ORIGIN

Rites of Passage Graduation

niyca — Mon, 16 May 2011 06:16:32 +0000

Here’s a video of ORIGIN images. Or scroll down the page to see photographs of the event and read the comments.

Why not add your comments too?

ORIGIN Graduation 2011 was very special indeed.

Were you there? If so, what’s your account and comments of the big day?

Well, it was Saturday the 14^th May. The community gathered for the arrival of the young men in the Village. Seven young men returned from their journey and asked an audience of about 300 people of family members, guests and supporters – to see them as young adults, not children.

And what a show the young men put on for the community. They performed their drumming piece together about the beginnings of the Universe. This was followed by their personal pieces where they reflected on the ORIGIN journey that for some of them began in January 2010, sixteen months earlier. A lot has happened in the Village since then.

Then to the their influential figures. So in came the Olympic athlete Jesse Owens from the 1930’s, the Parliamentarian Bernie Grant MP, the griot Gil Scot Heron, jazz musician Charlie Parker and the revolutionary Toussaint L’ouverture from the 1700’s. They all asked the community to remember them… because they are part of our history.

There was reflection, laughter and tears too as we considered the challenges faced by the group during the programme. Videos of Micah and Shaq, two of our gifted young men, just couldn’t help but touch us all. Yes, the tissues came out during the videos and as family members came to the stage to speak of their particular challenges.

It was a wonderful occasion. The graduating group performed some amazing pieces. Jumaane was incredible with his saxophone and later the piano and Laqwuan and Nathaniel delighted us with their conscious lyrics. Romaii had already burst onto the scene with a detailed account of the life and times of Jesse Owens.

Then Josh, a Graduate from 2008, performed a personal piece about family life. He reminded us that although we had arrived to celebrate, we should not forget that not all is well in the Village.

The graduating young men demonstrated their martial arts skills that they learned from training on Sundays. Then a drama piece about the New Cross Fire, where they announced to the community that they will never forget what happened to the young people who lost their lives in a birthday party in Lewisham – 30 years ago.

People, I’m still only in the first half of the evening and have made no mention of the arrival of Tunde Jegedy, internationally renowned Kora player, whose family from West Africa trace an unbroken line of Kora players going back over three hundred years.

Tunde performed a solo piece and again during the transition to adulthood ceremony.

Were you at this event? What do you think of it all – the ritual, the response of the parents, how so many Graduates from earlier years flooded forwarded to welcome the new arrivals? I tell you… it’s a blessing for me to be part of ORIGIN.

Bro. Pablo and Bro. Adisa during the Transition Ceremony

Drumming – The beginning of the Universe

Jumaane plays the Sax as Charlie Parker

Laqwuan as Gil Scott-Heron

Romaii performs Jesse Owens

Micah family interview

Shaq Family interview

ORIGIN Circle 2011

Martial Arts demonstration

Neil – Warrior

New young adults

Elder NNA Pepukayi and Chief Omilade receive Kofi

Graduates receive ORIGIN 2011 CIRCLE

Aaron, Graduate Ambassador steps up

Chief Omilade presides over Blessings

Graduation ORIGIN 2011

Sir Henry Tate Project

niyca — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:24:37 +0000

In Search of Sir Henry Tate – DVD
A bust of Sir Henry Tate, one of the most prominent philanthropists of the 19th century, is displayed on a plinth in Brixton, the capital of Black Britain.

This gripping documentary produced by the Graduates of the ORIGIN Rites of Passage Programme, investigates Tate’s legacy. Who was Sir Henry Tate?

The Graduates discover that he was a central figure in the sugar refining industry. They research how he made his wealth and the donations and gifts he made. In the process the young men draw parallels to the exploitation of enslaved Africans, their Ancestors.

As action researchers these fearless researchers go In Search of Sir Henry Tate. They go into the history, interview passers-by in the town centre and meet prominent academics and historians.

By the end of the DVD… they share their conclusions.

Ordeal weekend

niyca — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:04:50 +0000

It tested everyone.

We’ve ALL just got back from the challenge weekend of rock climbing, abseiling, navigating tidal waves in the Irish Sea and the leap of faith.

The pressure cooker of experiences always reveal how the young Brothers respond to such tasks, or ordeals. Never easy this one, all leading to the character defining session…, Special Truth.

Preparing for Graduation

niyca — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:06:08 +0000

Yes, it’s that time again. The young people on the ORIGIN rites of passage programme are preparing for their Graduation. The Graduation marks the completion of this part of the journey. It will have taken over a year to complete. Generations of ORIGIN Graduates, members of the village and their guests will re-connect as the ORIGIN’ites leave behind childhood and embrace young adult life – in a ceremony fit for a King.

The image above is from our last Graduation. Adisa hands the Mike to Lil Chris, who speaks from the heart.

African proverb: If the young men are not initiated into the Village, they will burn it down – just ot feel it’s warmth.

Mission accomplished!

niyca — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:33:09 +0000

The mission was to break into the nuclear site, past alarms, cameras and lazers – disarming the nuclear warhead and making our escape. And the performance… Mission accomplished!

Graduates present ‘Sir Henry Tate’

niyca — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:27:35 +0000

ORIGIN Graduates present their research to their peers. They ask some serious questions. “As young people of African descent, can we really embrace Sir Henry Tate as a philanthropist when he secured his wealth in a business that exploited African’s as slaves?”.

Their DVD is now ready for distribution. Contact pablo@ritesofpassage.uk.com

for further information.

ORIGIN 2010 Programme

niyca — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:04:22 +0000

This is an ORIGIN blog. For our New Initiatives website go to www.ritesofpassage.uk.com

We look forward to hearing from you