New Grammar

Abu Okari

New Grammar explores how thinkers, innovators, leaders, creatives, among others, have consistently articulated Africa in a language of wholeness through their work and very existence. Through conversations that are both deeply technical and human, the podcast taps into the actual story of African existence - one where agency, brilliance, and wholeness are inherent. The guests include adventurers and builders from every sector, including entrepreneurs, trailblazers, thinkers, creators, artists, innovators, leaders, and athletes - anyone charting new routes and addressing challenges.

Episodes

  1. 08/02/2021

    #02 Chao Tayiana: History as a Verb

    “History (for me) is a verb: I history, you history, we history.” - Chao Tayiana The railway and how it became more than it was intended How there is a lot of power in understanding what the railway became (an essential part of Kenyan lives)  as opposed to just focusing on what it was intended for The railway as a great connector, both in life and death A citizens’ approach to the concept of the Museum and colonialism Why participation is key Re-evaluating the concept of the Museum “I didn’t like the idea of history being taught in a passive way” The cool thing about oral history - once you learn something, it becomes your responsibility. How so much was lost - we need more than 3x the effort it took to destroy African culture/history to recover some of the lost bits What we lost once we put history in glass cases, boxes, and buildings Why building methods that are designed for us is crucial The pipeline during the Mau Mau uprising Origin of the current idea of a museum - institutions that completely excluded Africans Why Europeans took artifacts from Africa How African children related to culture while growing up The experience of having a fellow tribesperson/country person tell you how you are “so African” Tracking the conversation around stolen African artifacts in European museums Changing the articulation/language on African artifacts in European museums - it is critical that we centre Africans in these conversations The sack of Benin city African artifacts in European museums Restitution is much more than objects Important Links: Chao Tayiana African Digital Heritage Museum of British Colonialism The Train to Uhuru by Carey Baraka Africa’s Looted Art - A DW documentary

About

New Grammar explores how thinkers, innovators, leaders, creatives, among others, have consistently articulated Africa in a language of wholeness through their work and very existence. Through conversations that are both deeply technical and human, the podcast taps into the actual story of African existence - one where agency, brilliance, and wholeness are inherent. The guests include adventurers and builders from every sector, including entrepreneurs, trailblazers, thinkers, creators, artists, innovators, leaders, and athletes - anyone charting new routes and addressing challenges.