Imagine just starting college excited about the vast possibilities available to you in your newly chosen area of interest. For me, it was Fashion Design. I enrolled in classes at the local community college and was on my way (in my own mind) to becoming the next world famous designer. One of the classes that I had to take was History of Costume. In this class we studied world cultures and their contribution to the fashion industry. Strangely, Africa was not mentioned. This baffled me. I raised my hand and inquired of my professor why there was nothing of Africa and her cultures in the text. Astonishingly, I was told by my professor that Africa was not mentioned because the people there did not wear clothes and had made no contribution to this industry. I was devastated, I was embarrassed, and I was disillusioned. How insignificant I felt. How could my culture be the only culture to not have contributed to this important industry? I was troubled by this question for quite some time.
This revelation was something that I could not accept. I started doing independent research. There were many blessings that came my way in this, my new pursuit. Then, as God would have it, I was blessed to start to travel internationally. I traveled to countries that had colonized Africa. I searched their bookstores and spent a great deal of time in their museums. What I found out allowed me to raise my head in great pride. Not only had Africans worn clothing. One of the oldest looms that archaeologists have discovered was found in Africa. Africans were master weavers, metal smiths, and much more.
As I learned this new information, I started to teach African adornment arts at recreation centers, schools, and other facilities around the country. I am continuing to provide this training to all who have an interest in traditional African Adornment; however, my new access point shall be here. Join us as we learn about various adornment practices of Africa/Africana cultures. At Gaskiya’s Online Academy© Scholars shall study Africa/Africana history, adornment, jewelry, garments, hairstyles, and much more. Building upon a culturally conscious platform, our curriculum will be focused on the integration of contributions of Africa/Africana communities in math, science, technology, history, creative arts, etc.
JOIN US because Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo
