Kenyan Woman Episode 2 ft Wamaitha Mwangi

You might remember a couple of weeks ago I posted episode 1 of  "Kenyan Woman,"  which is a documentary series that captures the inspirational stories of various Kenyan women and is the brainchild of songstress Karen Lucas a.k.a Kaz. 

Episode 2 features Wamaitha Mwangi, whose commitment to helping others allowed her to overcome a self destructive past, and turn her dreams into reality.

New Music- Ugandan Girl by Maurice Kirya

Check out the latest single off Maurice Kirya's upcoming album "The Book of Kirya." The song features noted Ugandan Guitarist Myko Ouma! 

Ugandan Girls stand up! Why not "Ugandan Woman" though Maurice?

The Sorplusi Principles- D'bi Young

I recently discovered award-winning African-Jamaican-Canadian dubpoet, monodramatist and educator D’bi Young! She is a phenomenal woman and I am enjoying learning about her work. 

Check out the video below in which D'bi talks about eight principles that she believes can, and will, empower artists, particularly resonating with the needs of African artists.

                                         Presented by The Morcos Brothers
                                         Produced by Okepne Ojang
                                         Cinematography by Elwin Buchel

                                         Brought to you by African Centre
                                         an Andover Yellow / Afritude Production

Viva Africa! Lamu Edition

So, I’m not the emotional kind. I don’t really share personal experiences, don’t like to talk about myself, have a hard time expressing myself…you catch my drift. This past weekend though, I spent two days in Lamu, and I left there “enlightened.”

Living in Lamu is a little like living off the grid. As expected, I found a historic town that has safeguarded its architectural integrity and local history, and it was divine. First, there are no cars in Lamu, actually there are two cars, one the town ambulance and the other an official government car. Everyone else gets around by foot or donkey. It’s amazing to watch really and it gave me a glimpse into what life must have been like many years ago.

The thing the resonated the most with me though was that because of this, everyone is the same.  Worth is not defined by what car you drive or what you are wearing, it is instead defined by moral character and values. It was refreshing, for once in my life I had no feelings of anxiety, because there was no pressure to be anything or anyone in that environment. We really are restricted by the limits we put on ourselves or that others put on us.

Children are free and safe. They leave home in the morning and come back in the evening a little after the sun goes down. They spend the day either fishing, swimming, or playing outside with their friends, and not cooped up inside on the play station or the TV.  

The people are beautiful, kind and warm. A family invited me into their home to share in the breaking of the fast (Iftar.) We sat on the floor in the traditional arab style, eating foods rich in flavor from one communal plate, while laughter filled the air. It was beautiful.

In Lamu I was reminded that God is present in all of us and in everything around us. It is easy to forget this when you are on your grind (in the "real world"), but taking a step back to reflect on the important things in life is so critical. 

So friends, don’t get caught up with worldly things, as Bob Marlely said, “...Richness is life,” don’t make riches your life.

Thank you Lamu!

For more pictures from my Lamu trip check out http://taophotography.tumblr.com/ 

New Music: Africa Massive by Fena Gitu

This song is that deal, so smooth and sultry! Who is Fena Gitu? Inquiring minds want to know...

Mandela Day 2012

I can't think of a Truer African Original than Nelson Mandela! Today marks his 94th Birthday which he will celebrate with his family in his village home of Qunu. Check out the picture below from the Washington Post of Mandela looking so regal with the former US president Bill Clinton, who met with him yesterday.

Mandela Day was started in 2008, in recognition of the 67 years Mandela fought for human rights and freedom. It calls for people to give 67 minutes of their day to serve others, with the hope that Mandela's legacy will continue forever.

According to the Mandela Day website:

"The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere."

So keep moving people, "Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day!"

The African Cypher: Trailer

Check out the trailer for "The African Cypher" the new documentary from Bryan Little. The film follows a group of Soweto street dancers as they prepare for the Red Bull Beat Battle. It is a perfect example of  the transformative power of Art, and its ability to build character and self confidence.

Connect with The African Cypher on facebook

Foto Friday - Sister Souljah

For women who are "difficult" to love by Warsan Shire

I love me some Warsan Shire! I read this poem the other day and felt the need to share it with all you beautiful, "difficult" to love women.

you are a horse running alone
and he tries to tame you
compares you to an impossible highway
to a burning house
says you are blinding him
that he could never leave you
forget you
want anything but you
you dizzy him, you are unbearable
every woman before or after you
is doused in your name
you fill his mouth
his teeth ache with memory of taste
his body just a long shadow seeking yours
but you are always too intense
frightening in the way you want him
unashamed and sacrificial 
he tells you that no man can live up to the one who 
lives in your head
and you tried to change didn't you?
closed your mouth more
tried to be softer
prettier
less volatile, less awake
but even when sleeping you could feel 
him travelling away from you in his dreams
so what did you want to do love
split his head open?
you can't make homes out of human beings
someone should have already told you that
and if he wants to leave
then let him leave
you are terrifying
and strange and beautiful
something not everyone knows how to love.

Check out more from Warsan Shire at  http://warsanshire.blogspot.com/

Kaz launches "Kenyan Woman"

Kenyan Songstress Karen Lucas a.k.a Kaz has launched a documentary series "Kenyan Woman" that captures the inspirational stories of various Kenyan women. The first episode features Lorna Irungu Macharia, speaking about her decade long battle with Lupus. It's a moving piece directed by noted photographer Emmanuel Jambo, which addresses friendship, family, survival and most importantly strength.

If you think you are having a bad day, remember there is someone going through worse.

Keep moving Lorna you are such an inspiration. Brilliant initiative Kaz, I can't wait to catch the subsequent episodes!

Yellow Fever: Trailer from Ngendo Mukii

Check out the trailer for "Yellow Fever" from up and coming director Ngendo Mukii.  I wrote a post  recently about how Kenyan Model Ajuma Nyasenyana is speaking out about  the skin lightening phenomenon and is in the process of developing a natural line of cosmetics for women with dark complexions. Ajuma hopes that women will abandon the use of the highly toxic bleaching products and learn to love the skin they are in. Along the same lines Ngendo attempts to address the issues surrounding self image in the African community and the socially constructed concept of beauty.

Ngendo says this about her motivation to produce the film:

"I am interested in the concept of skin and race, and what they imply; in the ideas and theories sown into our flesh that change with the arc of time. I believe skin and the body, are often distorted into a topographical division between reality and illusion. The idea of beauty has become globalised, creating homogenous aspirations, and distorting people’s self-image across the planet. In my film, I focus on African women’s self-image, through memories and interviews; using mixed media to describe this almost schizophrenic self-visualization that I and many others have grown up with."

I can't wait to check it out! Keep moving Ngendo!

New Music: "Bangi" by Abramz

Check out the new single from one of my favorite African Hip Hop artists Abramz who I interviewed for True African Original a month or so ago.

The beat is so cold though! Bangi bandabaa naye tebantegela (Many see me but they don't understand me)!



For more information on Abramz you can check out my interview with him here

Kenyan Model Ajuma Nyasenyana speaks out against skin lightening products

Skin bleaching gone wrong

I'm glad someone is speaking out against this skin bleaching phenomenon! Walking down the streets of Kampala and many other cities in Africa, you can't help but notice women whose skin is light in appearance from a distance, but is highly damaged up close. Dark patches around the eyes betray their efforts, in some cases the face is lighter than the hands and feet, and the skin appears scaled. The banning of bleaching products with components such as hydroquinone and mercury has been fruitless, as these products are still available on the black market.

Why would women do this you ask? Unfortunately we are still living with a colonial mentality. The perception that lighter is better and closer to white still resonates with some. The media often glamorises the lighter skinned, straight-haired (weave) woman as the beauty queen, with the darker natural woman being hailed as exotic. 

I have to admit when I was about 14, I had really bad eczema on my legs which left me with some serious scars. My aunties and mum mixed up a serious concoction which no doubt contained all manner of bleaching products. I stopped using it after a while and the scars have slowly healed over time, but skin bleaching is common in African households and people may just be ignorant of the adverse side effects.

Ajuma recently spoke out about skin bleaching and wants to start an all-natural line of cosmetics for women of "ethnic" or dark looks in hope that the products might keep skin-bleaching cosmetics at bay, she says:

 "I have never attempted to change my skin. I am natural. People in Europe and America love my dark skin. But here in Kenya, in my home country, some consider it not attractive" 

Read the rest of the article here