Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Indigo and Nigeria--Tamsin Barzane




You may have seen some of the beautiful indigo cloths at Saminaka--the tablecloths at our restaurant, or some of the clothes at cacao and Cinnamon Brigade. And you may have taken a look at our new Nigerian plant display over in the katamba, the big Nupe round exhibit hall. Indigo originated in Africa, but it quickly spread to India, where it was domesticated, reaching eastward to Japan.

The shrub's leaves are soaked in water and fermented to produce dye--a fairly complex procedure that calls for the addition of other strong chemicals that allow it to dye cotton a range of blues that approach black. In Nigeria, this is usually a multi-dip procedure. In the Middle Belt and South, women usually dye the threads, while in the North it's the men who do the work.

It's an old procedure, used to dip threads or cloth, but also used in tie-dyeing cotton sheeting. Yoruba women paint sheeting with a starchy paste from cassava, let it dry, and dip it in the dye in a process similar to batik--but the starch isn't as impervious to the color as wax is, so the resultant pattern, once it's done and scraped, is light blue against dark, rather than white against blue. They also stitch patterns into the cloth and draw the threads up tight, then dye it, the stitches (later cut) creating delicate lines, or use metal stencils to push starch through in a faster method.

I'm an adire collector--the patterned Yoruba cloths--but love indigo cloth in all its variations. I love the smell of fresh overdyed indigo--sharp and distinctive. I remember the way it used to stain my skin when it was newly purchased, the way I was caught in a rainstorm and saw the blue dripping down my arms and legs. On Saminaka that won't be your worry, but you can get a sense of the huge variety of beautiful directions one color can take.

Africa all bright colors? Oh no, not everywhere! But these are blues you'll really enjoy.












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Under the Mango Tree--Tamsin Barzane



The weather is changing, and a rash of damp, dreary days has sprinkled itself over the region. People are getting worried about the swine flu, with alarums clamoring. My ancient bones are complaining and creaking like a Halloween skeleton, and dragginess is a watchword. If it were Spring, we'd be talking tonic (Pappy's Sassafrass tea, anyone?). But it isn't! It's the Fall that acts as overture to a loooooong winter.

And I have a remedy for you.

It is my cure all for sore throats, blocked noses, aching sinuses, the blues, and whatever ails you. And it came my way in Nigeria, decades back. It is...the mighty habanero pepper!! Now some of you don't know the habanero, known to English-speaking West Indians as the Scotch Bonnet--or the ata rodo, the Yoruba name that most other Nigerians use, too. You know the jalapeno, the chipotle, the banana pepper, but not the habanero. Others know it and dread it! It is high up on the peppery Scoville scale, and one pepper can make a pot hot enough to down a Cuban! It was born in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, but the Portuguese took it off to West Africa where it flourished and jumped into the cooking pots, changing the cuisine several centuries ago.

Now a Yoruba cook cranks it up! Not everyone in Nigeria can take it, but that was the level I started with. They're full of vitamin A, full of flavor with a capital F--jerk chicken wouldn't be jerked without that peppa!!! You can't tame your mouth with water or beer (though the latter tastes good with it). Only milk or ice cream can really do the job. Don't be afraid--it's worth it.

Groceries in Puerto Rican neighborhoods have ata rodo--buy a lot and just pop your extras in a plastic bag in the fridge, so you have them at a bargain price all winter long--when you need them most. Dried doesn't do it--they retain the heat but lose the flavor.

A simple way to try it is delicious and fast--I learned it when the power would be shut off and I couldn't use the blender to make Nigerian stew. Put some water on the burner. Heat some oil in a skillet and get your knife out--chop up four or five Roma tomatos and a third or a half of a purple onion--and chop up one ata rodo. But be careful, especially if you wear contacts! It takes a day to come off your fingers--put a plastic bag over your hand to cut it up. By the time it's cut up, the oil should be hot, and throw it all in. Water boiling? Throw some pasta in (or make some rice). After your sauce has been on high for about five minutes, lower the heat. Add some salt, some basil, some powdered ginger. By the time the pasta is cooked, the sauce is ready.

Less than half an hour, you've got a hearty meal that will clear your head and make you glad to be alive! A little bit of the tropics will fill your kitchen and your stomach--and sometimes clean you out the next morning! Enjoy yourself.

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*{Kiko Life}* HUGE BOGO Sale on Makeups 021 through 50, & Mens! - We couldn't resist doing it. We're announcing a delicious BOGO sale on makeups 21 - 50 and all our Mens skins! And First Release Makeups 01 - 20 are STILL 40% off. When you make your purchase, we will send you a voucher you can use to redeem product from any skin vendor in our store. If you buy two skins you get two vouchers. If you buy four skins, four vouchers. The vouchers are sent out after your purchase has been confirmed. Random purchasers will get doubled up vouchers. Yes! During the course of the BOGO sale, if you purchase three, four or more skins, you might one of the lovely Kiko Life shoppers who gets a random fatpack card! PLUS your vouchers! So have fun deciding which makeups you want and in which tones... chances are your Ls are going to stretch verrrrry far. Only at the main store: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kiko%20Life/209/108/1505

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From the Suitcase--Oliha Yiwama









What’s the Word

Alafia!!! Alafia means peace in the Yoruba language. Alafia is also a greeting. Similar to a|
namaste in Hindu, or a shalom in Hebrew, or a assalam alikum in Arabic, etc. Although these greetings are from many different ethnic groups from around the world, they all convey a single meaning, a word of power: Peace! In traditional African societies, words of power are used most efficiently by native doctors or what the West refers to as shamans.


What is a word of power? Words of power help one convey, imagine, manifest, control or manipulate transformative energy. Words of power can turn the unseen into the seen, the obscure into the secure, the imaginary into the real. Words of power sometimes can be a part of everyday language, such as the words conveying peace, reassuring hearers that all is well, envisioning a dove with a fig branch in its mouth and all the soothing symbolism that goes along with the concept. Words of power can also be restricted to mystical ritual practitioners that through the millennia discovered the secrets of transformative energies.


Some words of power that are used to make things manifest from a ritualistic view are ashe/ase of the Yoruba, ise of the Edo, and om of the Hindu. Roughly, the meaning is let these things that I ask for come true or may it manifest. Mystical practitioners take the use of words of power further than the layman. A mystical practitioner uses the words of power to make his/her desires manifest as well as those of their clients and community. From transforming the ingredients in a herbal potion to cure a disease, to transforming the human body into a four-legged animal, or flying to an undisclosed destination. Transformation is what the alchemist searches for--but the African mystic knows where to find it.


The African mystic uses incantations as one of the methods of transforming substances. Incantations consist of words of power. A good example is the phrase Yoruba word Eji Ogbe. Eji Ogbe is an Ifa Odu. An Odu is a word of power that conveys messages through the Ifa oracle. Eji Ogbe symbolizes spiritual awakening, peace and prosperity, victory over enemies, and long life. Once Eji Ogbe comes out in divination, the mystical ritual practitioner can utter these words to make this word of power manifest for the client or himself.


Words of power are also used to control nature, such as water, wind, fire, and earth. According to the world's oral literature, the creator uttered a word of power and everything came into existence. May you use a word of power to transform the world!

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Solylence combines Senegalese elegance and Parisian chic in her lovely African attire for men and women.
Visit it at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Robben%20Island/123/191/21

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Our readership keeps growing! This week it's 1694. Take advantage of our low rates and readers who love quality merchandise, and advertise with us.All ad payments are in-world and in lindens. Ads for the coming week should be submitted by noon SLT Saturday (in a pinch, we'll take them later).Single ad, no photo, one week. maximum 5 Blogger lines: 50LSingle ad, photo, one week. Text maximum 5 Blogger lines: 100LSingle ad recurring, no photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines: 175LSingle ad recurring, photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines: 325LSingle ad changing week-to-week, no photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines. 180LSingle ad changing week-to-week, photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines. 425LIf you want longer text, more than one photo, or a longer ad run, prices will be adjusted. Contact Tamsin Barzane through inworld notecard or at tbarzane@gmail.com

HAWKING IN THE MARKET--Saminaka Commercial News


***Market Stalls: The temporary Festival Market stalls were a big hit with visitors, and several of the vendors mentioned how pleased they were with their sales. Saminaka will be developing its Anioma sector with Igbo buildings soon, and we've relocated a small open market at the site. Solylence Houston has an African clothing stall, Feretian String a tarot tent, and Fanda Ryba sells drums and other items to support real life Ugandan orphans. We welcome other vendors with a zest for things African! 25 prims for 150 a week--contact Tamsin Barzane

***cacao Main Store: The main store for cacao will be opening this Sunday. This means that Cinnamon Brigade will be phased out, its inventory updated and folded into the new cacao--which means an expansion for Seven Cowries! It's a shuffle all round--some of the stock of African Art at Pangolin Dreams (on Robben Island) will move to Saminaka, as Pangolin Dreams narrows its specialties. Likewise, Tropicality clothing and shoes will in part move to cacao (with updates!) as Tropicality shifts its focus exclusively to beach and resort wear with African flair. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/197/170/27

***Kiko Life! Kiko is having a huge sale at her main store--MEN'S SKINS AS WELL AS LADIES! See her ad above; this is your chance to stock up on beautiful skins, as well as support a Saminaka merchant (we want her to produce some ethnic marks and cosmetic scarifications in future, so encourage a sista!) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kiko%20Life/209/108/1505

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AkieM's has a wide selection of abstracts, contemporary, and black art, also original sculptures by Blac Quartz. Custom framing and matting can be done upon request.
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Wetin be dat? Nigerian pidgin English phrase of the week

Sista! I don told you, but you no dey hear word!

My sister, I told you, but you refused to listen.

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My People Say

"The one who rests in the shade, doesn't know how strong the sun can be." Igala proverb

Wealth can make people forget those who are suffering.

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This is a preview of an item that will soon be available at cacao! It's a great embroidered Yoruba traditional outfit--short pants with a full skirted embroidered top, folded back sleeves, and a flop-over Yoruba cap.

We are gearing up with new African traditional and contemporary styles for men and women, preparing for the grand opening of our new main store on Saminaka this Sunday! For now, see the Hausa-style building and a few items--much more to come! See it at:http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/197/170/27

This Week in the Compass--Oct. 21-27

Sunday, Oct. 25 ALL DAY! GRAND OPENING CACAO MAIN STORE! cacao is finally going to open its main store. Tamsin has been designing and getting things ready in secret, so that there will be initial stock--clothing that is both inspired by Africa and that is traditional, as well as furnishings and shoes. Jewelry will be coming soon! On grand opening day, there will be treats for visitors, as well as Subscribomatic group members (hit up the sign in the store!) and there will be DJ's playing to let you dance in the store and have fun! The store's exterior is in the Hausa style of architecture, and a treat for the eyes! Get your LM at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/197/170/27

Ongoing, extended until Oct. 31. Saminaka's great Cantaloupe Treasure Hunt allows you to wear a new calabash on your head, this time loading it with half cantaloupes as you search through the sim for 20 of the fruits. They're all hidden near Nigerian plants, and pile up in your calabash as you find them. All located? Go back to base and touch the giant cantaloupe for a grand prize. All prizes transfer. Any that are gender-specific include both a male and female version. All prizes unique to the hunt, comprising clothing, furniture, art and other goods with an African plant theme. The starting point can be reached from teleporter via Saminaka's infohub tent, or at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/93/66/30

Ongoing indefinitely. Saminaka has a new exhibit about Nigerian plants. This slideshow features information and images of over fifty trees, plants and flowers, native and naturalized. Some of the information is surprising (Nigeria is the third largest supplier of peanuts in the world--outranks U.S.!), some is interesting (Nigerian henna use does not involve elaborate patterning). Enjoy finding out a rubber tree doesn't look at all exotic, soak up some beauty, and get some hints for the treasure hunt above! http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/96/65/30

Ongoing indefinitely. Saminaka's MIDDLE PASSAGE EXPERIENCE is up again, in an even more realistic environment! Treet.TV kindly hosted it for months, but London's Kingston University has now generously provided space for a permanent exhibition of the African side of the transatlantic slave trade. It isn't roleplay, but it does allow you to try on the lives of ten individuals from different eras and parts of Africa who were seized and taken to the U.S. See it here (and take the teleporter if you land at the university's hub):Ongoing, extended until Oct. 31. http://slurl.com/secondlife/SolipCISM/4/253/24