301) 221-2058
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC (June 18, 2013) – Munit + Jörg, who have toured the world and performed and world renowned festivals, are coming to Washington DC’s Tropicalia (2001 14th st NW ) on Monday July 1st. Opening for Munit + Jörg will be local artists Feedel Band, composed of a great musicians that bring Ethiopian-Jazz to life.
The energetic duo has marveled stages all over the country at such festivals as the Ethiopian Music Festival, Fêtes de la Musique, Reggae by the Nile, the Acacia Jazz, the World Music Festival and the Selam Festival. Globally they have performed in Egypt and Spain after winning a coveted spot through a competition put together by the Spanish Embassy and Casa Africa.
Munit + Jörg will perform tracks from their long awaited album which is an exciting hybrid of classic and loved Ethiopian songs and new vibrant songs. Listeners will find an updated classic by legendary Ethiopian krar player, vocalist and actress Asnakech Worku to an Ethio-jazz standard originally arranged by Ethiopian musical icon Mulatu Astatke.
Doors will open at 8pm with advance tickets now available for $15. Tickets will be available at the door for $20. For ticketing and show information, please visit: http://munitjorgdc.splashthat.com/ Joined by local artists Feedel Band and a DJ set by Toothpick, Munit + Jörg will have Tropicalia (2001 14th st NW) rocking with soulful Ethiopian-Acoustic sounds.
For press inquiries, please contact Beshou Gedamu at bgedamu@gmail.com or (301)221-2058.
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About Munit + Jorg
Munit and Jörg have been creating a most unique, exciting and energized blend of Ethio-Acoustic Soul music in Addis Abeba, around Ethiopia and the world! They are an exciting, multi-generationally, attractive and innovative musical team. Munit and Jörg already have a great following due to their previous album, their single and music video (Noro Noro), their entertaining live concerts and their many radio and television appearances.
http://munitandjorg.bandcamp.com/
About Feedel Band
Feedel is by definition, the Amharic word for letter or alphabet. In all languages we learn to speak and read, one letter at a time. Feedel Band is taking Ethiopian music and Jazz, and blending it into a simmering stew of musical genres, textures and feeling. They are creating and in some cases re-creating the musical language of what has been called EthioJazz. The members of Feedel Band are acclaimed musicians in their own right. Individually, and as part of a larger group they’ve all performed with numerous well known musicians and artists.
https://www.facebook.com/FeedelBand
EVENING SONG: Laura Mvula - Sing To The Moon
She’s currently one of my favourite artists to emerge over the past year. Here’s Laura Mvula performing the title track from her debut album.
THE SHUTTERED GHANAIAN
stillsbytjletsa“ THE SHUTTERED GHANAIAN is my first collective of a miscellany of unique Ghanaian portraits shot in Accra, Ghana.
I have always had a creative side. Picking up a camera just helped me to express it more. I’m on a journey with my creative self to portray my heart. I believe in the art of photography and not the science of it. It is my desire to document my time, in a way which would be remembered even in the minutest way or through the most simplest ways.”.
Letsa’s portrait series features Ghanaian professionals Kobby Graham and Allen Coleman.
Feel free to leave anything you’d like to know/add in my inbox.
Thank you!
Says Bisexual Author and Activist Yemisi Ilesanmi —
I am a passionate human rights activist, trade unionist, poet, and advocate for equal rights, social justice and poverty alleviation. I hold a Master of Law degree in Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights. I write and speak on a range of issues including workers rights, gender and sexuality issues.
I coordinate the group ‘Nigerian LGBTIs in Diaspora Against Anti Same-Sex Laws’. The group was formed in 2011 when Nigerian Senate resuscitated interest in the homophobic bill entitled ‘Same Sex Marriage Prohibition’ bill, which seeks to criminalize not just same-sex marriage as the name implies, but also same sex relationship and activities including advocacy on LGBT rights or aiding and abetting anyone suspected of engaging in Same-Sex relationships. It stipulates 14 years jail term for anyone who engages in same sex relationship and a 10 year jail term for anyone who aids, abets same sex persons, it also criminalizes any advocacy on LGBT rights, (sign petition against this here).
The ‘Jail the Gays’ bill personally affects me because I identify as a Bisexual.In my book “Freedom to love all: Homosexuality is not Un-African”, I take a critical look at Nigeria’s ‘Jail the Gays’ bill. I dissect the many homophobic public statements attributed to lawmakers, religious leaders and politicians. And I make a case for LGBT Rights as Human Rights and debunk the myths surrounding homosexuality in Africa.
Sexuality rights remain a controversial issue in many parts of Africa. It is not just a controversial issue but also a taboo subject. African societies do not provide enabling environments to discuss sexual orientation issues. Homosexuality is condemned by many African leaders as Immoral, Un-African and a ‘White man’s disease’. Many countries in Africa still criminalize homosexuality. Sodomy laws remain part of the criminal laws thereby making it legally possible to persecute sexual minorities. For example Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana all have laws under which homosexuality can be prosecuted. In South Africa, where the constitution recognizes same-sex relationships, gays and lesbians are often attacked, molested and persecuted for their sexual orientation.
My book protests the criminalization of LGBTS, and challenges human right activists to defend human rights of everyone irrespective of gender, religion or sexual orientation.
Works by George Afedzi-Hughes
Originally from Ghana, George Afedzi Hughes studied painting at The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, College of Art, where he earned a BA in Art specializing in Painting and Drawing and also an MA in Art Education. He later received an MFA in Painting from Bowling Green State University. George moved to the United States in 1994 after a major solo exhibition of works he created in London were exhibited in Accra, Ghana at The Artists Alliance Gallery.
“My work utilizes the turbulence of colonialism as a premise to highlight parallels between that violent history and contemporary global conflicts. In today’s informational age global occurrences of violence reach us through the media: creating a network of virtual simulations of distress. My work interprets in visual form the spectacle of information, knowledge and subjectivity.”
(via abstrackafricana)
AFTERNOON TUNE: Rachid Taha - Ya Rayah
Algerian Rai singer Rachid Taha performs an Algerian “chaabi” song composed and performed in the 1970s by Dahmane El Harrachi (Amrani Abderrahmane).
Up until the past 15 years this song was known to be Dahman El Harrachi’s original song and in the Chaabi/Andalous tradition of Algiers. This song is a ballad of the traveler, the exiled, the longing to come back, the immigrant, the “wanderin’ star”, etc. hence it’s universal appeal.
Nigeria were all in the goals for their 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup opener.
Photography: Alex Livesey/FIFA, Eitan Abramovich/AFP
