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coweries
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Spiritual Connections: African Jewelry and Sisterhood

Are you taking advantage of the mystical magic that inspires African-themed jewelry? The endless choices can take you across the diaspora. In jewelry inspired by the Motherland you can represent different countries and embrace spiritual connections, with each piece of jewelry that adorns body temple. The right signature pieces set it off, allowing you to create a unique look, one that is totally yours. What feels good on your skin when you consider the many choices in jewelry?  My passion runs deep for silver, cowries, and brass. In the late 1990s, I was fortunate enough to meet Sister Florentine, a public health nurse, who was visiting my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The beautiful sister was committed to her work and improving conditions for youth and women in her native Benin. The focus of her U.S. sojourn was sharing her experiences with community at events hosted by Detroit universities and churches. #8 Brass

With her, she had a small arsenal of treasures for sale. I was ecstatic.  During an intimate dinner party given in her honor, we talked shop around public health issues, and how best to address them,

both here and abroad. I was also given the opportunity to learn about the beautiful garments and jewelry she’d traveled with. #10 Brass Sister Florentine, explained fabric and the dyeing process of the beautiful colorful bou-bous and dresses, along with the history behind the jewelry pieces. She spoke with confidence, patience, and pride.  In listening to her soul-feeding words, I learned about her background, I listened to the melodic rhythm of her voice as she spoke about her loves: family, community, the work, and how the art she traveled with, all influenced her. #9 Brass I chose a set of 12 inscribed brass bangles. I loved how they moved on my arm, hitting one another and producing a melody in the air as they jingled. I felt both regal and blessed. I added these to my collection of bracelets from the continent. I’d been gifted a few years earlier, with a malachite earring and bracelet set from South Africa. A dear sister-friend thought of me during her travels, circles of infinity. Me and Mama Africa. I’ve worn them everyday, for twenty years. They connect me to my sister-friend through life, giving testimony to the beauty of  sisterhood and spirituality.

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Many years have passed since my bangle set purchase.  Along the way, I have given away six of my 12- piece set to sisters along my journey. One remains broken, and I refuse to throw it away, hoping to one day have the precious item repaired.  As I type this post, the remaining five are at home on my left wrist along with the South African bangles. Since Sister Florentines’ visit, I’ve invested in jewelry finds, crafting pieces with love, for myself, family, and to sell at craft shows, and home art parties. I share design techniques during workshops with others wanting to learn the craft and history of African beads and shells. My business, IMANI’S TREAURES, connects me with beautiful sisters and brothers,who have a love for design, and like-minded spirits. Cowrie shell CollarThe cowrie, remains one of my go-to-jewelry finds, and I hear the ancestors as I create. Each piece I touch is a  part of my being and herstory. It is truly magical. The cowrie is sacred to me, with its long history. I explain their specialness to anyone who feigns interest. I give jewelry pieces away during Kwanzaa in hopes, that the recipient finds them as beautiful as I do. I send off creations blessed in peace and wrapped in love. For me, creating is transformative.  I time-travel and imagine sitting with queens and kings creating beauty rooted in Africa. For me, the intrigue and mystique of the cowrie, lies in its deep history as a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. Just as important, is the legacy it carries as a sign of maturity for young girls returning to their villages after completing womanhood training. The lack of rites-of-passage training, for young African-American girls is always on my mind, when I share the meaning of the cowrie with others. I know that I am being prepared to answer the call for starting a program that infuses the passage training needed in the states to better prepare young African-American sisters for adult life.  I believe there is a connection between African rituals and what needs to happen in my home country. #4 Cowries I find a specialness in African jewelry and clothing, one that connects Black people in a way that belongs solely to us. While others may imitate no one can duplicate that which is in the fiber and spirit of black folk. The pieces connect us,  just as the fabric of garments, and mystical jewelry.  Wherever we are in the world, art, culture, and beauty are also present. Let’s continue to celebrate our unique beauty.

maxing out
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Maxing Out with Full Length Dusters and Sweaters

I love the feel and look of maxi-dusters.  I guess, I always have. My fondness likely began by watching my mother don maxi-length sweater coats as early as the late 70s. She owned a few incredibly beautiful ones, and always received compliments. After she passed away, I inherited one in particular, that I had always admired.  Each and every time I wear it,  I get compliments from sisters and brothers. Elders smile reflecting on a particular garb they loved. Even 20-somethings stop, smile, giving me a thumbs up, with comments like, “That’s  a really cool sweater!”

The colors are loud and vibrant, and the garment length, perfect. For me, the longer the better and this one hits my ankles.  I love the deep pockets and every now and then I’ll hear my mother’s voice in my head telling me to stop pocket stuffing lest I tear up the lining. Old habit, I guess, but each time I wear it, I think of the love my mother imparted.

Know this, maxi-dusters are a sure show stopper.  Versatile as they are functional, they add flair to wardrobes without even trying.

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Benefits of maxi-length dusters

  • They are gorgeous
  • Full length
  • Work well with pants, dresses, and skirts
  • Available in a variety of materials
  • Suitable for all but the coldest weather

There are few clothing items that bring flare to your wardrobe quite like a maxi- duster.  It is hard to get a bad cut on this piece. The longer the better, it will sway while you move making it that much sassier.

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A maxi-duster has timeless quality. A good one will last for years and you will enjoy the benefit of being able to match it with different pieces in your wardrobe.

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Colors or Solids

Dusters add so much flare that you may want to own more than one.  If you need to get one at a time, start with a solid color and work your way up to multi-colored patterns.

 

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Different Styles of Maxi-Dusters

  • Vintage
  • Ethnic
  • Traditional

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Look for a duster with pockets. Generally the pockets are deep allowing you to carry identification, and keys easily. This works great when you don’t want the added weight or responsibility of a purse.

Most days, women grab a purse out of habit. Sometimes, you want a free day from having to carry anything extra. Maxi-dusters afford that luxury.

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Maxi-dusters and their close cousin, the sweater coat, give off a vibe of sassy maturity that take you to  from work to play. They look great when handling  business, or hanging out for a good time.

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Black Skin is Beautiful: Step out of Your Comfort Zone with Colors that Pop!

Perhaps, you missed the memo: Sisters can rock color and do it well! African sisters have known this since the beginning of time. Dyeing fabric in some of the most beautiful colors imaginable.

Myths and stereotypes abound around acceptable colors for Black women. It shows up in our reluctance to wear certain colors in make-up and dress.  This results from generations of color closeted women handing down beliefs that darker hued women can’t, or shouldn’t wear certain shades.

In my household, I was barred from black slacks. My mother felt that black was a color better reserved for women, and not girls. I recall finding the perfect pair of black pants at age twelve. Peter’s clothing, specialized in small sizes starting at zero. At twelve, I was stick thin, and purchased the pants on a Saturday mall run with my bff. Hurt and disappointed, I didn’t understand why my mother blew a gasket when I showed her my super awesome find. The pants were returned the following weekend, for yet another pair of blue jeans.

I would soon learn, that bans were not limited to one color.  In fact, it extended into the rainbow and carries deep-rooted cultural beliefs.

As an adult, I purchased beautiful hand sewn African dresses for my mother and sister from a Senegalese friend. My sister smiled sweetly saying, ‘I can’t wear those colors, they don’t go well with my skin. They’re too loud.’ Again, I was taken aback, not sure where my nuclear family members came up with these crazy fashion rules.

Apparently, there were scores of black women living with self-imposed limitations on color. I’ve heard the conversation too many times to count. I always ask, ‘Why?’

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Cynthia, a thirty nine year-old, self-confident beauty helps families needing shelter.  She is a 5’6’ ball of energy. Up and down, all day helping clients, she dresses in comfortable clothing. Cynthia shared with me that she makes a conscious effort to only buy clothes that feel good on her skin.  Interestingly, her wardrobe is full of black and tan. Nothing wrong with netural hues, but why not consider color, I wondered. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we decided to do get manis and pedis, and give the new African-American shop, which had just opened around the corner from us a try.

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I chose a pretty turquoise, having decided that I would honor my love of water, and my desire to one day sell my hand crafted jewelry designs barefoot, on the seashore. The color of blue water and my love of the ocean go hand-in-hand. I suggested to Cynthia that she try out a neon pink, a couple of bottles down from my perfect blue. ‘Oh no! I don’t do pinks, they don’t go well with my skin.’  I thought to myself,’ Oh boy, here we go again.’  I decided to give my friend some heart felt advice. ‘Cent, you’re beautiful, confident and can actually rock any color, you choose!’

The nail technician, over hearing our conversation agreed. ‘I’ve been a nail tech for a while, and sisters, seem to have a lot of issues around, color,’ She continued speaking while looking over the rows of bottled color. ‘For some reason we think we have to regulate our color choices to the mundane. We have over sixty shades to choose from on this side of the shop alone. Turn it up!’ She said to Cent with a smile.

 

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Cynthia decided to step out her neutral cocoon that day, choosing a beautiful fuchsia. Which, by the way, looked great on her ebony complexion. She was able to push back the voices of her mother and aunts who had always shied away from bright colors. Stepping out of her prison color cell, she found a new level of self-love and acceptance.

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Whether, we’re talking hair, nails, or clothing options – color is here for us to grab and hold onto. Sisters from the continent, put out the memo on color, and have enjoyed sun infused colors that accentuate our skin tones, and are radiantly beautiful.  The memo ends with a reminder, that, ‘We are beautiful.’ We work reds, blues, greens, orange, and pretty shades of pink. Colors, that do in fact, pop.

wrap it up
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Wrap Up in Beautiful and Unique Head Wrap Style Choices

Wrap it up it on questionable hair days and keep things moving with unique head wrap style choices. Many sisters flip-flop on the issue of returning hair to its natural state. Reasons vary, but often have to do with the perception of others, and more often; reservations over how to handle the transitional phase. You know, the in-between stage where new growth becomes an issue. At this stage, you may give serious consideration to running back to the familiar ground of perms and hot combs. Stand strong during the awkward stage, fuzziness, does not have to deter one from becoming comfortable with change.

Loving Your Hair Through it All
In 2014, you are encouraged to be your best self, and that includes doing you, in all of your queenliness. Consider, “gele” head wraps to get you over the hump of losing the relaxer, and starting locs, afros, or braids. Head wraps also work as protection for your hair, when you want a stylish cover up. They provide an alternative to tresses needing a break from heat damage and styles that cause breakage.

Admittedly, bad hair days have a direct effect on our mood. One way to combat that is topping our crown. Head wraps, are an affordable, fashionable way to transition into natural hair styles. Wrap up in a unique head wrap style choices and still look beautiful.

Colors and Patterns
Head wraps, offer a cultural and easy choice that won’t cause you to be late for work.  Fabric options are unlimited, choose basic black to compliment your overall wardrobe. You can also select other solid colors, or bright patterns that accentuate your skin tone and wardrobe pieces in your closet.

wedding gele
For formal occasions, go with material and designs worn for weddings. Aso-Oke, is a stiffer material, used for ceremonial and dress occasions. It generally runs significantly higher than cotton. A quick online search will lead you to vendors where you may find it on sale. For 9-5 wear, you can stick with basic cotton and coordinate different colors and patterns aligned with professional taste and the tone of the office. Size your head wrap according to what feels comfortable on your head. Some women prefer wide/towering wraps, while others prefer less fabric.

#4 Galee Wrap Guide Image Credit Pinterest by Pinner

Wrap it up
Material: 1-1/2 to 2 yards of fabric. Fabric can be found online through various vendors. Sewing craft stores will prove fruitful as well. In-store, you can touch and feel fabric. Go for cotton, it allows you to wrap hair with the most ease. Stretchy material should be avoided for this purpose unless, you are a veteran wrapper. Stretchy material, can be extremely hard to work with. It moves, and you want something that stays  in place as you wrap.
Create your Look with Confidence
Head wraps or “gele”, are not only culturally correct for African and African-American women, they are also beautiful. Add a pair of earrings, and rock your look with confidence. Geles, work for the office, and for play time. They can be used to dress an outfit up, or worn with casual styles. They are also, easy on the wallet. A few pieces can be mixed and matched to give you several different looks.

#8 Hues of Blues Headwraps Image Credit sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net via Pinterest

Girl, That Looks Good on You!
Experiment with wrap variations and create signature looks that you own. Get ready for the compliments as you step out with a unique look!