CULTURAL EXCHANGE At The New York French American Charter School
OYIZA ADABA Africa-Related, NEW YORK
and Rosemary Onubaiye, Okene nigeria
Storytelling and Weaving Lessons from Nigeria to New York
Africa-Related visited the The New York French American Charter School, a tuition free bilingual charter school located in an iconic 120th Street neighborhood in Harlem, New York.
The 6:30 am calm in the quiet street and hallways before the bustle of drop offs was quite evident, The hallways filled up quickly, and by 8:00 AM, children from different parts of the world - every continent easily represented from pre kindergarten through to eighth grade - were seated in class.
The NYFACS, which operates with semi-public semi-private status (Charter School) fosters a culture of inclusion and through its rigorous curriculum, students are provided the skills and learning experiences for both academic and life achievements.
Oyiza Adaba reading TITINKORI FOLKTALES FROM EBIRALAND to the second graders at NYFACS
Art teacher, musician and friend Mr. Daniel Villeneuve invited me to spend a morning with the second graders as part of a cultural exchange initiative to promote art, education and artistic children. I was honored to teach about two distinct cultures in Ebiraland -TITINKORI storytelling and ITINOCHI - cloth weaving. and our work with fellow students at St. John Bosco Comprehensive Secondary School, Okene Kogi State. Nigeria
After attentively listening to The Tortoise and The Hare, we exchanged ideas on lessons and morals, then proceeded to learn more about weaving of the Ebira woven cloth, which they happily modelled. The drawings and illustrations from participating schools will be published in an upcoming book, with part proceeds going to charities.
Mr. Bertrand Tchoumi, the ever-welcoming director said the school is continuously expanding and in 2022 its second location at 2108-2118 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, close to the legendary Apollo Theatre. The famous building known as Alhambra Hall, was a historical ballroom that hosted great jazz legends like Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith.
The school prides itself with ensuring that its work reflects in the full diversity of the district community school district, and providing the students with added opportunities for learning from each other.
Students are taught subjects like visual arts, music appreciation, talent development, PE, life skills etc in French and English.
‘Titinkori’ Project
This is a new Story/Picture/Audio Book is a collection of stories about the Ebira people located in Okene Kogi State, central Nigeria curated by Oyiza Adaba. The project features a selection of over 20 folktales, stories, songs, parables etc told by a respected crop of elders and storytellers from Ebiraland. They include Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkadir Ogirima, Mr. Sanni Aminu Atima (Ohida) and HRH Samuel Adai Onimisi (Obobanyi of Ihima). Some of the stories are Adeji (The Hare), The Farmer and the Bird (Okasime), The Farmer and his Disobedient Son, The Poor Widow, Her Son and The Hunter etc. Learn more about 'Titinkori' here
Students at St. John Bosco Comprehensive Secondary School, Okene Kogi State Nigeria during a story-telling class delivered by Mallam Ibrahim Abdulkadir Ogirima. Photo: Africa-Related
Historian: Son of late Yusuf Utohu, a male weaver in Ebiraland
The project is seeking young Onabolus and Antubams globally schools and art classes, to accompany each story with their drawings and illustrations. The artistically gifted children are selected from schools in Okene, Lagos, Abuja, and New York.
The final work products include a published book, audiobook, music, and exhibitions to showcase artworks, publicity/launch events, community service and charity donations.
This project's objectives are documenting and preserving tradition, teaching history, encouraging young artistic talent and giving back to the community;and is made possible by Africa-Related in partnership with Ita'i Our Cloth and Tom Adaba Legacy Project.
Learn more about 'Titinkori' here: