Graduating Collection- GATEWAY TO FREEDOM

Graduating collection: GATEWAY TO FREEDOM- For this collection, inspiration was gotten from the history of enslaved BENKOS BIOHO and his contribution to the fascinating history of Cornrow- African hairstyle. Benkos Bioho had been kidnapped in the late fifteen-hundreds from his native island in the Western Mali/Kaabu region of Guinea-Bissau, Africa.

Escaping slavery for at least the second time, led a group of about 30 escapees in founding one of the oldest and longest lasting free Afrikan Maroon cities in the Western Hemisphere!
In the recent decade, cornrow- African hairstyle have become a particular hairstyle among women of all ages and cultures.
However, many people are unaware of the long illustrious history of the hairdo that have saved coutless lives. Furthermore, they are unaware of its significance in the liberation battles that have led to the priviledge we currently enjoy. Cornrows was utilized by enslaved Africans to move and draw maps (known as the underground railroad map) inorder to escape their captors.

This later became a weapon widespread in
south America. It is well known in Colombia, where Benkos Bioho a king abducted from Africa by Portugese slavers invented the concept of having women draw maps and deliver messages using their cornrow hair without their captors noticing.

Each design in this collection was dedicated and named after the heroes that contributed to the success of this mission. The collection is a reminder of how African culture and heritage needs to be preserved.

I incorporate the weaving techniques into the designs and also a pictorial view of the Underground Railroad map.