February 2024 Edition

Culture & News

Africa & Byzantium Exhibition Tour

The Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) existed over a thousand years ago (4th-15th century C.E.) with its capital as Constantinople (New Rome) located in modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. The Byzantine Empire reached through the Mediterranean Sea lands, Africa, Italy, Spain, Greece, Asia Minor, and the Middle East. The ancient African portion includes the countries of North Africa, Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia.

If taken at face value, it would appear the Black race is absent in Rome. This is an incorrect assumption as Rome had notable Africans as citizens. The Romans and Africans often had interactions in diplomatic settings, as fellow citizens, and in times of war. This important fact of history is unfortunately often excluded from popular opinion, probably due to forms of ignorance and prejudice, a lack of dissemination of information, as well as historical amnesia.

For example, the imperial ambition of Rome to extend the empire southward was challenged by Queen Amanirenas of Nubia (Kush). According to Face2Face Africa News (2018): The Nubians and Romans (24 B.C.E) had three years of battle, that ends with the signing of a peace treaty.¹ When looking back at antiquity be mindful that dark skin color, although a physical characteristic, did not necessarily carry the same stereotypical contention found in modern times. Caution should be applied with retro projections that use contemporary racial and ethnic socio-political constructs that may not have the same relevance for antiquity.

We must remember that ancient Africa was a diverse continent made up of multiple nations, languages, cultures, and ethnic groups. However, once aboard the Transatlantic slave ships, the human cargo began to have their cultural identities replaced with the label of “African Slave.” You were no longer a Bantu, Igbo, or Akan. For example, France and Germany are on the same continent of Europe, but they are recognized as different nations with their own cultures. Likewise, the continent of Africa also had such diversity of nations in antiquity and modern times.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade (maritime approx. 1482 C.E.-1850 C.E.) was a war strategy that used the ruse of racism to justify corrupt intentions to conquer, colonize, and plunder natural resources for global distribution. The psychological and social order required the enforcement of historical amnesia and dehumanization of the enslaved Africans. Their existence and empires that predate the Transatlantic Slave Trade by two thousand years, was erased from their minds, and the minds of many others. It is this ancient time-period, prior to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, that will be discussed.   

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) of New York has established the Africa & Byzantium Exhibition Tour (posted below), which focuses on the unique cultural exchanges between African Kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire. These racially diverse and multiethnic societies of the ancient world had interactions that include art, religion, history, and literature. The exhibit has over 180 works of art that include: mosaics, sculpture, pottery, paintings, textiles, jewelry, and religious manuscripts.

The exhibit features early Christian art with paintings of Mary and the Christ child in bold colors and glowing halos. Dr. Andrea Myers Achi, Assistant Curator narrates the video art tour and speaks on early Christian Africa. She states: “Early Christian Africa as a subsection is important, because a lot of African communities became Christian before other Roman and Byzantine communities. So for example, Ethiopia became Christian as a nation state before Rome” (time-stamp 8:08). ² 

As the early Christian faith traveled from ancient Jerusalem to nearby lands in East Africa, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia (the Middle East), more people began to adopt the faith and divorced their indigenous spiritual beliefs. Even the polytheistic Romans later converted to Christianity. Many Romans no longer engaged in the indigenous spiritual practices that were once the cultural norm. Their art work and cultural exchanges began to reflect this religious conversion.

It is important to remember the Black race was not absent in antiquity or within biblical history. William Dwight McKissic, Sr., provides biblical and spiritual identity to the African diaspora in his book: Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible (1990 & 2017, 76 pages). He reminds the reader: 1.) “Ethiopia is the oldest Christian country on the face of the Earth…” (p.50). 2.) “The Bible was translated from Greek to Geez, the native Ethiopian language, in the fourth and fifth centuries by Syrian and Ethiopian scholars…” (p.66). ³ 

The art tour displays works that have dark-skinned figures, a synagogue date palm mosaic, African Red Slip Ware, and 5,000 artistic tiles from Tunisia. Their are contributions from contemporary artists like Ms. Tsedaye Makonnen whose black and white light sculpture, with engraved Coptic Ethiopian crosses, memorializes the names of women who passed away crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

Dr. Andrea Achi speaks on one of her aims with this exhibit: “Throughout the exhibition, I try to show people, juxtapositions of things that are similar and different. I really wanted to show the differences in size, scale, and even the types of imagery that’s on this textile” (time-stamp 10:39). ⁴ A beautiful art tour that stimulates both visual and intellectual curiosity. Happy Black History Month!

Bibliography:

( 1 ) Johnson, Elizabeth Ofosuah. “Amanirenas, the brave one-eyed African Queen who led an army against the Romans in 24BC.” Face2Face Africa News. 2018.                               https://face2faceafrica.com/article/amanirenas-the-brave-one-eyed-african-queen-who-led-an-army-against-the-romans-in-24bc/amp

( 2, 4 ) “Exhibition Tour—Africa & Byzantium | Met Exhibitions” YouTube video, 23:31. “The Met,” November 30th, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHIT9vq6mJU&t=11s

( 3 ) McKissic, William D. Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible. United States: Renaissance Productions, 2017. p. 50 & 66.

“Warning y’all, learn from these mistakes. I am living this shit.”- Darren Seals

Darren Seals, Ferguson Racial Justice Activist (1987-2016), From: Shazza Razza video post, 2016

Art/Film/Literature News

Saint Valentine

Saint Valentine was a priest during the time of the Roman Empire. Rome’s imperial ambition to expand their empire required the ability of strong soldiers to conquer other nations. The Emperor Claudius made a law in which soldiers were forbidden to marry, so they could focus strictly on military life. But the emperor underestimated the power of love and the power of a priest named Valentine. Learn more about this historical story in the book: Saint Valentine: The Legend of Saint Valentine – A Bilingual Book in English and Spanish (Around the World by Magic Spells for Teachers LLC) By Marisa Boan (43 pages, 2022, kindle edition).

Young soldiers who desired to marry their sweethearts, would ask Valentine to perform the wedding ceremony. He conducted several secret marriages until he was imprisoned and later martyred. He died on February 14th, 269 C.E. This children’s book has a simple storyline and cute illustrations. A good book for both children and adults!

Valentine’s Day includes the traditional red roses, chocolate, and the card giving custom. But what are the other origins of this romantic holiday? This holiday has both pagan and non-pagan roots. According to History.com (2022): 

“The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred…others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia…Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture…” ¹ 

So, this holiday has an interesting back-story. For those of the Judeo-Christian tradition the approach to this holiday does not involve the worship of a pagan deity. It’s a moment to show love for family and friends, which should be year-long. But honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a bonus day that celebrates the gift of love! Happy Valentine’s Day!   

Bibliography

(1) History.com Editors. “History of Valentine’s Day.” History. A & E Television Networks. Originally published December 22, 2009. Last Updated January 24, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022. https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2

Business/Non-Profit/Inspirational News

Trap Kitchen

Each of us have a gift whether it be in art, music, teaching, or being a good friend. That gift remains ours even if we use it in a way beneath its righteous intent. Malachi Jenkins and Roberto Smith are the owners of the pop-up restaurant sensation Trap Kitchen and authors of a best selling cookbook. But five years ago they were rival gang members in Compton involved in selling drugs.

Whether it be chance or fate, one day they were low on funds and decided to sell home-cooked food to the community. It was an instant success! They already had the gift of understanding business, marketing, and distribution. Now they have the rewards of the righteous path as well.

ABC 7 News: Rival gang members turned chefs serve hungry fans in San Francisco (2019) 

https://abc7news.com/amp/society/rival-gang-members-turned-chefs-serve-hungry-fans-in-san-francisco/5100450/#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

*Notice: The article “Trap Kitchen” was first published in the September 2019 Edition. To view click here.

Book Review

The Mighty Red Tails Save the Day

The Tuskegee Airmen were African American pilots of World War II (1939-1945). The book: The Mighty Red Tails Save The Day! The Story Of The Tuskegee Airmen! (Black History For Kids 3-5) by K.S. Horne & Illustrated by Natalia Berezina (2023, kindle edition) introduces preschoolers to this amazing group of soldiers. These brave airmen served in a segregated military for a nation that often undervalued their capability and military service. Despite American racism, their heroism would earn them many accolades. This is a cute book with a simple storyline and nice illustrations! Happy Black History Month!

💖Book Quote:

“Red paint on their planes would set them apart. Red tails they were called known for bravery and heart.”

News Videos (7)

“Mr. Jordan himself is in violation of a subpoena. So, Mr. Jordan is just talking out of both sides of his mouth, in a desperate attempt to try to help the former president not be prosecuted.”- U.S. Representative Madeleine Dean

-U.S. Representative Madeleine Dean, (Democrat) Pennsylvania, From “Prosecutor fires back at Jim Jordan over Trump’s prosecution” on CNN YouTube. September 8th, 2023