African Influence Research Articles

Ethics and Aesthetics in Food Tourism in Belém/PA (Brazil)

Objective: The aim of the study is to reflect on the local gastronomy of the city of Belém, in the Brazilian state of Pará, from its postmodern condition. Theoretical Framework: Belém, capital of the state of Pará, has been, since 2015, the Creative City of Gastronomy. This title granted by UNESCO is due to traditional and local food, which has strong indigenous roots and, at the same time, African and Portuguese influence. Furthermore, the postmodern condition puts emphasis on aesthetics, considering that today everything is reduced to criteria of image, appearance and spectacle. Method: The methodology adopted in the investigation has a qualitative and documentary character, as we seek to deepen knowledge about our scientific object. We also look to debate both theory and empirical data obtained mainly on Tripadvisor. Here we seek to analyze the gastronomic offer of the 50 best restaurants in the city of Belém. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that tourists seek authentic and typical experiences, but also innovative ones. In terms of discussion, it is assumed that the presentation of the meals to the customer has aesthetic importance. This study needs to be complemented with other research about the preparation of meals by Chefs and cooks. Research Implications: The research contributes to understand food heritage, offering a basis for thinking about the field of food tourism. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on food tourism. Its relevance and value are evident in understanding and thinking about the importance of food tourism.

Does HLA explain the high incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in the Canary Islands? The role of Asp57 DQB1 molecules

The Canary Islands inhabitants, a recently admixed population with significant North African genetic influence, has the highest incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Spain and one of the highest in Europe. HLA accounts for half of the genetic risk of T1D.AimsTo characterize the classical HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in children from Gran Canaria with and without T1D.MethodsWe analyzed classic HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in childhood-onset T1D patients (n = 309) and control children without T1D (n = 222) from the island of Gran Canaria. We also analyzed the presence or absence of aspartic acid at position 57 in the HLA-DQB1 gene and arginine at position 52 in the HLA-DQA1 gene. Genotyping of classical HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles was performed at two-digit resolution using Luminex technology. The chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) and odds ratio (OR) were computed to assess differences in allele and genotype frequencies between patients and controls. Logistic regression analysis was also used.ResultsMean age at diagnosis of T1D was 7.4 ± 3.6 years (46% female). Mean age of the controls was 7.6 ± 1.1 years (55% female). DRB1*03 (OR = 4.2; p = 2.13–13), DRB1*04 (OR = 6.6; p ≤ 2.00–16), DRB1* 07 (OR = 0.37; p = 9.73–06), DRB1*11 (OR = 0.17; p = 6.72–09), DRB1*12, DRB1*13 (OR = 0.38; p = 1.21–05), DRB1*14 (OR = 0.0; p = 0.0024), DRB1*15 (OR = 0.13; p = 7.78–07) and DRB1*16 (OR = 0.21; p = 0.003) exhibited significant differences in frequency between groups. Among the DQB1* alleles, DQB1*02 (OR: 2.3; p = 5.13–06), DQB1*03 (OR = 1.7; p = 1.89–03), DQB1*05 (OR = 0.64; p = 0.027) and DQB1*06 (OR = 0.19; p = 6.25–14) exhibited significant differences. A total of 58% of the studied HLA-DQB1 genes in our control population lacked aspartic acid at position 57.ConclusionsIn this population, the overall distributions of the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles are similar to those in other European populations. However, the frequency of the non-Asp-57 HLA-DQB1 molecules is greater than that in other populations with a lower incidence of T1D. Based on genetic, historical and epidemiological data, we propose that a common genetic background might help explain the elevated pediatric T1D incidence in the Canary Islands, North-Africa and middle eastern countries.

Recipes for Life: Black Women, Cooking, and Memory

In African American history, food has functioned as expression of colonial power and control, and as a source of Black celebration and liberation. Cookbooks written by Black women from the mid-eighteenth century to late twentieth century reflect the long history of the development of African American cuisine. These texts are practical and instructional, while also offering insights into the transnational development of food as an expression of cultural history through African, Indigenous, and European influences. African Americans, and more specifically Black women, have contributed to the food history of the Southern United States by developing a distinct African American cuisine and creating the texts by which to publicly declare their knowledge and ensure its survival. By analyzing the cookbooks of Malinda Russell, Edna Lewis, Vertamae Smith-Grosvenor, and Carole and Norma Jean Darden, a timeline of cookbooks from the Civil War to the Black Power Movement can be established. Their commonalities, including the use of cookbooks as autobiographies, community memoirs, and genealogical records, are features that resonated with the Civil Rights Movement in the latter half of the twentieth century. Food is more than a means of survival. It is a constantly evolving expression of culture, people, and celebration.

Evidence of a dual African and Australian biomass burning influence on the vertical distribution of aerosol and carbon monoxide over the southwest Indian Ocean basin in early 2020

Abstract. During the 2020 austral summer, the pristine atmosphere of the southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) basin experienced significant perturbations. This study examines the variability of aerosols and carbon monoxide (CO) over this remote oceanic region and investigates the underlying processes in the upper troposphere–lower stratosphere (UT-LS). Aerosol profiles in January and February 2020 revealed a multi-layer structure in the tropical UT-LS. Numerical models – the FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model (FLEXPART) and the Modèle Isentropique de transport Mésoéchelle de l'Ozone Stratosphérique par Advection (MIMOSA) – indicated that the lower-stratospheric aerosol content was influenced by the intense and persistent stratospheric aerosol layer generated during the 2019–2020 extreme Australian bushfire events. A portion of this layer was transported eastward by prevailing easterly winds, leading to increased aerosol extinction profiles over Réunion on 27 and 28 January. Analysis of advected potential vorticity revealed isentropic transport of air masses containing Australian biomass burning aerosols from extratropical latitudes to Réunion at the 400 K isentropic level on 28 January. Interestingly, we found that biomass burning (BB) activity in eastern Africa, though weak during this season, significantly influenced (contributed up to 90 % of) the vertical distribution of CO and aerosols in the upper troposphere over the SWIO basin. Ground-based observations at Réunion confirmed the simultaneous presence of African and Australian aerosol layers. This study provides the first evidence of African BB emissions impacting the CO and aerosol distribution in the upper troposphere over the SWIO basin during the convective season.

The Role of Organisational Culture and Structure in Data-driven Green Policy and Decision-making

The study explores how organizational structure and culture in the South African property sector influence decision-making on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges and Green Policy development. It hypothesized that traditional hierarchical structures and non-participative cultures hinder digitalization, impairing data collection essential for informed ESG decisions. In contrast, participative cultures and modern or matrix structures facilitate data-driven insights, expediting ESG and Green Policy advancements. Qualitative methods, including unstructured in-depth interviews with key decision-makers across various sectors (listed companies, commercial developers, financiers, real estate agencies), alongside interviews with digital application developers, provided perspectives on organizational impacts. A systematic literature review supplemented the data. Thematic content analysis of the data revealed traditional structures and cultures complicate decision-making, impede digital transformation, and delay ESG and Green Policy implementation. Conversely, participative cultures and modern structures streamline data-driven decision-making processes, promoting ESG and Green Policy progress. The findings highlight opportunities for traditional organizations to enhance structures and cultures, removing barriers to digitalization and accelerating ESG and Green Policy initiatives. This study underscores the critical role of organization dynamics in fostering sustainability within the built environment, emphasizing digital transformation's importance in driving positive environmental and social outcomes.

Dance of the Diaspora: Afro-Brazilian Movements in Salvador

This paper explores the vibrant cultural landscape of Afro-Brazilian dance forms in Salvador, Brazil, emphasizing their role as both a reflection and a reinforcement of community identity. Through a historical lens, we examine how these dances have served as mediums of resistance against cultural assimilation and oppression, while also fostering social cohesion and affirming cultural heritage. We delve into the evolution of these dance forms, from their origins blending African, indigenous, and European influences, to their modern-day manifestations and their impact on global Afro-diasporic communities. The study highlights how contemporary dance groups in Salvador innovate and preserve these traditions, ensuring their relevance and vitality both locally and internationally. Through this analysis, we showcase the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation and the profound role of dance in cultural preservation and social transformation within Afro-Brazilian communities.

Tracing the Historical Development of Chwele Girls’ High School under the Friends African Mission – (1902–1988)

This study sought to trace the historical development of Chwele Girls' High School under the Friends African Mission. The study was inspired by the urgent need to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding Friends African Mission's influence on education in Western Kenya. The study sought to achieve the following objective: to trace the historical development of Lugulu and Chwele Girls’ High School under the Friends African Mission. The study was carried out within the context of modernization theory. The target population of participants drawn from Chwele girls' secondary school and the neighborhood, included former and current school administrators, teachers, students, local community leaders, and education officials. The sample size of 43 participants was employed with the purposive sampling technique utilized to identify the key informants. The study used historical methods of research as its research design. The main sources of data in the study were primary and secondary. Primary sources included historical documents found in Kenya National Archives, such as official school records, official and private correspondence, and minutes of annual church meetings. Written sources and oral testimonies were also used as primary evidence for the study. Different categories of informants were identified using the snowball technique and subsequently interviewed. Their testimonies were critical in either reporting or corroborating evidence from archival sources. After the details had been checked and confirmed, it was acknowledged as empirical proof for the analysis. This proof was then qualitatively examined. This coincided with creating a coding scheme in which those topics covered by the said proof were described. The study unearthed several findings when considered in light of its objective and theoretical framework. The Friends African Mission played an important role in the Historical development of Chwele Girls’ High School in Bungoma County. The study has revealed that the school has transformed the lives of girls and women in the community and in Kenya at large. In conclusion, the study recommended that the government should provide scholarships to needy girls and allow those who become pregnant to go back to school after delivery to ensure their safety and security. The alumni of Chwele Girls' High School should take an active role in the management of the school to improve its performance. The old girls should go out of their way to support and nurture young girls at these institutions.

Abstract PS18-09: The DARC side of Breast Cancer - DARC, Duffy-null and African ancestry influence in the Triple Negative Breast Cancer tumor microenvironment

Abstract Background. Despite a recent convergence of breast cancer (BC) incidence rates between African American (AA) and European American (EA) women, AA women continue to have ~40% higher mortality rates. BC is a heterogeneous collection of diseases, where African ancestry women are disproportionately burdened with the most aggressive subtype of BC, triple negative BC (TNBC). We have previously reported that the African ancestry-specific Duffy-null allele (FY-) is a risk factor for TNBC diagnoses. FY- is a promoter variant that removes expression of the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC/ACKR1), from red blood cells (RBCs). DARC serves as a portal of entry for Plasmodium vivax malaria parasite, and FY- confers immunity, leading to fixation of FY- among Sub-Saharan African populations. DARC is an atypical chemokine receptor that functions to modulate chemokine levels in circulation and tissues to aid immune cell recruitment. DARC is also expressed on breast tumor epithelial cells, however the significance of DARC in the TNBC tumor microenvironment (TME) has not fully been explored. Leveraging our African ancestry enriched International Study for the Center of Breast Cancer Subtypes cohort and in vivo murine models, we employed multi-omics approaches to explore the function of FY- and DARC expression across cell types in the TNBC TME. Genomics. Using transcriptomic data from the TCGA BC cohort, we have previously reported that DARC expression is highly correlated with deconvoluted immune cell abundance using CIBERSORT. To build upon this finding among TNBC patients, we have analyzed RNAseq data from two cohorts of African ancestry women to explore correlation of DARC expression status and immune cell abundance. Among TNBC cases, we report that higher DARC expression was significantly associated with increased immune cell abundance, with increases in B cell, T cell and monocyte populations. Using whole genome sequencing data across 86 African ancestry cases, we are currently investigating germline FY- status with mutational signatures. Circulating biomarkers. Patient plasma was collected prior to surgery, where Luminex multiplex assays were performed to quantify levels of >40 circulating chemokines and cytokines. FY- status has been determined for ~550 patients using single-plex or multiplex PCR genotyping methods from germline saliva DNA. Our univariate analyses show several circulating chemokines, including CCL2, CXCL2, CXCL6 and CXCL11, have significant differences between FY- and non-FY- BC patients. Curation of clinicopathological variables for multivariate analysis is ongoing. Murine models. We crossed C3(1)Tag BC transgenic mice with a DARC knock-out (KO) line to generate mice lacking DARC expression that spontaneously develop tumors in the mammary fat pads. The C3(1)Tag model is reported to have similar gene expression profiles to basal-like TNBC tumors. Tumors were collected at pre-determined time points of 25 and 30 weeks, where DARC KO mice had increased tumor size and tumor burden at 30 weeks. Initial fluorescent staining revealed an increase in immune cell infiltration in the TME of DARC expressing mice compared to DARC KO mice. To further explore this, we employed multiplex staining across a representative cohort of DARC expressing and KO mice at 25 and 30 weeks to capture the specific immune cell populations infiltrating the TME. Conclusions. TNBC tumors have worse prognosis due to lack of targeted therapeutic options. Increased immunogenicity of TNBC tumors, especially among African ancestry women may be driven in part by DARC expression. Characterization of FY- status, in coordination with DARC among other cell types in the TNBC TME could present new opportunities for biomarker and/or therapeutic development to improve prognosis for these underserved populations. Citation Format: Rachel Martini, Stevens Patino, Emma Guyonnet, Brian Stonaker, Isra Elhussein, Julie Sahler, Avery August, Nancy Manley, Rick Kittles, Clayton Yates, Lisa Newman, Melissa Davis. The DARC side of Breast Cancer - DARC, Duffy-null and African ancestry influence in the Triple Negative Breast Cancer tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS18-09.

Cooking beyond flavors: Exploring the chemical reactions in the preparation of duck in Tucupi of Pará - Brazil

Regional cuisine is a cultural treasure that offers a wealth of unique flavors, techniques, and traditions. In the Brazilian gastronomic scene, the State of Pará stands out for its culinary diversity and emblematic dishes representing the fusion of indigenous, African, and European influences. "Pato no tucupi" is a typical dish from the region that delicately enchants residents and visitors due to its unique characteristics. Even though it is a traditional preparation, duck in tucupi has attributes that justify the study to understand better the transformations involved in this preparation. This work aimed to understand the chemical transformations associated with the main ingredients of this dish, which are duck, jambu, and tucupi. Bibliographic exploration encompassed Google Scholar, books, articles, and specialized gastronomy and food magazines, supplemented by observational inquiries into tucupi production in a flour mill. Several chemical reactions have been identified in these ingredients, such as the formation of hydrocyanic acid from the enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosides linamarin and lotaustralin. The duck also undergoes important changes related to non-enzymatic browning through the occurrence of Maillard and protein denaturation caused by heating during preparation. In turn, jambu leaves stand out in the dish's composition due to the sensation of numbness caused by the presence of the aliphatic alkylamine spilanthol. Cooking these leaves leads to the formation of chlorophyllide and pheophytin from chlorophylls a and b. This study delves into the traditional knowledge shaping regional cuisine while offering more profound insights into the chemical reactions driving this culinary process.

Administration Routes and Doses of the Attenuated African Swine Fever Virus Strain PSA-1NH Influence Cross-Protection of Pigs against Heterologous Challenge.

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal hemorrhagic disease of Suidae, i.e., domestic pigs and wild boars, caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). The development of cross-protective vaccines against ASF is imperative for effective disease control, particularly in regions where ASF is endemic, potentially featuring multiple circulating ASFV isolates. The investigation of non-hemadsorbing naturally attenuated isolates and laboratory recombinant strains with a deletion in the EP402R gene has attracted interest. Our study aimed to assess the impacts of various administration routes and doses of the naturally attenuated ASFV-PSA-1NH (immunotype IV, genotype I) isolate on the manifestation of clinical signs of ASF and the level of protection against the heterologous ASFV-Stavropol 01/08 strain (seroimmunotype VIII, genotype II). The results demonstrated that the intranasal administration of a low dose of ASFV-PSA-1NH to pigs minimized the clinical signs of ASF and established a high level of protection against the heterologous strain ASFV-Stavropol 01/08. Despite the challenges in standardizing the dosage for intranasal administration, this approach appears as a viable alternative in ASF vaccination.

A neuropsychological rehabilitation service delivery model for South African adults with acquired brain injury (RSDM-SA).

In low- and- middle- income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa, a high number of Acquired Brain Injuries (ABIs) and a lack of accessibility to healthcare lead to many survivors of brain injury not receiving the level of healthcare and rehabilitation required. Further, in LMICs life-saving or acute care is prioritized with an inadequate focus on the lifelong effects of ABI. This study used Program Theory to develop a Rehabilitation Service Delivery Model for South African Adults with Acquired Brain Injury (RSDM-SA) that caters for the unique nuances of a resource-constrained and culturally diverse context. The RSDM-SA has four interdependent levels, namely (i) Integration of Relevant Aspects of Explanatory Frameworks (ii) South African Contextual Influences on the Model (iii) Systemic Role players Necessary for the Model and (iv) Evidence-Based Guidelines in a Holistic Rehabilitation Process. The Model is a valuable resource in guiding future research endeavors and its contribution lies in the Model's focus on quality, accessibility, relevance, and efficiency, all of which are needed in healthcare internationally.

The Influence of African Traditional Beliefs and Practices on Neo-Prophetic Christianity: An Analysis

The rapid expansion of the neo-prophetic strand of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Africa has resulted in much public and academic scrutiny against the backdrop of perceived appropriation of elements of indigenous African faith. Even though African countries have retained secularism in place of a state religion, many African states, notably Ghana, have remained steadfastly committed to their traditional religions, sometimes even working in tandem with monotheistic Abrahamic religions like Islam and Christianity. Unquestionably, indigenous African religious beliefs have had a significant impact on African mental matrixes, which in turn has affected the practice of Christianity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate how Ghanaian Christianity was impacted by traditional African beliefs and customs. In particular, a study of neo-prophetic churches at Manso Dome-Beposo within the Ashanti Region of Ghana was employed. The data for the study was gathered using interview guidelines and qualitative approaches. The data collected was thematically analyzed in line with the reviewed literature. The study found that most prophetic explorations involve the use of rituals, artefacts, and stylistic forms, which are similar to Abisa in the Akan spiritual cosmology. The study found out again that, there are several elements suggestive of African traditional religious influence on Christianity. For instance, it was observed that the notion of the existence of evil spirits in Akan cosmology has strongly influenced contemporary prophetism in Ghana. The study concluded that although the idea that Christianity has been affected by African traditional religion may not have empirical validity, there are plenty of visible indicators to back up this assertion. It has been recommended that with the evidence of possible syncretism, a clear distinction should be made between the culture and the religious activities of the people since at times the church wrongfully accuses members even when they are performing culturing duties. This will help the church authorities to inculturate Christian liturgy. Keywords: Inculturation, African Traditional Religion, Syncretism

The Hybrid Musical Landscape of Ligeti's Late Concertos

AbstractDiscussing his Horn Trio, György Ligeti imaginatively describes the second movement as a dance that was “inspired by different folk musics of nonexistent people, as if Hungary, Romania, and all of the Balkans were located somewhere between Africa and the Caribbean.” And in more general remarks about his works, he goes on to suggest that, rather than overtly referencing their stylistic features, he abstracted technical principles from various traditions and combined them into an idiosyncratically amalgamated musical language. This essay shows an expansive approach to hybridity in Ligeti's Violin Concerto and Hamburg Concerto, going well beyond previous remarks about African rhythmic influences. Ligeti's practice encompasses not only rhythm, but also texture, pitch, and tuning systems; it spans a wider breadth of traditions as well, including newly identified sources such as flute and panpipe ensembles from New Guinea and yodeling traditions from across the globe. An analysis of passages from these late concertos – undertaken alongside evidence from his ethnomusicological sources, recordings, and sketches housed at the Paul Sacher Stiftung – demonstrates the intricacies and patterns of Ligeti's late style and the compelling statement it makes about the role of hybridity and globalization in contemporary life.

Research Shows African Ancestry May Influence Tumor Profiles

Research Shows African Ancestry May Influence Tumor Profiles

East African megafauna influence on vegetation structure permeates from landscape to tree level scales

African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) can substantially modify their habitat through their interactions with woody vegetation. Nonetheless, the scale, intensity and characteristics of these relations are not yet fully understood. Consequently, it is unclear how vegetation-megafauna interactions can be disrupted by external factors, such as land management. This study attempted to quantify and characterize structural changes in vegetation caused by elephants, from landscape to tree level scales. We applied multi-scale geospatial tools, including airborne (ALS) and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), to address the following questions: (1) How do elephants shape landscape level vegetation structure in conservation areas? (2) Are the impacts of elephants evident on individual tree architecture? Our study area was located at the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in South-eastern Kenya. The occurrence of elephants was estimated using elephant observation records and proximity to elephant tracks. Landscape level structure was assessed using tree density maps calculated based on individually detected treetops from ALS data. Next, TLS measurements of 72 trees were processed using quantitative structural modelling to characterize their architecture. Our results demonstrate a widespread influence of elephants on both landscape and tree level structural characteristics. This influence was strongly mediated by management, as we observed differences in vegetation structure inside and outside conservation areas. Tree density was up to 42% lower (5.84 trees/ha) in conservation areas than in non-conservation areas (10.17 trees/ha). Trees were relatively larger with closer proximity to elephant tracks, while smaller trees were more often observed in areas further away from elephants. At an architectural level, trees closer to elephant tracks had lower ratio between the crown length and the tree height, demonstrating a substantial influence of elephants on the morphological characteristics of trees. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for vegetation fauna interactions when planning conservation areas in African savannahs.

Rethinking the question of identity for indigenous public administration within public administration

In African Public Administration, this article considers the subject of rethinking identity for indigenous public administration. It seeks to determine whether the lack of indigenous traditions as a foundation for current Public Administration will actually fulfil the essential knowledge demands of government by solving challenges that cannot be answered by public officials. This epistemic discrimination of indigenous public administration in Public Administration has been widely disseminated without taking into account the value systems of African societies that have established their own distinct administrative structures within their respective cultural settings. This has resulted in a plethora of misunderstandings and contradictions in contemporary public administration practices. This is due to P[p]ublic A[a]dministration modulating the influence of Africans, their processes and institutions in the development of the discipline. In light of this realization, this paper discusses how rethinking the issue of identity for indigenous public administration can and should serve as a foundational tool for promoting Africa's Public Administration. This paper employs Afrocentricity as an avant-garde to untangle this discourse based on the above-mentioned breakdown. The paper is conceptual in nature and is based on a review of literature from a variety of sources, including policies, popular media statements, and academic publications.

Folk Tradition at the Creole Red River

Recognized by the National Park Service, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park area of Natchitoches, Louisiana serves as a main intercultural backdrop of history as American, French, Spanish, and Native American traditions once occupied its banks. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Federal Writers’ Project, a byproduct of the New Deal documented new oral histories from the region. Nineteenth-century folklore from the Natchitoches Cane River area reveals that French, Cajun, and more importantly African influences cast allegories for the spiritual journey they interpreted. My paper uses African oral origin traditions in places like Natchitoches and elsewhere in colonial America to argue on behalf of a “Time Capsule Hypothesis” where forgetting history happens when the past is obscured and the future is apocalyptic. Preservation of landmark heritage sites through the Cane River’s origin folklore, architecture, and ecological history become a new esoteric medium. Reminiscent structures, such as the famous Magnolia and Melrose plantations on the Cane River have preserved a different history that focuses on conservation and cooperation. For us to understand the history of Natchitoches, Louisiana requires a new perspective on historical memory and technological sublime topics merging oral history and esotericism into an ecological time machine of Natchitoches. Creole Catholics emerged from Louisiana archdioceses and Black Christians became free by transforming mythic identities in their present moment to embrace creativity, literature, and technological acumen over their environment.

For Land and Liberty: Black Struggles in Rural Brazil

For Land and Liberty: Black Struggles in Rural Brazil

Multilingualism in Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater and Zahra Patterson’s Chronology

Multilingualism is one of marginalised authors’ strategies to express their stories and identities when writing in what bell hooks labelled ‘the oppressor’s language’. It allows them to navigate language imbued with contradictions: the language that connects and provides terminology for some marginalised identities while being infused with various oppressive regimes. This article discusses the forms and roles of multilingualism in two queer life-writing texts: written in English and interwoven with African influences, Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater (2018c) is an autobiographical novel; Zahra Patterson’s Chronology (2018) is an experimental autobiographical essay. The scope and the forms of multilingualism differ: in Chronology, a significant part of the text is written in Sesotho; in Freshwater, the passages in Igbo are comparably scarce. Emezi, however, also adopts a non-Western register in the English passages as another strategy of postcolonial writing ‘in character’. The article argues that while the concrete strategies vary, the authors employ multilingualism for similar political and aesthetic purposes: they utilise it to challenge the presumed universality of the Western conceptualisations of identity, gender, and sexuality, to express hybridity and heterogeneity of the narrated identities, and for its potential to create intimacy in the language.

“That’s Jesus’s Intent, and That Was Our Intent Too!”: African Migration, Race, and US Missions

In this essay, I analyze the intersection of African migration, race, and Christianity in the United States to highlight the 1960s as a pivotal moment of African immigrant influence on US missions. Rather than serving as pawns in a US-centric debate about race and missions, African immigrants were key players given their firsthand racialized encounters and their efforts to link racial discord in the US with US missions in Africa. By situating this discussion in the 1960s—a time before the emergence of formalized African immigrant churches—this essay illuminates a longer history of African immigrant influence on US Christianity.