Last night I tuned into the PBS special documentary “Prince Amongst Slaves“, which detailed the life of [Prince] Abdul Rahman & his 40 years spent as a slave in America. I have heard the story before but this documentary took it to a new & great level!
I know you saw it so I would love to know what you thought. Did you read the book?
While watching it, I found that I stopped breathing a couple of times because the story was suspenseful at times & then there were two points where I felt a tear about to pop out that I had to control. And without really having to say, I did get angry as I would with anything else dealing with the subject matter.
The Antwon Fisher moment at the end brought it all home & really showed that through all, we have conquered as a people.
PBS always shows stellar programming during BHM & this year is no exception. The cool thing also about PBS is that they show love throughout the year without question.
Here is a link to the 2008 BHM PBS line up.
Switching topics but not really but kinda.
I have 2 mud cloth sets & this is my favorite (you may have seen me in it here). It was made by a Senegalese friend’s sister back home in Africa. His family actually manufactures many clothing goods & his sales here help support his family, here & in Senegal. I am thinking about making this image my blog header for the month but I have to muster up the initiative to make that happen & right now, It is not looking so hot.
About Mud Cloth (if interested):
Bogolanfini (“Bo-ho-lahn-FEE-nee”), which translates as “mud cloth” is a long established tradition among the Bamana, a Mande speaking people who inhabit a large area to the east and north of Bamako in Mali. The origin of this cloth is believed to lie in the Beledougou region of central Mali. Hand woven and hand-dyed mud cloth uses a centuries old process using numerous applications of various plant juices/teas and mud to dye hand woven cotton cloth.
Traditionally, Bamana women made the mud cloth. Bogolonfin, for Bamana women, has always been an essential component in the marking of major life transitions, such as birth, marriage, and death. Bogolanfini is a living art form, with techniques and motifs passed down from generations of mothers to daughters. Bamana hunters also wear Bogolanfini in the form of red mud cloth laden with leather amulets, forceful visual symbols of the supernatural powers believed necessary for successful hunters to possess. Each piece of mud cloth tells a story. No two pieces are alike and each pattern and color combination has a meaning. The symbols, arrangements, color as well as shape of the mud cloth reveal secrets. The mud cloth is also used to define a person’s social status, character or occupation. Bogolanfini is an expression of Malian national identity and a symbol of belonging to African culture. (source)
One Man’s Opinion / February 6, 2008
You know, I use to look at PBS alot, but then I got cable and find myself looking at less intellectual things, such as the I love New York.
Renea / February 6, 2008
Amazing fabric! Didn’t know about the Prince Among Slaves program, but looking forward to American Lives tonight.
Tamra / February 6, 2008
Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely have to check that out. I think I saw it starting to come on but I couldn’t draw myself away from the presidential play-by-play (tho I swore I wouldn’t watch it). I love PBS too–if there’s nothing else, there’s always PBS…
Cool on the mudcloth. Were those comments in that other post for real??? They were hilarious! –Not if they were for real–AND, if not, I love your response, lol.
Darius T. Williams / February 6, 2008
Great – so now when I get home I’m going to have to DVR some of the programs coming up. I didn’t see the one last night…I’ll be on the lookout though.
AnnaC / February 6, 2008
They are not showing it until tonight in my market… CAN’T WAIT!
And I blogged about it today too!
muslimahlocs / February 6, 2008
yes, i have read the book among many others about muslim enslaved africans. imam zaid shakir taught a semester long course on the subject that we were blessed to attend. some scholars estimate that up to 30-40% of the enslaved africans that came to the americas were muslims. the dvd can be purchased at @ http://www.princeamongslaves.tv
(and no i am not getting paid for that infomercial)
oh, and renea…i have been posting reminders about this program on my blog since last year. where have you been lately? i’ve missed you 😉
Bygbaby / February 7, 2008
OMO – We all need a ghetto entertainment fix & you know I was all on I Love NY!
Renea – I missed American Lives last night so that I could catch up on Project Runway. Don’t laugh!
Tamra – I was tripped out by that Anon comment & for a while would not allow them. I had some Anon poster that was out of their fucking mind.
Darius – When I get rich, Imma get me one of them DVR’s!
Anna C – I wonder why there was a delay in your market. Well as long as you get the chance, I guess that is all that really matters, right!
Muslimahlocs – Imam Zaid Shakir seems very dynamic & I bet that was a great course!
In some documentaries & books, they make mentions of religion of our ancestors but never spell it out in terms of what religions were practiced but from inferences, I figured most were Muslim.
one thing that I would like to explore more, if I ever get the initiative & time is the effect of Arabic enslavement of Africans on the east & west coast.
LOL on you calling Renea out. There has been a lot of calling out here lately.
Bygbaby
Lola Gets / February 7, 2008
I dont think that documentary has shown in the DC area yet, but Ill keep looking!
L
muslimahlocs / February 7, 2008
your blog seems to be just the right place to call folks out 😉 kind of fits with the general tone/theme that you have going on…
you can actually visit the old castles where africans were enslaved on the east coast as well (in kenya to be specific). but you don’t hear much about them over here.
some argue that although physical enslavement has ended (darfur and other areas of north africa notwithstaning) that there is still a fair degree of psychological enslavement that persists. this brother always has something interesting to say on the topic if you ever get the inclination to visit his blog…http://singularvoice.wordpress.com/
Bygbaby / February 8, 2008
It is being repeated several times so I am sure that you will catch it.
Muslimahlocs – LOL on the call out factor & I guess, I have called out my fair share of peeps.
Mental enslavement is so present that it is sick & ever so obvious to me. I tent to refer to that as a Matrix.
Thx for putting me up on Abdur’s site, I am digging his vibe!
Bygbaby
Carla / February 8, 2008
Thanx for posting this. You inspired me to watch PBS this month. I’m sorry I missed this particular show, but I did watch the program with Henry Louis Gates called “African American Lives 2.” Was quite interesting. We are a fascinating, strong people…for realz!