Knowledge of Africans in Tudor England influenced the work of leading English writers such as William Shakespeare, according to historian Onyeka, author of ‘Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, their Presence, Status and Origins’ . Continue reading “Re-teaching Tudor history”
The UK’s major towns and cities are famed for their diverse non-indigenous populations. According to the Office of National Statistics’ 2011 census records that almost 100,000 Ghanaians are living in Britain with big cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester having significant populations. But it has not always been the way. Continue reading “England’s African towns”
I start this blog on the premise that most of us accept today that Africa is the cradle of mankind and that despite the geographical and political demarcations that separate North and Sub-Saharan Africa, all its inhabitants were originally one. Continue reading “Cheikh Anta Diop – The Pharaoh of Knowledge”
British-Ghanaian journalist and videographer Kai Lutterodt can trace her ancestry back five generations to the Tabom people, (check part one ‘Roots and culture I’ here). The Taboms were an Afro-Brazilian community of former slave returnees, mainly of Yoruba descent, that migrated to Nigeria initially and then settled in Ghana*. Continue reading “Part2: The enduring legacy of Brazil’s Tabom in Ghana”
The story of how the Tabom people (an Afro-Brazilian community of former slave returnees mainly of Yoruba descent*) that migrated from Brazil to West Africa has long fascinated me. Those of you who know me know of my love affair with Brazil, my search for its Twi-speaking community and my crazy experiences in the country over four trips. Continue reading “Part1: Ghana’s Tabom heritage”
For me, this striking image typifies just how pivotal we Black people have been in shaping the modern world. Continue reading “Black canvas, white letters – why discourse on slavery is always relevant”
British-Ghanaian director Amma Asante directed Belle – the story of a woman with African and European heritage in 2013. Her film signalled a welcome shift in the ownership of films about the other. But as Amma explains in this segment, having the creative control to tell the story how she would want it is still fraught with challenges. Continue reading “Amma Asante & Belle”
Art historian Dr Gus Casely-Hayford will visit Ghana in November to mark the centenary of the London-based School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Continue reading “A talk with historian Dr Gus Casely-Hayford”
This arresting image of South African chorister Eleanor Xiniwe, who toured Britain as part of the African Choir between 1891 and 1893, lay forgotten for over 100 years. Continue reading “Britain’s Black trailblazers”
Historian Onyeka is pushing for the African presence in Tudor England (1485-1603) to be included in Britain’s National Curriculum. Should the African presence in Tudor England be taught in schools?
Continue reading “Should the African presence in Tudor England be taught in schools?”
Although on the surface it seems Ghana’s archaic chieftaincy structures have survived colonialism and are still celebrated and revered in modern times, I did not realise how much influence neighbouring tribes and British rule have had on the institution. Continue reading “Chieftaincy in Ghana – time for modernisation or time for an end?”
In October, I had the opportunity to speak with Ghanaian TV director Kwame Boadi of inGenius Africa about his move into feature film production. Many of you know may know him for such TV series as Sunshine Avenue, Abiba, and Sun City. Continue reading “An interview with ‘Gold Coast’ film co-producer Kwame Boadi”
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