AfricaNow! May 31, 2023 Kumina Queen, Survivors of Genocide & Obi Egbuna, Jr. on African Liberation Day (ALD)

Topics and Guests: We begin the show today with Delphine Yandamutso and Claude Gatebuke two co-authors of the book "Survivors Uncensored: 100 + Testimonies of Resilience and Humanity."  "Survivors Uncensored" is a powerful collection of testimonies from survivors of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 as well as pre and post genocide atrocities including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and about the role of the U.S. and the West. The book offers poignant insights into their experiences and showcases stories of resilience and humanity.

Obi Egbuna, Jr. discusses the importance of liberation and Pan-Africanism in the context of African Liberation Day (ALD) (May 25) and how art can be used to transmit the message across generations.  Obi Egbuna, Jr. is a Founding Member and Executive Director of Mass Emphasis Children’s History and Theater Company (2012).  Obi Egbuna, Jr. is a journalist, African/a history teacher and playwright and is correspondent to The Herald, Zimbabwe’s national newspaper.

A new documentary by Nyasha Laing, "Kumina Queen", highlights the work by Imogene “Queenie” Kennedy a contemporary priestess in post-colonial Jamaica who catapulted her African spiritual practice into renown.  The film looks at questions such as what remains of the dance between the living and the dead after centuries of erasure? As noted in the description of "Kumina Queen": “Seeking understanding, artists and practitioners navigate a mysterious spirit world that offers a pathway to freedom, healing, and transformation - to those who choose it.”  The show features a conversation Nyasha Laing had with James Pope of Africa World Now Project collective and AfricaNow!’s Executive Producer and Co-Host a few months which we aired before. The discussion focused on African spiritual knowledge through the drum, dance, and nature in Jamaica and beyond. Nyasha Laing is a documentarian, researcher, writer, and lawyer. Her previous documentary was "Punta Soul" (2008) prior to Kumina Queen in the Wild. Nyasha Laing has served as a producer for award-winning PBS films including "Tell Them We Are Rising" (2017), "All Kinfolk Ain’t Skinfolk" (2018), "Belly of the Beas"t (2020), and "Into Dust" (2021). (Information of "Kumina Queen in the Wild": www.kuminaqueen.net) "Kumina Queen" will be featured at the DC Caribbean FilmFest on June 10 at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring MD and Nyasha Laing will be there at the post-screening discussion.  The 21st edition of the DC Caribbean FilmFest which takes place from June 8-14, 2023 in recognition of Caribbean American Heritage Month in June is presented by CAWI, CPN, ICS, AFI and Africa World Now Project. For more information visit https://afisilver.afi.com/. 

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“AFRICAN PEOPLE” BY CHRISTINE KAMAU; intro of sgment with Obi Egbuna, Jr. & sign-off--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; intro to segment Nyasha Laing--“SUN GODDESS” commemorating Ramsey Lewis’ birthday which was on May 27; closing--“MILESTONES” BY MILES DAVIS commemorating his birthday which was on May 26.

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Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

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