Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides information, comments, and video examples of the article of clothing that is called a "dashiki".
The content of this post is presented for cultural and informational purposes.
All content remains with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these featured videos.
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This post was originally published in Feb. 2012.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
A dashiki [dah-SHE-kee] is a shirt that was originally marketed only for males. Dashikis were "must have" articles of clothing for afro-centric African American males in the 1970s, as wearing a dashiki symbolized pride in one's African heritage.
The word "dashiki" is an American (African American) form of the Nigerian word "dansiki" (pronounced dahn-SHE-kee). According to Norma H. Wolff in her book Dashikis, "The Yoruba borrowed the word from the Hausa dan ciki (literally "underneath"), which refers to a short tunic worn by males under larger robes."
*This sentence is part of an excerpt found in the next section below.
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QUOTES ABOUT DANSIKIS AND OTHER WEST AFRICAN MALE ATTIRE
From http://angelasancartier.net/africa-sub-saharan-history-of-dress
"Africa, sub-Saharan: history of dress
Men’s trouser shapes vary considerably. Along with Western fashions found across the continent, indigenous fashions also abound. In Nigeria, Hausa men wear enormously large drawstring breeches with a “baba riga” over the top. Yoruba men wear both wide or narrow trousers, often as a three-piece outfit along with a robe (agbada) and shirt (dansiki). When the men’s ensemble is tailored from colorful, wax-printed cotton, the Yoruba outfit is interpreted as being informal. If made from damask, lace, eyelet, brocade, or the handwoven textile of nubby, native silk that the Yoruba call sanyan (produced by a different silk worm than the Asian one), the ensemble is considered formal."
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From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boubou_(clothing)
"The Grand Boubou/Bubu is one of the names for a flowing wide sleeved robe worn by men in much of West Africa, and to a lesser extent in North Africa, related to the Dashiki suit. It is known by various names, depending on the ethnic group wearing them: Agbada (Yoruba, Dagomba), Babban Riga (Hausa), K'sa (Tuareg) Grand Boubou (in various Francophone West African countries) and the English term of Gown. The Senegalese Boubou, a variation on the Grand Boubou described below, is also known as the Senegalese kaftan. The female version worn in some communities is also known as a M'boubou or Kaftan....
The Grand boubou as a full formal attire consists of 3 pieces of clothing: a pair of tie-up trousers that narrow towards the ankles (known as a Sokoto pronounced "Shokoto" in Yoruba) and a long-sleeved shirt (known as a Dashiki in Yoruba*) and a wide, open-stitched sleeveless gown worn over these. They are generally of the same colour... the Grand boubou is now mostly made from cotton and synthetic cloths made to resemble silk."
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QUOTES ABOUT DASHIKIS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashiki:
"The dashiki found a market in America during the Black cultural and political struggles in the 1960s. A prototype was developed in 1967 by Jason Benning, Milton Clarke, Howard Davis, and William Smith. These young professionals formed a company called New Breed to produce dashikis. It was located in a 2-room clothing store at 147th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in the Harlem section of Manhattan. Articles on New Breed appeared in Ebony Magazine and the New York Times (4/20/69).
The dashiki was featured in the movies Uptight (1968), Putney Swope (1969), and the weekly television series Soul Train (1971). See also Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America, Track 14:28 (2010). Jim Brown, Wilt Chamberlain, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bill Russell were among the well-known Black athletes and entertainers who wore the dashiki on talk shows.
The term dashiki begins appearing in print at least as early as mid-1968: an article by Faith Berry in the New York Times Magazine includes it on July 7, 1968. Reporting on the 1967 Newark riots in the Amsterdam News on July 22, 1967, George Barner refers to a new African garment called a "danshiki." "Dashiki" first appeared in the Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1st College Edition 1970/72."
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UPDATE 1/23/2015
From http://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/clothing-types-styles/dashiki "Dashiki" By Norma H. Wolff
"A dashiki is a loose-fitting, pullover shirt usually sewn from colorful, African-inspired cotton prints or from solid color fabrics, often with patch pockets and embroidery at the neckline and cuffs. The dashiki appeared on the American fashion scene during the 1960s when embraced by the black pride and white counterculture movements. "Dashiki" is a loanword from the West African Yoruba term danshiki, which refers to a short, sleeveless tunic worn by men. The Yoruba borrowed the word from the Hausa dan ciki (literally "underneath"), which refers to a short tunic worn by males under larger robes....
Worn by increasing numbers of young white Americans attracted to the bright colors and ornate embroidery, the dashiki lost much of its black political identity and epitomized the larger scene of changing American society....
Throughout its history in American fashion, the dashiki has functioned as a significant, but sometimes ambiguous, identity marker. In its earliest manifestation, with the Afro hairstyle, headgear, and African beads, it was associated with black power, the "Black Is Beautiful" movement, and the development of Afrocentrism...
In the early days of the twenty-first century, the dashiki has retained meaning for the African American community and a historical marker of the 1960s counterculture. While seldom seen as street wear, the dashiki is worn at festive occasions such as Kwanzaa, the annual celebration to mark the unity of Americans of African descent and express pride in African heritage (Goss and Goss)."
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Italics added by me to highlight that sentence.
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UPDATE: 1/23/2015
From http://museumofuncutfunk.com/2009/08/02/dashiki-how-funky-is-that/
"The dashiki was introduced as a way to protest society’ s disrespect for Blacks. It was a symbol of affirmation, standing for “Black is Beautiful,” a return to African roots, and insistence on full rights in American society. Marion Berry, later to become mayor of Washington, D.C., was then one of the rebels leading the “Free DC Movement” to gain voting rights for the mostly Black residents of Washington. Sam Smith, editor of The Progressive Review, recalled that in those days the press would describe him as “dashiki-clad Negro militant Marion Barry.” The 1960s were the hippie era, too, and whites in the counterculture sometimes adopted the dashiki for its rebellious symbolism as well as its anti-mainstream fashion statement.
The militancy of the 1960s has faded, but the dashiki has not. It still serves as a symbol of Africanness within American culture, as in the celebration of Kwanzaa. It is also sometimes an ingredient of high fashion or just a colorful, comfortable shirt for all occasions"...
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That blog post includes a number of photographs of dashikis, including one that features a woman wearing that top. Among afro-centric African American women in the late 1960s and 1970s (including me), dashikis were considered a male only item of clothing and females who wore dashikis were looked upon with disdain because they didn't know or didn't adhere to that "fact".
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UPDATE: 8/6/2014
Click http://www.oyotunji.org/oba-oseijeman-bio.html for information about Oba Adefunmi.
That article indicates that Oba Adefunmi "Introduced the Danshiki and began small scale manufacture of African attire in the summer of 1960. Founded the Yoruba Academy for the academic study of Yoruba history, religion and language in 1961. Opened the Ujamaa Market in 1961 beginning a trend of African boutiques, which, like the Danshiki, spread throughout African American communities."
-end of quote-
His Royal Highness Oba Ofuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi was the founder and head of the Yoruba Temple in New York City, and was the founder and leader of the Yoruba Village of Oyotunji in Beaufort County South Carolina in 1970.
Also click http://www.pluralism.org/religion/afro-caribbean/oyotunji for information about Oyotunji Village.
While Oba Adefunmi certainly could have manufactured and sold shirts in his Ujamaa Market that later came to be known as "dashikis", I believe that that term wasn't used for those shirts until the late 1960s.
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EDITORIAL COMMENT: ADULT CLOTHING ATTIRE IN AN AFRO-CENTRIC ORGANIZATION (NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (LATE 1960S)
From 1967-1969 I was a member of the African cultural nationalist organization known as "The Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN). For a portion of that time, and afterwards, that organization was headed by poet, playwright, and community activist Amiri Baraka (formerly Le-Roi Jones). For some reason, "garb" was the general term that members of this cultural national organization called our garments - handmade or store bought - (particularly the female garments). Here are my recollections of the adult outer clothing attire (excluding fall/winter jackets & coats) that was worn by members of that organization:
Men:
Men wore regular clothing (store bouoght pants & shirts) most days. On special occassions, in the spring, summer, and early fall, men wore short sleeve (usually hand made) usually v necked dashikis. These dashikis were made of "so-called" African print, or were a solid (one) color. The men might accessorize their dashikis with a large Egyptian ankh necklace, or with a red, green, and black large beaded necklace.
In the colder months, for special occassions, men wore pants and long sleeve turtle necked sweaters under their dashikis. Few members of that organization owned a grand boubou or agbada. I however recall that Zayd, one of the male leaders of that organization wore an agbada on at least one occassion.
Men who were members of that organization rarely wore any African hats.
Women:
Tops: In the spring, summer, and early fall, women wore bubas (simply sewed tops with little or no designs), or one color t-shirts to match a color in their their skirts. In the later fall & winter, women wore long sleeve sweeters, including "turtle neck" sweaters as tops.
Skirts: Women wore about 2 1/2 inches of store bought fabric that we wrapped around and tied (with no belt or pins). The African term that we used for those wrap around skirts was or "lapas" (lah-pahs), a term that decades later I read was used for wrap around skirts in Liberia, West Africa. Although we knew the terms "bubas" and "gele", members of that African cultural organization didn't know the word "iro", the Yoruba Nigeria term for wrap around skirts.
That same material could be worn in some form of toga like dress, although that was rarely done. Women also wore handmade or store bought long skirts, handmade (sewing machine) or store bought long dresses, usually in a caftan style. Most of these skirts/dresses (wrapped or sewn) were near ankle length, but some were more "midi" length (ignificantly below the knees). (Recall that in the late 1960s, American women were wearing mini skirts, so our clothing attire was quite outside the norm).
It's important to emphasize that in that particular cultural nationalist organization, and among other afro-centric African Americans of that time, dashikis were strictly a male only attire.
It was very rare for members of this organization, female or male, to own store bought African clothing which was, allegedly anyway, made of "real" African fabric, and imported from Africa. The sewn garments were handmade by one or more of the sisters of the organization or a female relatives of the male or female members. In particular, I recall that the mother of one male member of the organization sewed (on a sewing machine) bubas (tops), dresses, and sewed the borders for the "lapas/gele" materials that many women members of that organization wore. She also made a lot of the dashikis that the men of the organization wore. Sometimes she sold some of these garbs for a very low cost, and sometimes she gifted the clothing that she made.
Headwraps- Women sometimes wore a headwrap (a wrapped around piece of material) for everyday wear. However, on special occassions such as the once a week organization's gathering* which was open to the community, a women's attire wasn't considered to be complete unless she wore a matching headwrap (gele). If you weren't heavyset, the same piece of material which was worn as a wraparound skirt could also be worn as a gele. These headwraps were always tied and never pinned. There were various styles in which women wore their headwraps. I preferred (and still sometimes wear) my geles in styles which approximate the Yoruba styles of headwraps in which one or more pieces of material was left out. However, the "crown" look where all end pieces were tucked in was the usual style of headwraps for members of that organization. That "crown" style was NOT the same as the tall turban look that neo-soul singer Erykah Badu was later known for. Female members of our group could have shown sister Erykah a more attractive, more "authentic" way of wrapping her gele.
Children wore "regular" clothing and no African head wraps for girls and no African hats for males.
*Those weekly gatherings were cultural events in which various members, including Amiri Baraka would read poetry, some of the male members of organization would play conga drums (djembes were known to very few African Americans then), and a group of the brother in the organization (known as the Simba Wachunga- Swahili for "young brothers") would perform the South African boot dance. Similar to a church service, the main portion of the program consisted of one of the group's leaders (usually male) speaking about a subject pertaining to African cultural nationalism such as Maulana Karenga's Kawaida (Seven Principle). Those same seven principles comprise the days of Kwanzaa.
Religion wasn't something that was talked about in that organization, and I believe that most of the organization's members (including me) were Christians, albeit, usually-at that time- not church going Christians. There was very little mention of religious or spiritual beliefs in those weekly gatherings. That said, I vaguely recall some mention of (what I now know is is the Zulu Supreme deity) Unkulunkulu - the leadership of that organization was very eclectic in the "Africanims" that were grafted into that organization's customs & "beliefs". We used the English word "no" but for "yes" we used the Zulu word "yebo". And I can't recall using any African language greeting, but the "Kwaida" principles were from the Swahili language as was Kwanzaa, which was the only African holiday we celebrated. (People alo celebrated birthdays and other holidays privately if they wanted to). Perhaps because that organization wasn't religious based, there was only a little chanting, and that was of slogans like "It's Nation Time!" and "Black Power!".
When I reflect on that organization, what is surprising is that-besides the male boot dancers, there was little to no African dancing. And, given the leadership of Amiri Baraka, it's somewhat surprising that there were no dramatic skits. Also, there was no singing, not even during Kwanzaa. And that is contrary to African American traditions.
By the way, unlike Muslim gatherings, there were no separate seating for males and females and men and women usually sat together. Also, since those gatherings were recruiting as well as teaching occassions, the organization's members were encourgaged to sit with people from the community who came for the cultural program. Those folks could usually be distinguished from the organization's members because they usually didn't wear "African garb" like dashikis or long dresses & headwraps.
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Lágbájá - Lùlù Fuń Wọn
Motherlan on Jun 1, 2010
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From that video's viewer comment thread:
..."it's called oriki... a sort of praise mixed with epithets. It loses its strength and deep meaning if translated to english....
basically the man in purple & yellow is singing epithets to Lagbaja (and a bit of his lineage too). And Lagbaja is upset with him and warns him to stop the oriki, probably because he does not want him to reveal his identity (Lagbaja i.e. since nobody knows who he is). Then, the man invites him to dance and he does.
-taganew; 2011
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This video shows Yoruba men wearing dansikis with or without the long outer "agbada" garment.
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Note that the videos of a traditional Yoruba formal attire for men (agbadas over dansikis and pants) are no longer available. I've substituted two other videos.
Those videos also show women's formal attire including the "buba" (blouse; pronounced boo-bah), "iro" (wrap around skirt, pronounced e-row), and "gele" (head wrap, pronounced gay-lay), all made of Yoruba "aso oke" (pronounced ah-soh oh-kay) cloth.
Video #2: SOLA x SENI - A NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL WEDDING TRAILER
SCOBO SHOT IT clear picture digital, Published on Aug 16, 2016
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Video #: 3Nigerian Engagment & Wedding of Joshua & Olamide
Justice Films & Studio, Published on Aug 17, 2017
Justice Films & Studio AVbyEric.com present Nigerian Engagment & Wedding of Joshua & Olamide
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Contrast those traditional Yoruba garments with the adapted African American shirt called the dashiki that is shown in the following two videos:
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Video #4: Vintage Mens & Womens 70s ethnic TRIBAL dashiki
Uploaded by Carlos Kai Vega on Oct 31, 2011
Vintage 1970s Dashiki's
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Video #5: Gold Embroidered Dashiki | Africa Imports
Uploaded by afseller on Oct 22, 2010
African Chic Gold Embroidered Dashiki.
This black dashiki with shimmering gold embroidery is the perfect way to complete any look. Embroidery varies on each dashiki. 100% rayon; best if hand washed. Fits up to a 50" chest and 30" length. Kufi hat fits 24" circumference. Made in Pakistan.
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Note that these dashikis were "Made in Pakistan" and not in Nigeria or any other African nation. It's my understanding that most "so-called "African fabric" such as that used for the ubiquitous dashikis shown in Video #4 were from Asia and not Africa.
One video I found online indicated that "traditional tribal" dashiki and shorts was its largest selling item. Double Ugh for the words "traditional and tribal". I prefer the word "ethnic" because of the negative connotations of the word "tribal". To a large extent, those negative connotations stem from the fact that "tribal" is rarely if ever used to refer to White people. When have you ever heard of a White European tribe?
Back in the 1960s and 1970s at least African Americans had the excuse that information about traditional African clothing wasn't readily available. In the early 21st century, thanks in large part to the Internet in general and YouTube specifically, that excuse is no longer valid.
And after seeing the traditional African clothing, including those wore by the Yorubas of Nigeria, I can truly say "Ain't nothin like the real thing, baby".
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Example #7: Maliki Pandeiro in Uncle Jerry's Dashiki (Maliki Pandeiro no Dashiki do Tio Jerry)
Malikilam Uploaded on Oct 2, 2010
Well, I recently inherited this dashiki from my Uncle Jerry who just passed away. So, this is a tribute to him.
On some level it's nice useful and enjoyable to take existing very seriously and focus on whatever is designated as important in our culturo-temporal context (yes, I'm making up words cause that's how I do), AND (not BUT but AND because this is about unification not distinction) it is also nice, useful and enjoyable to jump into an experience with a lot less preconception and simply play like a kid.
So, this play session is dedicated to one of the cats who laid the foundation on which I do my thing (and hopefully lay some foundations for other folks), my Uncle Jerry. I suppose you could say my Uncle Jerry was a sort of bridge in that he came out of Harlem NYC in an era that was, from what he told me, very much a different scene than what I am used to. It seems like competition (for resources, self-esteem and space to exist) was highlighted in the consciousness of that world, and, interestingly enough, the underlying unity and harmony continually found its way up through the cracks in the cement jungle (doesn't it always eventually?).
From that background Uncle Jerry bridged out to travel the world, explore Eastern religions, make up songs about how he was going to force us kids to eat oatmeal, tell us to feel how strong his biceps were and then catch our hand between his biceps and forearm and not let go, dress to the nines in white suits with butterfly collars, drink Gewürztraminer wine and smack his lips in spirals of excessive glee, hit on women half his age, stay in the ocean and pool longer than any land mammal should, write articles on African-American history and physics to try to educate youngsters, and generally tell everybody what to do and how to do it.
Thanks Uncle Jerry!
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Example #7: BEST OF NIGERIAN FASHION "natives"
Godson Eh, Published on Oct 12, 2012
Nigeria is a very diverse Nation. Every tribes has their own costumes and styles of dressing,eating and dancing and singing. Here in this pictures, you have some of the various form of dressing popularly know in Nigeria as "Natives" presented
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RELATED LINKS
Pictures Of Nigeria Traditional Attire
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-158215.0.html
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Pinning Birthday Dollars
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinning-birthday-dollars.html [Notice the Yoruba men & Yoruba women wearing traditional clothing.]
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Why I Started Wearing African Dresses
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-i-started-wearing-african-dresses.html
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label dashikis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dashikis. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Black Americans Dressing Up In Traditional African Or African Inspired Clothing To View The Black Panther Movie
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases one YouTube video and one YouTube vlog (video log) about Black people in the United States dressing in traditional African clothes or African inspired clothes to see Black Panther in movie theaters.
There are a number of other YouTube videos about this cultural phenomenon in the United States and/or in Africa and elsewhere throughout the world. However, these two examples only focus on this custom in the United States.
Selected comments from these YouTube examples are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
Thanks to all those who are associated with the Black Panther movie and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series about the 2018 Black Panther movie. Click the Black Panther tag below for other posts in this series.
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Black Panther inspires fashion statement at the movies
New York Daily News, Published on Feb 19, 2018
Fans showed off their African fashion during opening weekend of the 'Black Panther' movie
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
All of these comments are from February and March 2018.
1. 19EHF
"okay black people while im proud yall have a sudden interest in African inspired fashion, lets see how many of yall continue to wear this after the hype has died down. I would love for my people to wear and support African inspired fashion owners but i doubt it"
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2. Yaa Moremi Queen
"19EHF children of African immigrants hardly wear their own attire"
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3. transcendentmuzic
"People will wear whatever is popular or "normal" to wear in the era. That's human nature regardless of race. It's up to the young people to innovate and push new styles to the forefront and that happens everyday. As a young person myself, I will continue to proudly and openly rep my people, and many others are following suit. This isn't just a movie, a singular event, it's the representation of a movement that's been brewing in the black community for the last few years now. We're witnessing a new era unfold. We're in the start of another black renaissance, and we'll see how far this generation takes it."
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4. Jonothan Doezer
"So your point is that African Americans should wear African clothes every day from now on...?"
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5. Al Person
"Excuse me, we are western black people and many of us have our own traditional wear. When you Africans start wearing your clothing everyday then you can talk to us."
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6. transcendentmuzic
"Jonothan Doezer I think it was more along the lines of people feeling comfortable enough with the fact that they are of African descent to the point that they'll casually incorporate that type of clothing into their wardrobe, not necessarily wearing it everyday."
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7. Yaa Moremi Queen
"transcendentmuzic Even most people in Africa do not wear their garbs its usually only worn on special occasions or kanga in,east Africa is worn by the village women or older women. They older people may where a complet. There is a lady on Youtube named SheLearnsLife that explains African clothing in one of her videos."
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8. aybabs
"As a matter of fact children of african immigrants do wear their own attire. Visit London, you'll see young people wearing african prints especially in summer, simple styles to the office, more elaborate styles at the weekend for parties. the fashion is lit! It's all over instagram etc. Do check things out before generalising."
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9. SlimAndCurvy
"ive been wearing african print clothes for years wouldve done it earlier if they actually sold them in places near me in the suburbs. A lot of people have wanted to wear them but dont know where to buy them locally. And I dont buy clothes online. I finally see them at festivals."
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10. yewande adesanoye
"its funny , suddenly Africa everything is so important to black americans. Suddenly our clothes our history, our language, our hearts is soo important now. after this whole black panther thing dies down, you will not see one black American near Africa anything. smh ya'll tried it."
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11. iloverette
"you're doing the absolute most. just know that African culture belongs to the Africans in America as well. It's their culture as well - a culture and heritage that they were ripped from. And people's embrace of themselves shouldn't keep you from sleeping at night. Your anger seems displaced. And I know it's not representative of all continental Africans because too many are embracing their brothers and sisters throughout the diaspora. Sending you peace."
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REPLY
12. Yaa Moremi Queen
"yewande adesanoye black americans are in Ghana, Kenya, south africa now. People have been wearing African print in mass numbers for the last 4 years. It didnt just start when the movie came out. Remember the 1970's? Afros, dashikis, Blank Panther Party. Remember Marcus Garvey back to Africa although he was Jamaican. Did you know Black Americans gave money to support Ethiopia from the Italian invasion in the 1940's. Did you know Little John the rapper just built a school in Africa. Did you know the voice of chef a black man, built a technical school in Africa?"
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13. douglas thompson
"African Americans have embraced Africa and African culture since at least the Sixties, when we celebrated being Black, wearing Afros and dashikis, turning what was once seen as a negative into a positive, Nina Simone singing “ ...to be young, gifted and Black”, seeing Africa not as a country, but a continent with a series of countries. Then, with the rising of Hip Hop as a phenomenon, you had Afrocentric Hip hop, like Poor Righteous Teachers, Arrested Development, KRS-ONE, etc. Then in the eighties and nineties, we found out about Steve Biko, and Nelson Mandela, with the “Divest from South Africa “ movement. I could continue on, but you get the idea"
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14. Unccle Locc
"yewande adesanoye 6lacc American's 6een looking towards Africa for 500 years.... In guess what Just like in the movie you never came for us... So now you want to look down at us 6ased on our 6ehavior, well y'all left us with savages..."
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15. Rachelle Revis
"Unccle Locc you took the words right out my mouth...kudos!"
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16. Tricia Charlton
"Honestly, it's a joint effort. Some African people get offended when African Americans wear African clothing. There needs to be a bridge"
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17. yewande adesanoye
"Oh yeah because I asked my ancestors to sell you off or maybe the white men of today asked their ancestors to make you slaves. this is probably why ya'll dying everyday, boo hoo the white man is the root of all our problems, but you still out here killing each other, living in section 8, doing drugs in the hood , never wanting to better yourself. But still its still everyone's fault right. black lives matter , what a joke. dumbasses"
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REPLY
18. ElricKeyblade
"yewande adesanoye Ummm...you might want to take a crash course is African-American history. This is NOT the first time we've been inspired to learn more about our history, and it certainly wont be the last..."
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19. ChocolateSkinful
"It so beautiful seeing all the African Americans reconnecting with African culture. I hope to see many of them travelling to African countries and learning more about the people and their way of life to gain a deeper understanding of their heritage. xx"
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20. Amma Trench
"Take it further, expand your knowledge, go to Africa. There are 54 choices!❤💛💚
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21. Eddard Liebber
"Black americans appropriation to look "African" and make a statement but they don't even care where it's from or if they're mixing 2 or 3 separate cultures"
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22. ojideagu
"Eddard Liebber Exactly. How has coming to America and Shakazulu got anything to do with west African cultures? They are just as ignorant as white Americans."
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23. Yaa Moremi Queen
"Eddard Liebber We are a mix of several different tribes in Africa so that makes sense."
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24. Yndia Dallas
"support black business 365 not just one month or one movie"
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25. Flawless Stone
"I'm a 💯% African woman from west Africa Liberia 🇱🇷,& I'm just too damn happy to see my truthful African woman & Men together,This Friday is not going to past by me, I'm going watch me some Black panther"
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26. Lavette Miller
"Love it. Just love it. I hope this good energy continues to grow"
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27. Sarah F K
"Lots of love from a sister from Cote d ivoire! Akwaba to Mama Africa"
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28. Joyce Dauzart
"How wonderful to see black people embracing their blackness with such pride . I sadly remember, years ago, a black woman telling me that she didn't like the term "African-American", because, as she continued to state to me, she yelled.... " I didn't come from Africa !!!" Thank God for a new revelation !"
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29. jhon doe
"Black panther inspires black people to waste their money and whites and Asians to gain black peoples money. all that so called "african fabric" MADE IN CHINA stupid!"
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30. Faiza Fawz
"How about north Africa Fashion style still its africa"
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31. perri 6
"Ankara (prints) forever!"
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32. hydelover75
"I dressed up for the movie. It was so much fun, to see everyone dressed up"
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Example #2: Why Black People Gotta Be Extra At Black Panther
KevOnStage, Published on Feb 16, 2018
-snip-
The title of this vlog (video log) includes the term “be extra”. "[To] Be extra" is an African American Vernacular English term meaning "to do more than what is usually [normally] done". Another way of saying this is "to go all out" or "go overboard". While "be extra" and "go all out" may have positive or negative connotations, "go overboard" only has negative connotations.
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
All of these comments are from February and March 2018.
1.HeWells Living
"Yes be extra"
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2. MetaKnight964
"Extra for what? Why?"
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3. Cheryl Mosley
"MetaKnight964
And I asked you why not? Have you ever seen the plaque “ don’t just be normal “. I was always taught to be extra; to do the best at everything you do. Yes, our children need to learn do be mediocre. Be yourself love yourself and support one another and yes be extra."
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4. ROYALTY _BEAUTI
"HeWells Living I'm being extra all day everyday 24/7 😏🙅❤💯"
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5. Boozer
"Even us Africans are extra. It’s just a black people thing to be super extra all the time."
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6. Beyhive Yonce
"Tell them I wonder why people complain
You should see an African burial if they think this is extra"
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7. Xavier Simmons
"Now people going around dressing up like some Africans... I can deal with that. Where o draw this line is when people actually start thinking that this is supposed too have some sort of historical significance. Heck half the people who attended the movie didn't know who Black panther was until they saw the trailer. It's a freaking Marvel movie OK. It's not like 42 or some other movie where the character had some type of influence in American history. Nope we get the African feels from a movie about a black Batman. Way to go people really showing what matters."
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8. Monica Williams
"Xavier Simmons bruh thank you!! one of the only people thats making sense right now. Good Lord. Somebody help these American blacks"
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9. Mocha Berry
"They’re dressing up for fun like anybody else would. It’s not that serious so no need for that. The problem comes in when they want to dress up for this particular marvel movie they are torn down but when others dress up for a marvel movie no one Bats an eyelash. Get it together bi&ch" get it together. 😒🙄
-snip-
This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
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10. Monica Williams
Mocha Berry ...ive never seen people dress up for a Marvel movie. Theres nothing to dress up for!? Whos going to walk into a theater dressed like captain America? No -.- people suit up for comiccon and other conventions. Not a movie, like these idiots for black panther.
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11. zeewann
"Monica Williams - why does someone else have to set up what's "appropriate." Who gets to make those rules? White people? Hmmm? I thought the chains were off over a hundred years ago, and people can decide on their own social conventions? (besides, just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Try google images)"
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12. Monica Williams
"zeewann lol really? White people decide what is and what is not awkward. Idk. Going into an already dark theater pretending to know about African culture for a fictional Marvel movie sounds stupid to me. Every other day American black people poke fun at African traditional cultures yet wanna pretend to be connected to their roots when an action movie comes out. They werent checking for black panther when it came out years ago. This character isnt new. But whatever. Y'all keep acting and people gon keep laughing."
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13. Ari Raquel
"whats wrg with blacks being proud and positive???? why is it considered extra???? whites have yearly comic conventions dress in comic characters and pay lots of money to attend its not repremended...i rather see our people embracing heritage and being positive then coming to a theater and shooting it up like other races in the past .not trying to be insensitive and r.ip to all innocent beautiful souls but i love our people we are amazing!!!!!"
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14. Carl Wharton
"I guess these people have never seen
a Star Wars movie premiere? Or gone to a comic con…or a Star Trek convention…People
of all colors show their excitement and appreciation in a galaxy of ways. Google
the Last Jedi movie premier and see how many dressed up as the characters. Why
do folks want to call our pride and love affair with ourselves “extra”, as if
we’re doing something wrong. This is the norm in all cultures. If you’re not
going to be excited about what you do, who else is??? #wakandaforever #therealbornfree"
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15. Leigh Lafrance
"I don't think its just white ppl at comic conventions dressing up ;x"
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16. Davidth
..."That doesn't make wearing the African clothing not look embarrassing. I can understand if it was for religious purposes, but it isn't. Hell half of the people that wear it can't even name 5 countries in Africa"
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17. Lapis The Bro
"Davidth they don’t feel embarrassed wearing something that empowers them and their culture"
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18. Kaleb Irwan
"Davidth well....it has some connection to the movie dude. Im white and i dont find this anyhow annoying or offensive or whatever. The people in the movie wear africans clothes. Therefore it has a connection the viewers wearing african clothes. Its not rocket science"
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19. The Mad Doctor
"Why can't black people be excited for things without some rasicts got to kill our vibe! #wakandaforever"
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20. Angie Natoyn
"Ain't black, but I think it's really cool that folks were wearing African inspired garb, etc. Like it a lot."
-snip-
"Garb" was a term that was commonly used in the late 1960s and 1970 by afrocentric Black Americans to mean "African or African inspired" garments (clothing).
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21. Mikehezzy da illest
"The Only Problem I have with people being extra with this movie is most of them haven't even read a Black Panther comic or most people didn't even know he exists until they seen him in "Civil War". The people that's being most extra are the ones who didn't know shit about him. Atleast Harry Potter fans and star wars fans are true fans because they followed all movies or read the books."
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22. zeewann
"So...old fans should dress up, but new fans shouldn't? Where is the logic in that? Aren't most people the most excited when they discover something for the first time? Hmmm?"
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23. Mikehezzy da illest
"zeewann never said they couldn't. Just as a person who knew black panther from the comics and not just a movie in my head I'm saying "do you really know him like that". You have people who literally didn't even think he's a comic book character lol"
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24. Mika20
"Me and my brother rocked our dashiki outfits on the Thursday it came out. And we weren't the only ones either. What a fun night and such an amazing movie."
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25. Isaac Shaw
"I think it's real extra to go to a movie dressed up in a costume, but if you do it just means you're excited and is there anything wrong with that?!? If trekkies and Star Wars fans can go around looking like movie extras saying "live long and prosper" and "may the force be with you" can't black Panther fans say Wakanda forever? On the flipside try not to get to militant remember the Black Panther and Wakanda were created by our Jewish brothers Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.🤔"
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26. David Stufflebean
"My daughter and I went to 3 showings of Black Panther, at all 3 shows there were lots of African Americans showing up dressed in clothes of various kinds and it was so awesome. I knew this movie was going to be really good and was going to shatter records but the 2nd time we went there was a party of 7 ladies in full African type dress they were probably 40-65 years old and I just smiled it was so refreshing to see people coming out to see a comic book movie that actually meant something and they felt it! Wakanda Forever, cannot wait for a follow-up!"
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27. Alicia B.
"Dang, Melanated people coming together in unity! ⚡WOW....This should be🙌celebrated🙌 Not Hated!"
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28. NaturalBeauty0708
"Alicia B. It doesn't fit the agenda"
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29. Sharita Martin
"I ❤that Melanated"
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30. john shoffner
"Alicia B. Yep. Being extra ain't hurting nobody."
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31. Mickey Mania
"Alicia B. Absolutely understand you sistah, really gave me something to think about, maybe I needed that. Looking at it that way it is a cause for celebration, peace and blessings to you also sistah."
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32. The Popular Brunnette
"Because white people know the power of the black men coming together in unity. This is why they build the system for us to destroy one another and then hold it against us. It’s called conquer and divide."
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33. Lorenzo L
"Alicia B. What unity for a white created and owned business lol ok"
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34. One-of-the-pieces
"Ah, but Stan is an Ally, he created this superhero back when racial tensions were at their highest and white people were getting beat to death for helping or even speaking positively about black people. He created one of the first black superheroes. He made him smart, he made the country technologically advanced. He challenged the "stupid black savages with big red lips" stereotype in a time when it could have gotten him or his family hurt or gotten him killed like the white preacher whose death(beaten to death by white supremacists) was ultimately responsible for President Lyndon B. Johnson finally approving troop protection for the Selma march."
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35. Yvonne Charlery
"Alicia B. Lorenzo I understand what you are saying, but this pride in the movie is also gererating money in the black community, because people are now seaching for products made by black people, such as clothing, accessories etc, it is a start."
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36. Alicia B.
"Yvonne Charlery you know what, I didn't even consider that! I 💖 your point🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌"
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37. DomDiva Nique
"Can We live??? Dang. I don't see anything wrong with it!! Celebrate ur blackness"
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38. crushinthedevil
"DomDiva Nique say so sis"
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39. DomDiva Nique
"crushinthedevil yes baby I am here for All of it... This isn't being extra to me.. This is showing PRIDE. And whats sad is that society isn't used to seeing Black Pride so they think its extra when we express it... Trust me i planned on going to the movie dressed like the Queen of Zamunda. ..lol.. Just didn't have time to go shopping"
-snip-
"Zamuda" is the name of the fictional African nation in Eddie Murphy's 1988 movie Coming To America.
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40. Fleja
"Then is it okay for me to celebrate my whiteness?
Or would that make me racist somehow?....."
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41. DomDiva Nique
"Fleja I celebrate my blackness and my whiteness and my Native American...So do you boo. Fact is we have been celebrating more White culture for generations. We have a Positive ideal whom happens to be emphasizing People of Color... Its not about race. It's about the culture"
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42. Fleja
"Maybe you dont see that as a problem, but majority of society labels whites as racist if they celebrate anything supportive of themselves. Im perfectly fine if blacks, or Hispanic, or Asians etc want to celebrate as certain pride for themselves,
however it just sucks people don't see the double standard placed on whites. And its is these kinds of things [as well as a few other things] that have allowed the alt right to grow in power, and it is still growing today.
Also it is about race: the root of this thread you literally say "Celebrate your blackness". No reason to lie about that, especially when its so easy to point out
it's fine if you like the movie, or want to celebrate the representation of your race, but please, I just wish it could be fair for everyone else; specifically those of European decent
it should either be all okay, or none of it okay"
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43. DomDiva Nique
"Fleja Im sorry but i don't feel that way"
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44. HotAndSpoicy
"I think it’s ok to be excited about a movie and dress up but with Black Panther, this wasn’t the case. Black people only dressed up in AFRICAN TRIBAL clothing, not a Black Panther suit or cosplay like Star Wars fans do. Plus, this many black people would never dress up and fill up an entire movie theatre for Star Wars like they did for Black Panther."
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45. Jordan Harrington
"I'm definitely finna wear my lil dashiki 😂"
-snip-
"Finna" is an old African American Vernacular English term that means "getting ready to". Another form of this word is "fixin to". In the showcased video that is embedded above, the vlogger also used the term "finna".
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46. TheLadyOfSoul502
"They're trying to hijack the dashiki by calling it "Boho" or "gypsy"
It's always been African and it will always be African. The culture vultures have arrived!!"
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This comment included that bold font.
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47. Velylon Carter
"Lol Jordan you know we be saying finna I just burst out laughing when I read that I am 52 yrs young and I say that all the time boy you a mess! lol"
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48. justcallme...
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSS BABY, WE ARE EXTRA FUHEVA!!!!!!!!!!!! I see absolutely nothing wrong with dressing for the movie, and as you so wonderfully stated, Trekkies, Potter Heads, and wannabe Jedis have been doing it for YEARS!!!!! I am curious, though...are there any Africans who felt it was inappropriate or disingenuous? I saw it in 3D and I am going back this weekend, so I hope you and your kids enjoyed it as much as I did :-)"
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49. ChattingwithStevil
"Be "extra" for Black Panther. Be "Super extra". I am a geek and comic fan. Me and my friends dress up for many pop culture movies. Hell I went to Despicable Me dressed as Gru. Kids love it as well as adults.. It makes the movie experience memorable. :)"
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50. S Bullard
"Why do we criticize one another in the presence of others? Other cultures have gone in cultural garb? I’m so proud of and in love with blackness. There is something special in this moment I’m going back in garb...Wakanda Forever"
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51. MexicAnime
"The only thing I'm upset about is that I didn't get to see anybody dressed up when I went to see Black Panther on Saturday. I cosplay so i can appreciate the time, money and effort it takes to wear an amazing outfit/costume for a special event.
Let's just enjoy the movie, and tell the folk that did dress up that they look amazing."
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52. Mareepu
"Even my mother, who's Afrolatina (we're extra-raised on assimilation), turned to me when she saw Black folk all dressed up and said, 'this is beautiful'."
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53. Meme
"Anything you give to black people we take it and make it look, taste and sound better 😜😜. Go be sad somewhere esle🤛🏿! Wakanda forever!! We are thinking Wakanda into existence!"
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54. Dc Cowles
"Meme it's a comic book seek help . Therapists are up at all times ."
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55. Rakira Duncombe
"Meme Yaaasssss 💖💖💖"
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56. Meme
"lol; I know i am just having fun"
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57. Kaleah Collins
"Meme AAAAAAAMENN!"
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58. ROYALTY _BEAUTI
"Meme 🙅❤💯 WAKANDA FOREVER"
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59. Kazmo NZ
"like you said, you extra!! that extra-ness is why black culture dominates America and a great deal of the world. P.S Thank you for everything Black culture has given us!! Thank you!!"
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60. Dee Jones
"You know it's pretty much just cosplaying in a movie that's all"
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61. C Jones
"But they dress like Harry Potter and Star Wars characters"
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62. Jemma-Rosa Warrior
"C Jones and black people are dressing like the people in the movie"
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63. J Carter
"Jemma-Rosa Warrior Prince Akeem was from Zamunda. Not Wakanda. Just a counterpoint."
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64.
Jemma-Rosa Warrior
"J Carter true. But it was a African nation. Around the same concept. If people want to wear african outfits who cares? Its not affecting you, unless it's a giant headwrap"
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65. Kenneth Bonney
"C Jones exactly, when they dress up like klingons, captain kirk, and pokemon characters each year at comic-con we dont say anything!!! Let black people have some fun for a change!!!"
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66. Blvck Pantheress
"If I ain't extra I ain't black."
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67. Critical Joseph
"I'm white, and I like black people being extra, the fact that black people understood this phenomenon and gave it a word called "extra" is hilarious. Black people set the trend."
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68. Sharon Rubain
"WE ARE EXTRA! Extra-ordinary, fabulous, awesome, THIS IS US!"
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69. Vette
"Sharon Rubain Yasss!!! A little louder 4 the people in the back"
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70. Just Be Yourself
"Sharon Rubain YEASSSS GUUURRLLL I LUV OUR extraness"
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71. Ray of Lyte
"True that Queen"
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72. The Shaolin
" "Why can't we be extra we is an extra type of people..." That's the problem right there bro you don't speak for all of us. By trying to make it like all black people are "this way" is racist, I'm sorry but it is. Promoting and enabling certain "black" behavior is actually what has kept us in a basic mindset. So anytime you speak on black people as a whole having to act like whatever, you're doing a disservice to the black community by making us out to be nothing more than the embodiment of stereotypes."
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73. P U R G A T O R Y
"The Shaolin thank you! Can we just be individuals instead of a hive mind group?"
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74. Forest Snipes
"+ All the other movies with black people in them are about slavery, or us being the help. Ain't nobody finna dress up as a slave."
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75. roni lee
"EXTRA!? people go to the movies dressed as Darth Vadar and iron man. this is people CELEBRATING! and who cares what other people think about GOOD CLEAN FUN. That's why opening nights for films like this are so amazing! Star wars, star trek, comic book, history, fantasy...it's the kind of theater where you can talk to strangers and have at least one thing in common, your excitement, your connection to the feature in front of you.
I'm proud of Black Panther and it makes me so happy to have a hero that kids can say look like them/us. This is the film i've been waiting to see and if i could have snagged imax tickets to opening night you had better believe I would have dressed to the damn nines."
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76. President So
"roni lee star wars, people dressed up as actual characters, black panther, people dressed up all kinds of ways related to African culture"
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77. Beast Mode
"Um what are they celebrating lmao?"
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78. XxJessica CharlesxX
"1 month ago
Beast Mode They are celebrating their African culture/roots and a embracing their blackness."
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79. That's Where You're Wrong Kiddo
"XxJessica CharlesxX We ain’t embracing no damn culture or roots. The movie is about a futuristic African country that doesn’t exist.
If the black panther was located elsewhere. Then everybody wouldn’t embrace it. So you’re telling me you’re embracing a fake ass culture. Lmao shi fake."
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80. Storm Bey
"That's Where You're Wrong Kiddo Well BP comics, and the costume designers for the movie took inspiration, and in a lot of cases literally copying, traditional African style from all over the continent. So, it is, in a lot of ways, embracing the amalgamation of African people and aesthetics. In either case, people can dress up however tf they want to. Why are y'all crying about it?"
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81. Dean Tran
"Storm Bey People are being so obtuse it's almost cringe worthy, isn't it??? Lmao. Like, yes, it's fictional, but it's so obviously inspired by real cultures, and people have a right to celebrate their cultures."
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82. anony mouse
"I love it! If white people can dress up for Rocky Horror Picture Show and nerds can cosplay for all the other superhero movies, then let me rock my LION HIDE IN PEACE! Imma sling it over my shoulder and his face gon be all in your popcorn. I DONT CARE! LET ME LIVE!"
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83. Glory Mosby
"anony mouse : 💞💓💕💖"
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84. Sujit Prasad
"Exactly! I'm not even Black, or White or hell even brown. I'm probably somewhere between yellow ochre or something 😂(I'm from India so...) I wanted to get dressed like T'Challa like his trademark clawed necklace with attire but couldn't afford it. But it feels so good when you celebrate something for how awesome it was, how influencing it was for the upcoming generation!😊"
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85. ThisIsNajma
"PREACH 💜💜💜💜💜💜
-snip-
This comment was written with bold font.
"Preach" means the same thing as same as “Tell it!”, “Tell the truth”!, “Amen!”, and "Yes!"
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86. Dubem28
"😂😂😂😂😂😂! If you think that's extra, go to a Nigerian party."
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87. blindjustice316
"That coming to America cosplay was legit,"
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88. justcallme...
"The pageantry is all part of the experience :-)"
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89. Rachel A
"I didn't know that's how WE were going to get down at the movies. I'm about to go through my mama's closet."
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90. lonelysith66
"Lord, everyone went through their mama, daddy and Uncle Jr's closet this weekend!
LOL XD"
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91. foxxcgirl
"and hit up the local African store! lol that's why it's always good to keep you at least 2 african friends. cause you know they got that GEAR!! shoes and hat to match and glad to share lol kmsl"
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92. Hockey Girl
"Amen ✊🏾 let’s just support people’s rights to be individuals. Black folks need to stop worrying about what white folks think about us. Wear African clothes. Do that thang. White folks see themselves as individuals and we should too. When we marginalize each other as to how we should act, we are just placating to the notion that minorities have collective thinking. We are all individuals and black looks like everything. Go panther go"
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93. SeaOtter Rick Rodgers
"I agree. Why not celebrate africa"
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94. Manuel Lopez
"I went to see it today and at the matinee people came dressed up and taking pictures and high fives and fist pumps....and it was all okay and good. You know why? Cause everyone in there spent the $15.00 a ticket to see it in IMAX/3D and when the movie started...EVERYONE sat down and shutted up till it was over and the cheers and yells started again...hell I cheered and yelled too."
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95. jeff dimirra
"wait, what? black people kept their f&&kin* mouths shut in the movie theatre?"
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*This word was fully spelled out in this comment.
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96. Caressa Clark
"jeff dimirra
Shocking..😂"
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97. Kayshawn Simmons
"Manuel Lopez my ticket was 20 an Wakonda Yes I wore a head wrap"
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98. me AND mines
"Kayshawn Simmons I bet you was looking GOOD in that head wrap too! Go on girl!"
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99. L Curry
"💯 We got Flava in all we do, food, music, clothing, hair. It all goes back to Wakanda"
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100. Ijeme Imolorhe
"I wore a dashiki. I live in Canada. It's February. It's like minus 10 Celsius. It was like 12 Black people in there and the theatre was packed. I was the only one dressed for the occasion. I had to restrain myself from yelling at the screen. Actually, I did a few times. It was the least I could do to show up and show out."
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101. Toyon95
"Why are you all excited to still be alive..." So trueeee! Why do these people care so much?????? urgh..... There's so much sadness in this world- so if a person for once is happy- let them! Join them!"
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post showcases one YouTube video and one YouTube vlog (video log) about Black people in the United States dressing in traditional African clothes or African inspired clothes to see Black Panther in movie theaters.
There are a number of other YouTube videos about this cultural phenomenon in the United States and/or in Africa and elsewhere throughout the world. However, these two examples only focus on this custom in the United States.
Selected comments from these YouTube examples are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
Thanks to all those who are associated with the Black Panther movie and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series about the 2018 Black Panther movie. Click the Black Panther tag below for other posts in this series.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Black Panther inspires fashion statement at the movies
New York Daily News, Published on Feb 19, 2018
Fans showed off their African fashion during opening weekend of the 'Black Panther' movie
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
All of these comments are from February and March 2018.
1. 19EHF
"okay black people while im proud yall have a sudden interest in African inspired fashion, lets see how many of yall continue to wear this after the hype has died down. I would love for my people to wear and support African inspired fashion owners but i doubt it"
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2. Yaa Moremi Queen
"19EHF children of African immigrants hardly wear their own attire"
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3. transcendentmuzic
"People will wear whatever is popular or "normal" to wear in the era. That's human nature regardless of race. It's up to the young people to innovate and push new styles to the forefront and that happens everyday. As a young person myself, I will continue to proudly and openly rep my people, and many others are following suit. This isn't just a movie, a singular event, it's the representation of a movement that's been brewing in the black community for the last few years now. We're witnessing a new era unfold. We're in the start of another black renaissance, and we'll see how far this generation takes it."
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4. Jonothan Doezer
"So your point is that African Americans should wear African clothes every day from now on...?"
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5. Al Person
"Excuse me, we are western black people and many of us have our own traditional wear. When you Africans start wearing your clothing everyday then you can talk to us."
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6. transcendentmuzic
"Jonothan Doezer I think it was more along the lines of people feeling comfortable enough with the fact that they are of African descent to the point that they'll casually incorporate that type of clothing into their wardrobe, not necessarily wearing it everyday."
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7. Yaa Moremi Queen
"transcendentmuzic Even most people in Africa do not wear their garbs its usually only worn on special occasions or kanga in,east Africa is worn by the village women or older women. They older people may where a complet. There is a lady on Youtube named SheLearnsLife that explains African clothing in one of her videos."
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8. aybabs
"As a matter of fact children of african immigrants do wear their own attire. Visit London, you'll see young people wearing african prints especially in summer, simple styles to the office, more elaborate styles at the weekend for parties. the fashion is lit! It's all over instagram etc. Do check things out before generalising."
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9. SlimAndCurvy
"ive been wearing african print clothes for years wouldve done it earlier if they actually sold them in places near me in the suburbs. A lot of people have wanted to wear them but dont know where to buy them locally. And I dont buy clothes online. I finally see them at festivals."
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10. yewande adesanoye
"its funny , suddenly Africa everything is so important to black americans. Suddenly our clothes our history, our language, our hearts is soo important now. after this whole black panther thing dies down, you will not see one black American near Africa anything. smh ya'll tried it."
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11. iloverette
"you're doing the absolute most. just know that African culture belongs to the Africans in America as well. It's their culture as well - a culture and heritage that they were ripped from. And people's embrace of themselves shouldn't keep you from sleeping at night. Your anger seems displaced. And I know it's not representative of all continental Africans because too many are embracing their brothers and sisters throughout the diaspora. Sending you peace."
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12. Yaa Moremi Queen
"yewande adesanoye black americans are in Ghana, Kenya, south africa now. People have been wearing African print in mass numbers for the last 4 years. It didnt just start when the movie came out. Remember the 1970's? Afros, dashikis, Blank Panther Party. Remember Marcus Garvey back to Africa although he was Jamaican. Did you know Black Americans gave money to support Ethiopia from the Italian invasion in the 1940's. Did you know Little John the rapper just built a school in Africa. Did you know the voice of chef a black man, built a technical school in Africa?"
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13. douglas thompson
"African Americans have embraced Africa and African culture since at least the Sixties, when we celebrated being Black, wearing Afros and dashikis, turning what was once seen as a negative into a positive, Nina Simone singing “ ...to be young, gifted and Black”, seeing Africa not as a country, but a continent with a series of countries. Then, with the rising of Hip Hop as a phenomenon, you had Afrocentric Hip hop, like Poor Righteous Teachers, Arrested Development, KRS-ONE, etc. Then in the eighties and nineties, we found out about Steve Biko, and Nelson Mandela, with the “Divest from South Africa “ movement. I could continue on, but you get the idea"
**
REPLY
14. Unccle Locc
"yewande adesanoye 6lacc American's 6een looking towards Africa for 500 years.... In guess what Just like in the movie you never came for us... So now you want to look down at us 6ased on our 6ehavior, well y'all left us with savages..."
**
REPLY
15. Rachelle Revis
"Unccle Locc you took the words right out my mouth...kudos!"
**
REPLY
16. Tricia Charlton
"Honestly, it's a joint effort. Some African people get offended when African Americans wear African clothing. There needs to be a bridge"
**
REPLY
17. yewande adesanoye
"Oh yeah because I asked my ancestors to sell you off or maybe the white men of today asked their ancestors to make you slaves. this is probably why ya'll dying everyday, boo hoo the white man is the root of all our problems, but you still out here killing each other, living in section 8, doing drugs in the hood , never wanting to better yourself. But still its still everyone's fault right. black lives matter , what a joke. dumbasses"
**
REPLY
18. ElricKeyblade
"yewande adesanoye Ummm...you might want to take a crash course is African-American history. This is NOT the first time we've been inspired to learn more about our history, and it certainly wont be the last..."
**
19. ChocolateSkinful
"It so beautiful seeing all the African Americans reconnecting with African culture. I hope to see many of them travelling to African countries and learning more about the people and their way of life to gain a deeper understanding of their heritage. xx"
**
20. Amma Trench
"Take it further, expand your knowledge, go to Africa. There are 54 choices!❤💛💚
**
21. Eddard Liebber
"Black americans appropriation to look "African" and make a statement but they don't even care where it's from or if they're mixing 2 or 3 separate cultures"
**
REPLY
22. ojideagu
"Eddard Liebber Exactly. How has coming to America and Shakazulu got anything to do with west African cultures? They are just as ignorant as white Americans."
**
REPLY
23. Yaa Moremi Queen
"Eddard Liebber We are a mix of several different tribes in Africa so that makes sense."
**
24. Yndia Dallas
"support black business 365 not just one month or one movie"
**
25. Flawless Stone
"I'm a 💯% African woman from west Africa Liberia 🇱🇷,& I'm just too damn happy to see my truthful African woman & Men together,This Friday is not going to past by me, I'm going watch me some Black panther"
**
26. Lavette Miller
"Love it. Just love it. I hope this good energy continues to grow"
**
27. Sarah F K
"Lots of love from a sister from Cote d ivoire! Akwaba to Mama Africa"
**
28. Joyce Dauzart
"How wonderful to see black people embracing their blackness with such pride . I sadly remember, years ago, a black woman telling me that she didn't like the term "African-American", because, as she continued to state to me, she yelled.... " I didn't come from Africa !!!" Thank God for a new revelation !"
**
29. jhon doe
"Black panther inspires black people to waste their money and whites and Asians to gain black peoples money. all that so called "african fabric" MADE IN CHINA stupid!"
**
30. Faiza Fawz
"How about north Africa Fashion style still its africa"
**
31. perri 6
"Ankara (prints) forever!"
**
32. hydelover75
"I dressed up for the movie. It was so much fun, to see everyone dressed up"
****
Example #2: Why Black People Gotta Be Extra At Black Panther
KevOnStage, Published on Feb 16, 2018
-snip-
The title of this vlog (video log) includes the term “be extra”. "[To] Be extra" is an African American Vernacular English term meaning "to do more than what is usually [normally] done". Another way of saying this is "to go all out" or "go overboard". While "be extra" and "go all out" may have positive or negative connotations, "go overboard" only has negative connotations.
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.
All of these comments are from February and March 2018.
1.HeWells Living
"Yes be extra"
**
REPLY
2. MetaKnight964
"Extra for what? Why?"
**
REPLY
3. Cheryl Mosley
"MetaKnight964
And I asked you why not? Have you ever seen the plaque “ don’t just be normal “. I was always taught to be extra; to do the best at everything you do. Yes, our children need to learn do be mediocre. Be yourself love yourself and support one another and yes be extra."
**
REPLY
4. ROYALTY _BEAUTI
"HeWells Living I'm being extra all day everyday 24/7 😏🙅❤💯"
**
5. Boozer
"Even us Africans are extra. It’s just a black people thing to be super extra all the time."
**
6. Beyhive Yonce
"Tell them I wonder why people complain
You should see an African burial if they think this is extra"
**
7. Xavier Simmons
"Now people going around dressing up like some Africans... I can deal with that. Where o draw this line is when people actually start thinking that this is supposed too have some sort of historical significance. Heck half the people who attended the movie didn't know who Black panther was until they saw the trailer. It's a freaking Marvel movie OK. It's not like 42 or some other movie where the character had some type of influence in American history. Nope we get the African feels from a movie about a black Batman. Way to go people really showing what matters."
**
REPLY
8. Monica Williams
"Xavier Simmons bruh thank you!! one of the only people thats making sense right now. Good Lord. Somebody help these American blacks"
**
REPLY
9. Mocha Berry
"They’re dressing up for fun like anybody else would. It’s not that serious so no need for that. The problem comes in when they want to dress up for this particular marvel movie they are torn down but when others dress up for a marvel movie no one Bats an eyelash. Get it together bi&ch" get it together. 😒🙄
-snip-
This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
REPLY
10. Monica Williams
Mocha Berry ...ive never seen people dress up for a Marvel movie. Theres nothing to dress up for!? Whos going to walk into a theater dressed like captain America? No -.- people suit up for comiccon and other conventions. Not a movie, like these idiots for black panther.
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REPLY
11. zeewann
"Monica Williams - why does someone else have to set up what's "appropriate." Who gets to make those rules? White people? Hmmm? I thought the chains were off over a hundred years ago, and people can decide on their own social conventions? (besides, just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Try google images)"
**
REPLY
12. Monica Williams
"zeewann lol really? White people decide what is and what is not awkward. Idk. Going into an already dark theater pretending to know about African culture for a fictional Marvel movie sounds stupid to me. Every other day American black people poke fun at African traditional cultures yet wanna pretend to be connected to their roots when an action movie comes out. They werent checking for black panther when it came out years ago. This character isnt new. But whatever. Y'all keep acting and people gon keep laughing."
**
13. Ari Raquel
"whats wrg with blacks being proud and positive???? why is it considered extra???? whites have yearly comic conventions dress in comic characters and pay lots of money to attend its not repremended...i rather see our people embracing heritage and being positive then coming to a theater and shooting it up like other races in the past .not trying to be insensitive and r.ip to all innocent beautiful souls but i love our people we are amazing!!!!!"
**
14. Carl Wharton
"I guess these people have never seen
a Star Wars movie premiere? Or gone to a comic con…or a Star Trek convention…People
of all colors show their excitement and appreciation in a galaxy of ways. Google
the Last Jedi movie premier and see how many dressed up as the characters. Why
do folks want to call our pride and love affair with ourselves “extra”, as if
we’re doing something wrong. This is the norm in all cultures. If you’re not
going to be excited about what you do, who else is??? #wakandaforever #therealbornfree"
**
REPLY
15. Leigh Lafrance
"I don't think its just white ppl at comic conventions dressing up ;x"
**
16. Davidth
..."That doesn't make wearing the African clothing not look embarrassing. I can understand if it was for religious purposes, but it isn't. Hell half of the people that wear it can't even name 5 countries in Africa"
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REPLY
17. Lapis The Bro
"Davidth they don’t feel embarrassed wearing something that empowers them and their culture"
**
REPLY
18. Kaleb Irwan
"Davidth well....it has some connection to the movie dude. Im white and i dont find this anyhow annoying or offensive or whatever. The people in the movie wear africans clothes. Therefore it has a connection the viewers wearing african clothes. Its not rocket science"
**
19. The Mad Doctor
"Why can't black people be excited for things without some rasicts got to kill our vibe! #wakandaforever"
**
20. Angie Natoyn
"Ain't black, but I think it's really cool that folks were wearing African inspired garb, etc. Like it a lot."
-snip-
"Garb" was a term that was commonly used in the late 1960s and 1970 by afrocentric Black Americans to mean "African or African inspired" garments (clothing).
**
21. Mikehezzy da illest
"The Only Problem I have with people being extra with this movie is most of them haven't even read a Black Panther comic or most people didn't even know he exists until they seen him in "Civil War". The people that's being most extra are the ones who didn't know shit about him. Atleast Harry Potter fans and star wars fans are true fans because they followed all movies or read the books."
**
REPLY
22. zeewann
"So...old fans should dress up, but new fans shouldn't? Where is the logic in that? Aren't most people the most excited when they discover something for the first time? Hmmm?"
**
23. Mikehezzy da illest
"zeewann never said they couldn't. Just as a person who knew black panther from the comics and not just a movie in my head I'm saying "do you really know him like that". You have people who literally didn't even think he's a comic book character lol"
**
24. Mika20
"Me and my brother rocked our dashiki outfits on the Thursday it came out. And we weren't the only ones either. What a fun night and such an amazing movie."
**
25. Isaac Shaw
"I think it's real extra to go to a movie dressed up in a costume, but if you do it just means you're excited and is there anything wrong with that?!? If trekkies and Star Wars fans can go around looking like movie extras saying "live long and prosper" and "may the force be with you" can't black Panther fans say Wakanda forever? On the flipside try not to get to militant remember the Black Panther and Wakanda were created by our Jewish brothers Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.🤔"
**
26. David Stufflebean
"My daughter and I went to 3 showings of Black Panther, at all 3 shows there were lots of African Americans showing up dressed in clothes of various kinds and it was so awesome. I knew this movie was going to be really good and was going to shatter records but the 2nd time we went there was a party of 7 ladies in full African type dress they were probably 40-65 years old and I just smiled it was so refreshing to see people coming out to see a comic book movie that actually meant something and they felt it! Wakanda Forever, cannot wait for a follow-up!"
**
27. Alicia B.
"Dang, Melanated people coming together in unity! ⚡WOW....This should be🙌celebrated🙌 Not Hated!"
**
REPLY
28. NaturalBeauty0708
"Alicia B. It doesn't fit the agenda"
**
REPLY
29. Sharita Martin
"I ❤that Melanated"
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REPLY
30. john shoffner
"Alicia B. Yep. Being extra ain't hurting nobody."
**
REPLY
31. Mickey Mania
"Alicia B. Absolutely understand you sistah, really gave me something to think about, maybe I needed that. Looking at it that way it is a cause for celebration, peace and blessings to you also sistah."
**
REPLY
32. The Popular Brunnette
"Because white people know the power of the black men coming together in unity. This is why they build the system for us to destroy one another and then hold it against us. It’s called conquer and divide."
**
REPLY
33. Lorenzo L
"Alicia B. What unity for a white created and owned business lol ok"
**
REPLY
34. One-of-the-pieces
"Ah, but Stan is an Ally, he created this superhero back when racial tensions were at their highest and white people were getting beat to death for helping or even speaking positively about black people. He created one of the first black superheroes. He made him smart, he made the country technologically advanced. He challenged the "stupid black savages with big red lips" stereotype in a time when it could have gotten him or his family hurt or gotten him killed like the white preacher whose death(beaten to death by white supremacists) was ultimately responsible for President Lyndon B. Johnson finally approving troop protection for the Selma march."
**
REPLY
35. Yvonne Charlery
"Alicia B. Lorenzo I understand what you are saying, but this pride in the movie is also gererating money in the black community, because people are now seaching for products made by black people, such as clothing, accessories etc, it is a start."
**
REPLY
36. Alicia B.
"Yvonne Charlery you know what, I didn't even consider that! I 💖 your point🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌"
**
37. DomDiva Nique
"Can We live??? Dang. I don't see anything wrong with it!! Celebrate ur blackness"
**
REPLY
38. crushinthedevil
"DomDiva Nique say so sis"
**
REPLY
39. DomDiva Nique
"crushinthedevil yes baby I am here for All of it... This isn't being extra to me.. This is showing PRIDE. And whats sad is that society isn't used to seeing Black Pride so they think its extra when we express it... Trust me i planned on going to the movie dressed like the Queen of Zamunda. ..lol.. Just didn't have time to go shopping"
-snip-
"Zamuda" is the name of the fictional African nation in Eddie Murphy's 1988 movie Coming To America.
**
REPLY
40. Fleja
"Then is it okay for me to celebrate my whiteness?
Or would that make me racist somehow?....."
**
REPLY
41. DomDiva Nique
"Fleja I celebrate my blackness and my whiteness and my Native American...So do you boo. Fact is we have been celebrating more White culture for generations. We have a Positive ideal whom happens to be emphasizing People of Color... Its not about race. It's about the culture"
**
REPLY
42. Fleja
"Maybe you dont see that as a problem, but majority of society labels whites as racist if they celebrate anything supportive of themselves. Im perfectly fine if blacks, or Hispanic, or Asians etc want to celebrate as certain pride for themselves,
however it just sucks people don't see the double standard placed on whites. And its is these kinds of things [as well as a few other things] that have allowed the alt right to grow in power, and it is still growing today.
Also it is about race: the root of this thread you literally say "Celebrate your blackness". No reason to lie about that, especially when its so easy to point out
it's fine if you like the movie, or want to celebrate the representation of your race, but please, I just wish it could be fair for everyone else; specifically those of European decent
it should either be all okay, or none of it okay"
**
REPLY
43. DomDiva Nique
"Fleja Im sorry but i don't feel that way"
**
44. HotAndSpoicy
"I think it’s ok to be excited about a movie and dress up but with Black Panther, this wasn’t the case. Black people only dressed up in AFRICAN TRIBAL clothing, not a Black Panther suit or cosplay like Star Wars fans do. Plus, this many black people would never dress up and fill up an entire movie theatre for Star Wars like they did for Black Panther."
**
45. Jordan Harrington
"I'm definitely finna wear my lil dashiki 😂"
-snip-
"Finna" is an old African American Vernacular English term that means "getting ready to". Another form of this word is "fixin to". In the showcased video that is embedded above, the vlogger also used the term "finna".
**
REPLY
46. TheLadyOfSoul502
"They're trying to hijack the dashiki by calling it "Boho" or "gypsy"
It's always been African and it will always be African. The culture vultures have arrived!!"
-snip-
This comment included that bold font.
**
REPLY
47. Velylon Carter
"Lol Jordan you know we be saying finna I just burst out laughing when I read that I am 52 yrs young and I say that all the time boy you a mess! lol"
**
48. justcallme...
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSS BABY, WE ARE EXTRA FUHEVA!!!!!!!!!!!! I see absolutely nothing wrong with dressing for the movie, and as you so wonderfully stated, Trekkies, Potter Heads, and wannabe Jedis have been doing it for YEARS!!!!! I am curious, though...are there any Africans who felt it was inappropriate or disingenuous? I saw it in 3D and I am going back this weekend, so I hope you and your kids enjoyed it as much as I did :-)"
**
49. ChattingwithStevil
"Be "extra" for Black Panther. Be "Super extra". I am a geek and comic fan. Me and my friends dress up for many pop culture movies. Hell I went to Despicable Me dressed as Gru. Kids love it as well as adults.. It makes the movie experience memorable. :)"
**
50. S Bullard
"Why do we criticize one another in the presence of others? Other cultures have gone in cultural garb? I’m so proud of and in love with blackness. There is something special in this moment I’m going back in garb...Wakanda Forever"
**
51. MexicAnime
"The only thing I'm upset about is that I didn't get to see anybody dressed up when I went to see Black Panther on Saturday. I cosplay so i can appreciate the time, money and effort it takes to wear an amazing outfit/costume for a special event.
Let's just enjoy the movie, and tell the folk that did dress up that they look amazing."
**
52. Mareepu
"Even my mother, who's Afrolatina (we're extra-raised on assimilation), turned to me when she saw Black folk all dressed up and said, 'this is beautiful'."
**
53. Meme
"Anything you give to black people we take it and make it look, taste and sound better 😜😜. Go be sad somewhere esle🤛🏿! Wakanda forever!! We are thinking Wakanda into existence!"
**
REPLY
54. Dc Cowles
"Meme it's a comic book seek help . Therapists are up at all times ."
**
REPLY
55. Rakira Duncombe
"Meme Yaaasssss 💖💖💖"
**
REPLY
56. Meme
"lol; I know i am just having fun"
**
REPLY
57. Kaleah Collins
"Meme AAAAAAAMENN!"
**
REPLY
58. ROYALTY _BEAUTI
"Meme 🙅❤💯 WAKANDA FOREVER"
**
REPLY
59. Kazmo NZ
"like you said, you extra!! that extra-ness is why black culture dominates America and a great deal of the world. P.S Thank you for everything Black culture has given us!! Thank you!!"
**
REPLY
60. Dee Jones
"You know it's pretty much just cosplaying in a movie that's all"
**
REPLY
61. C Jones
"But they dress like Harry Potter and Star Wars characters"
**
REPLY
62. Jemma-Rosa Warrior
"C Jones and black people are dressing like the people in the movie"
**
REPLY
63. J Carter
"Jemma-Rosa Warrior Prince Akeem was from Zamunda. Not Wakanda. Just a counterpoint."
**
REPLY
64.
Jemma-Rosa Warrior
"J Carter true. But it was a African nation. Around the same concept. If people want to wear african outfits who cares? Its not affecting you, unless it's a giant headwrap"
**
REPLY
65. Kenneth Bonney
"C Jones exactly, when they dress up like klingons, captain kirk, and pokemon characters each year at comic-con we dont say anything!!! Let black people have some fun for a change!!!"
**
66. Blvck Pantheress
"If I ain't extra I ain't black."
**
67. Critical Joseph
"I'm white, and I like black people being extra, the fact that black people understood this phenomenon and gave it a word called "extra" is hilarious. Black people set the trend."
**
68. Sharon Rubain
"WE ARE EXTRA! Extra-ordinary, fabulous, awesome, THIS IS US!"
**
REPLY
69. Vette
"Sharon Rubain Yasss!!! A little louder 4 the people in the back"
**
REPLY
70. Just Be Yourself
"Sharon Rubain YEASSSS GUUURRLLL I LUV OUR extraness"
**
REPLY
71. Ray of Lyte
"True that Queen"
**
72. The Shaolin
" "Why can't we be extra we is an extra type of people..." That's the problem right there bro you don't speak for all of us. By trying to make it like all black people are "this way" is racist, I'm sorry but it is. Promoting and enabling certain "black" behavior is actually what has kept us in a basic mindset. So anytime you speak on black people as a whole having to act like whatever, you're doing a disservice to the black community by making us out to be nothing more than the embodiment of stereotypes."
**
REPLY
73. P U R G A T O R Y
"The Shaolin thank you! Can we just be individuals instead of a hive mind group?"
**
74. Forest Snipes
"+ All the other movies with black people in them are about slavery, or us being the help. Ain't nobody finna dress up as a slave."
**
75. roni lee
"EXTRA!? people go to the movies dressed as Darth Vadar and iron man. this is people CELEBRATING! and who cares what other people think about GOOD CLEAN FUN. That's why opening nights for films like this are so amazing! Star wars, star trek, comic book, history, fantasy...it's the kind of theater where you can talk to strangers and have at least one thing in common, your excitement, your connection to the feature in front of you.
I'm proud of Black Panther and it makes me so happy to have a hero that kids can say look like them/us. This is the film i've been waiting to see and if i could have snagged imax tickets to opening night you had better believe I would have dressed to the damn nines."
**
REPLY
76. President So
"roni lee star wars, people dressed up as actual characters, black panther, people dressed up all kinds of ways related to African culture"
**
REPLY
77. Beast Mode
"Um what are they celebrating lmao?"
**
REPLY
78. XxJessica CharlesxX
"1 month ago
Beast Mode They are celebrating their African culture/roots and a embracing their blackness."
**
REPLY
79. That's Where You're Wrong Kiddo
"XxJessica CharlesxX We ain’t embracing no damn culture or roots. The movie is about a futuristic African country that doesn’t exist.
If the black panther was located elsewhere. Then everybody wouldn’t embrace it. So you’re telling me you’re embracing a fake ass culture. Lmao shi fake."
**
REPLY
80. Storm Bey
"That's Where You're Wrong Kiddo Well BP comics, and the costume designers for the movie took inspiration, and in a lot of cases literally copying, traditional African style from all over the continent. So, it is, in a lot of ways, embracing the amalgamation of African people and aesthetics. In either case, people can dress up however tf they want to. Why are y'all crying about it?"
**
REPLY
81. Dean Tran
"Storm Bey People are being so obtuse it's almost cringe worthy, isn't it??? Lmao. Like, yes, it's fictional, but it's so obviously inspired by real cultures, and people have a right to celebrate their cultures."
**
REPLY
82. anony mouse
"I love it! If white people can dress up for Rocky Horror Picture Show and nerds can cosplay for all the other superhero movies, then let me rock my LION HIDE IN PEACE! Imma sling it over my shoulder and his face gon be all in your popcorn. I DONT CARE! LET ME LIVE!"
**
REPLY
83. Glory Mosby
"anony mouse : 💞💓💕💖"
**
REPLY
84. Sujit Prasad
"Exactly! I'm not even Black, or White or hell even brown. I'm probably somewhere between yellow ochre or something 😂(I'm from India so...) I wanted to get dressed like T'Challa like his trademark clawed necklace with attire but couldn't afford it. But it feels so good when you celebrate something for how awesome it was, how influencing it was for the upcoming generation!😊"
**
REPLY
85. ThisIsNajma
"PREACH 💜💜💜💜💜💜
-snip-
This comment was written with bold font.
"Preach" means the same thing as same as “Tell it!”, “Tell the truth”!, “Amen!”, and "Yes!"
**
86. Dubem28
"😂😂😂😂😂😂! If you think that's extra, go to a Nigerian party."
**
87. blindjustice316
"That coming to America cosplay was legit,"
**
88. justcallme...
"The pageantry is all part of the experience :-)"
**
89. Rachel A
"I didn't know that's how WE were going to get down at the movies. I'm about to go through my mama's closet."
**
REPLY
90. lonelysith66
"Lord, everyone went through their mama, daddy and Uncle Jr's closet this weekend!
LOL XD"
**
REPLY
91. foxxcgirl
"and hit up the local African store! lol that's why it's always good to keep you at least 2 african friends. cause you know they got that GEAR!! shoes and hat to match and glad to share lol kmsl"
**
92. Hockey Girl
"Amen ✊🏾 let’s just support people’s rights to be individuals. Black folks need to stop worrying about what white folks think about us. Wear African clothes. Do that thang. White folks see themselves as individuals and we should too. When we marginalize each other as to how we should act, we are just placating to the notion that minorities have collective thinking. We are all individuals and black looks like everything. Go panther go"
**
REPLY
93. SeaOtter Rick Rodgers
"I agree. Why not celebrate africa"
**
94. Manuel Lopez
"I went to see it today and at the matinee people came dressed up and taking pictures and high fives and fist pumps....and it was all okay and good. You know why? Cause everyone in there spent the $15.00 a ticket to see it in IMAX/3D and when the movie started...EVERYONE sat down and shutted up till it was over and the cheers and yells started again...hell I cheered and yelled too."
**
REPLY
95. jeff dimirra
"wait, what? black people kept their f&&kin* mouths shut in the movie theatre?"
-snip-
*This word was fully spelled out in this comment.
**
REPLY
96. Caressa Clark
"jeff dimirra
Shocking..😂"
**
REPLY
97. Kayshawn Simmons
"Manuel Lopez my ticket was 20 an Wakonda Yes I wore a head wrap"
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REPLY
98. me AND mines
"Kayshawn Simmons I bet you was looking GOOD in that head wrap too! Go on girl!"
**
99. L Curry
"💯 We got Flava in all we do, food, music, clothing, hair. It all goes back to Wakanda"
**
100. Ijeme Imolorhe
"I wore a dashiki. I live in Canada. It's February. It's like minus 10 Celsius. It was like 12 Black people in there and the theatre was packed. I was the only one dressed for the occasion. I had to restrain myself from yelling at the screen. Actually, I did a few times. It was the least I could do to show up and show out."
**
101. Toyon95
"Why are you all excited to still be alive..." So trueeee! Why do these people care so much?????? urgh..... There's so much sadness in this world- so if a person for once is happy- let them! Join them!"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Comments On A YouTube Discussion Thread About Black Americans Hosting African Themed Parties
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents some general comments about the relatively new? custom of Black Americans hosting formal and often very lavish sweet sixteen parties that are similar to Latin American quinceañera (parties for females turning fifteen years old.)
This posts also presents selected comments from a 2017 discussion thread of a YouTube video entitled "Niyah African Sweet 16 Dance". These selected comments document the opinions of some African commenters' and other commenters' about Black people in the United States hosting "African theme" parties.
The above mentioned video is featured in this post for referencing purposes only.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/11/comments-about-referent-akata-other.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Comments On A YouTube Discussion Thread About Black Americans Hosting African Themed Parties".
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT ABOUT SWEET SIXTEEN PARTIES
I happened upon this "Naiyah African Sweet 16 Dance" video while searching online for information about the female name "Naiyah"/"Naiya", "Niyah" and other similarly sounding names. Prior to watching this video and reading its entire discussion thread, I didn't know that Black Americans* having formal sweet sixteen parties was a thing. However, after watching multiple YouTube videos, it appears that the custom of Black Americans hosting sweet sixteen parties occurs throughout the United States. The Black sweet sixteen party videos that I watched which cited a location were from New Jersey, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, Durham, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, California. Some of the birthday celebrations that are documented in these videos were more lavish than others.
All of the Black American sweet sixteen videos that I saw listed on YouTube were for females. The earliest YouTube that I found of a Black American sweet sixteen party is from 2010. That said, it's likely that Black Americans hosting these types of sweet sixteen celebrations predate 2010.
As some commenters note in several discussion threads for (Black) sweet sixteen videos, the custom of hosting a formal party for one's daughter or niece etc who has turned sixteen is very similar to the Mexican
quinceañera https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era#United_States. It's possible that the custom of lavish sweet sixteen parties, with some shared Mexican/Latin American quince traditions -such as the grand entrance, formally replacing the honoree's flat shoes with high heels, and choreographed dance performances-with and/or without the honoree- may have been introduced to non-Latino Black Americans by Black people who are now living in the United States but who are from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Also, as some commenters wrote in the YouTube discussion threads that I've read, the Black sweet sixteen "bashes" appear to be family/friends events (often including young children) that are very similar to wedding receptions.
I'd love to know more about the history of (Black non-Latimo) sweet sixteen parties in the United States. If you are aware of these parties before 2010, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!
*I'm using the term "Black American" instead of "African American" because I want to include Black people living in the United States who may not consider themselves "African Americans". For example, one sweet sixteen video that I watched was for a girl who is Garifuna* (from Honduras) and another sweet sixteen video that I watched was for a girl who is Nigerian (living in the USA)**.
* "Shelsy's Super "LIT" Sweet 16 (2015 BlayFilms)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeC589nTVH0
** "Queen Essy Sweet 16" (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnNcAt-dbuk
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Niyah African Sweet 16 Dance
Nicole Campbell, Published on Apr 21, 2017
-snip-
Statistics as of November 27, 2017 at 6:57 PM ET
1,300,910 views
total likes (thumbs up) 23K
total dislikes (thumbs down) 1K
total comments - 1,501 Comments
-snip-
*This total view number is very high for this type of YouTube video.
****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK AMERICANS HOSTING AFRICAN THEMED PARTIES
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3hb8buLU0w
Pancocojams Editor's Note
These selected comments are representative examples of that discussion thread's comments on this topic. These comments are given in chronological order based on their publishing date with the oldest months' comments given first, except for replies.
The comment that follows the word "REPLY" are usually but not always the one that followed the preceding comment in that discussion sub-thread. "***" marks the end of a sub-thread of comments.
I've numbered these comments for referencing purposes only.
July 2017
1. Modern Moana
"do you even know what part of Africa you are from?"
**
REPLY
2. Shekinah's World
"exactly what I was saying this whole joke of a video"
**
REPLY
3. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World yes its disrespectful to see this . especially when only one certain country wears dashikis . lol ...they need to learn the history first . people from Africa hate seeing culture appropriation."
**
REPLY
4. Modern Moana
"Its from Nigeria"
**
REPLY
5. Shekinah's World
"Girl yes I know! I'm Nigerian lol"
**
REPLY
6. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World yeah they should really stop wearing those and be themselves . its not "pro black" and Africans don't even call them self black they call them self whatever country they are from whether it be Ethiopian, Nigerian ,or morrocan.... I find it very funny how blacks decided to steal someone else's identity /culture ...they need to get a DNA test and find out what African country they really are from and not steal other peoples culture"
**
REPLY
7. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World just because you are 'black" doesnt make it automatically okay to claim everything that is from Africa ...they forget that Africa isn't a country lol."
**
REPLY
8. Shekinah's World
"YES took the words right out of my mouth! another argument I hate that they make is "There are so many countries in Africa so theirs no way for us to know exactly what country we're from" like what......If I didn't know what country I was from I wouldn't Just go and start practicing some random culture just because it's "trendy" that disrespect to the highest form."
**
REPLY
9. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World exactly and I hate when people like to make fashion trends out of other peoples culture. They have to have some kind of respect for other peoples culture . just like I love Asian culture but I'll never wear a kimono or a geisha dress lol so disrespectful on so many levels"
**
REPLY
10. adenike akinsola
"I'm so lost on this whole "African" themed party like how is African a theme"
**
REPLY
11. NW Johnson
"I was t inking the same thing oh! I am Liberian and you can just tell when people are straight from Africa, but these people only wore dashikis. There were no old mas with patterned head ties and lappas."
-snip-
"mas" = mothers
"lappas" = material wrapped around the waist down to the ankles (a skirt). The top that is worn with this is sometimes called a "bubba". Also, "gele" (pronounced "gay-lay") is another name for wrapped "head ties"/"head scarfs".
**
REPLY
12. Modern Moana
"+NW Johnson exactly!!"
**
August 2017
REPLY
13. Obe T.
"That is so true. Africa isn't even a country and it baffles me that people categorise it as if it is a country with one culture, language, etc. Also, you're right in saying that it is not good to just pick and choose from the various cultures present on the continent just because it will make them look "unique and different". It is ridiculous. And am I the only one who has noticed that the individuals appropriating the various African tribes/countries only pick the good things from the tribes/countries? EX: the food, the clothes, the dances, the music, etc. It is never the bad that comes along with it. But it is not only African Americans who do it as well, other Africans do it too. And they themselves are not helping by referring to Africa as a country.
With this video, I see nothing "African" about it. It would be nice if people would quit referring to the continent as a country."
**
REPLY
14. Modern Moana
"+Obe T. Exactly , when will people learn"
**
REPLY
15. Obe T.
"They won't learn and that is the problem right there. I myself am from the continent(Ghana to be exact) and it bothers me when people refer to the continent as a country and its people as one people having the same things. And when I point out that the people(well at least in my country) tend to identify more with their tribes instead of what colour they are, some people get offended by it, which confuses me as tribes have been around for thousands of years."
****
July 2017
16. Angeleena Adu
"I'm confused is she actually african? or is it african themed because of the dashikis?"
**
REPLY
17. Nicole Campbell [video publisher]
"Angeleena Adu its just a theme it' was other decorations that represents Africa in the party"
**
REPLY
18. Angeleena Adu
"Nicole Campbell ohh I see"
****
19. Rican Beautyx
"The only thing african about this was the dashikis. Bye!"
**
REPLY
20. Rican Beautyx
"As an african i will take the time to break it down for my non african brothers & sisters
1. Africa is not a place where people wear dashikis all day long.
2. African songs dont have this dancing.
3. Dashikis is not the national dressing code for any africans alive. Amen hallelujah
4. African songs are more lit and have lots of nice dancing beats to it.
5. Africans can not show their thighs infront of their parents like that and most likely there would be no boys at your party apart from your cousins and small nephews plus if you start to bring any funny dance that party is off
6. Africa is a continent not a dashiki world.
**
REPLY
21. Nicole Campbell [video publisher]
"Rican Beautyx that's good to know but everyone with these negative comments is missing the point here this wasn't a African dance it was a theme once again these are a bunch of kids celebrating my god daughter birthday everyone so busy worrying about what they wearing lets be thankful these was doing something positive they not put gang banging in the street they enjoying life so to anyone who's African no disrespect to you but this is a trend jersey does its all different themes people do"
****
22. Sadejah Ogun-McCants
"This is kinda disrespectful to me, how you wear a dashiki with booty shorts and this is an African dance??? I only saw 1 or 2 African moves."
**
REPLY
23. Icy crown
"How is that disrespectful? lol"
**
REPLY
24. NW Johnson
"Being from West Africa, Africans generally listen to the same music from there, you know Liberians, Nigerians, Ghanians, etc. But I did not here any song I recognized. I think they are black Americans trying to get back to African roots, because they are only wearing dashikis. If you go to a real African event you will see all the old mas wearing their head ties and lappas with different patterns. Not trying to throw any form of shade, just saying I see mostly black Americans wearing dashikis, a lot of my relatives and friend who are also African don't. You can just tell when people are raw Africans."
**
REPLY
25. Nicole Campbell [video publisher]
"NW Johnson this was sweet 16 African theme party this a trend that everyone doing with they sweets A few years ago my daughter theme was Egyptian"
-snip-
The commenter's response could be interpreted to mean that she is distinguishing an "African" theme party from an "Egyptian" theme party, even though Egypt is in Africa.
****
26. Shakena Sampson
"african pride baby !!"
**
August 2017
REPLY
27. Akbbba 1
"Shakena Sampson there was nothing 'african' about this but their dashiki and since they were clearly faux print those werent even african, just to let you know."
**
REPLY
28. Shakena Sampson
"Akbbba 1 it was because she enjoyed the african culture ,even though shes not fully african or not she still enjoys and embrace their culture so it is african pride. her and her family enjoyed it thats all that matters , doesnt matter what material you have on, its the fact that shes embracing her ancestoral culture. point. blank. period."
**
REPLY
29. Shakena Sampson
"Akbbba 1 just to let you know 😘"
**
REPLY
30. newnen
"Shakena Sampson deep sigh young lady, woow its clear you dont know and a probabley young so I'll just consider you and explain. People have a very weird perception of what african culture is, where it came from idk. But this is NOT african culture not even a little bit the 'dashikis' dont even look african if she was wearing kente or ankara or any other trational cloth and used actual African (high life, afro beats ) music fine.
But i wont let you who clearly does not know anything of any african culture try and dismiss the truth and say this is in any way shape or form african that is highly disrespectful if you dont know. we already have it tough with people thinking we are all poor we dont need people defaming our cultures and history, this was very cute but its clear she didnt do a single bit of research to learn of any of the true african cultures availiable to her and the fact you want to label this as african when someone is telling you this is not our cultures just shows how deep the disregard runs, for you this is may be a trend but for us this is our language, history and culture its shame other diasporas so deeply learn of their histories whilst our own dont even bother to learn of one dynasty when there is so much ready for then to discover instead we are their 'style' which will surely pass.
-snip-
The bold font was used in the original comment
****
August 2017
31. Tiima Jayy
"Where Specifically Is She From In Africa ? ONE African Song Being Played....??? Okay."
**
REPLY
32. Sarah clarkson
LMAO right I was like....these akatas
-snip-
The word "akata" is a Nigerian reference for African Americans which, in my opinion, is an offensive put-down. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/ataka-is-mean-spirited-word.html for a 2011 pancocojams post entitled "Akata Is A Mean Spirited Word".
****
August 2017
33. Sila Fero
"I really hope people don't think this is African dance. It just doesn't captivate even 1 culture. The fact it's theme, like why make a culture a theme idk...."
**
REPLY
34. Trend Setter Chic
"its their heritage"
**
REPLY
35. adenike akinsola
"Fatima Jay idek anyway all my Africans remember when we used to get teased in school about being African but now it's praised... smh"
**
REPLY
36. Modern Moana
"+adenike akinsola you right"
**
REPLY
37. Taniya Herring
"I am African American but I truly enjoy African culture so much but I am afraid to learn dances and wear certain clothing because I wouldn't want to offend anyone."
**
REPLY
38. HGsoul4ever
"Don't let anything stop. Nigerian here. As long as you're not ignorant and you put in interest, Africans will embrace you. I'd recommend watching Joulezy's videos. She's an African American that embraced her African heritage the right way (except for one or two things). Cheers, dear."
**
REPLY
39. Marie T
"I was wondering where the African part came in. The issue with people trying to "claim their heritage" is that they don't know the culture. They don't speak the language and understand the ways, so they will definitely make mistakes and misconstrue it. If you really want to learn a language in its true intent you have to go to the country. Culture is your surroundings, so I don't get people trying to claim other cultures that you are not surrounded by. Just appreciate, learn as much as you can, and keep looking on as an outsider, but claiming it is....."
**
REPLY
40. Steph I
"Marie T can't say how much I agree with you"
**
August 2017
REPLY
41. Its Daune
"i think she african american the idea is lit but she didnt realky do african dance i love the theme but there was no african besidea the clothes"
-snip-
The word "lit" usually is a superlative that means "high energy". However, in the context of this comment, I think that "lit" means "very good".
**
REPLY
42. Its Daune
"Marie T you dont have to speak the language to know your culture and you dont have to go to the country you can do other things to learn like pen pal etc. Tbh i think she should have just called it a dashiki party or something cause their was no african dancing or anythinh i love the theme it just was not executed"
**
REPLY
43. Marie T
"Meow Caroon I used language as an example of something you fully better understand when you are in its land of origin. Like I said they can study and learn the culture, but unless you have truly lived it, you cannot claim it. That was my only point. I study Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin culture does that all of a sudden make me any of those things? Heck no. I dont even mind buying you a nice "African outfit", since I do it for my white friends. It just doesn't make you African because you know Wizkid, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, or Tiwa Savage. Also for people who yell cultural appropriation alot why is someone who is not from any African country allowed to use someone's culture as a prop. Beyonce and others are getting away with it, because Africans tend to not be bothered about those things. Had a Kardashian done it.... Oh My!!!"
**
REPLY
44. Marie T
"You can't actually get the full experience of a culture, because you a read a book or watched a movie. Even Africans immigrants in Western countries try to come back to Africa and go right back, because they grew accustomed to another way of life. So I dont know about someone who has never been or even interacted with more than 20 Africans at a time. One African American(black American) youtuber said she didnt want to come live in Africa, because to her she would be benefiting off the lower class. According to her there are only poor and rich people in West-Africa no middle class. Wow. The assumption that should would even just automatically thrive in Africa baffles me. Since she said she was middle class in the U.S."
**
REPLY
45. Faith Ogie
"+sarah clarkson akatas LMFAOOSHSJSSH fr"
**
REPLY
46. Steph I
"Taniya Herring it's okay just do your research and don't appropriate like these girls"
**
REPLY
47. Aycha Sade
"Oooo 🙄😒 why somebody (a lot of y'all) always gotta start that sh&t*, stop making such a big damn deal about country and culture... calling them akatas, y'all sound bitter and foolish, they were having fun that's all it was. DAMN."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment
**
REPLY
48. Ruby Cupcake21
"I see Africans all the time listening to African American music but you don't see me complaining about how they don't know the culture because I can care less their having fun"
**
REPLY
49. Marie T
"Well I don't know who you are talking to exactly, but I only spoke about knowing the culture in reference to a person who commented that they were trying to claim a heritage. I don't mind people partaking in it respectfully but claiming it is another case."
**
REPLY
50. Steph I
"Ruby Cupcake21 Dashikis being worn and one African song being played is appropriation of African culture I could also care less as long as no one is offended and no culture is appropriated. For comparison it is kind of like African/African American culture being appropriated with cornrows and other things. I'm sure a lot of Africans remember when we were being made fun of for our heritage and now African Americans are trying to reclaim their roots by wearing dashikis/listening to wizkid or something I hope you can see y some Africans are getting offended."
***
REPLY
51. Asma Hayan
"Tia Renee the song is a Somali song called HILOWLE and they're definitely not doing any African dance. HILOWLE is a dance to a song. So idk y they're mixing EAST &WEST Africa. Black Americans appropriate African culture too much. Sometimes even steal it but wanna make fun of us when they want to. In school, it was always the black kids that made fun of African culture but now they wanna "claim their heritage"
**
REPLY
52. Reelani Lola Makiese Mwabula
"There was more than one African song ....does it even matter where they are from they are black! !"
**
REPLY
53. Steph I
"Reelani Lola Makiese Mwabula Not saying we aren't equal or anything but there are stark differences between Africans and African Americans like MAJOR lol this dance isn't rlly African it is an stereotype of how Americans think Africans dance"
**
REPLY
54. Bean Butterfly
"+Steph I totally!!! I agree, I was like when does the African dancing begin"
**
September 2017
REPLY
55. Jane Johnson
"Marie T I agree with you partly however speaking the language doesn't mean you can now claim your culture because I'm Nigerian,I'm black I know African dances but my language is just not very common on the internet so it's hard to learn by myself however I am still of African heritage and know a lot about my culture the only problem was that I grew up in England so I'm bound to learn English.If I grew up in Nigeria I would most likely learn the language to depending on how my parent teaches me"
****
August 2017
56. Don't Haveone
"First and foremost, you all did an amazing job, and I love the African theme! Secondly, for the people who keep commenting about which part of Africa they are from, could you please just enjoy the video Geez!! It's like damn if they do, and damn if they don't. Birthday girl,next time do a Carnival theme birthday party, wear carnival costumes and incorporate some Soca songs to your hip-hop choreography and I wouldn't chastise but be flattered that you embraced the culture. Don't let the negative comments discourage you from learning and embracing your African roots, they all don't think like that. I'm Caribbean living in a America so I understand. ✌🏽"
**
57. Darkskinned_ kid
"Niyah so beautiful to me knowing that she repping my culture 🤘🏾🤘🏾😍"
**
58. Krap Patty
"I'm sorry but what's Part of Africa are they representing? Africa is not a country"
**
59. msCHIevous94
"Lets put on some hooded Dashikis!! Lets be african.. stop it. My culture aint a costume.. yall dnt even know where dashikis orginate from."
**
60. Kehinde Timothy
"As a Nigerian there is almost nothing African bout this. For the people looking for real African music look up Afrobeats which is mostly from Nigeria and Ghana"
**
61. Pryncess
"Im nigerian and my parents would have killed me ohhh, i would have had to wear one of those itchy traditional outfit and danced that dance, dashiki with short shorts, I MUST WANT 16 years to be my expiration date. my parents would kill me."
**
September 2017
62. Maroon Horizon
"why has my continent become a trend?"
**
63. Omar Delmar
"In Africa we dont have sweet 16 dances thats a mexican thing
This is african Americans twisting african culture just like the names
This dance belongs in syrip joints"
-snip-
"syrip" is probably a typo for "strip"
**
October 2017
64. Key Da Phenom
"I'm Nigerian ok...and as much as I appreciate the embracing of the African theme, we are VERY ENERGETIC lol these dances were Ok! The girl with the green dashiki was great to watch; however, they needed to have her stamina if you will and be more coordinated with their transitions as they were slow and out of tempo most of the time."
-end of selected comments-
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
The "Shelsy's Super "LIT" Sweet 16 (2015 BlayFilms)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeC589nTVH0 which was mentioned near the beginning of this pancocojams post is a Garifuna Sweet sixteen party which was held in the USA. As shown in that video, that party's music consisted of African, Central American, and Caribbean music. Click http://globalsherpa.org/garifunas-garifuna/ for an article about Garifuna history and culture.
**
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/dashikis-adaptation-of-yoruba-dansiki.html for a 2012 pancocojams post entitled "Dashikis - An Adaptation Of The Yoruba Dansiki".
**
One of the things that I found disconcerting about some comments that weren't included in this compilation was that a number of commenters (who I presumed were African American) didn't appear to know that the "shirts" or "outfits" worn by the female and male dancers in the "Niyah African Sweet 16 Dance" video were called "dashikis" and that these "shirts" were worn by afrocentric African American males to represent our African cultural heritage.
Actually, since at least the 1970s, I've noticed via YouTube videos that the African American adapted form of Yoruba (Nigerian) dansikis have been worn and continue to be worn by mostly male folk singers in South Africa and in East Africa as an immediate symbol of African culture. I think this is because the traditional attire of those ethnic groups would be considered inappropriate for contemporary (Westernized) performances. For example, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FclwRECHoWc&t=141s for a video of the South African group "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". That group also wears dashikis in a number of other YouTube videos.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post presents some general comments about the relatively new? custom of Black Americans hosting formal and often very lavish sweet sixteen parties that are similar to Latin American quinceañera (parties for females turning fifteen years old.)
This posts also presents selected comments from a 2017 discussion thread of a YouTube video entitled "Niyah African Sweet 16 Dance". These selected comments document the opinions of some African commenters' and other commenters' about Black people in the United States hosting "African theme" parties.
The above mentioned video is featured in this post for referencing purposes only.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/11/comments-about-referent-akata-other.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Comments On A YouTube Discussion Thread About Black Americans Hosting African Themed Parties".
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT ABOUT SWEET SIXTEEN PARTIES
I happened upon this "Naiyah African Sweet 16 Dance" video while searching online for information about the female name "Naiyah"/"Naiya", "Niyah" and other similarly sounding names. Prior to watching this video and reading its entire discussion thread, I didn't know that Black Americans* having formal sweet sixteen parties was a thing. However, after watching multiple YouTube videos, it appears that the custom of Black Americans hosting sweet sixteen parties occurs throughout the United States. The Black sweet sixteen party videos that I watched which cited a location were from New Jersey, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, Durham, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, California. Some of the birthday celebrations that are documented in these videos were more lavish than others.
All of the Black American sweet sixteen videos that I saw listed on YouTube were for females. The earliest YouTube that I found of a Black American sweet sixteen party is from 2010. That said, it's likely that Black Americans hosting these types of sweet sixteen celebrations predate 2010.
As some commenters note in several discussion threads for (Black) sweet sixteen videos, the custom of hosting a formal party for one's daughter or niece etc who has turned sixteen is very similar to the Mexican
quinceañera https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era#United_States. It's possible that the custom of lavish sweet sixteen parties, with some shared Mexican/Latin American quince traditions -such as the grand entrance, formally replacing the honoree's flat shoes with high heels, and choreographed dance performances-with and/or without the honoree- may have been introduced to non-Latino Black Americans by Black people who are now living in the United States but who are from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Also, as some commenters wrote in the YouTube discussion threads that I've read, the Black sweet sixteen "bashes" appear to be family/friends events (often including young children) that are very similar to wedding receptions.
I'd love to know more about the history of (Black non-Latimo) sweet sixteen parties in the United States. If you are aware of these parties before 2010, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!
*I'm using the term "Black American" instead of "African American" because I want to include Black people living in the United States who may not consider themselves "African Americans". For example, one sweet sixteen video that I watched was for a girl who is Garifuna* (from Honduras) and another sweet sixteen video that I watched was for a girl who is Nigerian (living in the USA)**.
* "Shelsy's Super "LIT" Sweet 16 (2015 BlayFilms)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeC589nTVH0
** "Queen Essy Sweet 16" (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnNcAt-dbuk
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Niyah African Sweet 16 Dance
Nicole Campbell, Published on Apr 21, 2017
-snip-
Statistics as of November 27, 2017 at 6:57 PM ET
1,300,910 views
total likes (thumbs up) 23K
total dislikes (thumbs down) 1K
total comments - 1,501 Comments
-snip-
*This total view number is very high for this type of YouTube video.
****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK AMERICANS HOSTING AFRICAN THEMED PARTIES
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3hb8buLU0w
Pancocojams Editor's Note
These selected comments are representative examples of that discussion thread's comments on this topic. These comments are given in chronological order based on their publishing date with the oldest months' comments given first, except for replies.
The comment that follows the word "REPLY" are usually but not always the one that followed the preceding comment in that discussion sub-thread. "***" marks the end of a sub-thread of comments.
I've numbered these comments for referencing purposes only.
July 2017
1. Modern Moana
"do you even know what part of Africa you are from?"
**
REPLY
2. Shekinah's World
"exactly what I was saying this whole joke of a video"
**
REPLY
3. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World yes its disrespectful to see this . especially when only one certain country wears dashikis . lol ...they need to learn the history first . people from Africa hate seeing culture appropriation."
**
REPLY
4. Modern Moana
"Its from Nigeria"
**
REPLY
5. Shekinah's World
"Girl yes I know! I'm Nigerian lol"
**
REPLY
6. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World yeah they should really stop wearing those and be themselves . its not "pro black" and Africans don't even call them self black they call them self whatever country they are from whether it be Ethiopian, Nigerian ,or morrocan.... I find it very funny how blacks decided to steal someone else's identity /culture ...they need to get a DNA test and find out what African country they really are from and not steal other peoples culture"
**
REPLY
7. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World just because you are 'black" doesnt make it automatically okay to claim everything that is from Africa ...they forget that Africa isn't a country lol."
**
REPLY
8. Shekinah's World
"YES took the words right out of my mouth! another argument I hate that they make is "There are so many countries in Africa so theirs no way for us to know exactly what country we're from" like what......If I didn't know what country I was from I wouldn't Just go and start practicing some random culture just because it's "trendy" that disrespect to the highest form."
**
REPLY
9. Modern Moana
"+Shekinah's World exactly and I hate when people like to make fashion trends out of other peoples culture. They have to have some kind of respect for other peoples culture . just like I love Asian culture but I'll never wear a kimono or a geisha dress lol so disrespectful on so many levels"
**
REPLY
10. adenike akinsola
"I'm so lost on this whole "African" themed party like how is African a theme"
**
REPLY
11. NW Johnson
"I was t inking the same thing oh! I am Liberian and you can just tell when people are straight from Africa, but these people only wore dashikis. There were no old mas with patterned head ties and lappas."
-snip-
"mas" = mothers
"lappas" = material wrapped around the waist down to the ankles (a skirt). The top that is worn with this is sometimes called a "bubba". Also, "gele" (pronounced "gay-lay") is another name for wrapped "head ties"/"head scarfs".
**
REPLY
12. Modern Moana
"+NW Johnson exactly!!"
**
August 2017
REPLY
13. Obe T.
"That is so true. Africa isn't even a country and it baffles me that people categorise it as if it is a country with one culture, language, etc. Also, you're right in saying that it is not good to just pick and choose from the various cultures present on the continent just because it will make them look "unique and different". It is ridiculous. And am I the only one who has noticed that the individuals appropriating the various African tribes/countries only pick the good things from the tribes/countries? EX: the food, the clothes, the dances, the music, etc. It is never the bad that comes along with it. But it is not only African Americans who do it as well, other Africans do it too. And they themselves are not helping by referring to Africa as a country.
With this video, I see nothing "African" about it. It would be nice if people would quit referring to the continent as a country."
**
REPLY
14. Modern Moana
"+Obe T. Exactly , when will people learn"
**
REPLY
15. Obe T.
"They won't learn and that is the problem right there. I myself am from the continent(Ghana to be exact) and it bothers me when people refer to the continent as a country and its people as one people having the same things. And when I point out that the people(well at least in my country) tend to identify more with their tribes instead of what colour they are, some people get offended by it, which confuses me as tribes have been around for thousands of years."
****
July 2017
16. Angeleena Adu
"I'm confused is she actually african? or is it african themed because of the dashikis?"
**
REPLY
17. Nicole Campbell [video publisher]
"Angeleena Adu its just a theme it' was other decorations that represents Africa in the party"
**
REPLY
18. Angeleena Adu
"Nicole Campbell ohh I see"
****
19. Rican Beautyx
"The only thing african about this was the dashikis. Bye!"
**
REPLY
20. Rican Beautyx
"As an african i will take the time to break it down for my non african brothers & sisters
1. Africa is not a place where people wear dashikis all day long.
2. African songs dont have this dancing.
3. Dashikis is not the national dressing code for any africans alive. Amen hallelujah
4. African songs are more lit and have lots of nice dancing beats to it.
5. Africans can not show their thighs infront of their parents like that and most likely there would be no boys at your party apart from your cousins and small nephews plus if you start to bring any funny dance that party is off
6. Africa is a continent not a dashiki world.
**
REPLY
21. Nicole Campbell [video publisher]
"Rican Beautyx that's good to know but everyone with these negative comments is missing the point here this wasn't a African dance it was a theme once again these are a bunch of kids celebrating my god daughter birthday everyone so busy worrying about what they wearing lets be thankful these was doing something positive they not put gang banging in the street they enjoying life so to anyone who's African no disrespect to you but this is a trend jersey does its all different themes people do"
****
22. Sadejah Ogun-McCants
"This is kinda disrespectful to me, how you wear a dashiki with booty shorts and this is an African dance??? I only saw 1 or 2 African moves."
**
REPLY
23. Icy crown
"How is that disrespectful? lol"
**
REPLY
24. NW Johnson
"Being from West Africa, Africans generally listen to the same music from there, you know Liberians, Nigerians, Ghanians, etc. But I did not here any song I recognized. I think they are black Americans trying to get back to African roots, because they are only wearing dashikis. If you go to a real African event you will see all the old mas wearing their head ties and lappas with different patterns. Not trying to throw any form of shade, just saying I see mostly black Americans wearing dashikis, a lot of my relatives and friend who are also African don't. You can just tell when people are raw Africans."
**
REPLY
25. Nicole Campbell [video publisher]
"NW Johnson this was sweet 16 African theme party this a trend that everyone doing with they sweets A few years ago my daughter theme was Egyptian"
-snip-
The commenter's response could be interpreted to mean that she is distinguishing an "African" theme party from an "Egyptian" theme party, even though Egypt is in Africa.
****
26. Shakena Sampson
"african pride baby !!"
**
August 2017
REPLY
27. Akbbba 1
"Shakena Sampson there was nothing 'african' about this but their dashiki and since they were clearly faux print those werent even african, just to let you know."
**
REPLY
28. Shakena Sampson
"Akbbba 1 it was because she enjoyed the african culture ,even though shes not fully african or not she still enjoys and embrace their culture so it is african pride. her and her family enjoyed it thats all that matters , doesnt matter what material you have on, its the fact that shes embracing her ancestoral culture. point. blank. period."
**
REPLY
29. Shakena Sampson
"Akbbba 1 just to let you know 😘"
**
REPLY
30. newnen
"Shakena Sampson deep sigh young lady, woow its clear you dont know and a probabley young so I'll just consider you and explain. People have a very weird perception of what african culture is, where it came from idk. But this is NOT african culture not even a little bit the 'dashikis' dont even look african if she was wearing kente or ankara or any other trational cloth and used actual African (high life, afro beats ) music fine.
But i wont let you who clearly does not know anything of any african culture try and dismiss the truth and say this is in any way shape or form african that is highly disrespectful if you dont know. we already have it tough with people thinking we are all poor we dont need people defaming our cultures and history, this was very cute but its clear she didnt do a single bit of research to learn of any of the true african cultures availiable to her and the fact you want to label this as african when someone is telling you this is not our cultures just shows how deep the disregard runs, for you this is may be a trend but for us this is our language, history and culture its shame other diasporas so deeply learn of their histories whilst our own dont even bother to learn of one dynasty when there is so much ready for then to discover instead we are their 'style' which will surely pass.
-snip-
The bold font was used in the original comment
****
August 2017
31. Tiima Jayy
"Where Specifically Is She From In Africa ? ONE African Song Being Played....??? Okay."
**
REPLY
32. Sarah clarkson
LMAO right I was like....these akatas
-snip-
The word "akata" is a Nigerian reference for African Americans which, in my opinion, is an offensive put-down. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/ataka-is-mean-spirited-word.html for a 2011 pancocojams post entitled "Akata Is A Mean Spirited Word".
****
August 2017
33. Sila Fero
"I really hope people don't think this is African dance. It just doesn't captivate even 1 culture. The fact it's theme, like why make a culture a theme idk...."
**
REPLY
34. Trend Setter Chic
"its their heritage"
**
REPLY
35. adenike akinsola
"Fatima Jay idek anyway all my Africans remember when we used to get teased in school about being African but now it's praised... smh"
**
REPLY
36. Modern Moana
"+adenike akinsola you right"
**
REPLY
37. Taniya Herring
"I am African American but I truly enjoy African culture so much but I am afraid to learn dances and wear certain clothing because I wouldn't want to offend anyone."
**
REPLY
38. HGsoul4ever
"Don't let anything stop. Nigerian here. As long as you're not ignorant and you put in interest, Africans will embrace you. I'd recommend watching Joulezy's videos. She's an African American that embraced her African heritage the right way (except for one or two things). Cheers, dear."
**
REPLY
39. Marie T
"I was wondering where the African part came in. The issue with people trying to "claim their heritage" is that they don't know the culture. They don't speak the language and understand the ways, so they will definitely make mistakes and misconstrue it. If you really want to learn a language in its true intent you have to go to the country. Culture is your surroundings, so I don't get people trying to claim other cultures that you are not surrounded by. Just appreciate, learn as much as you can, and keep looking on as an outsider, but claiming it is....."
**
REPLY
40. Steph I
"Marie T can't say how much I agree with you"
**
August 2017
REPLY
41. Its Daune
"i think she african american the idea is lit but she didnt realky do african dance i love the theme but there was no african besidea the clothes"
-snip-
The word "lit" usually is a superlative that means "high energy". However, in the context of this comment, I think that "lit" means "very good".
**
REPLY
42. Its Daune
"Marie T you dont have to speak the language to know your culture and you dont have to go to the country you can do other things to learn like pen pal etc. Tbh i think she should have just called it a dashiki party or something cause their was no african dancing or anythinh i love the theme it just was not executed"
**
REPLY
43. Marie T
"Meow Caroon I used language as an example of something you fully better understand when you are in its land of origin. Like I said they can study and learn the culture, but unless you have truly lived it, you cannot claim it. That was my only point. I study Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin culture does that all of a sudden make me any of those things? Heck no. I dont even mind buying you a nice "African outfit", since I do it for my white friends. It just doesn't make you African because you know Wizkid, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, or Tiwa Savage. Also for people who yell cultural appropriation alot why is someone who is not from any African country allowed to use someone's culture as a prop. Beyonce and others are getting away with it, because Africans tend to not be bothered about those things. Had a Kardashian done it.... Oh My!!!"
**
REPLY
44. Marie T
"You can't actually get the full experience of a culture, because you a read a book or watched a movie. Even Africans immigrants in Western countries try to come back to Africa and go right back, because they grew accustomed to another way of life. So I dont know about someone who has never been or even interacted with more than 20 Africans at a time. One African American(black American) youtuber said she didnt want to come live in Africa, because to her she would be benefiting off the lower class. According to her there are only poor and rich people in West-Africa no middle class. Wow. The assumption that should would even just automatically thrive in Africa baffles me. Since she said she was middle class in the U.S."
**
REPLY
45. Faith Ogie
"+sarah clarkson akatas LMFAOOSHSJSSH fr"
**
REPLY
46. Steph I
"Taniya Herring it's okay just do your research and don't appropriate like these girls"
**
REPLY
47. Aycha Sade
"Oooo 🙄😒 why somebody (a lot of y'all) always gotta start that sh&t*, stop making such a big damn deal about country and culture... calling them akatas, y'all sound bitter and foolish, they were having fun that's all it was. DAMN."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment
**
REPLY
48. Ruby Cupcake21
"I see Africans all the time listening to African American music but you don't see me complaining about how they don't know the culture because I can care less their having fun"
**
REPLY
49. Marie T
"Well I don't know who you are talking to exactly, but I only spoke about knowing the culture in reference to a person who commented that they were trying to claim a heritage. I don't mind people partaking in it respectfully but claiming it is another case."
**
REPLY
50. Steph I
"Ruby Cupcake21 Dashikis being worn and one African song being played is appropriation of African culture I could also care less as long as no one is offended and no culture is appropriated. For comparison it is kind of like African/African American culture being appropriated with cornrows and other things. I'm sure a lot of Africans remember when we were being made fun of for our heritage and now African Americans are trying to reclaim their roots by wearing dashikis/listening to wizkid or something I hope you can see y some Africans are getting offended."
***
REPLY
51. Asma Hayan
"Tia Renee the song is a Somali song called HILOWLE and they're definitely not doing any African dance. HILOWLE is a dance to a song. So idk y they're mixing EAST &WEST Africa. Black Americans appropriate African culture too much. Sometimes even steal it but wanna make fun of us when they want to. In school, it was always the black kids that made fun of African culture but now they wanna "claim their heritage"
**
REPLY
52. Reelani Lola Makiese Mwabula
"There was more than one African song ....does it even matter where they are from they are black! !"
**
REPLY
53. Steph I
"Reelani Lola Makiese Mwabula Not saying we aren't equal or anything but there are stark differences between Africans and African Americans like MAJOR lol this dance isn't rlly African it is an stereotype of how Americans think Africans dance"
**
REPLY
54. Bean Butterfly
"+Steph I totally!!! I agree, I was like when does the African dancing begin"
**
September 2017
REPLY
55. Jane Johnson
"Marie T I agree with you partly however speaking the language doesn't mean you can now claim your culture because I'm Nigerian,I'm black I know African dances but my language is just not very common on the internet so it's hard to learn by myself however I am still of African heritage and know a lot about my culture the only problem was that I grew up in England so I'm bound to learn English.If I grew up in Nigeria I would most likely learn the language to depending on how my parent teaches me"
****
August 2017
56. Don't Haveone
"First and foremost, you all did an amazing job, and I love the African theme! Secondly, for the people who keep commenting about which part of Africa they are from, could you please just enjoy the video Geez!! It's like damn if they do, and damn if they don't. Birthday girl,next time do a Carnival theme birthday party, wear carnival costumes and incorporate some Soca songs to your hip-hop choreography and I wouldn't chastise but be flattered that you embraced the culture. Don't let the negative comments discourage you from learning and embracing your African roots, they all don't think like that. I'm Caribbean living in a America so I understand. ✌🏽"
**
57. Darkskinned_ kid
"Niyah so beautiful to me knowing that she repping my culture 🤘🏾🤘🏾😍"
**
58. Krap Patty
"I'm sorry but what's Part of Africa are they representing? Africa is not a country"
**
59. msCHIevous94
"Lets put on some hooded Dashikis!! Lets be african.. stop it. My culture aint a costume.. yall dnt even know where dashikis orginate from."
**
60. Kehinde Timothy
"As a Nigerian there is almost nothing African bout this. For the people looking for real African music look up Afrobeats which is mostly from Nigeria and Ghana"
**
61. Pryncess
"Im nigerian and my parents would have killed me ohhh, i would have had to wear one of those itchy traditional outfit and danced that dance, dashiki with short shorts, I MUST WANT 16 years to be my expiration date. my parents would kill me."
**
September 2017
62. Maroon Horizon
"why has my continent become a trend?"
**
63. Omar Delmar
"In Africa we dont have sweet 16 dances thats a mexican thing
This is african Americans twisting african culture just like the names
This dance belongs in syrip joints"
-snip-
"syrip" is probably a typo for "strip"
**
October 2017
64. Key Da Phenom
"I'm Nigerian ok...and as much as I appreciate the embracing of the African theme, we are VERY ENERGETIC lol these dances were Ok! The girl with the green dashiki was great to watch; however, they needed to have her stamina if you will and be more coordinated with their transitions as they were slow and out of tempo most of the time."
-end of selected comments-
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
The "Shelsy's Super "LIT" Sweet 16 (2015 BlayFilms)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeC589nTVH0 which was mentioned near the beginning of this pancocojams post is a Garifuna Sweet sixteen party which was held in the USA. As shown in that video, that party's music consisted of African, Central American, and Caribbean music. Click http://globalsherpa.org/garifunas-garifuna/ for an article about Garifuna history and culture.
**
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/dashikis-adaptation-of-yoruba-dansiki.html for a 2012 pancocojams post entitled "Dashikis - An Adaptation Of The Yoruba Dansiki".
**
One of the things that I found disconcerting about some comments that weren't included in this compilation was that a number of commenters (who I presumed were African American) didn't appear to know that the "shirts" or "outfits" worn by the female and male dancers in the "Niyah African Sweet 16 Dance" video were called "dashikis" and that these "shirts" were worn by afrocentric African American males to represent our African cultural heritage.
Actually, since at least the 1970s, I've noticed via YouTube videos that the African American adapted form of Yoruba (Nigerian) dansikis have been worn and continue to be worn by mostly male folk singers in South Africa and in East Africa as an immediate symbol of African culture. I think this is because the traditional attire of those ethnic groups would be considered inappropriate for contemporary (Westernized) performances. For example, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FclwRECHoWc&t=141s for a video of the South African group "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". That group also wears dashikis in a number of other YouTube videos.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Four Examples Of The Liberian Folk Song "Banuwa"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents four videos of the Liberian folk song "Banuwa" ("Don't Cry"). This song appears to be part of the repertoire for a number of music classes in schools throughout the world.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer of this song. Thanks also to the transcriber of these featured lyrics, the vocalists & musicians who are featured in the videos, and the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
LYRICS: BANUWA
From wilcokloosterman, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMe5EFqeHis, [given as Example #1 below], 2011
"Banuwa is a Liberian folk song used as a love song, lullaby, or even a processional. Here is the original text and translation:
Banuwa, Banuwa,
Banuwa yo
A la no
nehnio la no
Nehnia la no
Don't cry, Don't Cry,
pretty little girl don't cry.
Don't cry, Don't Cry,
pretty little girl don't cry.
Your father off at the village
your mothers out for a while,
your brothers down by the river.
No need to sit and cry."
-snip-
This comment is reformatted for this post. Two other commenters wrote the same or similar lyrics for this song.
Clearly, these lyrics in a Liberian traditional language aren't the complete lyrics for the English translation.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated video presented first.
Example #1: Banuwa
mananachorus, Uploaded on Feb 5, 2007
****
Example #2: {Ugandan] African choir sings banuwa
Nico van den Berge Uploaded on Jun 1, 2009
...www.zendeling.wordpress.com
One by one the choir members appear from their seat and walk to the stage in front. The choir of the African Bible University in Uganda sings Banuwa during the gradution ceremony of 2009. The Mzungu in the choir is my wife Inge. Does anybody know what the word Banuwa means? (we don't) nvandenberge@cs.com
-snip-
"Mzungu" = colloquial Swahili for White person
Here's what this video's publisher wrote in response to the question is this the original version of this song:
"
Nico van den Berge, 2010
"@jesst666 Well, uh, don't know if this is THE original version. We tried to have it as original as possible, but who on earth knows the original version of a folk song like this?"
****
Example #3: BANUWA.MPG
Charles Hiram Romão Bruno, Uploaded on Feb 14, 2011
MÚSICA REALIZADA NA CAPACITAÇÃO CORAL DE PROFESSORES DO PROJETO GURI PELA "TI" SANDRA LIMA
-snip-
Portuguese to English partial translation - music from chorale class for student teachers
-snip-
Notice the chest body patting alternating with individual hand claps, and thigh slaps that the choir does for percussive accompaniment for their singing.
****
Example #4: Banuwa Yo
Various Artists - Topic; Published on May 30, 2015
Provided to YouTube by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Banuwa Yo · The Song Swappers and Pete Seeger
Folk Songs of Four Continents
℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1955 Folkways Records
-snip-
Update: January 2, 2019- This video replaces one that was originally embedded in this post but is no longer available.
It's likely that this 1955 Folkways record is the one that introduced this Liberian, West African song to the USA, if not also to other "Western" nations.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post presents four videos of the Liberian folk song "Banuwa" ("Don't Cry"). This song appears to be part of the repertoire for a number of music classes in schools throughout the world.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer of this song. Thanks also to the transcriber of these featured lyrics, the vocalists & musicians who are featured in the videos, and the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
LYRICS: BANUWA
From wilcokloosterman, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMe5EFqeHis, [given as Example #1 below], 2011
"Banuwa is a Liberian folk song used as a love song, lullaby, or even a processional. Here is the original text and translation:
Banuwa, Banuwa,
Banuwa yo
A la no
nehnio la no
Nehnia la no
Don't cry, Don't Cry,
pretty little girl don't cry.
Don't cry, Don't Cry,
pretty little girl don't cry.
Your father off at the village
your mothers out for a while,
your brothers down by the river.
No need to sit and cry."
-snip-
This comment is reformatted for this post. Two other commenters wrote the same or similar lyrics for this song.
Clearly, these lyrics in a Liberian traditional language aren't the complete lyrics for the English translation.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated video presented first.
Example #1: Banuwa
mananachorus, Uploaded on Feb 5, 2007
****
Example #2: {Ugandan] African choir sings banuwa
Nico van den Berge Uploaded on Jun 1, 2009
...www.zendeling.wordpress.com
One by one the choir members appear from their seat and walk to the stage in front. The choir of the African Bible University in Uganda sings Banuwa during the gradution ceremony of 2009. The Mzungu in the choir is my wife Inge. Does anybody know what the word Banuwa means? (we don't) nvandenberge@cs.com
-snip-
"Mzungu" = colloquial Swahili for White person
Here's what this video's publisher wrote in response to the question is this the original version of this song:
"
Nico van den Berge, 2010
"@jesst666 Well, uh, don't know if this is THE original version. We tried to have it as original as possible, but who on earth knows the original version of a folk song like this?"
****
Example #3: BANUWA.MPG
Charles Hiram Romão Bruno, Uploaded on Feb 14, 2011
MÚSICA REALIZADA NA CAPACITAÇÃO CORAL DE PROFESSORES DO PROJETO GURI PELA "TI" SANDRA LIMA
-snip-
Portuguese to English partial translation - music from chorale class for student teachers
-snip-
Notice the chest body patting alternating with individual hand claps, and thigh slaps that the choir does for percussive accompaniment for their singing.
****
Example #4: Banuwa Yo
Various Artists - Topic; Published on May 30, 2015
Provided to YouTube by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Banuwa Yo · The Song Swappers and Pete Seeger
Folk Songs of Four Continents
℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1955 Folkways Records
-snip-
Update: January 2, 2019- This video replaces one that was originally embedded in this post but is no longer available.
It's likely that this 1955 Folkways record is the one that introduced this Liberian, West African song to the USA, if not also to other "Western" nations.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
What The African References Mean In Migos Ft Drake - Versace African Remix
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents comments about the lyrics of Migos Ft Drake's 2013 African remix of their hit song "Versace".
The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers and performers of this song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE VOCALISTS
"Migos are an American hip hop group from Gwinnett County, Georgia...….They are best known for their 2013 single "Versace"….went viral[7] and peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8] It also inspired rapper Drake to join for the official remix."...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migos
"[Drake] is a Canadian recording artist, rapper, songwriter, and actor....Drake has sold over 5 million albums worldwide.[5] His work has earned him a Grammy Award, three Juno Awards, six BET Awards, and set several significant Billboard records. With twelve number-one singles, Drake has more than any other artist on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart"...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_(rapper)
****
SUMMARY STATEMENT ABOUT "VERSACE AFRICA REMIX"
http://www.spin.com/articles/migos-versace-video-donatella-drake/ describes Migos' hit song "Versace" as a gleefully monotonous fashion-shout-out track" in which the rappers brag about their expensive Versace clothing and jewelry.
The African remix to that song substitutes the word "dashiki" for the "Versace", includes shout outs to several notable Africans, and other African references. In my opinion, the substitution of dashikis for Versace doesn't work since dashikis have never been viewed as luxury clothing. And the types of fake African print dashikis that the rappers wear in the African remix video are particularly viewed with derision by afro-centric African Americans.
That said, some traditional Yoruba (Nigeria) dansiki which served as the model for the African American originated dashiki are made out of silk, or brocade, or lace, or some authentic African fabrics and therefore can be quite expensive. Had Migos worn a silk or lace three piece African agbadas (robe), dansiki (undershirt/tunic) and sokotos (pants) such as those shown in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeTD2xyfMuA "Best Of Nigerian Fashion "natives" along with the jewelry worn by people photographed in that collage, they would have had much more credibility extolling the expensive nature of African fashion.
Unlike the original song "Versace" (and the remix of that song featuring Drake), the African remix includes no profanity and no "n words" - which is a plus for me. I'm aware that this remix is meant to be lighthearted fun, but I'm using it as a way of sharing information about African culture.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Migos Ft Drake Versace AFRICAN REMIX
TreandIce production, Published on Nov 10, 2013
****
LYRICS : VERSACE AFRICAN REMIX
Note: Each line numbered for referencing purposes.
1. Dashiki, dashiki got these patterns on me like I'm in a circus
2. don't get it twisted my brothas just get one and try to get like us
3. Dashiki game crazy and this is indeed getting ridiculous
4. Akatas be copping my style but my brothas that don't even bother me
5. Drown in dashiki and come out on top like Nelson Mandela
6. I think I'm buying a million of these and nothing is stopping me
7. Born in the Congo but I'm also a son of mother Africa
8. Forget what you heard, dashiki gang bout to take over America
9. Haaan dashiki, dashiki we stay in a hut when we visit the villages
10. The pillow dashiki, the sheets are dashiki, just made it on world star
11. fashion so wild I got the world asking what the heck is he wearing
12. Always got a back up dashiki and it indeed always come in handy
13. We started this movement we bout to blow up soon so man just wait on it
14. This year I'm eating fufu and my
15. table got so many plates on it
16. Wearing dashiki look in the mirror like man I look good in it
17. I'm balling im balling I'm balling just call me mutombo
18. Repping my country and that's right I am from Congo
19. Buying dashiki's cuz business is business, it's strictly financial
20. We always the first one to wear it that's how we lead by example
21. Dashiki, dashiki, dashiki, dashiki, dashiki, dashiki
22. Word to the A cuz I got all my African girls calling me alhadji
23. Fashion stands out, take a village girl out and there's always paparazzi
24.I'm trying to make Halle berry cook me fufu and no one is stopping me
25.Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki just call me Aladji
26. I called my fatha and told him papa I need more dashikis
27.I need more dashikis cuz all i do is wear it with my homies
28.He told me it's cool cool cool I got more dashikis
29. I don't wanna buy it online cuz I don't mess with the scamming
30. I wish I can have a closet a closet full of dashiki
32. I wear it the morning and night but don't go to sleep with it
33. Dashiki dashiki straight from Togo to Congo Kinshasa
34. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki just call me Mandingo
35. Dashiki dashiki dashiki the girls wanna call me Mandingo
36. Aladji Aladji Aladji Aladji Aladji Aladji
37. Mandingo Mandingo Mandingo Mandingo Mandingo
38. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki just call me Aladji
39. Ya ya ya ya
40. dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki ya
41. in the studio trying to make it ya
42. posting videos on youtube some you guys can watch it ya
43. trying to make it out of the hood so no one should judge us ya
44. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki ya
45. Monuowo Monuowo Monuowo ya
46. This African wishing the* knew us ya
47. The next big thing is here you better believe it ya
48. I'm playing the girls call me balotelli ya
49. I'm playing the game call me mikel obi ya
50. Ya ya wait am trying to rap call me 2chainz ya
51. Kiss my lips if you hating, only if you're a girl no homo ya
52. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki ya
53. Monuowo Monuowo Monuowo monuowo ya ya ya!
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31jlUe3I8Mw
* This may be a typo and probably was meant to be "he"
****
EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN LINES OF THIS RAP
1. Refers to the multi-colored zig-zags and geometric designs on the iconic, fake African print dashikis of the 1960s and 1970s
2. "don't come to the wrong conclusion"
3. This line says that more people are wearing dashikis [which, in my opinion, is only minimally true in the USA, although the natural looks in hair-care is being revived]
4. "Akata" is a derogatory reference for African Americans ; click this link to a pancocojams post on that subject http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/ataka-is-mean-spirited-word.html
5. "drown in dashikis" = wear a lot of dashikis; This line could also mean "to be immersed in African culture" and be looked down upon or face negative consequences because of that, but in the end be victorious "like Nelson Mandela", the first Black African president of South Africa.
7. A person who is born in the Congo would be a song of mother Africa. Therefore, I don't understand the "but" in that line. However, a commenter to that video's viewere comment thread wrote "congoboy killed it, batika yo, ezo makasi". end of quote; Is "congoboy" a stage name for one of the rappers?
9. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=haaan gives this entry for the word "haaan" - "An add on to the end of an interesting statement. Doesn't have a real meaning, but it is closely related to the word 'yay'.” end of quote
Presumably, that word means the same thing when it is found at the beginning of a sentence. I'm not sure if "Haaan" originates or is commonly used this way in Africa. However, it conveys an "African" or at least a non-American flavor to the sentence.
13. "about to blow it up" = about to be a big success
13. fufu = a staple food in many African and Caribbean countries
17. I'm balling - from the referent "big baller", "originating from a term referring to a very talented basketball player, typically a pro or from "street ball", who lives lavishly--this phrase is commonly used to refer now to anyone who likes to "live large" http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Big+Baller; in the context of this rap "I'm balling" means "I'm living a life full of (material) riches and am treated like the rich person that I am".
"Mutombo" - a reference to Dikembe Mutombo, a professional basketball player from Democratic Republic of the Congo
18. "repping" = representing
19.- 21. In my opinion, the substitution of "dashikis" for "Versace" doesn't work because in the United States are considered largely informal garments or are associated with afro-centric lifestyles.
22. "Word to the A" is probably "word to the African" which means that you are giving a shout-out to Africans (shout-out=publicly acknowledging; publicly complimenting)
"alhaji"= a Muslim who has been to Mecca; in the context of this rap, this probably means a person with high status
33. Togo is a West African nation; Congo Kinshasa is the same as the Democratic Republic of the Congo which was formerly called Zaire; Kinshasa is the capitol of that central African nation; Congo Brazzaville another central African nation. Brazzaville is its capitol.
34. Mandingo is a West African ethnic group. However, "Mandingo" has become a colloquial referent for a well endowed Black man because of an American book and movie with that title about an enslaved Black man in the United States South.
36. Aladji - means the same thing as "alhadji" ; Read this comment from a video titled "Decale Aladji" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb4o8bDiVQM "By Francophone is call Aladji, in yoruba is call Alhaji, meaning some one who has been to Saudi Arabia to perfom the yearly muslim pilgrim"... end of quote
In the context of this United States rap, "aladji" probably means "a person with high status"
39. "ya" probably means "yeah" when it is used alone or at the end of lines
43. "hood" - "neighborhood"; i.e. trying to become economically successful
45. Monuowo =?
48. Mario Balotelli - an Afro-Italian professional footballer (soccer player)
49. Mikel Obi - a Nigerian professional footballer (soccer player) who plays for the English club Chelsea and the Nigeria national team
50. 2chainz - a Hip- Hip recording artist from College Park, Georgia
51. "Homo" is usually considered to be a derogatory referent for a homosexual.
****
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Visitors' comments are welcome.
This post presents comments about the lyrics of Migos Ft Drake's 2013 African remix of their hit song "Versace".
The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers and performers of this song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE VOCALISTS
"Migos are an American hip hop group from Gwinnett County, Georgia...….They are best known for their 2013 single "Versace"….went viral[7] and peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8] It also inspired rapper Drake to join for the official remix."...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migos
"[Drake] is a Canadian recording artist, rapper, songwriter, and actor....Drake has sold over 5 million albums worldwide.[5] His work has earned him a Grammy Award, three Juno Awards, six BET Awards, and set several significant Billboard records. With twelve number-one singles, Drake has more than any other artist on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart"...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_(rapper)
****
SUMMARY STATEMENT ABOUT "VERSACE AFRICA REMIX"
http://www.spin.com/articles/migos-versace-video-donatella-drake/ describes Migos' hit song "Versace" as a gleefully monotonous fashion-shout-out track" in which the rappers brag about their expensive Versace clothing and jewelry.
The African remix to that song substitutes the word "dashiki" for the "Versace", includes shout outs to several notable Africans, and other African references. In my opinion, the substitution of dashikis for Versace doesn't work since dashikis have never been viewed as luxury clothing. And the types of fake African print dashikis that the rappers wear in the African remix video are particularly viewed with derision by afro-centric African Americans.
That said, some traditional Yoruba (Nigeria) dansiki which served as the model for the African American originated dashiki are made out of silk, or brocade, or lace, or some authentic African fabrics and therefore can be quite expensive. Had Migos worn a silk or lace three piece African agbadas (robe), dansiki (undershirt/tunic) and sokotos (pants) such as those shown in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeTD2xyfMuA "Best Of Nigerian Fashion "natives" along with the jewelry worn by people photographed in that collage, they would have had much more credibility extolling the expensive nature of African fashion.
Unlike the original song "Versace" (and the remix of that song featuring Drake), the African remix includes no profanity and no "n words" - which is a plus for me. I'm aware that this remix is meant to be lighthearted fun, but I'm using it as a way of sharing information about African culture.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Migos Ft Drake Versace AFRICAN REMIX
TreandIce production, Published on Nov 10, 2013
****
LYRICS : VERSACE AFRICAN REMIX
Note: Each line numbered for referencing purposes.
1. Dashiki, dashiki got these patterns on me like I'm in a circus
2. don't get it twisted my brothas just get one and try to get like us
3. Dashiki game crazy and this is indeed getting ridiculous
4. Akatas be copping my style but my brothas that don't even bother me
5. Drown in dashiki and come out on top like Nelson Mandela
6. I think I'm buying a million of these and nothing is stopping me
7. Born in the Congo but I'm also a son of mother Africa
8. Forget what you heard, dashiki gang bout to take over America
9. Haaan dashiki, dashiki we stay in a hut when we visit the villages
10. The pillow dashiki, the sheets are dashiki, just made it on world star
11. fashion so wild I got the world asking what the heck is he wearing
12. Always got a back up dashiki and it indeed always come in handy
13. We started this movement we bout to blow up soon so man just wait on it
14. This year I'm eating fufu and my
15. table got so many plates on it
16. Wearing dashiki look in the mirror like man I look good in it
17. I'm balling im balling I'm balling just call me mutombo
18. Repping my country and that's right I am from Congo
19. Buying dashiki's cuz business is business, it's strictly financial
20. We always the first one to wear it that's how we lead by example
21. Dashiki, dashiki, dashiki, dashiki, dashiki, dashiki
22. Word to the A cuz I got all my African girls calling me alhadji
23. Fashion stands out, take a village girl out and there's always paparazzi
24.I'm trying to make Halle berry cook me fufu and no one is stopping me
25.Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki just call me Aladji
26. I called my fatha and told him papa I need more dashikis
27.I need more dashikis cuz all i do is wear it with my homies
28.He told me it's cool cool cool I got more dashikis
29. I don't wanna buy it online cuz I don't mess with the scamming
30. I wish I can have a closet a closet full of dashiki
32. I wear it the morning and night but don't go to sleep with it
33. Dashiki dashiki straight from Togo to Congo Kinshasa
34. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki just call me Mandingo
35. Dashiki dashiki dashiki the girls wanna call me Mandingo
36. Aladji Aladji Aladji Aladji Aladji Aladji
37. Mandingo Mandingo Mandingo Mandingo Mandingo
38. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki just call me Aladji
39. Ya ya ya ya
40. dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki ya
41. in the studio trying to make it ya
42. posting videos on youtube some you guys can watch it ya
43. trying to make it out of the hood so no one should judge us ya
44. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki ya
45. Monuowo Monuowo Monuowo ya
46. This African wishing the* knew us ya
47. The next big thing is here you better believe it ya
48. I'm playing the girls call me balotelli ya
49. I'm playing the game call me mikel obi ya
50. Ya ya wait am trying to rap call me 2chainz ya
51. Kiss my lips if you hating, only if you're a girl no homo ya
52. Dashiki dashiki dashiki dashiki ya
53. Monuowo Monuowo Monuowo monuowo ya ya ya!
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31jlUe3I8Mw
* This may be a typo and probably was meant to be "he"
****
EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN LINES OF THIS RAP
1. Refers to the multi-colored zig-zags and geometric designs on the iconic, fake African print dashikis of the 1960s and 1970s
2. "don't come to the wrong conclusion"
3. This line says that more people are wearing dashikis [which, in my opinion, is only minimally true in the USA, although the natural looks in hair-care is being revived]
4. "Akata" is a derogatory reference for African Americans ; click this link to a pancocojams post on that subject http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/ataka-is-mean-spirited-word.html
5. "drown in dashikis" = wear a lot of dashikis; This line could also mean "to be immersed in African culture" and be looked down upon or face negative consequences because of that, but in the end be victorious "like Nelson Mandela", the first Black African president of South Africa.
7. A person who is born in the Congo would be a song of mother Africa. Therefore, I don't understand the "but" in that line. However, a commenter to that video's viewere comment thread wrote "congoboy killed it, batika yo, ezo makasi". end of quote; Is "congoboy" a stage name for one of the rappers?
9. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=haaan gives this entry for the word "haaan" - "An add on to the end of an interesting statement. Doesn't have a real meaning, but it is closely related to the word 'yay'.” end of quote
Presumably, that word means the same thing when it is found at the beginning of a sentence. I'm not sure if "Haaan" originates or is commonly used this way in Africa. However, it conveys an "African" or at least a non-American flavor to the sentence.
13. "about to blow it up" = about to be a big success
13. fufu = a staple food in many African and Caribbean countries
17. I'm balling - from the referent "big baller", "originating from a term referring to a very talented basketball player, typically a pro or from "street ball", who lives lavishly--this phrase is commonly used to refer now to anyone who likes to "live large" http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Big+Baller; in the context of this rap "I'm balling" means "I'm living a life full of (material) riches and am treated like the rich person that I am".
"Mutombo" - a reference to Dikembe Mutombo, a professional basketball player from Democratic Republic of the Congo
18. "repping" = representing
19.- 21. In my opinion, the substitution of "dashikis" for "Versace" doesn't work because in the United States are considered largely informal garments or are associated with afro-centric lifestyles.
22. "Word to the A" is probably "word to the African" which means that you are giving a shout-out to Africans (shout-out=publicly acknowledging; publicly complimenting)
"alhaji"= a Muslim who has been to Mecca; in the context of this rap, this probably means a person with high status
33. Togo is a West African nation; Congo Kinshasa is the same as the Democratic Republic of the Congo which was formerly called Zaire; Kinshasa is the capitol of that central African nation; Congo Brazzaville another central African nation. Brazzaville is its capitol.
34. Mandingo is a West African ethnic group. However, "Mandingo" has become a colloquial referent for a well endowed Black man because of an American book and movie with that title about an enslaved Black man in the United States South.
36. Aladji - means the same thing as "alhadji" ; Read this comment from a video titled "Decale Aladji" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb4o8bDiVQM "By Francophone is call Aladji, in yoruba is call Alhaji, meaning some one who has been to Saudi Arabia to perfom the yearly muslim pilgrim"... end of quote
In the context of this United States rap, "aladji" probably means "a person with high status"
39. "ya" probably means "yeah" when it is used alone or at the end of lines
43. "hood" - "neighborhood"; i.e. trying to become economically successful
45. Monuowo =?
48. Mario Balotelli - an Afro-Italian professional footballer (soccer player)
49. Mikel Obi - a Nigerian professional footballer (soccer player) who plays for the English club Chelsea and the Nigeria national team
50. 2chainz - a Hip- Hip recording artist from College Park, Georgia
51. "Homo" is usually considered to be a derogatory referent for a homosexual.
****
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Visitors' comments are welcome.
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