Kano Dorong

Toni Morrison and her Black Women writing group.  In the group are Alice Walker, June Jordan, Lori Sharpe, Audrey Edwards, and Ntozake Shange.

Gone but will never be forgotten

Toni Morrison February 18, 1931 - August 5, 2019 

Rest in Peace, Toni Morrison. Thank you for your words and your wisdom. You taught me what honest, brave writing looks like.

A beautiful soul has let go of this world.  Rest in Peace.

Everything about her was embroidered in truth, love, and justice.

Rest in Power, Toni Morrison. Thank you for the gift of your words and the beauty of your life.

During World War II, 600,000 African-American women entered the wartime workforce. Previously, black women’s work in the United States was largely limited to domestic service and agricultural work, and wartime industries meant new and better-paying opportunities – if they made it through the hiring process, that is. White women were the targets of the U.S. government’s propaganda efforts, as embodied in the lasting and lauded image of Rosie the Riveter.Though largely ignored in America’s popular history of World War II, black women’s important contributions in World War II factories, which weren’t always so welcoming, are stunningly captured in these comparably rare snapshots of black Rosie the Riveters.

— Jiddu Krishnamurti

The Omu of Okpanam, whose name was not recorded, photographed by Northcote Thomas in 1912. Okpanam is an Enuani Igbo town near Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria today. The Omu [awe-mu] are titled women who control markets and are spiritual protectors to the Obi, the king, in Igbo communities west of the Niger River, typically among the Enuani, and in the past in Onicha (Onitsha) and Osomari on the east bank of the Niger River. There is one Omu in each community with the institution. The Omu work closely with diviners performing rites for the community and are the authorities over the opening of markets and resolving disputes within the market. The Omu depending on the community and period take titles typically reserved for men and also dress like men, as a consequence women who are post-menopausal are preferred for the role because such women in Igbo society could achieve the same status as men. As is custom in most communities, the Omu was not allowed to be married to a man, Omu were known to marry wives to assist them and have children for them. Colonialism greatly reduced the power of the Omu in the market and over society in general due to gender bias in the indirect rule system, colonialism was also partly the cause of the disappearance of the institution in some Igbo communities. Today there are many Omu who are still active in their roles.

Ijeoma Umebinyuo, you have been running around in circles (via theijeoma)

Igbo girl with clay edeala patterns. Photo by Herbert Cole, 1966.

People from Ugwu Eke village wearing Igbo masks, near Alayi. Photo by G. I. Jones, 1930s.

Gustaf Bolinder, 1930-31

Titled Igbo men shot by Gustaf Bolinder, 1930-31.

Young Igbo girl from the early 20th century. Photo by G. T. Basden.