ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
nto
our
Chri m c ro ,cr ,& coc
2pm. (898-2414).
KWANZAA CELEBRATIO
12/'Z7 Kwanz - UmoJa (unity)
12-2 pm.
12118 Kwanz - Ujima (collectiv
work nd r pon bility) 12-2pm.
12/1 Kw - UJamm (eo-
op r liv economics) 3-5pm.
12/3IJ Kwanz - Ni (purpose) 12-
2pm.
12131 Kw nz - Kuumba
(cr ivtty) 12-2pm.
1/1 Kwanzaa - Imanl (faith) 12-
2pm.
Mus um of African Americ HI
tory, 301 Frederick Dougl (833-
z
our bor!!
CA ELL LIBRARY: 12/18
CM m cr for child rn: M
S to on your door. 4 pm.
(297 -9380).
CHANDLER PARK LIBRARY:
12/21 Chrlstma Movie: Co mlc
Chri m ,th Ch m ory and
th Twelv Day of Chrl tma .
2:30pm Ag 3-up. (�7-6558).
CHASE UBRARY: 12/21 G the
OTO • 2648 W. Gra'ld Blvd
, Detro. (867-0091).
-YOUTH HERITAG HOU
110 E. F rTY, D oft. (871-1687).
SEND ALLAN OUNCE ENTSTO
MICHIGAN CITIZEN,P.O. BOX
03560, HIGHLAND PARK, MI
48203.
9800).
LOOK/LISTEN/LEARN
USEUMS
-AFRICAN A ERICAN HIS
TORY, 301 Fred rick Dougl ,
Detroit. (833-9800).
RAYSTONE JAZZ.. 3000 E.
Grand Blvd. (871-0234).
To trive for am maintain
togetherness in the family. rom
mWlity race ml tunanity.
Dec. 'Zl- KuIIdliIRUl�"
at
To define 0 lYes,�ow
� speak fCX' 0UISeMs, imIcad
ofbeq defined mt spokmforby
olhets.
Dec. 28 - UJImlI-U)lIeCliW
Wmk
To buildml mainlainoorcom
munity klgdIa' am k> � our
brothels aOO probIerm oor
problems and to solve them
togdta'.
Dec.29-Ujer� .....
don EmocwnIcs
To buiklml maimainowbuli-
entctpriscs am k> �
profi .
Dec. 30 - N-..P'nftWl_
To make O\I"cOucdiYewaa
tiootheb�ml�of
our romrnunity in ooIer k> �
o\l'poople k> tbeir1l8di� great-
many reside in the south where each
possesses her own unique tyle,
recognized by imple diagonals to
exceedingly elaborate patterns,
some of which are political in origin.
Women in the Michigan Quilt
Project have ties SO that region
through technique and aesthetic.
Black populations were asked to par
ticipate in Ouilt Discovery Days in
1986.
Research and collection for the
Michigan Quilt Project is ongoing.
Persons possessing information on
quilts and quiltmakers are urged to
contact Michigan State University
:By CAROLYN WARFIELD
'Att. Co"'.pontJ.nt
DETROIT - An eclectic ample of
textile craftsmanship can be een
through January 5, 1992, at the
Museum of African-American His-
: tory, 301 Frederick Douglass.
, Curated by Marsha MacDowell,
,Michigan State University Museum,
'Folk Art Department and sponsored '
by the Michigan State University
Traditional Arts Program, "African
American Quilting Traditions in
Michigan" documents family his-
.tories and narratives of personal
.philosophies and religious beliefs in '
women's lives. Their visual con-
. tents erve as reminders of past life
cycles, migration and settlement.
Stitched in vivid and muted
: colors, in a range of techniques and '
.patterns, the textiles point to
longstanding quilting traditions and
'signify that the history and culture of
'African-American women can be
reflected in the production and use of
a distinct material culture.
Slaves transplanted to the
· Americas from Central and West
Africa knew textile production and
,were skilled in embroidery, piecing
· and applique.
QUIL TS ... their visual
contents serve as
reminders of past life
cycles, migratio'n and
settlement ..
Dec. 31 - Kuu.b.·
CreatMty
Todoalways much wecan
in tm way that we can in order k)
leave our community IIO'C beaw
ful and be�fidal tl1m w�n we
inherhed it,
Jan. l-lmad-�aItb �
To believe with all oor lads in
our parents, our people, our
teacheIs, lcabs ml our Clod ul
the righIeousnessani viaxyofour
struggle.
. What distinquishes African
American design aesthetic from
European design? Vertical strip or
ganization, color, large design ele
ments, asymmetry, multiple
,patterning and improvi�d rhythm.
Museum, East Lansing, MI 48824-
1045 or call 517-355-2730.
For additional information on
"African-American Quilting Tradi
tions in Michigan," please call the .
Museum of African-American His
tory at 833-9800.
Kwanzaa Ritual Leader, Marvin Chatman, tens a Musuem of African
American History standing-room only crowd about the seven principles
of the African American Holiday (right) celebrated after Christmas
until New Year's Day. (photo by Flodean S. JUga)
BLACK QUILTERS use
dramatic and subtle color contrasts
to organize and emphasize quilt
designs, besides highlighting the
unique phenomenon of off-beat pat
ters and: multiple rhythms in quilt
patterns. .
The tendency of.improvtsation is
to demonstrate how to master a pat
tern and then break or bend it.
, Europe inspired conservative
symmetrical patterns like the Dres
den Plate, Fan and Colonial Star.
These patterns, among others,
belong to a standard quilting lexicon
and could vary by name according to
locale. Quilt themes render a festive
variety whether generational or im
provisational.
Even though quilting originally
served as afunctional aid to living, it
created a social outlet; women found
support and camaraderie. Quilting
bees and "round Robins" conceived
as community participation allowed
time for games, storytelling,
nourishment, gossip, dance and
song.
Quilting also provided the
seamstress an outlet for individual
expression: time for reflection and
introspection.
APPLIQUE, OR "applied
work," the mos t common way stories
are compo ed, contributed to textile
production by the Fon of Dahomey
(Benin) in creating wall hangings to
depict kings' military and economic
achievements.
Ghana's Ashanti, Ewe and Fante
peoples as well as the Ejaham in
Cameroon utilize applique, while the
Yoruba, Hausa and Tuareg display it
on leathergoods. It was done among
, the Egyptians and advanced to a high
are in Europe where it was used on
the banners of the Crusaders.
Nigeria's quilting tradition
records the Hausa constructing sol
diers and horses combat armor,
Evidence of an African
American quilting tradition can be
found in the WPA Federal Writer's
Project where slaves disclosed plan
ration customs.
Michigan's ,Manual of
Freedmen's Progress substantiates
historical presence of quilts in
African-American families in
Michigan.
Leaders of the
New School
A Futur« Without.
P •• t
Biz Ma�ie
I Need A Haircut.
Cold ChIIMnIWI
13722 WOODWARD
HIGHLAND PARK
883-6960
8933 HARPER
DETROIT
923-3040
Dancers and drummers entertain on-lookers with traditional Atrlcan
song and dance cfurlpg the Museum of African American History' Noel
Night Kwanzaa preseatation. (photo by Flode S. RlIP)
ALTHOUGH MANY 18th and
19th century quilts were lost during
the Civil War or from deliberate
abandon to flee slavery, the impulse
to create quilts has remained intact
since Reconstruction and is a vital
and precious art experience in the
Black community. .
Stories are more apparent in nar
· rative quilts where makers reveal
. themselves by the ideas, experience
. and values they cherish. African
American example include Bible
storie ,historical figures and events.
Bible story quilts created in 1885 and
1896 by Harriet Powers, a former
slave from Athens, Georgia, are well
: known. .
While quiltmakers of African de
': scent are middle-aged to elderly
women living in diverse locales,
fl R c.oRD. )J
- HOME OF
II FAMOU COACHMAN"
NEW. OLD TVLE MU rc
RI!CO D.· TAPI! • CD'.· 45'.
SEWING ALLOWEQ
bonds women a means to purchase
freedom. Female children were
taught decorative crafts at the advent
of puberty, and were involved in tex
tile construction: threading needles
and filling quilts at a very young age.
In recent years, regional quilt
search projects have produced
recognition and historical scholar
ship for inclusion of quiltmaking in
Women' Studie Programs.
In 1983. 'Michigan State Univer
si ty began to collect aoo document
information on African-American
quiltmaking ithi� the tate. Com
munities with hi torica11y-important
Black senlemen with predominate
U t n to WDET.Radlo 101.9 FM
Each Sunday 2 m - 78m
Call In 577-1019
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