To commemorate the 2022 Black History Month, the Uganda Embassy in Washington, DC, together with the African Textile Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, held a colorful event showcasing Uganda’s cultural heritage.
Black History Month, commemorated every month of February, is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month and is used as a time to remember important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
The event, dubbed ‘Barkcloth to the Roots’ took place at the African Textile Museum in the New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest, Atlanta.
At the event, a number of Ugandan cultural wonders were showcased principle of which was the Backcloth. This put a spotlight on the Uganda Barkcloth as the oldest known African textile.
Earlier on, in 2005, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), declared it a “masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage” and in 2008 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The event attracted members of Atlanta high society, celebrities and government officials.
This event was recognized as a major step in bridging the gap between Americans of African Descent and Africa, both in the Diaspora and on the African continent.
At the event, the proprietor of the Afrian Textile Museum, Ms. Ahneva Hilson, said that the African Textile Museum pays tribute to Africa as the birthplace of fashion.
“The African Textile Museum was established in 2020 to curate and preserve African textile history. Its purpose is to share the work of present-day African artisans, scholars and creative designers not only in moving the fashion industry forward but also in playing a key role in conservation and sustainability programs.” She said.
The Uganda Embassy commissioned the two Barkcloth installations donated to the museum from London-based fashion designer Jose Hendo
Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Mull Katende explained the rationale behind the selection of the two products to be installed in the Museum.
“Barkcloth production is a highly skilled craft passed down through many generations, which has dwindled over recent decades due
to economic and political pressures” he said.
The City of Atlanta, Georgia in the USA is considered the place where culture and Commerce meet. It has long been considered the “Cultural Mecca” of the United States, due to its rich history and consideration as the birthplace of the late Martin Luther King Jr. This explains why the event was help here.
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