Orijin Culture | Grio | Nekita | Activity

Nekita wrote a new post, Survival Rate for Breast Cancer A Matter of Economics in Africa & the Caribbean?

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:38:20 -0600

“Data obtained from the International Agency for research on Cancer shows that compared to Developed countries African women do not have a higher rate of Breast Cancer Incidence but have an alarming higher […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Masculinisation or Dehumanization? The Sambia Tribe of Papua New Guinea

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:34:35 -0600

In today’s society, we have to be careful about how we view and portray cultural practices as due to our own ignorance and conditioning as inhabitants of the West, which are heavy influenced by Eurocentric […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Representing Culture Through Art: It Only Takes “A Dollar & A Dream”

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:49:29 -0600

As has been demonstrated by the story of “Le Mozart Noir” or “the black Mozart,” the arts have played and continue to play an integral role in the display and preservation of life and culture for African […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Should we take 50 Cent Seriously in his Stance Against Poverty & Corrupt Companies?

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:24:42 -0600

Since the plight of those suffering due to the recent drought in the Horn of Africa has gotten to the point where many of us in the West can no longer turn a blind eye, many celebrities have come forward to […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Happy Independence Zambia!: The Land of Natural Beauty & Wonders of the World

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:13:15 -0600

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Nekita wrote a new post, ‘Elevate’ Africa: Will the next Michael Jordan come from Africa?

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:57:08 -0600

We witnessed the power of sports in the West Indies when cricket was used as a vehicle for bringing about social change. Numerous professional basketball players in the US have also praised the power of sports […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Somalia: A ‘Nation of Poets’ and Wealth, NOT Just Famine

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:38:51 -0600

When Somalia is mentioned, many of us automatically conjure up images of malnourished or starving children, internal strife and war. For many of us, our understanding and knowledge of the East African country is […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Tambú: The Music & Dance of Afro- Curaçao

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:23:25 -0600

Located in the southern Caribbean sea, the island of Curaçao is the largest island of the lesser Antilles and is comprised of many ethnicities including Arawak, Dutch, Spanish, West Indian, Latin, and […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Is this REALLY Africa?!: Child Sacrifice and 'Witch Doctors' in Uganda

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:48:54 -0600

I recently came across an “investigative” BBC report about the issue of child sacrifice by ‘witch doctors’ in Uganda and looked at the video with total disgust! After watching the video, I was reminded of when I […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Swizz Beatz Blends Fela Kuti Classics With Hip Hop Beats

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:51:39 -0600

Dubbed “the James Brown of Africa,” Fela Kuti and African music in general is making waves in mainstream American music. People are looking for something new and exciting in music and it seems like Africa […]

Nekita wrote a new post, You Nah See A Ghana Mavado Mad Ova?

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:26:03 -0600

While many of us throughout the African Diaspora have never been to the “Motherland,” we often feel a sense of connectedness to it. Africa, the place of our beginning and orijin, has this ability to compel […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Before Rihanna there was Grace Jones

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:01:07 -0600

International pop Barbadian born superstar Rihanna was recently bestowed the coveted title of “the sexiest woman alive” by Esquire magazine. Known for her catchy tunes and fashion forward style and edge, […]

Nekita wrote a new post, “Le Mozart Noir" (The BLACK Mozart): Do You Know Chevalier de Saint-George?

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:38:57 -0600

The arts have always played an important role in the history and culture of African descendants. While many people today often limit the scope of Art within the African Diaspora to hip hop, rap, R & B, […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Men Get Breast Cancer Too: Ask "Shaft"

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:30:50 -0600

Most of the dialogue about breast cancer surrounds women and on the rare occasions men are mentioned, it is usually in reference to their need to support the women in their lives affected by the disease. […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Ubuntu .. the essence of being human: Celebrating the Life of Desmond Tutu

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:59:25 -0600

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”– Desmond Tutu
The apartheid regime and battle to overcome it in South Africa will forever be […]

Nekita wrote a new post, "Jubilee", Never Losing "My People": Legend Margaret Walker

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:38:24 -0600

Born Margaret Abigail Walker Alexander on July 7th, 1915, Margret Walker has been a major contributor to African American literature and is often referred to as one of the most gifted Black intellectuals in […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Child Rape: "After 12 ah lunch?"

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:50:50 -0600

Growing up as a child growing up in a village in the small Caribbean island of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, I was often prohibited from wondering the streets or socialising with other people outside of […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Ruby Dee: Actress, Activist & Breast Cancer Survivor

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:00:10 -0600

“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within — strength, courage, dignity.” – Ruby Dee

Born on October 27th, 1924, Ruby Dee has been an important force in the movement of […]

Nekita wrote a new post, Pride of Nigeria: Naija for life. And you wonder why?

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:24:57 -0600

On October 1st, 1960, Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Comprised of over 300 ethnic groups and competing religious traditions of Christianity, Islam and […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Know the Maroons in Jamaica: Courage, Resistance & a Reclaiming of African Culture & Identity

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:27:17 -0600

When the plantocracy embarked on the Akan region of West Africa, they specifically sought out and purchased ‘Koromantis’ (also referred to as Coromantees) because of their renowned characteristics of pride and discipline. While slave owners hoped that these aforementioned characteristics would make their newly acquired ‘property’ “good slaves” because they were known to be hard […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Amber Rose Gets Schooled by Local Ghanaians

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:46:41 -0600

There are copious amounts of scientific research proving that human beings orijinated in Africa and migrated across the world. As we migrated, our features changed, thereby enabling us to better acclimate to our new environments. While initial research indicated that we orijinated in Northern Africa, recent scientific research has show that human orijins began on […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: “Things Fall Apart” for 50 Cent: Chinua Achebe Blocks Movie Title

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:35:05 -0600

My university years were characterized by my internal struggle to find myself. Who knew that choosing courses was more than just ‘getting’ an education and a good job? This internal struggle was caused by a yearning to learn more about myself and my culture. I remember this ‘white’ girl talking to a classmate about Africa […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Expression of Self Hate? Vybz Kartel Launches Skin Bleaching Line

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:27:19 -0600

In our April-March 2011 Orijin Magazine issue we addressed the issue of skin bleaching in the Africa and the detrimental affects it can have. Keeping this article in mind, it comes as a surprise that international reggae superstar Vybz Kartel has announced the launching of his new skin care line of products called ‘OH.’ The […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: "Do It Like De Man Dem": Yaa Asantewaa [Queen Mother of Ejisu]

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:45:50 -0600

When asked “what advantage do women have over men?”, recently crowed Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes declared that “women are more powerful than men… they can do everything a man can do and more.” While many men probably brushed off her comments and instead chose to focus on the stunning contestant’s beauty, her comments were […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Untold history behind Bangles (Manillas): “Slave Trade Money” to the must have Accessory

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:05:32 -0600

For many parents with newborn children in the Caribbean, it is an expected gift. Thus, shopping for a toddler’s christening or first birthday is not a difficult task. While one appreciates the gesture of the copper or silver, the gold is preferred. Each child wears it until his/her wrist outgrows it, however, it is expected […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Remembering September 11, 2011: A Time for Reflection & Hope

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:27:35 -0600

September 11 th, 2001 will forever remain entrenched in the minds of most Americans and the rest of the world as it remains a watershed event in modern-day history. It has been exactly three-thousand six-hundred fifty-two days since planes hijacked by the militant group al-Qaeda crashed into America’s most iconic and symbolic buildings – the Twin […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Where is my "Honey & Milk", Abroad or back Home?

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:51:32 -0600

As immigrants from “developing” countries, many of us have left our home nations in search for a “better” life in the “developed” west. We predominantly settle in countries in Europe and North America as we have been conditioned to believe that these countries will enable us to attain a better quality of education, superior jobs […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Capoeira!: Reach out to Your Ancestry and Identity

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:11:38 -0600

In the uplifting documentary ‘Slums, Drums and Capoeira’ Maestre Moraes declared that “Capoeira for me is a way of living. Whereby you reach out to your ancestry, and thus your identity.” Copoeira takes on many titles. It’s an art, a dance, a form of martial arts, a powerful medium of communication, a form of combat, rhythm, […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Col Gaddafi a True African and ‘King of Kings?’

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:19:52 -0600

Col Gaddafi was declared “king of kings” after a meeting this over 200 African Kings and traditional rulers in 2008. This rather grandiose title was bestowed upon the now ousted Libyan leader after his meeting with the respective leaders was filled with calls by Gaddafi for a ‘united Africa;’ one that will be an par […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: In Search of Orijin: Rastafarians in Shashamane

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:26:16 -0600

Psalms 68:31 proclaims that ‘Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.’ This biblical reference to the land of Ethiopia has been one of the main premises upon which Rastafarians have based their desire to go to Zion – a place of unity, peace and freedom; a place […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Leezza... A Powerful Black Woman's Undeniable Appeal

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:01:33 -0600

While many found humour in the discovery that Colonel Gaddafi greatly admires former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, his admiration speaks volumes to the appeal of women, especially Black women, in power. When Gaddafi declared in an interview in 2007 that “I support my darling black African woman…. I admire and am very proud […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Quick Call a Dr. "Sexual Healing in the African Diaspora"

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:00:16 -0600

I remember reading a brief article online about Rihanna’s recent appearance and participation in her country’s yearly Kadooment celebration and I was outraged at the media’s response. Some called her costumes and moves ‘scandalous,’ ‘raunchy’ and ‘overly sexual.’ ‘Ignorance!’ I declared. To me, these responses are rooted in these people’s ignorance and their lack of knowledge […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: The Orijin of Lovers Rock Riddimz: Feel Good

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:46:48 -0600

One of South London’s biggest exports has been lover’s rock riddimz. While it was orijinally created to fit within the more conservative London reggae scene, lovers rock has become a staple of reggae music worldwide. Incorporating the smooth sounds of soul music and reggae baselines and riddimz, lovers rock tunes have emerged as one of […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Rejected from both. Is Mixed Race "really" better?

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:44:46 -0600

Is Mixed Race “really” better? I came across this video by Dr Aarathi Prasad which claims to investigate the scientific advantage of being ‘mixed race’ and asks the question “It is better to be mixed race?” As a ‘mixed-race’ person I couldn’t help but feel a bit ‘special’ at the notion that I might in some […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: From African Talking Drum to the Caribbean Steelpan

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:12:43 -0600

Its commonplace on almost every Caribbean cruise; older men dressed in tropical shirts, hitting the sticks they hold in their hands against the corners of the shinny hollowed silver ‘bowls.’ To a large extent, these ‘bowls’ or steelpans have come to symbolize the Caribbean. Also referred to as ‘pans,’ steelpans orijinated in Trinidad and Tobago […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: “Loi Obama”: Modern Day Imperialism in Congo?

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:36:14 -0600

On January 5th, 2010, the US congress, under the leaderships of President Obama, passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act. This Act, also known as the ‘Loi Obama’ or ‘Obama Law’ in the République démocratique du Congo (DRC), was put in place with a mandate “To promote the financial stability of the […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Why Cricket is the "real deal" in West Indies and not the football you love

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:21:49 -0600

Bat Men: Fire in Babylon: Documenting how the Sport of Cricket Enabled the Emergence of African Pride and Culture in the West Indies I was 12 years old; my first year at a school in Canada and a friendly red-haired girl approached me. I was different. I had a funny accent and wore colourful clothing. […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: The Struggle against Mother Nature in the Horn of Africa

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:44:41 -0600

While many political pundits like to add their input as to what they consider the main impediments to development in Africa (all of which ranges from corruption, impunity, exploitation, ect.), many often fail to take into account the most debilitating factor to African development – the weather. Much of Africa, particular the horn of African/Sub-Saharan […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Are Africans and Caribbean Descendants Morally Superior?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:24:40 -0600

A few months ago I had the gall to suggest that porn should be legalized in Africa and the Caribbean. My suggestion was in response to a recent publication that showed that the porn industry was gaining strength in many African countries, yet it remains illegal in most. Porn is one of the biggest industries […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Decoding the Sou-Sou Money [AKA Partna, box-hand] in Africa & the Diaspora

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:04:42 -0600

I remember watching one of the judge shows (I can’t recall which one) and the case involved two ladies; one of whom had defaulted on her contribution to the sou-sou hand. While I was a bit shocked at the woman breaching the trust essential to the sou-sou system, I also felt a sense of fear and […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Who Makes Claim to Being the Reggae Capital of the World? France, Côte d'Ivoire or Japan?

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:49:26 -0600

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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: “How Long Shall They Kill Our Prophets?” The Case of Marcus Garvey

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:39:03 -0600

“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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Tracing African's ('Sidis’) in South Asia [INDIA]: Connecting the Diaspora

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:45:26 -0600

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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Fathers are Our Unsung Heroes: Happy Father’s Day from Orijin

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:02:56 -0600

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, […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Before Facebook was the "Talking Drum". Bring back the Drums of Africa

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:21:15 -0600

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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Meet Amsale: Ethiopian Born Top Bridal Designer to the Stars

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:57:54 -0600

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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Jamaica: A Breeding Ground for Islamic Extremism?

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:21:44 -0600

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. […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: "Marimba": History, Culture and Discrimination in Ecuador. Afro-Descendants In Latin America Part 3

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:45:27 -0600

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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Winnie Mandela is not Mad at Jennifer Hudson but She is Mad Nonetheless!

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:09:28 -0600

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 […]

Nekita wrote a new blog post: Corporal Punishment: Child Abuse or an Acceptable Part of Culture?

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:03:59 -0600

“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!” […]