#african influence

[turiyatitta]

Unveiling the African Essence in Eastern Philosophy

A Tribute during Black History MonthAs we embark on the celebration of Black History Month, it’s essential to recognize the myriad contributions of African descendants not just in shaping modern civilization but also in sculpting the contours of Eastern philosophy. The historical interweaving of African traditions with Eastern thought offers a rich narrative, highlighting a profound exchange of…

[xtrablak674]

#WinterSpringDayGay

Decode the Look [top to bottom]

Sunglasses by Rainbow with prescription lenses

Teal bumblebee scarf by Dollar Store

Yellow wool coat by Orttu

Plaid Pants custom made by local tailor

Grey sneakers by Nizza by Adidas

Teal gloves by Straight to Hell

[Photo by Brown Estate]

[iloveethnicities]

Afro-Bahamian folk costumes are a vibrant symbol of the Bahamas' African heritage and cultural history. These costumes are deeply rooted in the West African influences brought to the islands during the transatlantic slave trade and have evolved over centuries to reflect the Bahamian people’s unique cultural synthesis. Today, they are worn primarily during celebrations like Junkanoo, an annual festival and cultural event that showcases Bahamian music, dance, and art. These costumes are rich in symbolism, design, and color, serving as both a celebration of the Afro-Bahamian identity and a testament to resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.

The history of Afro-Bahamian folk costume traces back to the days of slavery when enslaved Africans brought their vibrant cultural traditions to the islands. These traditions included distinct ways of dressing, colorful adornments, and festive rituals. Over time, these influences merged with aspects of European colonial culture and the unique environment of the Bahamas, creating a new hybrid tradition. Junkanoo, in particular, is thought to have roots in West African masquerade customs, specifically those of the Yoruba and Igbo peoples, which were adapted and evolved into a distinctly Bahamian practice.

In the early days of Bahamian society, Afro-Bahamian costumes were modest and made with readily available materials, as enslaved individuals did not have access to luxurious fabrics or embellishments. They often utilized natural materials, such as straw, shells, feathers, and wood, which were locally available and abundant. These costumes were designed with ingenuity, creatively using whatever resources were on hand to form elaborate and expressive garments. This tradition of innovation remains a hallmark of Afro-Bahamian folk costume design today.

Afro-Bahamian folk costumes are typically vibrant, elaborate, and made from a combination of materials, textures, and colors. Some of the key elements of these costumes include:

— Design and Shape: Headdresses are an essential feature of Afro-Bahamian costumes, especially those worn during Junkanoo. They are often large and ornate, crafted to represent animals, spirits, or even abstract patterns. These headdresses echo African spiritual traditions, where headwear often symbolizes wisdom, power, or a connection to the divine.

— Materials: Traditionally, headdresses were made from straw, palm fronds, and shells, but today they include materials like cardboard, paper, and feathers, which allow for greater size, vibrancy, and durability. The feathers and fronds used add an element of movement, giving the costumes life as they sway and flutter with each dancer’s movements.

— Symbolism: The symbolism of headdresses varies, with some representing the ancestral spirit, protection, or community unity. In Afro-Bahamian culture, the head is often seen as a sacred part of the body, and adorning it can be a form of honoring one's heritage.

— Use and Purpose: Masks are a key component of Afro-Bahamian folk costumes, and their use is inspired by African masquerade traditions. They are worn to embody ancestral spirits or characters and often include exaggerated facial features to enhance expressiveness.

— Construction: Afro-Bahamian masks are generally handcrafted and may be painted with vibrant colors or adorned with shells and feathers. These masks can be intimidating, joyful, or even whimsical, depending on the character or spirit they represent.

— Styles: Afro-Bahamian bodices and tunics are typically loose-fitting, brightly colored garments adorned with patterns and designs that reference traditional African textiles. In the past, these garments were more simplistic due to the scarcity of materials, but modern costumes are often richly decorated.

— Patterns and Symbols: These garments often feature repetitive patterns like zigzags, spirals, or other geometric designs. Some designs also include images from the natural world, like fish, birds, and sunbursts, reflecting the connection to the Bahamian environment.

— Layering: Costumes frequently feature layers of fabric or tassels, creating a three-dimensional effect. This layering not only adds to the visual impact but also enhances the movement of the costume when worn during dances.

— Design and Length: While some costumes feature long, flowing skirts, others include trousers with attached embellishments. Skirts are often fringed or decorated with tassels and shells to produce rhythmic sounds that match the beat of the drums.

— Symbolic Embellishments: Many skirts and trousers are adorned with cowrie shells, beads, and other small objects, each chosen for its symbolic significance. In African cultures, cowrie shells are a symbol of prosperity and spirituality, and they hold similar significance in the Afro-Bahamian costume tradition.

— Rattles and Drums: Afro-Bahamian costumes often incorporate handheld rattles, drums, and other percussive instruments, which are used by dancers to create additional sound and rhythm during performances. These instruments are typically decorated to match the costume.

— Fans and Banners: Fans and small banners are sometimes carried as a way to add flair to the dance. Fans in particular are a significant part of Afro-Bahamian costuming, as they are used in African dance to honor ancestors and bless the audience.

The color choices in Afro-Bahamian folk costumes are intentional and steeped in symbolism. The colors often mirror those found in African cultures, each hue carrying a specific meaning. For example:

— Red symbolizes strength and vitality, often used to represent the ancestors.

— Blue symbolizes peace and spirituality, representing the ocean, which is a vital element of Bahamian life.

— Green represents growth and fertility, a nod to the island’s natural resources.

— Yellow and Gold symbolize prosperity and joy, reflecting the Bahamian people's optimism and pride.

These colors are combined in intricate designs, enhancing the visual impact of each costume and conveying a vibrant sense of identity and cultural memory.

The Junkanoo festival, celebrated on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1), is the main event where Afro-Bahamian folk costumes are showcased. Junkanoo began as a Christmas-time celebration for enslaved Africans, who were allowed time off during the holiday to celebrate in their own style. These festivities would often involve loud music, dance, and elaborate costumes that were influenced by African traditions.

Today, Junkanoo is a spectacular display of Bahamian culture, featuring parades, competitions, and performances. Costumes for Junkanoo are meticulously crafted and often take months to design and build. Each group participating in Junkanoo will design costumes around a specific theme, which could be historical, spiritual, or even political in nature. This thematic approach allows for a rich diversity of costume designs, showcasing both the artistic skill and cultural pride of the participants.

In Junkanoo costumes, traditional elements blend with modern innovations, such as the use of crepe paper, sequins, and even LED lights. While these additions bring a contemporary twist, the essence of Afro-Bahamian culture remains at the heart of the costumes, reflecting both a respect for heritage and an embrace of change.

Afro-Bahamian folk costumes are more than festive attire; they serve as a vehicle for cultural storytelling and a means of preserving Bahamian history. Each costume, whether worn for Junkanoo or other cultural events, is a tribute to the resilience and creativity of the Afro-Bahamian people. Through these costumes, Bahamians honor their African heritage, celebrate their freedom, and express a unique national identity.

The artistry involved in creating these costumes—handcrafting, painting, and embellishing—requires skill, dedication, and a deep understanding of cultural symbolism. For many Bahamians, participating in the creation or wearing of these costumes is a source of pride and connection to their community.

In modern times, there has been an increasing effort to preserve and promote Afro-Bahamian folk costume-making as an art form, with workshops, cultural programs, and school curriculums aiming to pass down these traditions to future generations.

[cepheusgalaxy]

Below I'll be showing some more examples of baianinhas and acessories that often go along with it

The baianinha is very noticeable for the off-white base, sillouette, turbants, colorful and long necklaces and sometimes, other vibrant colors and patterns

Traditionally a "woman's look", even thought there isn't an actual reason for men not to use it, btw. Anyways.

The men's look which would pair this also has its roots on candomblé.

It consists on a (white) large pair of pants, a big "button-up" shirt and the same necklaces, thought the turbants are more used for woman.

Example of the "male" outfit (in this picture, they are without the shirt)

Note: the shirt-off look (mostly without the necklaces) is often used for the pratice of a brazilian martial art, the capoeira. Apparently, the capoeira usual uniform was inspired by these looks.

☃️Brazilian traditional looks☃️

A slice of an introdution

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Art by unknown, if you who it is from, please warn me and I'll give the proper credit

This outfit featured in the drawing is traditional from the North East region, which is the one I'll be rambling about since is the one I know the most

This outfit isn't used for day-to-day and casual ativities, but mostly for special events.

The dress' name is baianinha

Before going into more details, it is important to highlight how the country, and specially the North East part of it were influenced by african culture.

The Africa is a wide and huge continent, full of the most diverse cultures, some of which, due to the diaspora, were bought here.

The Brazilian culture is, fundamentally, a mix of indigen, african and portuguese culture. Our language was a contribuition of the Portugueses, and many of it was also influenced by the Tupi (one of the most spoken indigen languages in the territorry), from which we have many many many words. The enslaved black people bought here also bought their cultures, and that was a big influence for the cuisine, the dances, the kid games and the clothes. We all know what Europe looks like and their culture doesn't differ much so we know what portugueses bought (some influence in the cuisine, the clothes ofc, the dances and stuff).

Dependong of the area of the country you're in, some specifics aspects of the culture may stand out. For some historical reasons (I won't be explaining here becaude it would make this way longer), the european imigrants from Modern Era went mostly to the South, and the black enslaved and no-more-enlaved were concentrated in the North East; the native people (indigenous brazilians) managed to stay in the North, and as so you can see a larger influence of White Culture in South and South East, a larger influence of Black Culture in the North-East, and a larger influence of Indigenous Culture in North.

The baianinha outfit has its roots bonded to afro-origined not only culture, but religions, like the candomblé and ubanda, in which the praticers use similar clothing. In Bahia (North-east), one of the most black influenced states of Brazil, this one is quite of a symbol.

[alwaysbewoke]

[styleebonyfashion]

Mihlali Ndamase

[scarlett-bitch69]

African Barbie 💖💕💗

[blackfashion2018]

Nqobile Khwezi

[pigdemonart]

I think its really cute that Manuel gets the most love from comments! I think he deserves it, because even I have dubbed him as the Best Boy. But, Mani has mixed feelings about receiving praise and being considered the favorite. He’d sooner think people are lying to him than believe they actually like him that much. Because, why would they?

His view of himself comes from years of being stuck in the middle.

[alexiadraws]

Do you guys know Apollo? He is my favorite internet personality

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Dion J. Pierre

Anti-Zionist activists recently launched a barrage of racist attacks against African Americans on social media, triggering an exchange of insults as well as arguments over the Arab world’s role in enslaving Black Africans.

“Black people also wear a uniform and get on a plane and come to our countries and kill us!” one influencer said in a compilation of TikTok posts shared by pro-Israel activist Hen Mazzig. “You vote the same f—king melanated f—king people to government that sign papers to kill us. I don’t want to hear it anymore!”

“Keep Palestinians names out of your f—king mouths when you’re trying to defend your decision for voting for Kamala,” another said, referring to Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who is Black.

TikTok user “Dan1ahan” charged that Black Americans “switched up 180 on Palestinians and people who are Palestinian activists the second we have a Black woman running for office,” describing the alleged betrayal as “disgusting.” Touching on the upcoming US presidential election, one Arab woman said all Black people want is a “token ethnic president” in office.

Black TikTok influencers descended on the platform in droves to denounce the comments, with several announcing that they intended not only to remove Gaza-related content from their profiles but also to cease engaging in anti-Zionist activity entirely. The conversation escalated in subsequent posts, touching on the continuance of Black slavery in the Arab world and what young woman called “voracious racism” against African Americans.

“What’s even crazier is that earlier people were like, oh these are bots, no — this is how people really feel. And she made a video that’s a real human being that feels exactly that way,” an African American woman said. “These are people who feel like they are entitled to the support of Black people no matter what, that they get to push us around and tell us who the hell we get to vote for if we support them … They’ve lost their minds.”

An African American male said, “Why don’t we talk about the Arab slave trade? And keep in mind that the Arabs have enslaved more Black people than the Europeans combined.” Another African American woman accused Arabs of not denouncing slavery in Antebellum America.

“We spend our money with you,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with you, and you keep asking for more, and more, and more, and it’s never enough.”

This is not the first time that anti-Zionists have hurled racist abuse and expletives at Black Americans while denigrating their accomplishments and status as full citizens of the United States.

[cienie-isengardu]

Wonder Woman (2016) Annual 1

[xtrablak674]

#ShowStopper

Pieces of the Puzzle

[top to bottom]

leftover red fabric from my grandmother

prescription queen sunglasses from Rainbow

orange scarf with silver streaks

necklace from Ghanian artisan bought in Accra

long African shirt from UK bought on Etsy

black hakama pants from Japan bought on Etsy

red Alpa gloves from Hungary copped on Etsy

thick ochre bracelets from Brooklyn Museum market

fluorescent orange trainers by No Bull

[Photos by Brown Estate]

[weldnas]

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[jeremiasdorap]

Granmamare (グランママレ), Goddess of Mercy and the Queen of the ocean in Ponyo (2008)

Iemanjá (Yèyé omo ejá), african godness, Queen of the waters in Candomblé and Umbanda

[styleebonyfashion]

Bonang Matheba