Nekita

While Jamaica is known as the birthplace of reggae music, it no longer holds the title as reggae capital f the world. With reggae music legends such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff taking reggae music and it message of love, peace and positive vibrations to the world stage, reggae music has become […]

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery….none but ourselves can free our minds.” These words by reggae legend Bob Marley from his song ‘Redemption Song’ are some of the most powerful words ever spoken. However, what many of us do not know is that these very words were first spoken by a man Bob Marley looked up […]

While it is communally known that many African countries, including South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania have large populations of people who are of South Asian descent, there has been limited documentation about African descendants in South Asia. Africans arrived in South Asia under various circumstances. Although a significant amount of South Asians of African descent […]

Many of the discussions involving dads/fathers revolve around their absence and the negative impact it has on their child’s development.  However, many of us fail to acknowledge or celebrate the incredible fathers who not only fulfill their duties as role models for their children but who also provide an example for other fathers. To a large extent, […]

A Drum is not just a Drum. For most Africans, music and dance are the ultimate expressions of life, culture, history and tradition. The drum, the main musical instrument, creates infectious sounds and rhythms inhibits ever single fiber in your body and transcends you to the spiritual world.  While many people view the drum as merely being a […]

Ethiopian born couture bridal gown designer Amsale Aberra has become the ‘it’ designer for some of Hollywood’s most famous stars including Halle Berry, Selma Hyak and Julia Roberts, just to name a few. Hailing from the Ethiopia, Amsale notes that in her native country, she never envisioned being a designer because “in Ethiopia there were […]

Rampant poverty, unemployed youths, drugs, state wide corruption and gang violence are just some of the social ills that can lead to people searching for alternatives.  One such alternative, as recently exposed by document released by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks, could be Islamist extremism for frustrated Jamaican youths.  According to the leaked documents from Jamaica’s U.S. […]

Despite the advent of colonialism and having to endure constant discrimination by the dominant mestizo and criollo populations, Afro Ecuadorians have managed to maintain a distinct identity, deeply embedded with their African culture and traditions for nearly four and a half centuries. Unlike the Garifuna who strongly associates with and maintains a rather equal identification […]

Upon hearing that Jennifer Hudson, an American, was chosen to portray one of their most prominent and captivating figures, Winnie Madizki-Mandela, the  the Creative Workers Union of South Africa lambasted Hollywood for undermining South Africa’s efforts to develop their own film industry. Hailed by many as the ‘mother of the nation’, Winnie Mandela’s life as […]

“My mom is sending me back to the Phillipines because she thinks I’m too rude.  She said that she can’t beat me here because she would get into trouble.  She is sending me back so that I can be taught respect and morals and they will beat you to make sure you learn these things!” […]

The saying that ‘behind every successful man, there is a woman’ has been exemplified time and time against in South Africa during the struggle against Apartheid. Such was the case of Albertina Sisulu, a “colossus” of strength for her late husband Walter Sisulu against the Apartheid regime. Mama Sisulu’s late husband Walter has was a […]

It will be difficult for many Dominicans to deny their African ancestry outside of their country because by most standards, especially in North America and Europe, many of them look and are considered ‘Black.’ Many Dominicans possess phonotypical features ascribed to ‘Blacks’ such as darker complexions and curly hair. However, the notion of ‘Blackness’ in […]

Most North American children learn moral lessons through cartoons and story books, however, in the Caribbean, we learn these lessons through folktales passed on to us by our elders. As a child growing up, I couldn’t wait for my grandmother to tell me Anansi stories. I marvelled at its/his cleverness, envied its/ his seemingly indestructibleness and admired its/his ability […]

It is refreshing to see men whose word is their bond. It is also inspiring to see that there are still athletes who display all of the qualities of a true role model. Such is the case of New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards who made good on a promise he made a few years […]

Gill Scott-Heron was an African American poet, activist, jazz, blues and soul musician. Many have credited him for developing the hip hop and neo soul music genres. Laden with messages of political activitism, Scott-Feron introduced the world to music and spoken word that was delivered in rapping and melismatic vocal styles. He was also an […]

I remember how special I felt when at the age of 12, I was told that I will be moving to Toronto, Canada. I was one of the lucky few who had the opportunity to go ‘ah foreign’ and live a life of luxury! I would get to eat all the fancy foods and cereals […]

Outside of Africa, Latin America, particularly Brazil, has the largest population of Afro-descendants. The identification and association of Afro-descendants in Latin America with their roots, history and culture vary from country to country. Here at Orijin, our mission is to facilitate the connection of ALL African descent through our shared culture and history. We hope […]

We have seen “Heel Toe” in Reggae , “Harlem Shake” in Hip-Hop, “Dougie” and many more. However there is a arise of a new dance/music genre from Africa in the main stream called Kwaito Beyonce’s new video for ‘Who Run The World’ has only been out for a matter of days and everyone keep wanting […]

Remember those days when rap and hip hop music were more than just catchy hooks, the bling and the nice whips? Remember when rap and hip hop had a purpose? When it served as the ultimate mouthpiece for the poor and oppressed masses?  When rhyming was a skilled art that required the clever interplay of […]

Beyonce recently released her much anticipated 1 st single off her upcoming album title ‘4.’ Known for songs about woman empowerment and endearment, Beyonce stays true to her core and affirms that girls run the world. While many women rule their households, their presence on the world stage has been few and far in-between.  Men continue to dominate […]