ABSTRACT
Agbára, a Yoruba term when translated, means power, advances African-centered education and cultural learning experiences to enhance positive cultural identity development. This initiative orients participants to concepts of African cultural identity and cultural restoration and aims to facilitate overall success with life phase transitions experienced during emerging adulthood (Brookins, 1996; Hucks, 2014, p. 187; Oladunjoye, 2012). Research reports that culturally specific learning experiences foster positive feelings about one’s culture, and aid in positive cultural identity development (Adinku, 2016; Blumenkrantz & Goldstein, 2014; Harvey & Hill, 2004; Piert, 2007; Pratt-Clarke, 2013).
Agbára connects with social justice issues and explores critical social problems associated with the concepts of race and gender’s impact on cultural identity development and learning. Specifically, Agbára conveys facets of African culture and cultural leaning in the African Diaspora, and counters social issues linked to racism, marginalization, and oppression, among emerging Black/African American female adults, ages 18 to 25, in the United States.
This curriculum is framed by rites of passage and Black Feminism, as informed by Critical Race Feminism. Rites of passage assume critical roles in advancing African-centered education, and in a previous study (Mann-McFarlane, 2020) rites of passage bolstering concepts of Black Motherhood, Black female power, served as positive influences on cultural identity development and learning. Further, this community-based education program adopts the position affirming that cultural traditions and values, upheld by a family and community network, instill a positive sense of identity (hooks, 2015).
Imani Edu-Tainers is proud to announce Project Agbára, an expanded approach to traditional rites of passage training. Rites of Passage, a long-standing tradition, aims to prepare participants for overall success with transitioning from adolescence into young adulthood, and adulthood. Agbára, a Yoruba term, translates to mean POWER, immerses participants in traditional Rites of Passage experiences designed to enhance their own cultural identity development.
This research-based learning opportunity offers training across the three rites phases of separation or seclusion, liminality or learning, and reincorporation, or welcoming back.
Project Agbára targets positive development, through a variety of cultural learning experiences, while exploring and countering social issues linked to racism, marginalization, and oppression, all within a network of continuous support.
Project Agbára, is accepting applications for prospective female participants, for two age groups, 11-17 and 18-25. Our curriculum extends in-person and online learning and addresses critical cultural development and learning for adolescents and emerging young adults. Our program schedule is as follows:
Agbára Program Schedule
- Seclusion Retreat – August 6-8 (retreat location will be communicated to registered participants)
Seclusion Retreat Goals:
- To mark the beginning of the training and a change in social status
- To access Google classroom and Goggle Sites/e-Portfolios
- To introduce select Yoruba cultural identifiers
Seclusion Retreat Objectives:
- Participants complete seclusion rituals symbolizing stripping away facets of one’s previous self, and a change in social status
- Orient participants to Goggle Sites/e-Portfolios, and Google classroom
- Provide culturally specific learning activities focused on:
- Yoruba music, dress, language, and common beliefs.
- Yoruba traditions in America; and
- Self-Identity (Who Am I?)
- Liminality Phase – online classes for continued learning experiences via ZOOM
- August 11 – Black Feminist Thought Class via Zoom – Aug 11 (all participants)
- August 18 – Entrepreneurship (participants ages 18-25)
- August 18 – Powering through Puberty( participants ages 11-17)
- September 8 & 15 – In-person dance classes / rehearsals / Preparation for Welcoming Back Ceremony
Welcoming Back – Reincorporation
- *Welcome Back” Ceremony – September 18
- Welcoming Back Ceremony – September 18
Contributing Authors
Dr. Karen E. Hinton-Polite is Professor Emerita of Human Services at Harrisburg Area Community College- Lancaster campus, where she continues to teach as an adjunct instructor. She has 23 years of professional work experience in the fields of aging, youth, families, housing, substance abuse and higher education.
I am the Founder of Alámọ̀já Yorùbá and the Convener of the annual Yorùbá Summer Camp for Children.
I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Yoruba and Communication Arts and a Master’s degree in Yorùbá Literature and Culture from the prestigious Lagos State University.
Over the years, I have worked with individuals, businesses and organizations to manage their Yorùbá-based projects ranging from Translations, Transcriptions, Voice-overs, Interpretations, Educational projects (researches, thesis) to Movie Subtitles.
I teach and mentor people of different ages and tribes across the globe on how to fluently Speak and perfectly Read/Write in Yorùbá Language.
To apply for classes please use the “Pay Now” button below and submit a $25 application fee. Once paid, you will be redirected to the application to be filled out.