On the International Front...

Spreading Our Roots

Inside this issue:

Celebrate Black History

Month

2

Equality

-Maya Angelou

2

Adinkra Symbols 3

Nkonsonkonson Parent

Group

3

“A Journey to Mali” &

Upcoming Events

4

Contact Information 4

February 2008

Volume 1, Issue 2

Imani is going to Mali

Not Interested in Going on the Trip But You Would Like To Contribute?

PayPal is a new system that can be used to contribute to non-profit organi-zations, such as Imani Edu-Tainers. It is quick and easy to do. Just pro-vide Paypal with the appropriate information and the funds will be re-

moved from your account within a few days. Simply go to www.imaniafricandance.org, click on the “Mali Trip” header and then click on the “Donate” button at the bottom of the screen. You can donate as lit-tle or as much as you would like and it will only take minutes to do. Don’t

wait, arrange to contribute to Imani Edu-Tainers trip to Mali today! .

A few members of the Imani Edu-Tainers African Dance Company are preparing to travel to West Africa’s biggest country. From July 17 through July 31, 2008 they will experience Mali with Master Abdoulaye Diallo and learn the traditional culture, music, language and dance.Does this sound like a great opportunity? Sound like something you would like to experience? Well, YOU CAN! The dance company is inviting others to join them on their trip. Simply con-tact Imani Edu-Tainers staff at 717-808-0203 and someone will give you all the necessary de-tails.

the indigenous language, and enjoy Malian culture.All of these activities will help Imani Edu-tainers ensemble with the ser-vices they provide. Trav-eling to African countries and experiencing the culture is essential for providing the well-rounded classes and ser-vices that Imani Edu-tainers provides. The experiences and edu

Why is This Trip Important?Those who travel to Mali will return with a wealth of new information that they can share with the community. Not only will those in at-tendance be taught by Master dancers and drummers of Mali, they will also have the opportu-nity to observe traditional ceremonies. This trip also allows for time to learn Bambara,

cation that the group will bring back will go a long way. It will not just end when they return from Mali, but will be shared with members of the Lancaster community who are involved with Imani Edu-Tainers Afri-can Dance Company.

Equality

By: Maya Angelou

You declare you see me dimlythrough a glass which will not shine,though I stand before you boldly,trim in rank and making time.You do own to hear me faintlyas a whisper out of range,while my drums beat out the messageand the rhythms never change.Equality, and I will be free.Equality, and I will be free.

You announce my ways are wanton,that I fly from man to man,but if I'm just a shadow to you,could you ever understand?We have lived a painful history,we know the shameful past,but I keep on marching forward,and you keep on coming last.Equality, and I will be free.Equality, and I will be free.

Take the blinders from your vision,take the padding from your ears,and confess you've heard me crying,and admit you've seen my tears.Hear the tempo so compelling,hear the blood throb through my veins.Yes, my drums are beating nightly,and the rhythms never change.Equality, and I will be free.Equality, and I will be free.

What Is Going On Locally...

Page 2 Spreading Our Roots

African people and culture have contributed many great things to American society and this month

we bring special recognition to those contributions. The obser-

vance of African heritage began in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, direc-tor of what was then known as the Association for the Study of Negro

Life and History (ASNLH).

He was the son of former slaves and spent most of his childhood working in coalmines and quar-

ries. He completed the four-month education that was customary for black schools at the time and at 19

taught himself fundamentals of English and arithmetic. Woodson then entered high school, where he completed the four-year cur-

riculum in two years. He later re-ceived his Masters degree in his-tory and eventually earned a PhD

from Harvard.

Woodson selected the week in February that held the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass, an

escaped slave who became one of the foremost black abolitionists

and civil rights leaders in the na-tion, and Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Procla-

mation abolishing slavery in America’s confederate states .

The Negro History Week Move-ment spread quickly. At first it was

celebrated almost exclusively by African Americans. Soon, how-

ever, mayors and governors, espe-cially in the North, began endors-ing Negro History Week and pro-moting interracial harmony. By the time Woodson died in 1950,

Negro History Week had become a well-established cultural institu-

tion.

In 1976, the ASNLH, now changed to The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, responded to the large number of people who wanted a celebration that lasted longer than one week, and declared a month long obser-vance of the impact that Africans

had on history.

Whether you are of African de-scent or not, take time to appreci-

ate the many contributions African culture has given to American so-

ciety today.

Celebrate Black History Month

We should emphasize not Negro His-tory, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of

the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.

-Dr. Carter G. Woodson

What values do you live by? It is hard to imagine now, but when you aren’t here anymore people will remember how you lived your life. Are you a leader? Are you wise? How about courageous? Perhaps you are someone with great faith?

Associating people with the values they lived by is something that the people of Ghana have done for very long time. They developed symbols to represent certain values and concepts. These symbols are called Adinkra Symbols. Adinkra means “goodbye”, and the symbols were first used at funerals to speak for what the deceased represented in life. As time went by, more and more symbols were developed and used at a variety of ceremonies and events.

So, what Adinkra symbol would you wear to signify what you stand for or how you live? Your values say it all. They determine what choices you will make and ultimately mold who you are.

Now that you have given this some thought, visit www.africawithin.com/tour/ghana/adinkra_symbols and choose an Adinkra Symbol for yourself.

Kids’ Groove “ A people without youth is like

a tree without roots”.

Page 3Volume 1, Issue 2

Adinkra Symbols...More than an Artistic Creation

Nkonsonkonson Community Group

Adinkra symbols originated in Ghana many years ago to rep-resent important attributes or life experiences. So it is fitting that Imani Edu-Tainers is us-ing an Adinkra symbol to rep-resent an exciting new service which will focus on the many positive attributes needed to be an effective parent and member of the community.

“Nkonsonkonson” is the Ad-inkra symbol of unity and hu-man relations. It stands as a reminder to contribute to the

community and signifies the strength in unity.

“Nkonsonkonson” is the inspi-ration for Imani Edu-Tainers new community group. The specific focus of it will be to es-tablish networking opportuni-ties and improve communica-tion to and from the commu-nity.

Imani Edu-Tainers is seeking people who are interested in working with others to improve the community for our families

and who are willing to help de-velop relationships that will create change.

To join our community, go to www.imaniafricandance.org and click on “Join Our Commu-nity” to complete the electronic application.

And, for even more information on Adinkra symbols, visit www.welltempered.net/adinkra/

& Important Parent News!

I m a ni E du - Ta ine rs Af r i ca n Da nce Co m pa ny

Mulberry Art Studio21 North Mulberry StreetLancaster, PA 17603

Phone: 717-808-0203www.imaniafricandance.orgE-mail: dance@imaniafricandance.org.

Imani Invites YOU to Attend…

“A Journey to Mali”

This is an upcoming fundraiser event scheduled for April 19th, which will ex-

plore the dance, music, mask and culture of Mali.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

For more information check out Imani Edu-Tainers website at

www.imaniafricandance.org.

Upcoming Events:Warwick Elementary-March 28th

April 16th-Kissel Hill Elemetary School

May 3rd-Berks Unity Celebration, Reading

May 30th-Pequea Valley School District Cultural Celebration

Note About Funding:Imani programming is sponsored in part by

grants received from The Pennsylvania Coun-cil on the Arts and The Berks Art Council Re-

Grant Program.