Afropolitan

Afropolitan is a term constructed from the name Africa and the ancient Greek root -polis, which literally means city. Polis can also mean citizenship or body of citizens. It is to the latter meaning that the term Afropolitan takes its essence. It is an attempt at redefining African phenomena by placing emphasis on ordinary citizens' experiences in Africa. As J.A. Mbembe & Sarah Nuttall write: "In an attempt to overturn predominant readings of Africa, we need to identify sites within the continent...not usually dwelt upon in research and public discourse, that defamiliarize commonplace readings of Africa." 352.[1] These sites include fields like fashion, visual art, music and spiritual concerns.

The term was popularized in 2005 by a widely disseminated essay, "Bye-Bye, Babar (Or: What is an Afropolitan?)" by the author Taiye Selasi.[2] Originally published in March 2005 in the Africa Issue of the LIP Magazine,[3] the essay defines an Afropolitan identity, sensibility and experience. In 2006 the essay was republished by the Michael Stevenson Gallery in Cape Town[4] and in 2007 by The Nation in Nairobi,[5] whereupon it went viral. Several communities, artists, and publications now use the label, most notably The Afropolitan Network,[6] The Afropolitan Experience,[7] The Afropolitan Legacy Theatre,[8] The Afropolitan Collection,[9] and South Africa's The Afropolitan Magazine.[10] In June 2011 The Victoria and Albert Museum hosted "Friday Late: Afropolitans"[11] in London. In September 2011 the Houston Museum of African American Culture convened the symposium "Africans in America: The New Beat of Afropolitans,” featuring author Teju Cole, musician Derrick Ashong and artist Wangechi Mutu alongside Selasi.[12]

Ashong released an online album with the group Soulfège in 2011, titled "AFropolitan."[13] Blitz the Ambassador will release the CD "Afropolitan Dreams" in 2013.[14] Ade Bantu is the co-creator of the monthly concert series Afropolitan Vibes which holds at Freedom Park Lagos, Nigeria [15]

References

  1. ↑ .
  2. ↑ "Young, urban and culturally savvy, meet the Afropolitans". CNN. 17 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Bye-Bye Barbar". the LIP Magazine. 3 March 2005.
  4. ↑ "Clarke's Books". Clarkesbooks.co.za. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Tuakli-Wosornu, Taiye (4 September 2007). "Africa Insight – the New Africans Called Afropolitans". The Nation (Nairobi), reposted in Afrikanisation.blogspot.com.
  6. ↑ "The Afropolitan Network:::". Afropolitans.typepad.com. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "The Afropolitan Experience". The Afropolitan Experience. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  8. ↑ "Afropolitan Legacy Theatre". Afropolitanlegacy.com. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "By Eniola David". The Afropolitan Collection. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "The Afropolitan Magazine". Contact Media & Communications.
  11. ↑ "Friday Late, June: Afropolitans – Victoria and Albert Museum". Vam.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  12. ↑ "Africans in America - The New Beat of Afropolitans”, HMAAC: "This symposium marks the rise of a new cultural influence, brought to America and the world by a wave of fascinating young and creative cosmopolitan African immigrants, so called 'Afropolitans'."
  13. ↑ http://derrickashong.com/music/
  14. ↑ "Blitz the Ambassador’s Afropolitan Dreams Block Party" http://afrofusionlounge.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/blitz-the-ambassadors-afropolitan-dreams-block-party/
  15. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/29/west-africa-afrobeat-uprising-musicians-afropop-big-band-political-spirit