Author: Julie

March 23, 2010

Eko is the ancient name for Lagos.  This morning I attended a coffee and trunk showing of African jewelry by Ruth Omabegho.  Ruth , an  artist (she has a PH. D. in art)  and her husband Billy, sculpture and furniture maker, have lived in Africa for 29 years.    You can see Billy’s work (sculpture Zuma, 24 foot tall) in New York City in front of the Nigeria House. 

Ruth has taken African influences and combined with semi-precious stone, beads, silver, leather, and silk has produced a dramatic range of contemporary jewelry.  While Ruth brought a large trunk of jewelry to show, she also talked about the beads that she has seen and collected over the last 30 years in Nigeria and Africa. Not all “trade” beads came to Africa from the European traders. Trade beads were originally used in trade for gold, oil, and cloth.  The village “Oba” (kings) eagerly collected trade beads as they were a sign of wealth. The Oba wore as many beads as he could at one time which necessitated the need for men to help hold him up on both sides so that he could move and walk as the beads were so heavy.  As the years progressed these beads were then used for slave trading.   There is also a theory that one threw beads on the rivers for good luck and people still claim they find beads in river beads and where the rivers meet the oceans.  Early beads also came from Egypt where all the ingredients needed for glass beads already existed.  One should closely exam trade beads and note that old beads are drilled from each end and sometimes the hole does not exactly meet in the middle. (If drilled from one end only they crack, of course,  that was before there were laser drills which are used today). Ruth states her jewelry is really re-cycled objects (i.e. trade beads and other beads from a variety of African countries).  She started making clothes and robes from African fabrics never knowing that she was famous and successful. Then one day while traveling on a plane she watched the movie “Arthur” with Dudley Moore and saw him wearing one of her robes in the movie! Eventually her talent turned to jewelry making.  Her jewelry is sold here in Lagos, London and New York City.  She also casts miniatures of African Artifacts in Gold and Silver.  She will be participating in a show in November at the Museum of Art & Design in NYC.

 

Ruth’s Jewelry creations.  She never makes more that 3 of any one design.

Beads: eye beads, amonizonrite beads, chevron beads, excavated beads, russion blue, moon stones, and fancy beads (origin – karakumba Housa), just to name a few.

Today the door prize was a pair of earrings – “Buffalo Earrings” adapted from a ceremonial African mask. 

March 20, 2010

I know it is not yet Easter but we are a community of expatriates who when the holidays arrive we all travel out of Nigeria.  And the children get 2-3 weeks of Spring Holiday at Easter from school. Thus, holidays are celebrated early and hence, we had an Easter Egg Hunt for all Shell residents this past Saturday.  Actually the hunt was for the children and the adults drank a few beers and “ooh”ed and “aah” ed and smiled as we were shown all the eggs collected. 

I am a committee member of the Residents Committee who over the course of a year will host 5 to 6 events for the Shell residents.  First we had everyone that traveled in February bring back plastic eggs and a few items ordered over the internet (we can not live without the internet here).  From there we organized 3 egg hunts for children of 1-12 years, grilled hot dogs, and had a soft serve ice cream machine.  We hired a few nannies and drivers to help with the set-up and cooking logistics.  We set up craft tables, with coloring, quizzes, glitter glue, making of chickies, scratch offs, and egg decorating.  (You are correct that I helped organized the crafts!)

 

Everyone had a egg-cellent time!  At the end of the afternoon the children all received a treat bag with a beautiful Cadbury Easter Egg.

March 20, 2010

 Last year Rocky & I participated in the first “Run for the Cure” here in Lagos.  It was pretty amazing  that  about 300 runners and a few sponsors raised enough money (9 Million Naira or $60,000) to buy and support a Mammogram machine in the Women and Children’s Hospital in Calabar in Cross Rivers State  (this is where my driver is from and also where his 17 year daughter goes to university) and give a donation to the Susan G. Komen Fund in the USA. 

 

This year the Run toward the Cure theme is “The Power of 10”.  If everyone who enters asks 10 people to enter or to donate even more could be raised.  The goal was to raise funds to purchase another mammogram machine for here in Lagos and to continue supporting the breast cancer ward in the hospital in Calabar. The organizer is a teacher at the American International School Lagos (AISL).

 

Race morning saw so many people, more than 1000 particiapating in a 6k run or walk.  There were corporate sponser banners everywhere. The color pink dominated the school grounds.  There were policemen to shut down the roads for the racers.  There was water and donuts once you finished and awards.  Shell won for raising the most money and having the largest team.  Yummie Mummies (a group of mothers with children at AISL) won best t-shirt.  The spirit of friendly competition prevailed and fun was had by all.  A very successful race day!

And the Finish Line!

March 5^th, 2010 

March is “Women in History Month” here in Africa.  The AWC (American Women’s Club) had an idea to host a luncheon of 2 prominent American business women to celebrate Women in History in their honor.  Chosen were Ann Picard (Shell VP of African Operations) and Robin Renee Sanders (US Ambassador to Nigeria). Unfortunely, Ann was called out of town on business and was unable to attend.  However, we had a wonderful buffet luncheon at a new hotel on Ikoyi at the Protea Hotel Westwood.  The Honorable Madame Sanders was our guest.  It was a no press event (i.e. no cameras at all).   Our guests included 10 women directors and managers from UBA (United Bank of Africa), Danielle Fortin, the Canadian Ambassador (High Commission), Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan (the Deputy Governor of Lagos State), and Donna Blair, The US Consul General. A sponsor provided a case of champagne to toast these famous Women in History which is a wonderful way to start a luncheon.

Madame Sanders willingly hosted a question and answer session with the guests.  She is a well informed and well spoken lady that discussed her role as Ambassador here in Africa.  She fielded questions on politics both local and global and the US position on several issues as well as the questions on security and American safety here in Lagos and the Niger Delta.  She has traveled to all 36 states in Nigeria to meet the people and the local governors.  Princess Sarah Sason congratulated Madame Sanders on the travel accomplishment as she herself had not been to all the states in Nigeria.  Princess Sason is also a well spoken and accomplished woman.  She took notes of the questions and had answers ready when Madame Sanders was done speaking.  She answered several questions discussing local issues (i.e. Road repairs, beautification, power, petrol and other improvements in Lagos).  What should have been 30 minutes turned into a 2 hour discussion and was so interesting. We closed the luncheon with a quiz about famous women in History and door prizes.  I was lucky enough to win a luncheon for 2 at the restaurant in the Protea Hotel complete with wine!

Oh Rocky and I went this Sunday past and sampled the luncheon buffet and drank our bottle of wine sitting water side in the restaurant having excellent service and a quiet enjoyable luncheon.  

This is my Nigeria!

January 30, 2010

We have all attended events where you  buy a ticket or buy a table in support of a charity or organization.  Typically the event is indoors with some form of entertainment.  However, Music in the Air has a twist on the usual venue.  The setting was the lawn of the United States Consulate Generals Residence which is located on the waters edge in Ikoyi.  The event was a fundraiser for a Performing Arts Center for the American International School of Lagos. The event was a magical evening with a concert on the lawn.  The dress was formal – Red Sea Rig – in other words tuxedos minus the jacket. You brought your own gourmet picnic to enjoy and you received complimentary Moet champagne as well as red and white wine.  Roc and I gathered some friends and hosted a table for this event.  We began with nibbles of olives and crisps, followed by bacon wrapped shrimp in raspberry chipotle and salmon on petit crackers. We then moved onward to the main course which was cole slaw, potato salad, brisket, ham, quiche, and stuffed tomatoes.  Desert was brownie bites and mini cherry cheesecakes.  Of course one them must have cheeses and pate.  All the while we had a beautiful concert in the background: a symphonic band, a tenor , Brian Vaughn, and a pianist, Maria Asseva.  An elegant night of music under the stars with a wonderful fireworks finale!

 I love the black champange glasses!

 Katherine & Rocky

 Sue and Ian

January 27, 2010

Wednesday Night Football has become a religion to the guards, staff, drivers, and expatriates at Queens Drive.  Attendance is anywhere for 15 to 25 players.  Recently a large brick Barbeque grill was built on the water side of Queens Drive outside the tennis court where Wednesday night football is played.  So it was decided to Baptize the grill after having a little friendly football competition.  Four drivers were selected as Captains:  Richard, Sunday Ujie (our driver,short Sunday), Sunday (tall Sunday), and Emmanuel.  They each had to select 6 players from Queens Drive (expats, guards, staff or drivers) for their team and then play a mini competition.  After the competition the residents would then serve the team a Barbeque feast.   We have a resident grill master, Eric, who cooked Chicken, Hot Dogs, Burgers and Brisket (the brisket came all the way from Texas) while the competition was being played.  He was assisted by a residents cook, Emanuel.  The teams were evenly picked and play was fast and furious but fun.  Wives and children came to watch.  One young player, Martin, was the team photographer in between playing.  Every one enjoyed the barbeque of their choice and refreshments. The yellow team won captained by our driver, Sunday Ujie!  He was so proud!  Ping Pong (table tennis) match for the non-footballers.  The new grill  Grillmaster Eric and Chef Emanual  The winning team! Captain Sunday (standing in black far right).   The Blue Team & Captain (tall) Sunday (on the far left standing).  Captain Richard (standing far right) and the Green team.  Captain Emmanual (standing middle) and the Red Team.  Notice Rocky front and center.  Kay and sons  Players (martin the photographer on the right) Below (5 pictures); players, family and friends………

January 26, 2010

This morning American Women’s Club meeting was not the usual speaker and coffee instead it was a fashion show!  A young American-Nigerian lady who started modeling at the age of 10 is now an up and coming designer.  Kiki was educated in Massachusetts (Harvard) and Paris.  Kiki produces only 25 pieces of any design. Omakaa is her female formal wear line.  Z.bird is a female playful avant garde design line of casual wear for today’s’ women who want something different.  Kiki also introduced her men’s line in her show to us today.  EKZ is inspired by the passion and colour of the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa.  Then there is the Arm Kandy or handbags.  Kiki uses 100% leather, assorted furs, ostrich, python, crocodile skins or a combination.  Kiki had music and lighting and an assortment of models.  For a moment we were all transported to New York City’s Fashion Week!

Z.bird Fashion Line

EKZ Fashion Line

Casual Dress Commenorating World Cup 2010

Omakaa Fashion Line

Arm Kandy (i.e. Handbag)

Designer Kiki

January 30, 2010

Sunday at the Yacht Club  here is so relaxing.  Usually ,I see the Yacht Club only from the water as we cruise by on our way to the beach.  Today there is a craft sale at the yacht club.  The Yacht Club sits out on a peninsula of land that gets a marvelous breeze.  So a friend and I took the opportunity to browse the sale and have refreshments at the water edge.  A very nice way to chill on a Sunday afternoon.

January 23, 2010

 I had the privilege of attending a fabric dying session with Nike of Nike Gallery. I once before wrote of Nike (see     ).  Nike has spent her career teaching native Africans the art of batik so that this art is never lost.  Nike recently moved her gallery from her home to a new building that she designed and built at the second roundabout in Lekki.  It is a huge 4 storey building where she can showcase her art and art of her peers.  It was inspiring to just browse the building.  Then it was out the back door to a large patio that had been set up with tables and pots of dye. Today Nike was going to teach us how to tie dye cloth (handkerchief, t-shirt and fabric). All the while she has 2 film crews following her around.  One crew is from the USA doing a show for PBS.  The other crew is Africa Magic, a local cable channel that showcases native TV shows and projects. 

 

We started with 2 handkerchiefs’ each.  Nike demonstrated several ways to fold the squares to get a desired shape or pattern, adding a rubber band or two.  Then she dipped it into the dye pots and viola! What beautiful squares she had.  Nike made it look so easy.  So it was our turn.  Here you have 25 people trying to be as creative as Nike and it was comedy.  Some had more dye on them than on the handkerchief.  Mine turned out a bit pastel which means I should have left them in the dye longer to soak in more color. We hung them to dry on the fence and it was onto the t-shirts.  I used a razor blade fold to make mine and it turned out surprisingly well.  I attempted a second shirt for Rocky using pleats and rubber bands.  It looked black, then brown as it dried.  I was going for navy or a deep indigo color.  The next day I washed it in woollight and it turned indigo just as I wanted.  This took us about 3 hours! 

 You can see the dye pots and a hankerchief; Nike is in the blue and she had several of her artists assisting her.

 Some of our creations

 A batik Nike made.

  My new tie dye t-shirt!

It was lunch break before we would learn about batik.  Nike teaches batik with wax as well as batik with cassava paste. You need 100% cotton material that has been washed and dried. The wax (paraffin or bees wax) is melted and kept warming over a low flame.  You then dip in a pointy foam cone and draw on the fabric.  The wax, if is properly warm, soaks into the fabric front and back.  When you have completed covering your fabric in wax of your design you then dip it in the dye(s) of your choice.  Then you let the fabric dry.  Once dry you boil it in a large pot to remove all the wax.  Your fabric is white where the wax was and you have beautifully designed piece of fabric.  We were able to paint with wax only a small piece of fabric.  To do a large table cloth takes about 5 days to complete.   Batik with cassava paste is done quite differently.  Cassava flour is made into a paste (similar to a runny oatmeal).  Using a birds feather, you dip it in the paste and paint your design on fabric.  You then let it dry.  Then for less than a minute you dip it in indigo dye. You then spread it out to dry.  If stays in the dye longer than a minute the paste becomes too soft and comes off, ruining your design.  So to get the color you want, you let the fabric dry and then dip it again (always less than a minute) repeating as many times as necessary to get the right color.  With cassava paste your design is only on one side of the fabric as the paste lies on top the fabric and does not soak into the other side.

 

After this venture, I have great respect for the batik artists! And appreciate the time it takes to make the lovely African tablecloths that I have.

Singing for my lunch is not one of the things you ever want to hear, especially as I can’t carry a tune.  But in good faith that is what I did to celebrate Christmas Lunch with friends at the British Womens Group Christmas Luncheon.

The Luncheon was prepared by a Nigerian cook and served at the British Kingfisher Club.  We feasted on Potato and Sweet Pepper Soup, Roast Turkey slices, stuffing balls, roast potoaotes and Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce.  We ate traditional Mince Pies with our coffee. Welcome to one of the Christmas celebrations in Lagos.