#earringswithmeanings
It's #Day1 of #BlackHistoryMonth. Since 1962, Black History Month has remained an important moment for America to celebrate the achievements and contributions black Americans have played in U.S. history.
Arising out of "Negro History Week" of the 1960s, February has since been designated as Black History Month by every U.S. president since 1976.
Today my #earringswithmeanings are a pair of#CowryShells. Cowry shells were used a currency in ancient Africa and are also worn as jewelry or otherwise used as ornaments or charms. They are viewed as symbols of womanhood, fertility, birth and wealth.The symbolism of the cowry shell is associated with the appearance of its underside: the lengthwise opening makes the shell look like a vulva or an eye.
Here is a quote by one of my favorite Black Americans. "For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart." - Mary McLeod Bethune
#imblackandimproud
#afrotaina
#handmadeearrings
#blackboricua
#educateyourself
#knowledgeispower
#Africaenmicorazon
#violetvault
#gyename
#adinkra
#steadypatience
#fullrestoration
#clarityoverload
#earringswithmeanings
'Four Angels'=
Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel
'Four Corners'=
South, East, West, North
'Four Winds'=
East Wind of the Morning, West Wind of the Evening, North Wind of Midnight, South Wind of Noon
#earringswithmeanings
#earringsareeducationaltools
#earringswithsubstance
Today I am intentionally wearing a pair of #KenteClothEarrings.
The #KenteCloth originated with the #Ashanti people of#Ghana. It dates back 375 years, conceived in a village called Bonwire. According to legend, Kurugu and Ameyaw, two brothers from the village, went hunting one afternoon and came across a spider spinning a web. They were amazed by the beauty of web and thought that they could create something like it. Upon returning home, they made the first cloth out of black and white fibers from a raffia tree. To this day, Bonwire is still the most famous center for cloth weaving.
The particular pattern that is on my earrings is #BABADUA.
Symbol of #STRENGTH
#TOUGHNESS, #RESILIENCY, #POWER and#SUPERIORITY
The babadua tree was used for
building fences and thatch roof frames.
In the past, before an asafo (the
militia) went to war, it is said that a pile of babadua would be
placed on top of a dug-out and a number of the asafo members
stood on the pile. If the pile did not break, that signified that
they had enough fighting
men. Babadua was used in constructing
barricades during war,
because it was particularly strong and resilient. It was also used
in house construction.
The use of this motif at the edge of
the woven cloth gives
tensile strength to the cloth and prevents unraveling or fraying.
This is a technical innovation in #Akan weaving.
#iamblackhistory #ilovemyBlackancestors #imblackandimproud #afroboricua
#afrotaina#knowledgeispower
#ilovemyroots
I am love. Punto.
#earringswithmeanings
Beads
Archeologists literally have a field day when they find beads in an excavation. Beads have stood the test of time lasting, in some cases, for thousands of years. There is evidence that the descendants of Native Americans in prehistoric times used beads as adornment in jewelry as well as a way to trade. How these beads were crafted by hand said a lot about the methods and culture of the people of the time.
More certain is the fact that beads have a history with the Native American people. From the materials they used to how the beads were incorporated in their every day lives, they tell a story. In fact, some tribes have “story bead” necklaces where symbols and figures were carved into flat pieces of turquoise or some other type of stone and strung with other beads. Mothers then used the necklaces to illustrate stories handed down from generation to generation.
Wood and bone have been used quite a bit in making beads. The materials were sturdy, lasted a long time and easily fashioned and carved. Semi-precious stones like turquoise were and still are often used in making Native America jewelry. Shells are also another popular material in crafting beads for adornment purposes.
In some tribes, fashioning the beads was a sacred task. In others, only the women were allowed to create the beads. Regardless of who could or could not make the beads, there were a variety of process that could be used. Most often, it was an old-fashioned stone drill bit pumped by hand or even an awl that created the hole in the bead so that it could be strung.
Today, beads hold a fascination for many hobbyists, not only because of the history but also because of the vast array of choices available. Thanks to the white settlers, glass beads and metals like copper and silver began to be incorporated into jewelry design. Beads will probably always be a popular part of jewelry.
Today my #BlackHistoryMonth #earrings have the#ADINKASYMBOL #GYENAME from the #Akanpeople of #Ghana. The meaning of #GYENAME : "Except God"
Symbol of the omnipotence and the omnipresence of God. (Fear no one, except God.)
From the Akan aphorism "Abode santann yi firi tete; obi nte ase a onim ne ahyease, na obi ntena ase nkosi ne awie, gye Nyame."
Literal translation: "This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, except God."
The symbol reflects the Akan belief of a supreme being, the creator who they refer to by various names.
This is my favorite#ADINKASYMBOL and seems to be one of the most commonly used.
I learned about the symbols about 15 years ago on a bus ride back to my college campus. A blind man was sitting next to me and we chatted about life. He asked if I had tattoos and I responded that I didn't but always wanted one. I shared with him that I was looking for one that represented my spirituality and my roots and he told me about the #ADINKASYMBOLS. I asked him how he knew about them and what they looked like because he was blind, and he said that he wasn't always blind and he can still see them in his mind. Deep!
I got to campus (U of I Champaign-Urbana) and quickly searched the net, which back then was fairly new.
I decided NOT to get a tattoo ever, not only because I am a chicken, but because I actually like to express myself artistically in other ways and am not too into permanent commitments of that sort.
These symbols changed my life and added an immense amount of education and information to my quest for self. #Adinkras have taught me how to honor and respect my African culture on another level.
#imblackandimproud #Africaenmicorazon
#AFROBORICUA #AFROTAINA
#ilovemyBlackancestors #ilovemyroots
Today is #Day5 of #BlackHistoryMonth and I am wearing a pair of #fakediamond earrings. About 10 years ago there was a huge controversial issue about #AfricanDiamonds and how they were called #blooddiamonds or #conflictdiamonds. The question was... "Did someone DIE for the diamonds you are rocking?
Some diamonds have helped fund devastating civil wars in Africa, destroying the lives of millions. Conflict diamonds are those sold in order to fund armed conflict and civil war. Profits from the trade in conflict diamonds, worth billions of dollars, were used by warlords and rebels to buy arms during the devastating wars in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sierra Leone. Wars that have cost an estimated 3.7 million lives.
I absolutely love jewelry and I can make a difference by watching what I buy. I will not own a pair of DIAMOND earrings until I can purchase them and know that they are conflict-free. Every single conscious move we make does help make the world a better place. I love my #fakediamonds. #iamblackhistory #AfroBoricua #AfroTaina #Africaenmicorazon#ilovemyBlackancestors
#imblackandimproud
#earringswithmeanings
#earringswithsubstance
#earringsareeducationaltools
"If you have no confidence in #SELF, you are twice defeated in the race of #LIFE." - #MarcusGarvey#Africa #blacklivesmatter #blackisbeautiful#afroboricua #afrotaina #afroantillana#earringswithmeanings #earringswithsubstance
Today is #Day4 of #BlackHistoryMonth and I am keeping it simple yet intentional with my Ivory "Akua'ba" Asante African Fertility earrings. The Asante tribe lives in Central and South Ghana in Africa. Together with other tribes from this area , they form the Akan Peoples. The Akan people attribute supernatural powers to this sacred figurine. It stimulates female fertility and helps conquer infertility. I am wearing these because I have several dreams that I am placing on fertile ground. I am claiming that I am not an infertile dreamer. My dreams will manifest, and I will have an abundance of dream crops to pick up during harvest time. I AM FERTILE.
This pair was bought in Denver, Colorado last year (2013) at Akente Express.
#workinprogress #iamblackhistory #AfroTaina#AfroBoricua #Africaenmicorazon #Akuaba # Akan#Asante
#Ghana
#Ivory
#imblackandimproud
#honoringmyancestors
#earringswithmeanings
#earringswithmeanings #earringsareeducationaltools#earringswithsubstance
#tbt #NYC #SheIsCollection
My angels tell me.... ANGEL NUMBER 8
The vibration and energy of the number 8 are those of authority, personal power and inner-strength, inner-wisdom, manifesting abundance and prosperity, giving and receiving, self-reliance and dependability and achieving success . Number 8 is also the number of Karma, the Universal Spiritual Law of Cause and Effect - so you sow, so shall you reap.
Angel Number 8 is a message from the angels that financial abundance is on its way to you. You have worked diligently and intelligently towards achieving your goals and aspirations, and your just rewards will be yours. Be grateful for the blessings in your life, and for those yet to come.
The repeating Angel Number 8 may be suggesting that your rewards are being brought to you due to some positive work and past efforts on your behalf. What you put out to the Universe comes back to you, as per the Spiritual Law of Karma.
Angel Number 8 tells you to have faith and trust in your own abilities, skills and talents, and to use them to their highest potential.
#AfroBoricua #AfroTaina #BlackisBeautiful
#AfroAntillana #Negra #CowryShells #CowrieShells
#AncientCurrency #AncientWisdom #Spirituality
#earringswithmeanings
VICTORY runs through my blood. My father always tells me to be proud of the fact that my ancestors made it across the Atlantic to Puerto Rico. He always says that we must remember how resilient our African bloodline truly is. I love being an African woman from the Antilles. I feel blessed to know struggle and to also have tasted victory. I am victorious regardless of circumstances because I am alive. I am black and I am proud. I honor my ancestors and hope to continue the legacy work they left me. My love is valuable and precious. My blackness equals strength. Be proud of who you are. #RockyourRoots #afroboricua
Today I celebrated #BlackHistoryMonth by wearing this beautiful pair of #NEFERTITI #earrings. Had to start my #MommasHipHopKitchen week in #QUEEN mode. My mother blessed me when I was an early teen with a golden 2inch #Nefertiti charm for my baby rope chain. Remember those 90's? Her goal was to instill in me the importance of knowing that I was a #queen /#champion. It worked!!!
Peep #Nefertiti 's journey:
The most powerful woman in Egypt since the Pharaoh Hatshepsut 100 years earlier, Queen Nefertiti was as influential as she was beautiful, a partner in power with her king, Akenhaten.
Although Nefertiti was not born of royal blood, she had grown up close to the royal family. Some evidence suggests that her father was the powerful courtier Ay, advisor to three pharaohs, including Akenhaten, Nefertiti's husband. Like him, Nefertiti would prove to be a key player at court.
During her marriage Queen Nefertiti stood with him at the head of the new regime. Carved images on ancient temples show her killing Egypt's enemies - previously only a role given to the Pharoah.
When he moved the government from Thebes to Amarna, Nefertiti moved with him. She was a full participant in important religious ceremonies: when he appeared in public to make religious offerings to Aten, the sun god, Nefertiti performed them with him. And when he ordered colossal statues of himself, he would order statues of equal size for his 'Great Wife'.
Nefertiti was seen as second only to the pharaoh himself.
The reason for this may have been simple: love. In an age when marriages were arranged for political reasons, the partnership between them seems to have been unusually romantic. Nefertiti is also the only Egyptian queen that we know to have been lovingly described by her husband, the pharaoh. Their home life appears to have been a happy one. She bore him six daughters and images still exist of the pharaoh and his wife kissing and playing with their children. All appeared well. The move to Amarna was a success and life seemed good. Then, in the twelfth year of his reign and at the height of Nefertiti's powers, she vanished from history altogether.
#imblackandimproud #ilovemyroots#ilovemyBlackancestors
#AFROTAINA
#AFROBORICUA
#earringswithmeanings
#earringsareeducationaltools
#earringswithsubstance
Today's earrings bring me peace. Dream Catcher with an angels wing in the middle. Today is Vanessa's memorial service and we all need a lot of strength and peace. #redlipsforVanessa #besos4besos#earringswithmeanings
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
#earringswithmeanings
Today is Sunday #Day2 of #BlackHistoryMonth . I woke up wanting to wear more cowry shells, but decided to wear this artistic pair instead. I bought these with a few other about a year ago at my favorite costume jewelry store. They stood out because of the colors and art on them. There is a sun, a sea turtle, African patterns and an African man drumming. I had to get them. Finding black art on costume jewelry only happens once in a blue moon.
On this beautiful Sunday at church I was reminded that only God can satisfy my soul, everything else is secondary.
I look at this pair and know exactly why I had to wear these today... there is a bright sun, beaming rays of God's goodness, the sea turtle is an ancient symbol that represents creation, endurance, determination, strength, stability, longevity, fertility, and innocence, which are all the things I hope to experience one way or another. Side note: The turtle also provides protection, good fortune, and brings happiness and good omens.
Great Day mi gente! Today is #Day3 of#BlackHistoryMonth. My #earringswithmeanings pair were bought in Wilmington, Delaware at a commemoration of Bob Marley concert that I performed at. It was a super special event because we opened up for KRS1. This concert is held there every year because it is the first place where Bob lived in the U.S., his first American home. The Peoples' Festival is off thechain. Highly recommended. I got these in one of the little booths at the festival. There are soooo many dope vendors. This opportunity came through because of my friends at Guerrilla Republic. Awesome.
The meaning of these earrings for me is powerful. I wear them when I want to go back to the MotherLand Africa. When I want to disconnect from this defeating and depressing city life.
These earrings have super powers. Lol.
No fa real tho!
Read on:
"Adinkra symbolism is a visual representation of social thought relating to the history, philosophy and religious beliefs of the Akan peoples of Ghana and Cote' d'Ivoire" defined Dr. Kwaku Ofori-Ansa.
This Adinkra is called GYE NAME
"except for God" symbol of the supremacy of God or I fear none but GOD.
This unique and beautiful symbol is ubiquitous in Ghana. It is by far the most popular for use in decoration, a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.
Today will be a great day. Superman wears a cape and I wear my Adinkras.
#afrotaina #afroboricua #iamblackhistory#imblackandimproud #ilovemyBlackancestors#adinkrasymbol #akanpeopleofGhana
#blackpower
My earrings say a lot about me. These pair were made by Puerto Rican elder artisan Maria Cajigas of Taino Concepts. #earringswithmeanings
The Taino Indians are the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. The Coqui is a small chiefly arboreal frog native to Puerto Rico that has a high-pitched call.
If you read about Frog Medicine, it's symbolism is:
×cleansing
×renewal, rebirth
×fertility, abundance
×transformation, metamorphosis
×life mysteries and ancient wisdom
I rock these earrings today as a symbolism of my clearing negativity and "toxic" energies and the freedom to release my emotions.
Detoxification and taking care of my health more and more are key. Life is too short and I am renewing my perspective/vision. Adopting a new stance is the way to go.♡
Today is #Day12 of #BlackHistoryMonth .
I am in celebration of my blackness, and will continue to be, forever. This month is just this month,#IMBLACKANDIMPROUD all year long. Today's earrings were a blessing because I truly had no idea what I was going to encounter with my students and wanted to secure grounding of self. Those poor kids are really going through their own slaveship experiences.
Spiritually/energetically when making these earrings I used #CowryShells (ancient African currency) to connect me to the sea/ocean and remind me of what our ancestors went thru, their blood represented in#red, the #wood representing the slaveships, the#black our people. This pair is for those #FORGOTTENwhether they didn't make it across that ocean, or did and were battered, lynched, raped, molested ...just like our youth right now... being criminalized and demonized...
They ARE the forgotten ones.
I will do my best to honor and acknowledge those children who fall through the cracks and guide them.
#WEAREBLACKHISTORY
#iamblackhistory
#AfroBoricua #AFROTAINA
#Africaenmicorazon
#ilovemyBlackancestors #ilovemyyouth
#youthadvocate #earringswithmeanings
#earringsareeducationaltools
#earringswithsubstance
Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.
Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world
If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home.
This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one who wears it. Turquoise takes on the characteristics of the owner.
Turquoise carries great wisdom of basic truth within it. It is one of the oldest stones known. This is a stone that a person must learn to attune to instead of the stone attuning to the person. It is important that the owner of a Turquoise give it the proper attention.
Healing properties of Turquoise
Neutralizes overacidity
Alleviates rheumatism, gout, stomach problems, viral infections
Increases growth, muscular strength
Alleviates pain, relaxes cramps
Contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects
Application: should be worn on the solar plexus
Use with copper to increase the power of turquoise.
History of Turquoise
Turquoise is a stone that has been prized for many years. The ancient Egyptians used turquoise in jewelry. Turquoise is greenish-blue or pale sky blue. The name means "Turkish stone" as it came to Europe by way of Turkey. Turquoise was mined more than 6,000 years ago in Sinai. The best turquoise comes from Iran, but not much is exported now. Much turquoise comes from Mexico and the United States today.