Peace & Prosperity Family! I’m Jameelah Lane born and raised in Oakland California. I am a dancer, storyteller, food worker and small business owner. My love for dance started at the age of 6 and I’ve fully immersed myself in african dance and culture for the last 18 years. Throughout my childhood years leading to adulthood I’ve learned different dance styles: Hip Hop, Liturgical Dance, Jazz, West African, Central African, Folkloric Haitian and Afro Brazilian. Dance has become my spiritual practice. As I’ve been blessed to use and develop my gifts I’ve also had the opportunity to share it with others. I’ve taught youth and performed with various groups in my community throughout the Bay.
On my spiritual journey, I had the opportunity to travel throughout the African diaspora. At 15, I visited my first country Brazil, on a three week journey to learn the culture, language and music. At 24, I visited Cuba for a week to dance. At 25 & 26 I voyaged to Haiti for a month each time to study dance, and learn more about Vodou. Learning about the food, dance and culture of my ancestors in these countries have really anchored me as a Black Woman in America.These experiences have really bridged the gaps of my lost ancestry/history and now that I’m traveling to the motherland, I have an opportunity to connect the missing part of my being.
This year, I joined Afro Urban Society & Gbedu Town Radio in their project ‘Obi gbawara’m//My Heart Shattered or What happens after I die?’ For the first time I was able to blend all of my artistic gifts: spoken word, singing, acting and dance while learning about an ancient african spiritual practice. It became clear that this show was not just a performance but a ceremony & rites of passage for me. I felt like it was/is preparing me for something deeper. It made me look at death through a new lens especially after losing both my grandmothers who were the matriarchs in our family unit. They were the story creators and storytellers in the family. My character Chikwado, was the medicine woman in the family who truly resembles who I am to my relatives and community. This project has opened me up in so many ways and has given me inspiration to rewrite my story.
I am ecstatic to see Igbo land! I am looking to further deepen my knowledge and spirituality through ancient african art practices. I look forward to learning about food production and food workers in the villages + towns. Taking this trip and experience is part of healing my intergenerational trauma.
What I want to offer back to my community is documentation of the Igbo people through song, dance and prayer. I also want to be able to educate my black community members on our lost history. I want to be able to offer a pathway for my other family + friends in the Diaspora to travel to the motherland. I am my ancestors' wildest dreams! They place in the right places at the right time. From the African Diaspora to Africa is a true pilgrimage and reclamation of power.
"When the music changes so does the dance"
Asa Hello I will like to support your campaign Kindly message me on my professional profile https://www.fiverr.com/s/ljdDqje
8 months ago