Yes Brother Marcus, PREACH!
Scarification is a permanent procedure meant to decorate and beautify the body.The process of African scarifacation involved puncturing ‘or cutting’ patterns and motifs into the epidermis of the skin. Ash and certain organic saps are to a wound to make the scarring more prominent. African scarification serves as a symbol of strength, fortitude and courage in both men and women and is used to enhance beauty and society’s admiration. Though scarification effects are (‘were’ as well in some areas) highly valued, the procedure is slow and painful. Beautiful and complex designs depended not only on the artist’s skill, but also the person’s tolerance of pain. A woman’s eagerness to tolerate pain was an indication of her emotional maturity and willingness to bear children. Often the first scars a young woman receives are on her abdomen, emphasizing the role of childbearing.
Body and facial patterns made it possible to identity one tribal grouping from another.The art of scarification is changing and in many areas of Africa, it has fallen away. The pressure of encroaching urban values and the widespread adoption of clothing, contributes more and more to its declining popularity.
”Scarification and other forms of body decoration were
traditionally considered marks of civilisation. They distinguished the civilised, socialised human body from the body in its natural state and from animals.”
While I agree that black women are degraded a lot, you cannot deny that some of them are constantly angry and malicious as well. That does not justify degrading them, but I think they’re angry because there’s a vicious cycle going on. When you’re constantly being put down for things you cannot…
The Calabar International Conference Centre, Calabar, Nigeria by Henning Larsen Architecs
The word “kalakuta” was a caricature of a prison cell named Calcutta that fela inhabited
‘The Kalakuta Show’ by lemi ghariokwu
Kalakuta Republic was the name musician and political activist Fela Kuti gave to the communal compound that housed his family, band members, and recording studio. Located at 14 Agege Motor Road, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria it had a free health clinic, and recording facility. Fela declared it independent from the Nigerian government after he returned from the United States in 1970.
the compound burned to the ground on February 18, 1977 after an assault by a thousand armed soldiers (as you see in the album cover)During the attack on Kalakuta Republic by Nigerian soldiers, Fela’s mother was thrown from a window and died after an 8-week coma. Following this attack, Fela married 27 of his backing singers in a mass wedding ceremony at the office of his lawyer, Tunji Braithwaite.
(via adebee)
Just another pulled from the collection; Fela Anikulapo Kuti Kalakuta Republic
Mbari buildings
Mbari are votive shrines found in the Owerri area of Imo State Nigeria among the Urata Igbo people and their neighbours. The shrines were commissioned in the name of Ala, the earth deity, and an array of other local deities. The protocol of the erection of mbari made it compulsory for the mbari to be built with four corners supported by pillars along with with figures of deities (especially Ala), images of everyday life, and mythological creatures surrounding a central chamber. Mbari could be single storeyed or multi-storyed. They were constructed with termite earth and a thatch roof. The task of commissioning and building mbari shrines were passed on from father to son. Because of their sacred status mbari were often left to dilapidate. Recently, there have been efforts made to restore ruined mbari buildings by mbari artists and priests; some mbari buildings were even destroyed by the government and other bodies since they were considered ‘pagan’. There are different styles of mbari, all painted with bright and colourful pigments.
Photos by: G. I. Jones, Edward Chadwick (1927-1943), Zbigniew Dmochowski (1960s), J Stocker (1880-1939)
that bed makes me want to have accidental babies.
(Source: freakfashion1)
