Braima Moiwai - West African Artist and Storyteller

West African - African American Ties

Purpose:
The Gullah language is considered an "English- based creole" with ties to modern West- African languages. "Mek wi talk" explores the historical, cultural and linguistic connections between the Gullah people of the South Carolina and Georgia sea islands and their West African origins. Through a brief historical account of the Gullah culture and the similarities between West African and Gullah artifacts (such as sweet grass basket weaving techniques etc.), Braima Moiwai discusses the significance of the language. Students actually gain a working knowledge of the Gullah language through exercises, proverbs, riddles and music. A video/slide presentation, folktales and literature further inform students about this West African- American connection. At the end of the residency, the artist delights the students in Sierra Leonean Krio/creole to anchor their awareness of this language connection.


Sweet grass baskets, Penn Center Museum, St. Helena SC

Sample format:
1. Introduction: Gullah culture traditions
2. Video/slide presentation and discussion
3. Common sentence structures of gullah and krio
4. Folktales, proverbs and riddles
5. Poetry and music

Skills/concepts:
Com. - vocabulary, language of others
Soc. - history of America, Africa, South Carolina;world studies; geography and culture

Recommended grade level: 7- 12
Sessions: 5

  

Contact: e-mail: bmoiwai@yahoo.com