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Black royalty and nobility in the UK

9 Février 2023 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #2022, #blackhistory, #UK, #ENG

Source: web, a conveniently anonymous Oil on Canvas of a Black Man in 18th Century England

Source: web, a conveniently anonymous Oil on Canvas of a Black Man in 18th Century England

We were sent a video link from a youtube channel called Pensées Kamites which had us verifying a number of facts on the existence of a Black nobility and Royalty in the UK and diving into it, we weren't disappointed. See for yourselves.

You might remember that in 2018, a facial reconstruction of a 10,000-year-old skeleton called "Cheddar man", as he was found in Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, England (where cheddar cheese originates), had revealed a man with bright blue eyes, slightly curly hair, and dark skin. The analysis of the ancient man's DNA proved that he was genetically similar to other dark-skinned individuals from the Mesolithic era found in Spain, Hungary, and Luxembourg whose DNA had already been sequenced. It placed the Cheddar Man among a group of hunter-gatherers that are thought to have migrated to Europe at the end of the last Ice Age some 11,000 years ago.

This would mean that 9000 years BC, Black men and women inhabited England, Scotland and Ireland and were the native people there. We can safely assume that they reproduced and that Great Britain would have been rather colorful for many centuries. 

Interestingly, we find that in the 17th century, many references to noble men, including the King of England, were made, describing them as either fair, dark, black or very black. Here are two sources below which are irrefutable.

In the "Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq" during the reign of King William III (1689-1702), Queen Anne (1702-1714), King George I (1714,1727), written for the Prince of Wales who was to become King George II and published in 1733, John Macky was asked to provide amongst other intelligence, a description of the Characters of the English and Scots nobility. He did and a number of those listed also offered a physical description. These pages can be found and previewed on Google Docs *.

See some below and statements made on the last paragraph of the 3rd slide. Continue reading for more.

Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733
Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733
Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733

Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733

The person in question is also from Somerset, as was Cheddar man. He is known as Charles Seymour, Duke of Somerset. He was a very well respected noble, spoken of in many texts. For instance in the "Memoirs of the Court of England from the Revolution in 1688 to the death of George The Second" published in 1843, the same reference was quoted p.252 (see slide 2 below)*

Memoirs of the Court of England from the Revolution in 1688 to the death of George The Second, 1843
Memoirs of the Court of England from the Revolution in 1688 to the death of George The Second, 1843

Memoirs of the Court of England from the Revolution in 1688 to the death of George The Second, 1843

However, in history books and in all searches, this is, apparently, how Charles Seymour looked.

What is fascinating though is this young Black boy standing next to him, rather well dressed, judging by the texture of the cloth he is wearing and his shoes. Paintings followed a very intricate and lengthy process and made a powerful statement. Why was this young boy, of very dark complexion, included?

And then it gets even more interesting when we come across the descriptions of King Charles II and the description of his children born from mistresses who were nobles too. Below, two of the King's sons and a grandson are described as Black men, and so is King Charles II. See slides below.

Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733
Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733

Source: Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq, 1733

One of the sons is Charles Lenos, Duke of Richmond, whose mother was a French lady from Brittany, called Louise de Kerouaille. Interestingly, she is also represented as a white complexion lady. However, she is holding a dark complexion girl, once again very well dressed and looking at the lady in the same way that a daughter would lay eyes on her mother. In fact, the white complexion of lady Kerouaille looks a little surreal :)

Have information and history over centuries been grossly falsified? If Charles II was Black, Charles Ist probably was too and it raises a lot of questions since usually only Black skin people can give birth to other Black skin humans.

Another very interesting account is the description of Jews and Spaniards as very Black in the description of the Earl of Nottingham and Secretary of State. See slides below.

We would love to know your thoughts on this.

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Afruika Bantu Saturday School KWANZAA

14 Décembre 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #2022, #kwanzaa, #UK, #afroculturekidz, #ENG

Afruika Bantu Saturday School KWANZAA

Join Afruika Bantu Saturday School on Wednesday 28th December 2022 to celebrate Kwanzaa in style

SAVE THE DATE

Afruika Bantu Saturday School Community Kwanzaa

UJIMA
Collective Work and
Responsibility


KWANZAA is an Afrikan Family Cultural Celebrations - especially
for the children.  Based around 7 life-saving principles.

PROGRAM

Libation

Cultural performances

Dynamic youth and child participation and performances

Drumming workshops for children

Afrikan market - education and Cultural stalls.

Food and refreshments.

  Come early to avoid disappointment.
Wednesday 28th December 2022
4pm to 8pm
ST MARTIN'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
Abbots Park, Upper Tulse Hill, SW2 3QB


Recommended donations on entry  - £5
under 20 FREE
Info / stalls : 07903 012 757 Email:
Abssgb17@gmail.com

Afruika Bantu Saturday School KWANZAA

Click below for more info on Afruika Bantu Saturday School

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London Migration Film Festival: Crossing Voices with Intro

28 Novembre 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #2022, #cinema, #africa, #festival, #UK, #ENG

Using rare cinematic, photographic and sound archives, Crossing Voices recounts the exemplary adventure of Somankidi Coura, an agricultural cooperative created in Mali in 1977 by western African immigrant workers living in workers’ residences in France.
 

The story of this improbable, utopic return to the homeland follows a winding path that travels through ecological challenges, neo-colonialism, and conflicts on the African continent from the 1970s to the present day.

Watch it at Genesis Cinema on Wednesday 30th November 2022 from 8.50pm.

Join the discussion with director Raphaël Grisey on Wednesday 30/11 from 8pm (free), followed by the screening of CROSSING VOICES at 8.50pm.

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Painting Our Past: The African Diaspora in England

10 Octobre 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #blackhistory, #UK, #ENG

The Africa Centrein partnership with * English Heritage, is inviting you to a free event on Saturday 15th October from 12 to 6pm in their recently opened new home where you will be able to watch 'Painting our Past' exhibition in their gallery and hear the artists talk.

The address is 66 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0BL (Nearest underground - Southwark).

Painting Our Past: The African Diaspora in England

* English Heritage has commissioned a series of portraits depicting six historic figures from the African diaspora whose stories have contributed to England’s rich history. Each artist has been supported by their curators and historians to creatively portray their subject. Learn more about the commissioned artists and their subjects in the video below.

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Couple more days to see In the Black Fantastic at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre

16 Septembre 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #ENG, #art, #diaspora, #UK

Lina Iris Viktor, Syzgy, 2015 Courtesy the artist

Lina Iris Viktor, Syzgy, 2015 Courtesy the artist

In the Black Fantastic is an exhibition of 11 contemporary artists from the African diaspora, who draw on science fiction, myth and Afrofuturism to question our knowledge of the world.

Encompassing painting, photography, video, sculpture and mixed-media installations, the exhibition creates immersive aesthetic experiences that bring the viewer into a new environment somewhere between the real world and a multiplicity of imagined ones.

In the Black Fantastic is curated by Ekow Eshun and features the artists Nick Cave, Sedrick Chisom, Ellen Gallagher, Hew Locke, Wangechi Mutu, Rashaad Newsome, Chris Ofili, Tabita Rezaire, Cauleen Smith, Lina Iris Viktor and Kara Walker.

Click on the link below to watch an intro of Ekow Eshun's curated virtual tour of the exhibition.

Click below to get your ticket whilst it lasts!

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Slavery & the Bank

18 Août 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #blackhistory, #ENG, #UK

Slavery & the Bank

This exhibition explores the history of transatlantic slavery through its connections with the Bank of England and the wider City of London. It is taking place at Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Lane, EC2R 8AH.

For over 300 years, the slave trade tore more than 12 million African people from their homes and families. In this exhibition, we reflect on how the wealth created through transatlantic slavery shaped the development of Britain.

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm, with late openings until 8pm every third Thursday of the month. There are also free luncthime tour led by curators. Tours take place at 12pm and last approximately 20 minutes. They are free and no booking is necessary, the next upcoming date being Thursday 25th August at 12pm.

Please arrive 10mns early to avoid queues as you enter the museum.

The exhibition will be on until 28 April 2023. Entry is free and there is no need to book ahead.

See Vlog Link below for a filmed experience of the exhibition and a visitor's perspective.

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The film documentary African Apocalypse is now available in Hausa

14 Juillet 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #cinema, #blackhistory, #UK, #ENG

Fresh from a successful release of the film in cinemas and on TV in West Africa, this screening of African Apocalypse, on Saturday 16th July at Arnolfini, Bristol, will be the UK premiere of the 2022 version in Hausa (with English subtitles) produced by the filmmakers in partnership with Arewa 24 Television in Kano, Nigeria. It will be followed by a short break then a panel discussion chaired by PARC board member Peninah Achieng-Kindberg with director Rob Lemkin and film participants Amina Weira and Ibro Abdou (streamed from Niger) joined by film maker and writer Imruh Bakari and Luke Wentworth from #GladColstonsGone Solidarity Group, Founder CEO of TOPPLE Consultancy.

This event is co-hosted by Migration Mobilities Bristol, Perivoli Africa Research Centre and Film and Television (University of Bristol) with Afrika Eye

All income from ticket sales will go to the Sanctuary Scholars Legal Fund to help pay for legal costs for University of Bristol Sanctuary Scholars.

Click on the link below to book your ticket now.

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June Zouk and Kompa Events by Zouk Love London

13 Juin 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #music, #dance, #ENG, #zouklovelondon, #events, #UK

June Zouk and Kompa Events by Zouk Love London

Zouk Love London is back with a Special KOMPA Edition, on Friday 17th of June 2022 from 10PM to 3AM at the Adulis Lounge, 44 Brixton Road, London SW9 6BT.

Join the KOMPA Class before the party from 8.30pm to 10pm with the now well known Joyce-Lee for those who would like to learn how to dance it !  

On the Deck for you:

DJ SKETY from PARIS is ready to give you an avalanche of KOMPA & GOUYAD to celebrate KOMPA. This Haitian native DJ will make this night memorable. The traditional DJ GATRESS will also be bringing to you a touch of Zouk, Zouk love, Retro Zouk and more. Last but not least, DJ REDSTAR from the UK will play the best of Dancehall, Afrobeats, Kuduro & Soucous

For more info and to book your tickets, click the link below:

You can also join Tuesday classes. Next one will be tomorrow. Click below for more info.

June Zouk and Kompa Events by Zouk Love London
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Black History Activity Books Launch & Expo The Trinity 2022

10 Mai 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #afroculturekidz, #blackhistory, #ujamaa, #exhibition, #ENG, #UK

Black History Activity Books Launch & Expo The Trinity 2022

The Black History Activity Books Launch & Expo will take place on Saturday 1st October 2022 at The New Bingley Hall, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 5PP. With over 200 exhibitors, special guest speakers, fashion show, edutainment and live performances, The Black History Activity Books Launch & Expo is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. It's a mega opportunity to celebrate Black excellence with like minded people.

Get your free tickets now by clicking the link below.

For sponsors and vendors info, email info@blackhistoryactivitybooks.com or contact 07896494056.

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Joyful Noise Presents THE AFROCENTRICS

17 Janvier 2022 , Rédigé par www.afrocultureblog.com Publié dans #music, #joyfulnoiseproductions, #theafrocentrics, #ENG, #UK, #events

The Afrocentrics will perform at the Richmix on Tuesday 25th January 2022 from 7.30pm.
 
The Afrocentrics make a strong musical statement with their spellbinding afrobeat-funk-grooves hybrid.

These mesmerising sounds of pure dance floor euphoria build around African rhythms that takes in jazz, salsa, reggae while adding modern twists.

The 7-piece Afrocentrics create progressive dance music played by musicians rather than computers. Their forward-thinking music is driven by sharp songwriting skills powered by their tight musicianship.

Click on the link below to book your ticket.

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