February 1997 The News Argus - Page 15
- FEATURES
African Folktales and Drumming:
A Cultural Experience
BY SlIARONDA WILCOX AND DANIELLK
PROPHETE
Staff Wriim
An inicresiing prcsenialion of
culture and enierlainmcnl is whai bcsi
describes Obakunlc Akinlana, African
Folkiaies and Drums, which look place
February 10 in ihe Thompson Cenier.
This program was sponsored by ihe
Campus Activities Board (CAB) and was
part of Winston-Salem State University’s
month long events celebrating Black
History Month.
Also featured in the program
were April Turner, an actress and dancer
and master drummer, Asheem. Although
the crowd was very small, only five
people (one of them was the Campus
Activity Board's adviser), it did not stop
the trio from performing. Turner opened
the program with a traditional African
dance, followed by an African folktale
told by Akinlana.
During the presentation Akinlana
told the history of the beautiful and
colorful wood carvings, drums and
musical gourds that were on display
during the program. He discusscd how
before cameras were invented, Africans
made their documentations with woiod
carvings to represent kings, the birth of
children and other inportant events in the
villages.
According to Akinlana, a
drummer was a very important person in
the African village. “Drummers in the
villages announced the marriages, births,
deaths, and the politics in the village. To
play a drum without permission brings
the penalty of death.”
Later in the performance the
audience was invited to participate in a
traditional African song Akinlana called
“Bringing Back Your Ancestors.”
Obakiinle Akinlana, African Folktales and Drums Performers
Poetry Corner
Who Am I?
1 stand tall
Black and lean
A man as I seem
You huddle behind doors
And laugh at me
Because I’m not
Like you!
I press my ears
To the door
Listening to those harmful words;
Those snarling cracks
As I listen
Tears roll down my face
Like waterfalls
Wondering why?
Am I not like you?
If not then....
Who am I?
I’ve read your books.
I’ve.walked your walk
And talked your talk
But those things
Are not me.
1 am a thinker
Among men
A hidden leader
In the making
if I’m not like you...
Then who am I?
To you I may seem
Odd and not at home
But to me
You are ignorant and
Uncaring
If you’re wondering
Who I am
I will tell you!!
I am Adam
1 am Moses
I am Jesus
I am Marlin Luther King, Jr.
1 am the slaves
Who build your foundation
I am all those
Who came before me
Those who fought for
Peace and Love.
All of those things
That I am
I am also human
Man of flesh and bone
Who is not perfcct
And you say
I am not like you?
If not then...
Who am I?
Omo-r Tlark^s
A POEM FOR THOUGHT
Lord, Lord, Why did You make me
Black?
Why did you make someone the
world wants to hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes.
The color of grimy hands and feet.
Black is the color of darkness.
The color of tire-beaten streets
Why did you give me thick lips,
A broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did you make someone
Who receives the hatred stare?
Black is the color of the bruised eye
When someone gets hurl.
Black is the color of darkness.
Black is the color of dirt
How come my bone siruclurc’s
so ihick.
My hips and cheeks are high?
How come my ears iire brown
And not the color of daylight .sky?
Why do people think I’m useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do .some people sec my skin
And think I should be abused?
Lord, I just don’t understand.
What is it about my skin?
Why do .some people want to hate me
And not know the person within?
Black is what people are “listed”
When others want to keep them
away.
Black is the color of shadows cast.
Black is the end of the day.
Lord, you know my own people
misu-eat me
And I know ihis just ain’t right.
They don’t like my hair.
They say I’m too dark or too light.
Lord, don’t you think it’s time for
you to make a change?
Why don’t you re-do creation and
Make everyone the same?
See Page 16