Reaching Through the Diaspora

Back in June, I stopped in my friend Zana’s store “Spectacles” downtown Detroit. One this particular day, I noticed some Black Liberation patches in her display cabinet, which got me excited so I purchased 3 just because.

I had no idea what I was going to do with them, I just know I wanted them. In the meantime, I just had them on my desk & looked at them all the time & they always made me smile because I think they are so cool.

On a related note but not really, a few weeks ago, I finally got my 6 Barack Obama buttons that I ordered from his website. Just like the patches, I had no idea what I was going to do with all these buttons but I wanted them because they are cool. And just like with the patches, I poured the buttons onto my desk for the meantime.

One night while catching up on some online reading, I looked at my desk, then decided to pull out my camera & took the photo below (titled “Negroes for Obama”).

I really liked how the photo came out & tossed it up on Flickr & that was that.

Well, 2 weeks ago, Malcolm Quartey aka “Kwadwo Kwarte” one of my Flickr friends (from our brief photo commenting, I get the sense that this young brother is really cool & he has quite an interesting life and background), from Belgium responded to the image and we had the following dialogue:

Kwadwo “Hahaha, "Negroes for Obama", funny. I really love those colors, the alternative rasta/black pride-colors... I can't get these here in Belgium, but I wish I could...”

Bygbaby “Are they off limits or just not available?"

Kwadwo “Not available. I would not even know where to start searching for them. People here have no clue to black history. I mean, I don't even think they realise black people in America are decendants from slaves. The black people here in Blegium are all African immigrants, or their children (like me). Some of them/us really know our history, and black history in general, such as that of the Afro-Americans, but that's a minority. Now that I think about it, the only people I've ever seen wearing these colors were other Rastas, but real Rastas are also extremely rare here. I've only seen other genuine Rastas on sporadic occasions... Sad, isn't it?”

Bygbaby “Well my friend, I have three patches & can gift you one with no problem. Send me a message with your address & I will post it.”

Kwadwo “Wow, thanks! I'd say "no thanks", out of politeness, but I just can't refuse this ; )) I'l send you a message right now.

Blessed Love and Peace my brother!”

After a few more exchanges, the patch was making its way across the pond & I actually was really excited to send it. The excitement came from reaching out to another brother in the Diaspora half a world away, and it was cool to see someone as excited about the meaningful & colorful threads as I was. How could I not act !?!

Well Kwadwo got the patch last week he sent me this photos with him wearing it.

Although this cultural exchange was quite small in scale, it was big in heart I think for the both of us & I will never forget it.

Oh by the way, I stopped back into Specatcles yesterday & got another patch just in case.

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Sometimes being fabulous is just not enough & when that is the case, feathers always help. Don't ask how I know.  I'm just saying...

Complex[ion] Issues

I posted this image on Flickr about a week ago & really did not expect much feedback because I thought it was blah but you never know how others will interpret the vision.

Some of the comments asked if I was giving viewers the hand or was I shying from the camera all in a playful context.

One comment from a Flickr Friends made me think though:

“man, i love our creator!! 



those of us with brown skin have those wonderfully color-coordinated lines in our hands. is so becoming. 



as a kid growing up in nebraska, i was ashamed of my color line. it reminded me that i was not a white kid. most of my classmates were white, i was usually the only brown face in the room. it took many, many years for me to accept my color and to be proud of how the creator made me. seeing your hand photo makes me feel warm, welcome, and reminds me of how wonderful it is to have brown skin.”

Stephanie aKa Nandeni 2008

Negroes come in many shades, eye color, hair texture etc making us pretty diverse within our own but I know some of us have problems with our given features, some even ashamed of what makes them them.

As a kid, I used to feel ashamed to be so yellow (I have gotten darker as I got older). I felt that way because my baby brother used to tell me that I was white, & that I smelled like throw up like them white people. My little sister would often join in on his taunting but then she had her own issues being the darkest in the house & often thought that she was not pretty. My brother has a caramel complexion so I guess he thought he was perfect???

Years ago when my little sister Sade came to live with us, I know that she had some culture shock being in a house filled with light skinned[ed] Negroes & questions if we were white & why she was different, why was her hair different from Olivia’s & why did we smell like marsh mellows (I made that one up playing on stereotypes). We dealt & with her Black girl issues & let her know that she is beautiful with what she has & in life differences occur (I hope we are doing a good job navigating these issues in my house).

With all this said, have you had to or are you currently dealing with your own Black boy/girl blues? Were you not good enough for whatever rewson because of self-doubt or because of what others said.  Feel free to throw out any cultural/cross cultural experiences within the Diaspora.

Music From the Diaspora: Estelle's "Shine" Preview

Friday night, I was lucky enough to cop a ticket to see UK singer Estelle in Detroit. Her two current singles, “Wait a Minute” & “American Boy” get me dancing big time so I was hoping for a lot of fun & boy did I get it (but first I had to plot to get my camera up in that bitch).

So after happy hour at the Centaur with Cousin Dee, we headed for dinner @ Union Street where the food is awesome but the service is horrible.

After a delicious meal, we headed back downtown hoping to miss Estelle's opening act & luckily we did! I will not name any names but her MC/opening act sucks & he happens to be a social acquaintance. He always asks me how I like his work, I'm always like, man it's great. I really wanna tell him to get a full time job & give it up but who am I???

It's now 1030 & Estelle is actually going on & what a relief that was because some of the smaller concerts in Detroit, start late as hell, which is very aggravating. I mean, you say the show starts @ 9 but the main act does not hit the stage until 11 or midnight; WTF!!!

Anyway, Estelle hits the stage & turns it out from start to finish! Her energy level was so hype, that I know I missed some good shots because I was busy shaking my ass. Her band & background singers were icing on the cake. The crowd mos def helped to liven the atmosphere because the house was feeling her & letting her know.

After the set I got to chill with Estelle & crew, which was very nice. She is a grounded, approachable & genuine person. It's so fun talking shit with with people whose art you admire & I talked a lot of shit.

If you have been following her recently, you know her album "Shine" does not drop in 4/29/08 &I will be picking it up vs. iTuning it.

A Little About Estelle:

She may be a born-and-raised West London girl, but we’d venture that 28-year-old Estelle Swaray is right at home in the energy of New York, her newly adopted city. She’s got the self-determination with a bit of swagger. The get-up-and-go hustle. And this is one singer/songwriter/producer/rapper who is not afraid to take risks.

The brief period since moving to NYC from London in May 2007 has been an absolute whirlwind, as Estelle gears up for her re-entry into the musical landscape with Shine, her second album. She’s the first artist to release under John Legend’s new Homeschool label, in partnership with Atlantic Records. It’s her debut on a major label, and an American one at that, but with Homeschool’s philosophy of artist control and good soul music, her affiliation with the label is at the essence of what she’s all about.

Whereas her 2004 debut album, The 18th Day from V2 Records, was totally self-created, Shine marks the first time Estelle has brought other producers and artists into the creative process with her, and she’s excited by the scope of the music that has come out of these collaborations. Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, Will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Cee-lo & Jack Splash all lend talents to the album, executive produced by John Legend.

"Her sound is a unique blend of hip hop, pop, reggae and soul,” explains Legend. “She has a special voice, unlike any other voice out there in mainstream music, and she can really write. She writes hip lyrics with unforgettable melodies. I recognized that in her when I first worked with her in 2004." He continues, "I'm excited and honored to have Estelle as the first artist on my label, Homeschool Records. I believe the world is going to fall in love with her album, as I already have. Estelle is an amazing talent, and she's going to do big things." (Read More Here)

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Back to Me:

Cousin Dee & I had a great time on our 1st official "cousin date" this year. We joked & wondered how long it would be before we could top the fun we had.

Hottentot Venus

Rarely do I totally bite a post from other blogs but after I seen't this video over on Concrete Loop & just had to bite. Yes, I do read Concrete Loop! Most often I read shaking my head in disgust sighing oh hell no; what is wrong with some of these damn Negro celebs, who the hell are these "new" singers/actors, & am I the only person in the world sick of hearing about B-yon-say, that Um-ba-rell-a girl & other no count talents??? Occasionally the Concrete Loop put me up on something that I am talkin' bout, which I guess gives it some balance after all they are one of the most popular Black blogs ever.

So I officially got me some black history this week.

Thx Concrete Loop!
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Hottentot Venus: The Story

“Je est an autre” – I is another – A. Rimbaud

Saartjie Baartman was a Quena (or Hottentot) woman who was brought to Europe in 1810, to be exhibited for public inspection as an example of her tribe. Like many African tribes, the Hottentots were a significant part of ethnographic study during the 19th century. Indigenous tribes around the world provided cultural and intellectual challenges to European notions of civilisation, spiritual belief, and human body ideals – beauty and health.

The Hottentots were particularly interesting to Europeans not only because of the unpronounceable click in their language but also the physical characteristics of their women. The most significant of these were their external hanging genitalia and their large, pronounced bottoms – both of which posed a significant contrast to the bodies of women in Europe.

When she arrived in Britain and later France, Saartjie was confronted with the astonishment, curiousity and cruel heckling of a public that had limited contact with native Africans, but already had preconceived notions about them. In London Saartjie was displayed as a freak show display piece amidst the hairy women, vitiligo sufferers and obese people of the time. Since the freak shows were established on the premise of exhibiting difference, Saartjie was a marketable attraction.

Georges Cuvier, an anatomist who was familiar with the Hottentot natives, noted his astonishment about Saartjie in particular:

“What is striking about her shape is the enormous size of her hips, wider than 18 inches, and the protuberance of her buttocks, which was more than half a foot” – Georges Cuvier, 1817 Extraits dobservations

African women in particular were viewed as exotic and represented a ‘native’ eroticism, relative to ‘forbidden’ sexual life. In France, black women were used to promote brothels and their visual presence amidst white prostitutes on postcards and later in photographs, usually ensured successful patronage. Saartjie’s extreme physical difference to the established black prostitutes in Paris made her an instant target for lurid sexual advances.

Saartjie died of an infection in 1816 after prostitution and excessive alcohol abuse had consumed her body. Following her death, Cuvier made a cast of her body and dissected her brain and genitalia to be pickled in jars for ethnographic display at the Musee de l’homme in Paris. The jars remained on public display there until 1985, when they were finally put into storage.

The subject of Saartjie’s remains highlights the problematic history of acquisition and display in museums. Since Europe had a complex power relationship with Africa, it stands to reason that the development of ethnographic collections was driven by beliefs about Africans as savage peoples from a dark and uncivilised continent – notions which colonialism help to quantify.

‘Rare things or beautiful things here learnedly assembled to educate the eye of the beholder like never before seen all things there are in the world’ – Inscription Musee de L’Homme, Paris

Worldwide collections continue to grapple with the legacy of this history, and the foundations of the Musee de L’Homme were shaken when the Khoisan people (descendants of the Hottentots and Bushmen) officially asked for Saartjie’s remains to be taken back home. Since 1994, the museum has battled with the politics of her display and continued to stake their claim to her remains.

In a significant and historic feat, human rights activists, the South African government and the Khoisan people ensured that in 2002 her remains were taken back to South Africa where she was given a traditional burial. (Source: The Image of Black)
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Google for more info
If you are interested in large African clits click here

What Does it Really Mean

So on my last post, I mentioned that Suite Suzy & I discussed what is meant by the term “Black Experience”.

Basically, my position was I do not know what it means & no sure if I grew up in the “Black Experience”. Suite Suzy who essentially grew up in a white household thinks the “Black Experience” can be broken down into different socioeconomic classes of Black folk & that the term can apply across the board. Suite Suzy also says that there really is no “Black Experience” & thinks the construct is stupid.

For the hell of it, I asked if we are living the Black Experience now & she says no. What makes us different than the Australians next door other than skin complexion & sex appeal? I tend to agree with my boo (rare) on this one, but want to hear from you out there.

My experience:
I grew up in a household 1 of 3 children (different dads), single mother (most times), on welfare until I was around 10, in a relatively poor neighborhood(s) in Birmingham & Detroit. So my question is, did I live the “Black Experience” & is my experience so different than other races or others within my race.

Now, I live in middle class environment, have a stable family & job, love fried perch sandwiches with hot sauce, shop at Whole Foods & on the winning side of the digital divide. Does this mean that my kids are missing the Black Experience???

• Is there such a thing as a “Black Experience”?
  
• Is this a self-imposed or white term (like African American (you already know how I feel about that))?
  
• Have you or have you live[d] the “Black Experience”?
  
• Does the common thread of racial identity make us one?
  
• Is there a socioeconomic division that separates some Blacks from the rest?
• Did Obama not really live the "Black Experience"??? (bonus questions...)

Since it is Black History month, I expect some damn answers from yo' ass, so talk to me!

And since we are on the subject, but not really, here is a shot of me living the "Black Experience" with my iPhone & Mudcloth printed scarf by Aziz.

The Cost of Lunch

Last night, I packed myself a lunch of leftovers to bring to work today like normal. This morning the girls prepared my lunch bag for me which typically has my morning snack (Special K bar, banana, & cherry pomegranate juice), leftovers & my afternoon snack (apple & or grapes). Well rushing out the door, I saw the bag & picked it up (or so I thought) then hit the door to drop Olivia off @ school.

When I finally arrived at work around 9ish, I realized that I did not really pick up my lunch bag & shouted SHIT!!! (inside my head).

So I darted to Mickey D’s for a large OJ & fuck, I gave in to a sausage egg & cheese biscuit (I did not eat the top half biscuit in an attempt to lessen the caloric & fat intake).

With breakfast out of the way, all I had to do was get lunch; I set in my mind to go to Macy’s Marketplace to pick up a little something.

So now it's 1pm, I’m up in the Marketplace & grab a chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat, a country fresh salad, bottle of water & damn, I gave in to the food urges & got an oatmeal raisin cookie. $9.79 later, I was making my way back through Macy’s but to get out, I had to go through the mens dept.

My eyes kept on focusing on sale signs, new spring wear etc, but I kept strong & kept moving. Well at least until I got to the shoe dept. where I spotted a pair of brown Clark casuals. Next thing you know, I asked for a size 12, moments later I was signing a credit slip & the shoes were in my possession.

As you can see, today, I totally fucked up everything that I said I was not going to do far as food & money. I will redeem myself tonight @ the gym and ask the elliptical machine for forgiveness.

OK, so now I am back at the office eating my lunch, (whole sandwich, half of the salad & half of the cookie) while reading a few blogs. My last blog stop was the “Concrete Loop”, where I read a story about Haitians eating “mud cookies” to survive.

Initially, I thought that this was a spoof but soon realized this was some real shit & did some Googling to find more news about it. Suddenly, I felt socially bad about my lunch time escapade @ Macy’s & wished I had taken Suite Suzy up on her offer to bring my lunch bag to me (She is home sick but functional & also taking care of Sade who barfed a few times this am).

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Poor Haitians Resort to Eating Dirt
By: Jonathan M. Katz (AP)

It was lunchtime in one of Haiti's worst slums, and Charlene Dumas was eating mud. With food prices rising, Haiti's poorest can't afford even a daily plate of rice, and some take desperate measures to fill their bellies. Charlene, 16 with a 1-month-old son, has come to rely on a traditional Haitian remedy for hunger pangs: cookies made of dried yellow dirt from the country's central plateau.

The mud has long been prized by pregnant women and children here as an antacid and source of calcium. But in places like Cite Soleil, the oceanside slum where Charlene shares a two-room house with her baby, five siblings and two unemployed parents, cookies made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening have become a regular meal. (Read More Here)

Also check out this photo slideshow; pretty powerful!

Giving Consciously

Gift buying for Suite Suzy is getting difficult because she has everything & I never know what to get that will be put to use. A few weeks ago when I started thinking about what to get her but never came up with anything decent. Gift certificates are so impersonal, she has a ton of perfume, she’s lost like 25 pounds in the last 2 months & I have no idea what her bra size is anymore & our sex toy drawer is full. I was just at a loss.

So on a trip to the mall to get my laptop repaired, I walked past a jewelry store & just happened to look in as just as I was about to turn my head, I saw this bright green bracelet that called my name. I was like, hmmmm, here is her gift. I got the attention of a salesperson to ask about this green bracelet. Excitedly, she explained that is made of Malachite & the little stone in the gold cage was a rough conflict-free diamond.

Then she told me that it was this was a benefit bracelet designed by Russell & Kimora Simmons with 50% proceeds going to the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), an international, non-profit that raises money to educate and uplift the people and communities of Africa. With all that said, there was nothing to think about & it was mine without a doubt.

How perfect, a totally conscious gift; Negro budget friendly, it’s beautiful, designed by a Black company and benefiting those on the continent.

So tonight at dinner, I presented the bracelet to her & she was so super excited.

I guess was a good thing that my laptop died on me, which forced me to go to the mall. Otherwise she would have winded up with a book of movie tickets.

On a selfish note, after visiting the Simmons green website, I found a necklace that I liked, which will be seen around my neck soon!
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In related news:

Simmons Launches Green Jewelry Collection
Ice Accessories Joins Simmons Jewelry...
Diamond Empowerment Fund to Hold 10-day Auction on eBay Giving Works

Music from the Diaspora: Red Earth: A Malian Journey

Earlier this month while on a road trip to Detroit to shoot an event, I heard a very fascinating interview with NPR’s Melissa Block & jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater on All Things Considered. They were discussing Dee Dee’s latest CD Red Earth: A Malian Journey which is a tribute to her African Roots.

Before the interview even began, I was hooked when I heard a clip of one of her new cuts “Afro Blue” & then I became totally engrossed with every word that Dee Dee spoke as she described her process for developing this new master piece.

One thing from the interview really resonated with me was when Melissa asked Dee Dee if she knew anything about her African heritage before the beginning of her Red Earth project & Dee Dee said “I didn’t know anything. And as a matter of fact, to be perfectly honest, I had grown up with very, very negative impressions of Africa. In, you know, schoolbooks where they would talk about Africa, it was always like the Africans were savages. I had no idea that there were African kingdoms, that there were, you know, these deep, cultural roots, you know, the whole, griot oral historians. You know, I didn’t know this stuff because we weren’t taught that in school.” To that statement, I was like hello!!! I also felt proud because I am teaching my children about the beauty of Africa as I learn myself (it's really up to Black parents to learn & teach our children as much as possible about our own heritage because these white school systems are not down for the cause).

During the interview Dee Dee also talked about how Mali had this draw to her, some type unfamiliar familiarity but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it until she visited Bamako. To hear her describe the experience made me want to touch down on the motherland even more. On her website she says “The calling was so strong, so forceful, that I had to heed its inaudible cry. I took wing, and was guided to the land of my forefathers. The RED EARTH has always spoken to me, from the time of my birth in Memphis, Tennessee.

When I touched the red earth of Bamako, when I inhaled the Malian air, when I heard the tambours, and listened to the griots, I felt my spirit begin to dance.

I saw myself in the people; I saw that our customs were the same. I found the answers to long-standing questions about the ‘how’, the ‘where’, and the ‘why’. I was invigorated and inspired; my soul was filled with an inexplicable peace.”

I could go on & on about how awesome the interview was but I’m not, I beg you to listen to it yourself (here).

One thing that I would have asked Dee Dee would have been if she got a DNA test to confirm her link to Mali. Actually I guess it really does not matter because ignorance is sometimes bliss & adoptive homes are just as welcoming.

Lastly while I am on Dee Dee's jock, I stumbled across an interview that she gave Baltimore Sun reporter Rashod D. Ollison where she said "...With this album, my concern was that my people, our people, would hear it and maybe it would inspire other brothers and sisters to make that connection with Africa. With this record, I've come full circle." To that I say, you have me all in but then again, you are preaching to the choir.
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Back to the music.
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Since I got the CD, it has been in heavy rotation especially the song “Red Earth (Massane Cisse)”. It has this strong Blues jump off blended with heavy Afro poly-rhythms that just gets my head boppin’. She really has the Griot song style down pat & it shows in this cut I think also hearing her talk about red earth reminds me of playing in the dirt as a child in Alabama & then getting in trouble when I got home because I ruined another Salvation Army outfit.

“The Griots (Sakhodougou)” also has me addicted its words and sound. This cut also drives my imagination wild when I close me eyes & imagine people dancing on the continent when the song hits the orgasmic crescendo. Most of the song is in either the Songhai or Babara language & I have no idea what they are saying but of course I sing along. Good thing music is a universal language!

My last highlighted favorite is “Afro Blue”, where her Griot skills are showcased yet again wonderfully. “Afro Blue” is an up-tempo jazzy cut infused with African percussions that really make this song go over the top. I have also determined that this is a good song to listen to a few times while cleaning the kitchen after dinner.

Other favorites include:

• Bad Spirits (Bani)
• Long Time Ago
• Children Go 'Round
• Four Woman

I’ve always considered Dee Dee to be a very diverse artist but she mos def stepped her game up with something to offer the jazz, blues and Neo Afro rhythms fans on “Red Earth: A Malian Journey.”

If you have this album, I would love to know your thoughts…….. So talk to me…………

About Last Night XI: Les Nubians

Last night Suite Suzy & I had another hot childless date & boy was it a great outing. It was great because we had tickets to see one of the best Afro-French duos ever; Les Nubians.

Last month when it was announced that Les Nubians were coming to town, I dropped everything to get to the Music Hall’s box office to get us tickets. I mean everything! I have been a fan ever since “Princesses Nubiennes” dropped in 1998. I have all 3 of their albums & listen to them all the time. The funny thing is that I speak no French but sing every word.

So last night, I cut class early turning in my English paper to pick up Suite Suzy so we could hit Twingo’s for dinner before the show.

Dinner was great & we had a wonderful conversation about the separation of Black socioeconomic. We also discussed our childhoods compared to our kids & I think we both learned something new about each other. So after we dined (I had the pork tenderloin topped with cherry cola BBQ sauce, chorizo polenta & maytag blue cheese coleslaw) we hit the road headed for the Detroit Music Hall.

Twenty minutes later, we were in our seats & 10 minutes after that, my girls Helene & Celia hit the stage looking Afro-Sharp!

The set lasted a good 1½ hours & they performed all of my favorite songs (listed in order):

Saravah

J'Veux D'La Musique

Sourire

Embrasse-Moi

Desolee

Insomnie

Tabou

Demain

Makeda

Temperature Rising

Upside Down (cover of Fela Kuti’s hit)

No Regret (unreleased)

After the set was over, I asked their road manager Angela if I could take a picture of them & get an autograph (yes I’m a groupie). She told me to hang around & she would get me hooked up.

Well we hung around & she more that hooked me up, she gave me a very special gift. I was able to go backstage & chill with them. We sat around talking about the state of Black Music with an emphasis on Hip-Hop. The entire conversation was being recorded by a film crew doing a documentary on Hip-Hop & it was tight!

We hung out for about 2 hours & I just felt like I was in heaven. After everything was said & done, I got some awesome photos of the ladies, got my “One Step Forward” album cover autographed & basked in the glow of spending the evening with people who made/makes impact my life artistically.

All the way home, Suite Suzy & I were just in shock of the experience. I mean, I was so geeked, I could hardly sleep & currently running on fumes at work while I pull this post together.

I tell you, when you have a camera & not afraid of asking for what you want, all kinds of doors open. Point in case, I also met the chairman of the board of directors of the Detroit Music Hall & told him I wanted to see the National Ballet of China. He was cool as hell & hooked me up with a theater manager who is getting me tickets to Saturday’s performance.

I was also able to talk to one of the Hip-Hop documentary interviewers & copped 2 tickets to see John Singleton next month, who will be discussing media portrayals of Black life.

I’m so happy that I am not afraid to be tacky & tenacious because it paid off like a mutha fucka last night!!!

Pieces from the African World

If you missed my ass, well I’m back for a hot minute. Over the past few days, I have been doing a couple of assignments for the Detroit Fashion Pages & lurking on my favorite blogs (are you on my list?). I was kinda too tired to jot any thoughts down.

I’m doing this quick post because I am on my way downtown Detroit to do some photography at the 25th African World Festival. Last night I went to get a sneak peek at the vendors whom some happen to be my friends from the circuit (because of Quench Essentials).

While down there last night, I only intended to get 2 outfits & maybe a Dashiki but things took a turn for the worst financially. I winded up getting 3 outfits, 2 dashikis, 3 lock ties (from Bamboozled out of New Orleans), a sea glass bead necklace & an antique/vintage Agbada. All this for a grand total.... I am too embarrassed to admit the dollar figure. Put it this way, I will need to do 6-8 photo assignments to pay it all off.

The highlight of all of my shopping was getting my wonderful Agbada, which I winded up wearing out. Once I put it on & stepped in front of the mirror, I just could not take it off. First of all, people were stopping by & telling me how good it looked on me & second is because it matched my red, yellow & green Puma’s. So I guess it was meant to be.

I tried to haggle with the Nigerian sister who was here from VA but her & her husband where not having it but gave me a break on the tax so I guess I did OK.

As I made my way from the festival, I could hear people saying look at him, boy that’s sharp etc, which only added fuel to the fire to my over inflated ego. So after the festival I headed to Spectacles to chill with my girl Zana & to listen to her house DJ. This week she was featuring BlackMan who is a true master!

As soon as I walked into the shop with my Agbada on, BlackMan yelled out, Jesus is in the House! Then he was like, what’s up Jesus to me. Everybody including myself was cracking the fuck up at that. So for the following hour or so that I was there, I was Tafari aKa the Black Jesus.

The night ended on a good note with me safely at home giving a West African Fashion show to Suite Suzy & the girls. They only like a couple of the things I purchased but I expected that & I am still going to wear the hell out of it all!

I will be posting a funeral update tomorrow & guess what it was all good & an awesome experience. What to you hear the surprising results. Wait that sounded a little too much like the Maury show.

So before I hit the door running back downtown, here is a snapshot of my Agbada, which is from the city of Dandogo & made by the Yoruba people. The beads are sea glass beads from Nigeria as well. This little purchase set me back a little, so this means my new lens is on hold for a bit.

About the Agbada: Agbada is the Yoruba name for a type of flowing wide sleeved robe, usually decorated with embroidery, which is worn throughout much of Nigeria by important men, such as kings and chiefs, and on ceremonial occasions like weddings and funerals. The Hausa name for the robes is riga.

Although today they are often still made from hand-woven cloth, the painstaking and beautiful hand embroidery that was used in the past is very rarely seen. Fine old robes have become family heirlooms passed on from father to son and worn with pride at major celebrations.

In the past prestige robes were traded over vast distances and similar or related garments are found throughout much of West Africa. (Source | Adire African Textiles)

Why You Wanna Make Me Go There IV

It’s hot as mutha fuckin' hell this week in MI so to beat the heat so far, I have been sitting on my ass in the living room under a air vent to keep cool. While my body is cool, my lap is burning up because my laptop is acting like it is on fire.

Well I guess if I gave a break from surfing the net, it would have time to cool. So I guess now would be a god time to cut this bitch off for a much needed rest period but before I do here are some links that got my precious laptop burning up.

You do not have to be a gardener to sow seeds. Click here to find out how a few little boys saved many is some of the worst conditions ever.

If you like to enjoy hot tubbing with friends, this video may change you mind & you may never trust those bubbles again. Click here to get the skinny.

If you are a Negro in the UK (or elsewhere in the Diaspora) who loves African beauty & great web design, click here.

If you ever considered becoming a bus driven Kenya, the recent gang violence there may forever change your mind on this career option. Click here to find out what’s with Kenya’s most infamous gang; the Mungiki or here to get NPR’s perspective.

I’m actually happy that summer is drawing to a close because it means that I should be seeing fewer flip-flops (I HATE THEM) & fewer Crocs (I HATE THEM JUST AS MUCH). No matter how these styles of shoe is dressed up or down, I still hate them & think they should be banned from public spaces. If you are with me, then click here to see a site dedicated to this cause. (Thanks Trish (Incoherent~ish) for hipping me to this)

Music From The Diaspora: Red Soil in my Eyes

Back in the day Suite Suzy and I would steal moments alone in the evening to listen to music, slow dance and wind down.

Last night we counted back and realized that we had not done this since Boo Boo was born, which has been a little over 2 years. The lapse of time was discovered after I asked her to dance with me last night to one of my new favorite songs.

After she accepted my offer, I dimmed the lights, killed the TV and opened up iTunes and hit the play button.

The song we danced to was “Losing You” by Somi. The song has nothing to do with the current state of affairs so don’t get that twisted but I chose it because I find it incredibly sexy and intimate.

During our 5 minute dance, we laughed and hugged like old times; it was so much fun and ghetto romantic. After the dance I wanted another but my ankle started acting up so we retired for the night.

OK, let me get back on track with the point here.

I discovered Somi back in June (07) while listening to News and Notes (my favorite NPR program) and hearing the few clips they played, I determined that this cd was one to have. And soon as the NPR interview was over, I was off to iTunes to drop 9.99 for her “Red Soil In My Eyes” album.

Ever since I copped this, it has been in heavy rotation and I sometimes play the album multiple times. I sometimes become entranced by Somi’s heavy melodic voice, which I find easy to do. I also get caught up into her unique and refreshing Neo Afro Jazz style. I find most of the songs to be complicated and require the undivided attention of a careful listener and real music lover.

My favorite cuts from this production are (click links to listen with Real Player):

• Losing You
• Red Soil In My Eyes
• My Mother's Daughter
• Quietly
• Ingele

Click here to hear other cuts from the album.
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A Little About Somi:
She is a daughter of the New African world. Born in Illinois to East African parents, Somi and her six siblings began to shuffle through the life of a diplomat scientist-come-university professor’s family. Thus exposing Somi to stories and music from all over the world. Her lyrically and musically magnificent new album Red Soil In My Eyes is a soulful celebration of her Rwandese and Ugandan heritage that fantastically speaks of returning Home. “But where is home?” one might ask Somi, a young citizen of the world. Well, she has found Home… in her music. “Singing has been a journey of healing,” says the young singer/songwriter, and that is the reason she refers to it as Holistic New African Soul-Jazz. “I want my music to put people in a place of introspective bliss and inspiration. The same place I am when I write. I want people to be touched by music and never be afraid to fully embrace who they are.”

Thus, Somi’s music relentlessly evokes all that is pure, honest, and true. Listening to her exhale a belly full of stories on life, love, and liberation, one is involuntarily reminded of their own private moments of passion. Throughout Somi’s songwriting, her voice soars over, through, and in between nuances of an incomparable musicianship that organically fuses jazz, classic soul, African folk, and rare urban grooves.

Having lived in Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania, Somi was the featured vocalist in the African Globe Theater production of Drums Under the African Sky upon moving to New York City. The early spot led to collaborations with Amel Larrieux, Tsidii Le Loka, Roy Hargrove, Lionel Loueke and Lonnie Plaxico. She gained more attention after being featured in Read More Here.
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Back to Me:
If you are a jazz fan and enjoy African rhythms or if you are ready to branch out into something new, I recommend this diverse album without reservation! It was mos def worth my little money and iPod space.

To read more about Somi visit her site: www.somimusic.com
To hear the News and Notes interview with Somi click here.

Bygbaby Loves Kids: Honest Eyes

I took these pictures recently with my new macro lens just for fun & they came out better much than I expected. After I pulled them together in this montage, I saw something great. I saw the future filled with promise for my people through the eyes of these brilliant young ones.

New York City: I Don't Know Why I Love You

My post title is inspired by Gil Scott-Heron's "New York City" cut from his "It's Your World" album 1976.

“New York City, I don’t know why I love you
Maybe it’s because you're mine

Like so many others, I found it all to easy to stand off at a distance & criticize

But there ain’t nothing wrong with the city
Just some people been wrong there like every where else

New York City, I don’t know why I love you
Could be that you remind me of myself”

So I have been away for a few days on but now I am back up in this bitch with a vengeance & fully energized.

While I was out, I was in NYC on a lover’s getaway with my boo & now wife of 8 damn years. My 8th anniversary was last Thursday (07/12) & it was the best ever!

Suite Suzy & I always vacation for our anniversary & for the last 5 years we have been doing it in NYC. Yes I know, I know every year the same ole thing, right? Wrong! Each trip that we have had to NYC has been different from the others as we always discover new places, try different hotels, restaurants & neighborhoods, so it’s like we go on a different adventure in NYC every year.

This year we decided to go at a very slow & relaxed pace just kinda doing whatever happened & that is exactly what we did & it was fun being there without any concrete plans. Actually we had one plan that was confirmed & that was to hang out with Cluizel but everything else was up for grabs.

To spare you from all of the boring details, I’m just going to touch on trip highlights which made this trip one to remember.

Before I get into any of this I want to note that this year’s anniversary trip theme song was “Funkanova” (click to listen) by Wood, Brass & Steel. Every trip has to have a theme song!

The Highlights:

Meeting Friends:

• Daniel Marie – On our 1st night in the city we decided to go out for a few mojitos before dinner at the Bar in Victor’s Cuban Café (If you love mojitos, you have not had one until you had one @ Victor’s). So we perch at the bar near this seemingly quiet guy but soon as we placed out order, we found out that his ass was not quiet at all. The local bar fly introduced himself as Daniel Marie, who had a heavy European accent. He later revealed that he was from Geneva, CH & explained his fondness of yodeling.
  
  We actually sat and talked with Daniel Marie for over an hour & had some fun discussions on politics, the world cup (which I knew nothing about) & men pissing on toilet seats. We usually do not meet to many New Yorkers who engage in conversations especially in Manhattan so kicking it with Daniel Marie was really cool.
  
  
• Michelle aKa Cluizel – A little over a month ago we agreed to meet on my trip & I am so happy that we did! Cluizel is just as much fun in person as she is online. At first I was nervous cuz I never meet any online friends so to help present a clean image of myself, I decided not to be as ghetto as I am online, but that all went down the tubes after my 1st drink at the Negril Village, which is where we met for dinner. Cluizel, Suite Suzy & I turned that bitch out, laughing & talking more shit than a little bit.
  
  After dinner we hit the Village where the outing took a somewhat strange twist just before 9pm. We went to the village because the day before I purchased a new bead for my nipple ring & was having a hard time getting the new one in so I needed to go back the piercing parlor to have it put in. We get to the parlor, explain my dilemma & the weird sista working there hooked me up & minutes later my red new nipple bead was in place & I was happy. Once it was in Suite Suzy put me on the spot & requested that I show everyone my large nipple & nipple ring to which I was like no, because I was not sure if NYC was ready to see my nipple but the next thing I know, my shit was up & the nipple was out! The only thing running through my mind as my nipple was on display was OMG, Cluizel must think I am really out of my mind.
  
  Once all of the nipple drama was over, we all decided to get a genital piercing because they had a special & Cluizel demanded to go first, we were like ok! Just kidding, what of kind of people do you think we are??? After all of the nipple-based fun we decided to head to Times Square for some desert at Cold Stone Creamery one of my favorite places to be gluttonous. Shortly afterward we parted ways until the next time. Cluizel thanks for being you!!!
  
  Cluizel if you are reading, click here: mmmmmmmmm

Hotel, Leisure & Relaxation:

• Dream - Somehow I found out about this hotel and after I saw the website, I knew this would be the hotel to help make this trip over the top. Suite Suzy read a few reviews and they were not that great and I almost changed my mind but I said fuck it, let’s just do it.
  
  The Dream hotel had me hooked as soon as I hit the lobby and saw this huge saltwater fish tank, floor to ceiling & larger than life bronze statue of an Asian warrior with 2 bitches attached to him, one on either side. Unfortunately out room was not read yet so we had to kill like 4 hours so we had a little breakfast & ran a few errands to pass the time.
  
  It’s now about 130pm & we are walking into our room & it looked just like it did online. The bed was like floating on this blue light, there was a massive flat panel TV on the wall & bottom line is I was just like yes! This is what I am talking about! Because we had to get up at the ass crack of dawn to get our flight we were pretty tired especially when you factor in we got very little sleep the night before, so we decided to take a nap. Next thing you know, it was almost 4 hours later, then about 2 hours after that we get a ring at the door. I look out the peep hole & see a cleaning lady so I opened the door. She explained that she was there for turn down service & asked if we needed anything so we got a few extra towels & before she left, she gave us 2 big apples & wished us a good night.
  
  I had never been to a hotel that did turn down service before so it was a real treat especially on days we stayed gone for pretty much the entire day. The staff were all extra courteous & professional, with all this said, we will mos def stay at the Dream again!!!
  
  
• Washington Square Park - This is our park & a must do each time we go. WSP is always jumping with activity and I must say that the people watching some of the best if you are into people watching. It was just nice to be there sipping on a cold bottle of water, sitting under that shade having fun telling stories with my boo as life was happening around us.
  
  
• Chelsea Market - We found out about this place watching the Food Network & come to find out, this is where the Food Network is located. The Chelsea Market was busier that a beehive & filled with wonderful sights & smells. If you like baked goods, you would think that you died and went to heaven & if you are a diabetic, I caution you!
  
  This place almost has everything from a few grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries & little exotic boutiques to name a few. The Chelsea Market is the type of place that makes you want to live in NYC so you can go there everyday to get fresh foods.
  


• NYC Botanical Garden - OMG, you know I love flowers & all things botanical so this was a must do. Suite Suzy & I decided to visit Saturday morning & spend the afternoon there. This outing was soooooo beautiful not only because the flowers were breathtaking but also because Suite Suzy & I were slowly strolling through gardens spending some real time, which is hard to do any other day in our normal lives. Visiting NYC’s botanical garden seems like it is a real treat no matter what time of year you go because there is so much there.
  
  Shit we were there for about 4 hours and still did not see everything. So guess what, we have to put this on the agenda for a future trip.
  
  
• Central Park – When I walk through Central Park, I can hear Roberta Flack singing "That's The Time" in my head. Just something about that song makes me thing she is talking abot Central PArk in spring. Anyway, we took a little stroll through the park before we left Sunday & it again was beautiful! The only thing I do not like about areas of the park is the horses. I mean they are funky as hell almost so bad that if a gust of winds starts up, you can taste the smell.

Arts & Entertainment:

• Guggenheim - Our visit to the Guggenheim means that we have officially visited all of the “major” museums in NYC & I guess we saved the one of the best for last. The Guggenheim is featuring “The Shape of Space” exhibit, which is a pure orgy for the visual sense. The exhibit is very progressive & really seems like something that would be at the Museum of Modern Art, nevertheless it was awesome.
  
  Fortunately for the museum but unfortunately it is under massive exterior repair so we cold not get a good look at the legendary exterior façade designed by celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright
  

• Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix – It’s awesome, nuff said!
  
  
• Platanos & Collard Greens – OK, if you live in NYC r nearby & have not seen this yet, go get some damn tickets now & fuck seeing the Color Purple for now! Platanos & Collard Greens was off the chain it was so refreshing to see something that actually deals with real life scenarios that deals with the relationships of Africans in the Diaspora with a specific focus on Afro-Latinos & Afro-Americans. I will tell you, I am happy that I read the 5 part piece that the Miami Herald did recently on Afro-Latinos because it P&CG dealt with some of the issues presented in the MH.
  
  The one thing that turned me off at this event was some of the crowd. The play started @ 8pm & niggas were still walking in at 830 & someone in my row actually walked in 20 minutes into the 2nd act; OK why did they even bother even coming at all. Why come niggas can’t get no place on time???? Even people in the very 1st row were showing up late as hell. I will not even get into all of these grown assed men wearing hats in-doors!?!?!?!
  

  Hat Etiquette: Indoors, a man should always remove his hat, (particularly in a home, church, courtroom or restaurant) except:
  
  - in some public buildings or public places such as railroad stations or post offices
  - in the main parlor area of a saloon or general store
  - or while seated at the "lunch counter" of a diner or cafe
  - in entrance halls and corridors of office buildings, or hotels
  - in elevators of public or office buildings, unless a woman is present
  - if carrying packages, parcels or bags and both hands are occupied upon entry
  - if the man is an actor or performer and the hat is being worn as a part of a costume or performance

  
  From the website: “Platanos & Collard Greens is the hit romantic comedic play that tells the story of Freeman, an African-American man, and Angelita, a Latino woman, who are both forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices, while defending their bond from family and friends.
  
  Platanos will remind you of your family, your love and your life. Platanos is guaranteed to make you laugh, inspire you, and make you think!
  

Platanos has enchanted audiences of over 40,000 both Off Broadway in New York City and at over 100 colleges and universities in more than 17 states around the country.”

If it was not for Cluiziel, I would have not known about this production, so thanks again. Luckily, we were able to get like the last 2 tickets available for the Saturday night’s performance!

Good Eats:

• Chevy’s - If you like junk food TexMex, this is the spot. We love it & were bummed out when the closed the restaurant near is at home so we make it a point to go here whenever we are in NYC.
  


• Victors Café - This is some real Cuban & has never disappointed. They have the best pork chops on the damn planet! The pork chops are so good, we made 2 visits for dinner during out trip. These pork chops are so good, they will make you wanna bitch slap your great grand mother. Did I mention that they have phenomenal mojotos???
  


• Frank's Butcher Shop & Steakhouse - This was good little find for lunch while visiting the Chelsea. The portions were good & the prices were just right! I got a chicken club & Suite Suzy got a burger. Although the service was not the best, we do have this on our list to a spot to hit in the future.
  


• Negril Village - OMFG!!! This is one of the best restaurants in NYC. Again thanks to Cluizel, this was a great outing because a) the food was damn good b) the drinks were slamming b) the crowd was hip & chilled & c) the company was great.
  
  I ate like way too much but fuck it you only live once. Here is what I ate Codfish Fritters (app), Collard Green Wontons (app), Jerk Chicken (ent) & 3 caipirinhas; this is just my food. The bill was off the hook but so fucking worth it.
  
  This is mos def on the must visit again list!!!
  
  
• Norma’s - If you love breakfast, this is a must do. This shit ain’t cheap so you can’t go up in hear broke, shit French toast is 17 bucks! I feel bad saying that we go here so much on our visits that the staff fucking remembers us, maybe this is because when I go, I always show a little nipple for a discount. (ask to be seating in Kimberly's area, this sista is on top of her game & is always very nice to Suite Suizy & I!)
  

On our 5 day trip it may seem like we did a lot but we really did not do much for us. Anyway, I took many pictures but too tired now to sort through them all so stay tuned for some snapshots.

For our anniversary next year we decided to go somewhere else & right now we are considering Montreal, The Bahamas, LA/San Fran, San Antonio & Miami. We have a few months to make a final decision & I already excited! But we did decide to do NYC for one of our little side trips.

Peace,
Bygbaby

Why You Wanna Make Me Go There II

If you are a love junky or need assured the love does exist then click here. (possible tear jerker)

If you are fascinated with life in the Diaspora & want to know about life & times of Negroes in Latin America click here (a very GOOD read)

If you want more kids to read, then you will be inspired by this production, click here.

If you are too cheap to buy the latest Play Boy magazine to see the pics of Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon aKa Fancy but curious, click here. (although these are sooooo hot on so many levels, I am mad she went out like this)

The first 2 links I stumbled on while sitting on my ass surfing late Saturday night & the 3rd was sent to me via Negro Blogger Cluizel; (THANKS).

2007 Detroit Festival of the Arts: Finding The Little Things

Every year without fail, I attend the Detroit Festival of the Arts with my kids as one of our fun father daughter cultural outings.

Not only do the kids get to have fun playing the children’s village, they get to see some of best artisans from around the country perform and showcase their craft.

As part one of my out and about experience at the Detroit Festival of the arts, I want to touch on one of my favorite artists who has been doing this festival for years; Ruby Ballard Harris.

Over the past 3 years Ruby has had me hooked as a customer big time and it is hard for me to visit her without buying anything. The 1st year when we meet, she had these sticking necklaces made from iron branded cured sugar cane, African amber and bone. As soon as I touched one, they all were saying buy me, buy me, buy me now. At this moment Ruby introduced herself to me and invited me to try one on. 3 minutes later she was ringing me up and friendship began.

Whenever I wear Ruby’s necklace, people will stop and ask me about it; where did you get that from, what does it symbolize and can I buy it from you. I never get tired of these questions because I feel proud to wear something that's not blinging, African inspired and made by someone I know.

This necklace symbolizes to me the African Diaspora, meaning:

• Bone - The strength of my ancestors
  
• Sugar Cane - What the salves in the Caribbean & Brazil slaved and died over
  
• Amber - The richness of the all Africans in & outside of the continent

One of Ruby’s major talents is Fiber art and let me tell you, she makes some of the baddest African inspired attire I have ever seen. After some quick Googling, I found out that Ruby is also an instructor of textile design at the Indianapolis Art Center, how cool is that! Her pieces are timeless, skillfully made and something that you cannot find just anywhere, so when you see her, you must buy then!

So this year when I walked up to her exhibit area, we greeted each other like old friends with a big embrace and some family catch up talk & she marveled at how grown my babies are. After we caught up, she called me out because I did not have on her necklace and we both laughed. Ruby then pointed out to me that she made some bracelets over the winter and she had some right for me.

So I start lookin’ and I started likin’ immediately. I picked 2 of what she had out then tried them on and surrendered my charge card. Then I look back over and saw another bracelet that had Tafari all over it. This one was sterling silver, African amber and some semi precious stones and she “made me” try it on. Next thing I know, it was being charged.

I purchased other items from a few of my favorites and left the festival over budget but happy. My new bracelets from Ruby were my favorite find of all and below is a snap shot of the 1st 2 bracelets on top of one of my giant Hosta leaves (I think it makes a striking background if I say so myself). Anyway, the bracelets are made of ceramic, bone, wood and sterling silver. I have had them on since I got them and I’m not sure when I will take them off.

Hopefully you can catch Ruby at a summer art festival near you and if you see her, tell her Bygbaby from Detroit said wazz up!

Term of the Week: Obeah

After a long as weekend of vending Quench Essentials at the Detroit Black Expo I decided to wind down today while seeing a movie.

Of course I went to see “Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End”! I am a big fan of the series so I had big hopes for this heavily anticipated release.

"At Worlds End" was very diverse in that it had Asian, African, & Arab Pirates. I thought this was an good touch; especially the African Pirates because you do not hear much about them although they did exist.

In the first 2 Pirates installments the “Tia Dalma” aKa Calypso (Hyper Sexual Magical Negro (played by Naomie Harris) role was pretty small so up to the end of “Dead Man’s Chest” I questioned her real character value to the story line. Well in “At Worlds End” her significance was made very clear because the movie surrounded her mystery as the Sea Goddess Calypso not to mention that she set off the fierce pirate ship show down.

I will not give any details about the movie because I think this is a must see & if you haven’t seen the 1st 2 movies, check them out this week especially if you need an escape from real world drama like me.

One thing I will say is I am surprised no Black Bloggers are discussing the hypersexual portrayal of “Tia Dalma” who has been all over the white men in the films. Maybe this is a minor issue & I am being sensitive. Not!

Anyway during the course of the movie 1 of the pirates referred to “Tia Dalma” as an “Obeah Woman.” When I heard that reference, it made me think of the Nina Simone song by the same name. Although I sung the song many times, I never stopped to listen to what I was saying so I could not wait to get home to Google Obeah Woman to get the real meaning.

So now it is 10pm & I am Googleing and I find the words to the Nina Simone’s “Obeah Woman” & I trip out because it tied to the movie by way of loose interpretation.

I find it funny how I tie most things that I encounter to a Nina Simone song; I guess that makes me the ultimate fan.

Obeah woman
Yes, I'm the Obeah woman
Do you know what one is?
Ha do you know what an Obeah woman is?
I'm the Obeah woman from beneath the sea
To get to satan you gotta pass through me
'Cause I know the angels name by name
I can eat thunder and drink the rain
Been through enough
Yeah they call me Nita and Pices too
There ain't nothing that I can't do
If I choose to, if you let me

Ha I'm the Obeah woman, above pain
I can eat thunder and drink the rain
I kiss the moon and hug the sun
And call the spirits and make 'em run
You hear me?
You hear me?
'Cause I ain't praying, never was
Just waiting for my time
Waiting for to die
Hackle and patience
Hackle and patience oh yeah

Obeah Woman ~ Nina Simone: It Is Finished 1974

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Back-story of the Obeah

A set or system of secret beliefs in the use of supernatural forces to attain or defend against evil ends. It is African in origin but on its arrival in the Caribbean certain aspects of Christian ceremonials and sacraments were integrated into its activities. It varies greatly in kind, requirements, and practice, ranging from the simple, such as the use of items like oils, herbs, bones, grave-dirt, blessed communion wafers and fresh animal blood to more extreme ingredients. Obeah men or Obeah women are names given to its practitioners. The term Pyai, from the Carib for shaman is also used in Dominica relating to the casting of spells. Origins for the word Obeah come from the Twi: o-bayo-fo (witchcraft man). From the Nembe: obi (sickness, disease), and Igbo: obi (a mind or will to do something) and the Ibibo: abia (practitioner, herbalist).

Obeah is not a religion in the classical sense. That is to say, there are no meeting places such as a Churches, Mosques, Synagogue or any underlying infrastructure replicating such a system. Nor is there any sort of congregation or parishioners, although there are what may be called followers, albeit scattered. (Source)

Obeah, as practiced in Jamaica and the Caribbean, takes the use of and knowledge of ancient occult powers originally handed down over the centuries by word of mouth from the remnants of a once very powerful and celebrated secret religious Order emanating from a remote age that has long since been lost in the mist of time. Over the centuries most of the original tenets became watered down, with the less powerful versions of Obeah incorporating various modifications of occult spellcraft as once practiced mostly by tribal people who spoke Ashanti from West Africa. However, the most secretive, powerful and dreaded purveyors of present day Obeah comes undiluted from the old Order. Practitioners of same will sometimes use the less volatile aspects of their brethren, but usually operate well beyond the confines of any traditional witchcraft, sorcery, shamanism, voodoo (voudon), or tribal magic.

It is a dying breed shrouded in secrecy, with the most powerful versions known and practiced only by a select few. Even fewer ever truly enter the ranks of Obeah and able to successfully wield its will and awesome scope unscathed. An Obeahman can use any system and fuel it with the power of Obeah without the danger of disrespect for the gods, but, depending on circumstances, not necessarily without repercussions from the gods… (Source)
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Obeah, Jamaica & Slavery

By 1760 we have early evidence for obeah in English. That year the Jamaican assembly enacted a bill "to remedy the evils arising from irregular assemblies of slaves...and for preventing the practice of Obeah." The bill stated "any Negro or other Slave who shall pretend to any Supernatural Power and be detected in making use of any materials relating to the practice of Obeah or Witchcraft in order to delude or impose upon the Minds of others shall upon Conviction thereof before two Magistrates and three Freeholders suffer Death or Transportation.”

It was in vain; even after the introduction of Christianity to the slaves of Jamaica later in the eighteenth century, Obeah maintained its presence, as it still does today, long after the abolition of slavery. The religious practice known as Revivalism incorporates both Christianity and Obeah, and there are still Obeah men and women in Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean. (Source)
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Back to me

If you are from the West Indies/Caribbean or West African do you have any experience or knowledge of the Obeah.

Freeway Moment: Stranger In This Land

If you listen to NPR ½ as much as I do then I know you know what a Driveway Moment is. If you are not in the know; a driveway moment is when you're driving home or elsewhere, listening to a story on NPR. Suddenly, you find yourself in your driveway (or parking space or parking garage). Rather than turn the radio off, you stay in your car to hear the piece to the end.