This exhibition at the British Library gives a different, fascinating approach to this vast region, rich in history, culture and creativity. There is so much to do and see: the exhibition is packed with colour, life and creative energy. If you have any interest in Africa at all, you must visit before it finishes on […]
A guest post from Sue Ubagu. Whilst teaching in Central Nigeria in the mid 1970s, I was fascinated by the skills of local craftspeople. Amongst my adult students, I identified 70 distinct ethnic groups, each with their own identity, language, customs, traditions, and craft skills. In the community, I befriended the four wives of the […]
And, to crown it all one last finger food recipe and some salads and crisps to complete the African picnic. All these recipe ideas and photographs were provided by Nky Iweka of Tupelo and Green. Chicken drumsticks I think picnics are most fun with food that you mean you eschew cutlery: chicken drumsticks for instance. […]
Nky Iweka pursues her African picnic challenge with Suya, a very popular roadside snack. Although it is best eaten hot, it is perfectably acceptable eaten cold or you could take along a portable barbeque (venue permitting). Suya is similar to satay and is made from beef, chicken or ram. Buy your ingredients: Beef: rump or […]
In the past few weeks, I’ve been blogging quite a bit about picnics, and as I researched easy food to eat outdoors, I was struck by how few African-inspired dishes I could find on offer, which did not have to be served hot to be delicious. I turned to an expert, a talented cook who, […]
Still in Ferkessédougou, Renee shot a quick video to show some strip fabric in the making. She doesn’t seem to have taken up the weaver’s offer of: “Do you want to try?” But she leaves us with the magic of the speed possible even when weaving by hand. Once the loom is set up as it […]
Where in the world? Find out more quickly…. Renee Mboya shares some textile moments on her journey from Lagos via Ferkessedougou, aiming for Sarajevo. A variety of cloth… …as it is woven …stitched into dresses …made into full sized wrappers …or sold as strips Explore more of Africa’s strip fabric textile traditions from Nigeria. […]
Our guest photographer, Renee Mboya, on her final preparations before she leaves for Lagos: My first week with my Toghal cushion is preoccupied with trying to figure out how to carry it. Twenty two countries, two continents, forty four cities, over five months and two seasons is the ultimate packing challenge. I mull over a […]
A Kanga is many things. It is the work cloth, the wrapper you put around your waist or your bust when you go into the kitchen to make a batch of chapattis. It’s what you give a friend as you welcome them into your home. It’s a gift at a wedding or a scarf around […]
Before she left Kenya to start her 151 day epic with Invisible Borders artist, (our) traveling photographer Renee Mboya, did some intrepid exploring closer to home. She headed for the Tanzanian border. Here is her story. My Nigerian friend Adeola and I are going from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We leave the city […]
