Afrosymbology

Afro Symbology is a 3-day installation and workshop celebrating African pictorial expression and proverbial creativity. In addition to oral traditions, African proverbs; which encapsulate ancient social norms and cues for communication, have always been visually recorded in some form. Evidenced by the creation of modern Fulani scripts like Adlam (which means "The alphabet that protects the peoples from vanishing”) and the tonally unique N’ko for Manding languages; we see that the brilliance and value in our indigenous writings, symbols and syllabary are alive and well. Globalisation threatens to water down the transfer and usage of these intrinsic modes of communication and there is a real danger of losing more of these culturally normative symbols than ever before. It is vital that as African youth, we organically engage with our native scripts and symbols in everyday life where these interactions cause a natural evolution and thus allowing the symbols to continually take on relevant meaning within those cultures. ‘Culture’ here is an umbrella term for many elements of identity including fashion, language, music, art, storytelling and food, all of which this event seeks to centre and celebrate! Participants can use paper and cloths to practice mark making and experiment with different colours styles. A small compendium of symbols will be available in print and online, and guests can choose which guided drawing exercises to follow, executing their own version of the symbols. A mini exhibition of fashion artist Yéga's illustrated artwork will be on display and a short film on the impact of these symbols on modern African fashion will premiere on the opening night. This event honours the old and platforms the new, with a view to preserving culture and advancing its modern day relevance! Our clothes, our food, our table, our stories...here, everyone is welcome!