There are pros and cons of having a worldly upbringing. Whilst in an ethnic majority situation, you are in the wide nurturing embrace of your culture and heritage. Switching to an ethnic minority situation, you have the unique and exciting introduction of other community groups from a young age. But there can also be some disconnect to stabilising roots of identity and social dynamics ranging from music to politics, arts and science, storytelling and hair braiding. Time to bridge the gap of knowledge and understanding with the upcoming informative & enlightening Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora a.k.a. YNAD talks (à la TED talks!)
**YNAD Talks**
Note: Each YNAD Talk’s delivery is not restricted to the suggest month coinciding with other relevant world events.
Watch this space to see the various collaborations behind the scenes working to bring this knowledge stream to life!
*YNAD Talks 1 - Past Speculation for Future Inspiration: Celebrating Authentic African Art & Stories
This artistic exploration and narrative expedition is the first of award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s event series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
Part 1: Interactive Learning Session
First, we’ll look at the benefits of centring Black subjects within storytelling using real cultures and historical events as the basis of worldbuilding. Sociologist Kehinde Andrews notes, ‘art has often been explicitly used as a tool to advocate for white supremacy,’ to which there has been push back from Black Westerners by centring melanated subjects in non-African cultural output. This includes London-based activists Legally Black ‘recreating famous movie posters, including Titanic and Harry Potter, with Black people taking the leading roles,’ and artists reimagining Birth of Venus, Creation of Adam and Mona Lisa with Black focuses. However, surely the vast annuals of original stories and heroes throughout the African continent would be a better focus in film posters/paintings to celebrate authentic melanated cultures, beauty, ingenuity and diverse Blackness in general. Rather than inserting Black subjects into white art forms, it seems more sensible to insert Black subjects into Black art forms inspired by long-established cultural identities.
In the literature/written arts, diasporic speculative fiction authors using Yorùbá culture and Ifá spirituality/philosophy for their worldbuilding include Nigerian-American Tómi Adéyẹmí in her Children of Blood and Bone novel series. Similarly, in my forthcoming short story collection Ẹrẹ́dò Games (named for my hometown’s historical landmark Sùǹgbọ́ Ẹrẹ́dò), the central parameters are determined by our Kọ́jọ́dá calendar. First exposure to these Ifá and Kọ́jọ́dá aspects has elicited excitement from Yorùbá culture novices with some thinking their description sounded futuristic rather than a millennia-old West African tradition (current calendar year 10,065). Such excitement can also build confidence in younger diasporic generations as consumers enjoy pre-colonial Yorùbá cultural 'purity' untainted by its post-colonial disruption, upending any residual white supremacist messaging by celebrating our melanated identities through artistry. In this way, the diaspora can truly reap the storytelling benefits of past speculation for future inspiration.
Part 2: Creativity Session
Now, we’ll unleash our inner expressionists with a bespoke creative workshop to tap into diverse Black heritages to inspire new and empowering narratives. Participants will be invited to brainstorm real life contemporary or historical figures they admire from their families, communities, wider cultures/societies or beyond. Then we’ll insert them into different real life scenarios we can all relate to, e.g.:
*a world-renowned strong and steadfast freedom fighter
…as a pre-teen on their first day of secondary school, were they nervous?
*a remarkable cutting-edge intellectual producing life-changing scientific discoveries…
…as a romantic novice falling in love for the first time, did they lose their head?
*an inspirational soul-shifting humanitarian making empowering strides within social justice…
…but what's their favourite colour/food? and why?
We’ll then flesh out our broad narratives into stories or poems combining our hero/ines’ destined brilliance with relatable everyday scenarios we all went through in our development. In this way, we produce narratives humanising ourselves by centring protagonists as everyday normal people who can/will/shall go on to do amazing things! Afterwards, we’ll post our work onto Padlet or another virtual space where people can interact with our literary endeavours, empowering them with our reclaimed narratives of past/present speculation for future inspiration.
Yes, whilst enjoying uplifting Nigerian music, come reclaim narratives with us in this YNAD Talk ‘Past Speculation For Future Inspiration: Narrative Empowerment through African Authenticity’ on Thursday 24th October, 12:30-2pm at B43 Dearing Building, Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham, NG8 1AW.
This Afro coils celebration and Yorùbá hairstyles exploration is the ninth of award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s event series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
First immerse yourself in an interactive learning session where we’ll explore different hair textures, mainly focusing on the soft, tight coils of 4C hair and afro hair origins/why it exists. Unleash your playful side as we then gain insights into different Yorùbá hair braiding styles like ṣùkú or korobá and the interesting meanings/stories behind them! Next, we’ll discuss why afro crowns haven’t always gotten the proper reverence they deserve before basking in the natural hair pride displayed by various Nollywood stars/singers/celebrities as well as others across the diaspora.
Then it’s time to get creative, appreciating afro hair art in paintings, sculptures and more before delving into poetry and compositions celebrating our unique coils! With this new inspiration, let your inner artist come forth to create your own visuals and poetry rich in descriptions, impressions & viewpoints on African hair. In sharing your work afterwards, you’ll enlighten and inspire others to embrace every day as a good afro hair day!
Yes, whilst savouring delectable Nigerian snacks and enjoying uplifting Nigerian music, come celebrate with us in this YNAD Talk ‘Afro Coils & Yorùbá Crowns: Celebrating Natural Hair’ on Monday 21st October, 5-8pm at Lancaster University Library Event Space (ground floor), Library Avenue, Bailrigg, LA1 4YW.
This African Architecture celebration and Sub-Saharan Landmarks exploration is the fifth of award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s event series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
First immerse yourself in an interactive learning session where we’ll explore how many fascinating facts you already know about the African continent. Next, unleash your playful side as we gain insights into enduring architectural brilliance ranging from Nigeria’s Great Walls of Benin to Zimbabwe’s Great Stone Walls, learning more about the forward-thinking cultures that built them.
Then it’s time to get creative, appreciating fabulous feats of Sub-Saharan engineering in paintings, posters and more before delving into poetry and compositions celebrating these spellbinding structures. With this inspirational material, let your inner artist come forth to create your own visuals and poetry rich in descriptions, impressions & viewpoints on innovative African construction. In sharing your work afterwards, you’ll enlighten and inspire others to experience these wonders firsthand, booking their next travel destination beyond the pyramids for the ultimate ‘monumental’ selfie! ;-)
Yes, whilst enjoying uplifting Nigerian music, come celebrate with us in this YNAD Talk ‘African Palaces & Sub-Saharan Fortresses: Wonders Beyond the Pyramids’ on Thursday 17th October, 9:45-10:45am at The Two Counties Trust (TTCT) Black History Month event, Italian Mill, Museum of Making, Solk Mill Lane, Derby, DE1 3AF.
Post 1: The Two Counties Trust
Post 2: Frederick Gent School
YNAD Talks 8 - Nigerian Clothes & Yorùbá Threads: Textiles & Fabric Fashionistas! | Nottingham Playhouse | book here
This Nigerian Clothes celebration and Yorùbá Textiles exploration is the eighth of award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s event series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
First immerse yourself in an interactive learning session where we’ll explore Nigeria’s multicultural tapestry and the wide-ranging clothing styles adored by different ethnicities. Unravel your curiosity as we then gain insights into different Yorùbá textiles like aṣọ òkè or àdìrẹ and varying strands of their patterns & designs. Next, we’ll discuss why some workplaces remain mentally colonised, favouring Western wardrobes over our professional indigenous attire before basking in Nàìjá clothes pride ranging from Nollywood celebrities to high-profile diplomats and beyond.
Then it’s time to get creative, appreciating Nigerian/Yorùbá fashions & fabrics in paintings, posters and more before delving into poetry and compositions celebrating our unique designs! With this inspirational material, let your inner artist come forth to create your own visuals and poetry weaving in descriptions, impressions & viewpoints on Nàìjá wears. In sharing your work afterwards, you’ll enlighten and inspire others to embrace colourful clothes, fab fabrics and timeless textiles all day, every day!
Yes, whilst possibly winning delectable Nigerian snacks and enjoying uplifting Nigerian music, come celebrate with us in this YNAD Talk ‘Nigerian Clothes & Yorùbá Threads: Textiles & Fabric Fashionistas!’ on Saturday 5th October, 5-7pm at Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5AF.
YNAD Talks 4 - Yorùbá meets Japan: Cultural & Linguistic Similarities | NTU Global Lounge (City Campus) | book here
This fascinating exploration of intercontinental connections between Yorùbá (West Africa) and Japan (East Asia) is the fourth of award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s event series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
Join us as we journey through our existing knowledge of Yorùbá and Japanese cultures ranging from tasty food, lively music and flowing clothes. Next, prepare to be awed by unexpected similarities in energetic sports, vivacious festivals, insightful spirituality…and even physical features(!) Then have fun playing our double-barrelled guessing game, figuring out which language is which from words like lọ́pọ̀-lọ́pọ̀, pera-pera, yẹ́rí-yẹ́rí and suya-suya! After exploring all these different similarities, it’s time to find even more ways that ‘foreign’ cultures overlap with your own, or indeed the various cultures across the African ‘cradle of humanity’.
Yes, whilst sampling similar Yorùbá-Nigerian & Japanese foods and enjoying rhythmic Yorùbá & Japanese drumming, come celebrate with us in this YNAD Talk ‘Yorùbá-Japan Overlaps: Cultural & Linguistic Similarities’ on Friday 24th May, 11:00am at Nottingham Trent University, NTU Global Lounges, 23 Goldsmiths Street, NG1 5JT.
YNAD Talks 9 - Afro Coils & Yorùbá Crowns: Celebrating Natural Hair
Nottingham Playhouse | Eventbrite tbc
This Afro Coils celebration and Yorùbá Hairstyles exploration is the ninth of Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s event series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
First immerse yourself in an interactive learning session where we’ll explore different hair textures before focusing on the soft, tight coils of 4C hair and afro hair evolution/why it exists. Unleash your playful side as we then gain insights into different Yorùbá hair braiding styles like ṣùkú or korobá and the interesting meanings/stories behind them! Next, we’ll discuss why afro crowns haven’t always gotten the proper reverence they deserve before basking in the natural hair pride displayed by various Nollywood stars/singers/celebrities as well as others across the diaspora.
Then it’s time to get creative, appreciating afro hair art in paintings, sculptures and more before delving into poetry and compositions celebrating our unique coils! With this new inspiration, let your inner artist come forth to create your own visuals and poetry rich in descriptions, impressions & viewpoints on African hair. In sharing your work afterwards, you’ll enlighten and inspire others to embrace every day as a good afro hair day!
Yes, whilst savouring delectable Nigerian snacks and enjoying uplifting Nigerian music, come celebrate with us in this YNAD Talk ‘Afro Coils & Yorùbá Crowns: Celebrating Natural Hair’ on Saturday 28th Oct, 2pm-5pm at the Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, NG1 5AF.
Nigerian Refreshments will be served.
Date: Saturday 28th October 2023
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Place: Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, NG1 5AF
Price: free
Host: Nottingham Playhouse - Amplify
Contact: Martin Berry | Beccy D'Souza
Email: martinb@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
YNAD Talks 3b - Black Women Power: Celebrating Nigerian Changemakers
UoN BHM Events | Eventbrite/booking link
Being the most populous Black country in the world, Nigeria boasts many transformative women who, as leaders, originators and entrepreneurs, have compelled recognition through their society-shifting achievements reverberating beyond West African shores, leaving inspiration in their wake. Aligning with Black History Month 2023’s theme of ‘Saluting Our Sisters - highlighting Black women’s critical role in shaping Black history, culture and communities’, this event first explores your existing knowledge of transformative Nigerian Women (both Nigeria and UK-based) featured around the event space. You’ll be invited to share your knowledge with other participants before grouping together for a fun quiz. This is followed by an interactive lecture revealing more interesting facts about the changemaking women. The quiz answers will be revealed throughout and the winners might receive many a prize alongside the adulation and bragging rights! We’ll then have a follow-up discussion on:
- the impact of not recognising or knowing these women on the diaspora/wider British public
- how these women can decolonise/internationalise UK curriculums at every education level
Yes, whilst savouring delectable Nigerian snacks and enjoying uplifting Nigerian music, come be inspired by these remarkable Ìyá Nàìjá in this YNAD Talk ‘Black Women Power: Celebrating Nigerian Changemakers’ on Monday 16th October, 6:30-8:30pm.
Nigerian Refreshments will be served.
Presenter: Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul
Date: Monday 16th October 2023
Time: 6pm arrival, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Place: University of Nottingham (UoN), Monica Partridge Building, Room C14 and atrium
Price: free
Contact: UoN EDI Team, Eli Todorova & Jasmeet Kaler
YNAD Talks 6 - Yorùbá On Time: Kọ́jọ́dá New Year, Timeframes & Chronology Concepts
This Kọ́jọ́dá New Year celebration and time concepts exploration is the sixth of Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s lecture series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
As one of the world’s oldest cultures, the Yorùbá people’s Kọ́jọ́dá calendar is way ahead of its time…so to speak. Come enjoy yourself whilst learning about our millennia-old understanding of chronology, inspiring unique perspectives on seasonal change, monthly cycles, weekday concepts, and multifaceted daytime periods with distinctive greetings. You’ll have a chance to hone your Yorùbá language skills with some daily salutations, an important aspect of our respectful culture. You’ll also practise festive well-wishes like ‘Happy New Month’ (yes, we joyfully observe new months too!) as well as ‘Happy New Year’.
Yorùbá celebrations are legendary (to the point of friendly teasing from other Nigerian ethnicities), and that applies to New Year revelries too. Come learn about our colourful decorations, delicious food, stylish clothing, afro hairstyles, rhythmic music…and jubilant ‘spraying’(!?) We’re doing all this in quiz form, so the winners get to come away with all the adulation and bragging rights!
We’ll then move on to distinctive Yorùbá chronology concepts rooted in a cyclical/repetitive insight of time, greatly differing from Western linear/progressive perceptions. We’ll explore how this manifests through celestial-cosmic cycles and terrestrial-ecological cycles. We’ll look at how this impacts spirituality as well as philosophy, and resulting existential outlooks. We’ll compare the benefits of emphasising either the process or the outcome of any particular action, and which produces higher life satisfaction indexes overall leading to less stress and more favourable mental health...and we’ll have fun doing it (more quiz merriment!)
Yes, this summer, it’s time to start our New Year festivities with an immediate guarantee of wanting to circle back and do it all over again! Celebrate with us in this YNAD Talk ‘Yorùbá On Time: Kọ́jọ́dá New Year, Timeframes & Chronology Concepts’ on
- Saturday 17th June | 2pm - 3pm | Nigerian Festival UK, Vauxhall Park, Lawn Lane, London, SW8 1JY.
- Thursday 25th May | 11am - 12pm | NTU Global Lounge, 23 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JT.
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This International Women's Day prelude is the third of Yorùbá-Nigerian writer, poet and lecturer Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul’s lecture series focusing on cultural and social themes related to Yorùbá/Nigeria/Africa/Diaspora: YNAD Talks.
Being the most populous Black country in the world, Nigeria boasts many transformative women who, as leaders, originators and entrepreneurs, have compelled recognition through their society-shifting achievements reverberating beyond West African shores, leaving inspiration in their wake.
This YNAD Talk celebrates six such Ìyá Nàìjá (Mothers of Nigeria) including:
1. Artist Níkẹ Okundaye: Her renowned skills for making Yorùbá àdirẹ fabrics were quickly recognised across Nigeria and further afield. Now the world-famous creative has the biggest art gallery in Africa, showcasing Yorùbá culture and beauty.
2. Businesswoman Fọ́lọ́runshọ́ Alákijà: This captain of industry built her business empire in real estate, printing and fashion. Overcoming great odds to reach billionaire status in a male-dominated field, her commercial interests continue to expand.
3. Economist Ngozi Okonjo Iweala: This is a woman of historical firsts (a) serving two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (b) becoming Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). All the while, she proudly wears vibrant Nigerian fabrics whilst wearing vibrant intelligence on her sleeve.
4. Sculptor Elizabeth Olówu: This trailblazing craftswoman is Nigeria’s first female bronze caster, continuing in the tradition of the world-famous Benin Bronzes. Her royal lineage feeds into these cultural treasures archiving Yorùbá history and information in solid form, whilst also exploring modern and feminist themes.
5. Doctor Ameyo Adadevoh: A heroine in the truest sense, this healthcare professional correctly diagnosed an Ebola patient, then worked tirelessly to avoid an outbreak. Her diligence cost her life but saved hundreds of thousands in Èkó (Lagos) and across Nigeria. Ẹ́ kú iṣẹ́ Ma.
6. Writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Our generation’s most powerful African literary voice, her books are a conduit exposing everyday Nigerian lives to the world. Her words humanise our communities and assert we should all be feminists, with Beyoncé in firm agreement!
Refreshments will be served.
Presenter: Abíọ́dún Ọlátòkunbọ̀ Abdul
Date: Monday 27th February 2023
Time: 6pm arrival, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Place: Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Newton Building, LT9
Online: Teams joining link
Price: free
Host: NTU Global Week Festival
Contact: NTU Global Lounge Team
Email: ntugloballounge@ntu.ac.uk
More Info: shorturl.at/cjxE8
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