“Blue is a Feminine Color in Africa”
From the myth of the goddess Asi of Liberia to women’s ritualistic use of the blue gemstone Lapis Lazuli in Kemet (Ancient Egypt) and the indigo blue Adire of Yorubaland, many historical African representations of the color blue as a powerful color are linked to the female sex. By contrast, in contemporary westernized global culture, blue as a powerful color is associated with the male sex. When a baby boy is born, a majority of products targeting him – cards, clothes, blankets, feeding bottles, toys, etc. – are blue. Africans have imported the latter narrative, but even in the western tradition, as the originally blue-clothed portrayals of the Virgin Mary show, the color blue has a more complex history. My talk intertwines myth, history, culture, feminist theory, scientific research and personal observation for a new and fascinating exploration of the feminist principle that “gender is a construct”. It shows how we are deeply conditioned into our identities as male and female but also, within an African context, how we also are freer and less constricted to gender norms than is generally believed.
I’m thrilled to be presenting the above talk at the African Studies Association (ASA) Women’s Caucus Luncheon and Lecture 2018 this weekend in Atlanta. As the largest association of Africanist scholars, the ASA is an organisation to which I am indebted in its championing of the African Studies field and I look forward to contributing my thoughts to its body of work.
The talk will later be converted into a piece of writing.
I thought the colour signified African royalty as it was meant to mirror water which most African cultures think of as life giving?
Hi Minna! Hope this finds you well. I’m looking for the article based on your talk about “Blue is a feminine colur in Africa” when in Atlanta (2018). Especially about the ritualistic use of Lapis in Kemet. When will it be published, if you’ve decided to do so, please?
Many thanks and I’m very much enjoying your writing and perspectives as an English white woman with much interest in fairness and prosperity for all women everywhere 🙂 Blessings
Hi Gem, thanks for your inquiry and the nice comment. A modified, and extended, version of ‘Blue is a feminine colour in Africa’ will be published in my forthcoming book ‘Sensuous Knowledge’ out on 19 March https://www.zedbooks.net/shop/book/sensuous-knowledge/forthcoming/. I hope you might be able to get a copy.
Hello, can you tell me where can I find more info about the goddess asi of Liberia?
Hi, it’s inspired by a book called Indigo: A Folktale from Liberia by Esther Sietmann Warner Dendel.