Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bcm/src/dev/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 african men | Zikoko!
Kenyan born International Fashion designer. A man with style and a beard 😍 ISSA HUSBAND – Zedekiya Lukoye (no handle) #BeardedKEpic.twitter.com/ywyqdeWeP3
@Billi_Vanilli loves his coffee and is an Arsenal fan. Wears fitted suits and you know what that does to the ladies 😍 #BeardedKEpic.twitter.com/7PErCYKy45
In Europe, Italy to be precise, they are commonly seen as the ones who peddle trinkets and bags on the corner, but never in designer suits.
Wale oyejide, the creative director and brains behind Philadephia-based African fashion brand, Ikire Jones, is also an Afrobeats musician, writer and attorney.
Being an immigrant himself, the Nigerian-born designer began his journey into the fashion industry as part of a personal creative evolution.
Without any formal education in fashion, his designs are sometimes inspired by Kanye Wests’ lyrics and the latest collection from Ikire Jones is themed ‘After Immigration’.
The West African models and asylum seekers, Abdoulay, Gitteh and Madi were scouted from a local settlement organization that houses asylum seekers.
The collection seeks to portray African Immigrants as real and employable people with stories like every other human.
In contrast to popular African-themed fashion editorials where the models are impoverished and posing in a sad background, these models were dressed up in really cool suits in the streets of Florence, Italy to portray their elegant side.
‘After Immigration’ also aims to tackle the lack of diversity and black models in high end fashion by proving that men like Abdoulay and his friends can be found in many parts of the world.
The models were also featured when the collection was displayed in Italy’s Pitti Uomo Fashion show.
This editorial shoot shows the many holes in not only the fashion world but also immigration policies.
All Ikire Jones pieces can be shopped here: www.Ikirejones.com
Check out their Twitter page for more interesting photos: @IkireJones
Often times we discuss the effects of patriarchy on women in a society, but truth be told the effects are also detrimental to men. As a result of these perceptions and pressures, here are 10 things about being a man in Nigeria:
1. If you don’t have a job get ready for your man license to be revoked.
2. You must be responsible for your wife, children, her parents and siblings, your parents and siblings without complaining all on your 100k salary.
Even if you end up with a stroke from all the pressure what is the big deal. Are you not a man? Oh and prepare for the waiter to always hand you the bill.
3. You should not cry ever. You are not a human being, you are a man. Emotions are not built for people like you.
4. Don’t attend a school reunion without your property and car on fleek because being broke is never an option.
5. You are not allowed to earn less than your wife.
6. You must be a good leader and be financially astute just by virtue of being a man even though you haven’t got the faintest clue about any of those things.
7. You should never ask for help. A real man is always in control even though your life might be falling to pieces.
8. You should never admit that you do not know how to do something. Are you not a man?
9. You are not expected to know how to cook or wash your own underwear. Prepare to be constantly infantalised.
Men shouldn’t be taught some basic survival skills like learning to nourish themselves or how to keep themselves clean.
10. When there is a loss, you are not permitted to grieve. You must be strong for everyone else.
If you breakdown what are the rest of us meant to do. Men are not weak.
Though it seems like all laughs, the realities can be quite grim when you take out time to ruminate through the issues. Voices For Change have recently produced their landmark research conducted across various states and regions in the country into a report aptly titled ‘Being A Man In Nigeria Perception And Realities’.
Some statistics from the report are heartbreaking and further remind us about the dangers of patriarchal systems to both men and boys and why the need for empowerment and gender parity is still a pertinent issue. You can download the report here.
Written by Zikoko contributor Wana Udobang.
Wana Udobang is a broadcaster, writer, poet, performer, filmmaker and curator working out of Lagos, Nigeria.
If you are familiar with social media at all, you’ve definitely seen the hashtags #BlackGirlsKillingIt, #AfricanMenKillingIt, #MelaninOnFleek and similar hashtags used a lot over the past few years.
Social media and the love for selfies have definitely exposed us to more of the beauty of our African people.
But even before the days of social media, there were the phrases “Black is beautiful” and Black don’t crack”.
So today, we are here to prove that these hashstags and phrases are not mere speculation but indeed FACT!
Here are 35 images that show the beauty and diversity of our African people.
