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decolonising memory

Researching and countering Bristol's memory of enslavement through dance

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decolonisingmemory_bristol

Using the arts to atone, heal and grow. Workshops, interventions and a new digital memorial app. looking at Bristol's memory of enslavement.

Today is the 45th year since The Black People's Da Today is the 45th year since The Black People's Day of Action. 45 years ago, over 20,000 predominantly African descent people took to the streets of London, following the New Cross Massacre.

This important marker is a reminder of the ongoing quest for justice by African descent people over generations. 

Today also marks 5 years since Bristol City Council passed a reparations and atonement motion. Acknowledging Bristol’s role in the historic Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and the contemporary legacies to be addressed.

So we thought it was an apt day to announce that our new collaborative piece of music and accompanying  video will be released a month from now on April 2nd.

Much gratitude and thanks to everyone who has contributed to this initiative:
Memorial Dance, A Pan African Descent Journey.

#AfricanDescent #Bristol #Reparations #Dance #Memorial
Artist @bolarti10e explains the symbology included Artist @bolarti10e explains the symbology included in his Memorial Dance interpretive work 
A Pan African Descent Journey 

Bọlárìnwá delivers an art workshop tomorrow 11am @bristoltrinity at our Dance As Memorial event as part of the @beinghumanfest. Free join us.

#bristol #beinghumanfest #art #memorial #dance #panafrican #blackhistory365 #africa #AfricanRenaissance #africandance #AfricanArt #BlackArt
To move is to remember. Our history is held in our To move is to remember. Our history is held in our bodies, the pain, the grief, the joy the journey. The Memorial Dance project has been brilliantly interpreted by Bristol based visual artist Bọlárìnwá now visible across Bristol. 

"The Pan African Descent Journey invites the public into a vibrant, living portrait of Africa seen through the eyes of its own people. For too long, our story has been framed by foreign gazes, but this work stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the African Renaissance. It is not a fleeting moment, but a continuous dawn—an ever-present, ever-flowing celebration of Africa’s greatness, unfolding in the now and reaching toward the future. 

As an artist, seeing my work on a billboard not only amplifies my voice as an individual but, more importantly, reinforces my passion for using art as a medium to represent marginalised stories in society."

Big thanks to BUILDHOLLYWOOD for helping us mark Pan African Season and our project with billboards and posters of the artwork across the city. 

Have you seen them? Please take a photo and tag us. 

#PanAfrican #AfricanDescent #Bristol #Africa #Jamaica #Haiti #Dance #Art #BlackArt
Decolonising Memory has been about collaboration f Decolonising Memory has been about collaboration from the get-go. After creating a memorial dance that sought to chart an African descent journey and history connected to Bristol, we set about working with musicians to create a bespoke piece of accompanying music. 

It was an interesting process and a real joy working with so much talent. Drummers Stephen 'Blaggy' Blagrove and Richard Davis are veterans on the African and Caribbean percussion music scene, having been original members of Ekome, the UKs first African dance and music company. 

Polymath creative Clive Smith took on bass guitar an absolute essential component. 

Horns section was covered by Alan May a regular with both the Reggae Orchestra and the Troy Ellis Hail Jamaica Band, alongside trumpet player Paul Brown. 

Fitzroi Lake-Amatey contributed as an apprentice percussionist, and the final track is being produced, mixed, and engineered by Yuseemi. 

Images are stills from the upcoming music video.

#Memorial #Bristol #PanAfrican #Art #Sax #Drums #BlackMusic #AfricanDance #Trumpet #Ekome 
#blackhistory365
Three ancestral dance muses show up in the ancient Three ancestral dance muses show up in the ancient city of Bristol....
Shots from our project music video, which we look forward to sharing in 2 weeks time! 

Join us for dance and art workshops, food, film, discussion, and music. Free tickets link in bio. As part of the being human festival.

#beinghumanfest #dance #ancestors #Africa #blackhistory365 #blackhistorymonth2025 #Bristol #Memorial #art #community
Join us for a powerful two-part event blending dan Join us for a powerful two-part event blending dance, storytelling, music, and conversation.

Link to tickets in bio.

Part one is an interactive dance workshop experience where you will 
1) learn excerpts from an original memorial dance from an African-diasporic global perspective and 
2) participate in a 'dance reasoning circle': be taken on a journey to tell your own story, contribute to a new devised choreography made in the moment talking to now. 

Open to all ages and abilities. With music, and the option to take part in percussion and in an art workshop.

In the second part there will be a full performance of the memorial dance proceeded by the premiere of the new accompanying music video, followed by a roundtable discussion with members of the project team, reflecting on the project.

The event closes with a DJ set.

Free to attend. Limited spaces so please book in advance. Refreshments provided.
This event is open to anyone. Under 12s should be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are limited, so please book in advance.

Please note that this event considers themes of race and enslavement.

Timings
11am - 1pm Part One: Interactive dance workshop
1pm - 2pm Refreshments
2pm - 4pm Part Two: Performance and roundtable discussion

#community #memorial #Bristol #dance #legacy #beinghumanfest
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us on Sat Thank you so much to everyone who joined us on Saturday for a fantastic Afro-contemporary dance workshop with the wonderful @toussainttomove! 

Great way to kick off our second workshop co-creating new music and developing the memorial folk dance as part of the Decolonising Memory project.
Afro Contemporary dance with Akeim Toussaint [FREE Afro Contemporary dance with Akeim Toussaint [FREE]

***Eventbrite Link in bio***

Join us for a dance class led by Akeim Toussaint Buck (@toussainttomove) which will draw on his explorations of Caribbean and Contemporary Dance elements including: Kumina, Dinkimini, Undulations, Skanking and the richness of Improvisation. Come with an open mind to move your body and feed your soul!

Open to everyone with some dance experience. Places are free but limited so please book early.

Saturday 1 February, 2pm-3pm (doors open 1:45pm, please arrive on time)
Venue: G12, Victoria Rooms, University of Bristol, 88 Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1SA

About Akeim Toussaint Buck:

Akeim Toussaint Buck is a performer and maker, born in Jamaica and raised in England. After graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2014, Akeim has been immersed in many cross-disciplinary projects working with a range of artists and communities from around the world. His focus as a maker and collaborator is to combine expressive skills such as: dance, poetry, beat-box, singing and acting through performance and storytelling that reach beyond existing dance audiences. His work aims to challenge, enlighten and entertain the spectator or participant. Audiences are not just observers; they are implicit in the experience. Akeim’s work reflects on our reality, looking at ongoing socio-political situations with a humanitarian intention.

toussainttomove.com 
[Photo credit: Maria Alzamora]
NEWS! Decolonising Memory through Music! 🎶 Thos NEWS! 

Decolonising Memory through Music! 🎶

Those following us on our journey will know that the first phase of the Decolonising Memory project resulted in a new memorial folk dance and augmented reality phone app. This year we're bringing together dancers and musicians to create an original piece of memorial music to work with the dance. This will mean we have a complete memorial form which can be shared and performed.

Follow us for more news and updates.
Immerse yourself this Bank Holiday in the history Immerse yourself this Bank Holiday in the history and cultural landmarks of Bristol City from another point of view using augmented reality and citizen science. Take the world's first decolonizing AR app! 
Link in bio

#ARExperience #BristolCity #VisitBristol #BristolUniversity #CulturalAssembly
The foundations for some of the city’s finest arch The foundations for some of the city’s finest architecture and landmarks was made from the profits of slavery. What’s the hidden truth? See Bristol differently with Augmented Reality – Download the Decolonising Memory trail today!

#decolonisingapp # #decolonisingmemory #decolonisebristol  #ARexperience #CulturalAssembly #CitizenScience #SocialChange #decoloniseyourmind #intangibleheritage
Decolonise Bristol now! See what lies in plain sig Decolonise Bristol now!
See what lies in plain sight and let your mobile be your guide. Rediscover Bristol's past from a different point of view. FREE download - Link in bio>

#DecolonisingMemory #DecoloniseBristol #DecoloniseMyCity #BristolCity #VisitBristol #BristolCity #ARBristolTrail  #Bristoluncovered #Bristolreimagined #HiddenBristol #DifferentBristol
Haile Selassie, said to be a descendant of King So Haile Selassie, said to be a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba was the last Emperor of Ethiopia, the only country in Africa to escape colonisation. His Imperial Majesty had served as a symbol of African independence throughout the colonial period, establishing the first assembly of the African Union. He is considered to be the religious symbol for God incarnate among the Rastafari movement. 

Born 23rd July 1892 Haile Selassie, will be celebrated by many Rastafari, and for his resistance to colonisation. He has left a lasting legacy that continues to have an effect on millions of people across the world today.

#DecolonisingMemory #decolonisingapp #decolonisingmemory #decolonisebristol  #ARexperience #CulturalAssembly #CitizenScience #SocialChange #decoloniseyourmind
Experience the sights and landmarks of Bristol’s h Experience the sights and landmarks of Bristol’s heritage through a different lens. Informed by it's citizens - take the trail, change the future. Download the FREE app today! 
Link in the description.

#decolonisingapp # #decolonisingmemory #decolonisebristol  #ARexperience #CulturalAssembly #CitizenScience #SocialChange #decoloniseyourmind
Decolonising Memory Bristol AR Trail salutes the l Decolonising Memory Bristol AR Trail salutes the long journey many have taken to fight against Apartheid, rooted in British colonialism. We celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day and acknowledge the man and freedom fighter imprisoned for 27 years, former President of South Africa, and the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela. 

#DecolonisingMemory #DecoloniseBristol #DecoloniseMyCity #BristolCity #VisitBristol #NelsonMandelaInternationalDay
Shattering the familiar and reimaging the sights a Shattering the familiar and reimaging the sights and streets of Bristol, The Decolonising Memory app questions what lies in plain sight. Let your phone be your new AR city guide! 
Download the app today. Link in the description 

#DecolonisingMemory #DecoloniseBristol #DecoloniseMyCity #BristolCity #VisitBristol #Colonialism
Let your phone be your compass! Rediscover Bristol Let your phone be your compass!
Rediscover Bristol this summer and see what lies in plain sight.  Explore a different side to the city's landmarks with AR, the remarkable creative soundscapes and digital art informed by the citizens of Bristol. Download the Decolonising Memory app today.

#decolonization #decolonizing #colonization #slavetrade #ARexperience #CulturalAssembly #CitizenScience #SocialChange #decoloniseyourmind
The changing face of transatlantic slavery. #rep The changing face of transatlantic slavery. 

#reparations
#neocolonialism
#mindcontrol
#divideandrule
As the month of March comes to a close and spring As the month of March comes to a close and spring is in the air.. take your first step in exploring Bristol's past and what it takes to make a change. Download the Decolonising Memory AR trail today. 

decolonisingapp # #decolonisingmemory #decolonisingbristol #ARexperience #CulturalAssembly #CitizenScience #SocialChange #CulturalTransformation #decoloniseyourmind
#AR #AugmentedReality #Immersive Reality #XR #FutureCreatives
#SpatialJustice #Bristol #BristolCity #CityARTrail #XRForSocialChange
‘I’d rather die on yonder gallows than be a slave. ‘I’d rather die on yonder gallows than be a slave.’ That is the most popular Sam Sharpe quote. He did end up dying by the gallows when he was hanged for organising the Christmas Rebellion in 1832 in Montego Bay on a square now 
called Sam Sharpe Square.

Can you imagine a world free of colonization?

Download our free AR app and experience a different decolonized world.

#jamaica #samuelsharpe #freedom #slavery #culture
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