Collaborative radical shifts in de-centering urban practices at the intersections of art, culture, law, education and activism. Supporting justice for BiPOC working rights in arts & culture and mental health.
Nyabinghi Lab gUG envisions and realizes collaborative projects at the intersections of art, culture, law, education, mental health and activism, with a focus on critical, decolonial narratives and promoting lasting institutional structural change. Nyabinghi Lab marks the necessary shift in curatorial practices, taking an intersectional practice through Black & queer-feminist and migrant positions as starting points to reclaim histories and places by reconsidering strategies of resistance and the accessibility and visibility of critical voices. The collective is an ephemeral mobile space that navigates through visual and research practices converging group networks through solidarity, education and protection. It reconsiders moments in ecology, architecture, pedagogy, healthcare, urbanity and technologies by connecting contemporary experiences of communities in local and global contexts within the current discourse of transformational justice, restitution & reparation.
The name of the collective draws a connection between spirituality, female-led resistance movements, anti-colonial struggles, music and solidarity spanning several centuries. The term ‚Nyabinghi‘ is of East African origin, referring to a legendary African queen who led a resistance against invaders. After her death, the spirit of Nyabinghi was believed to arise periodically in East African societies, possessing female mediums that championed the cause of the exploited and oppressed – especially women*. In the early 20th century the spirit of Nyabinghi is said to have appeared in the person of Muhumuza, a woman who led a resistance movement against the the European (German, Belgian, British) annexation of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Nyabinghi also signifies a branch of the Rastafari movement, the name of its general gathering and a drumming style said to release mystical powers that work to destroy oppressive societal systems.
Team
Curators: Nathalie Anguezomo Mba Bikoro, Tmnit Zere, Saskia Köbschall
Co-curators: Adam Bahar, Wearebornfree! Empowerment Radio, International Women* Space Graphic Design: Imad Gebrayel Illustrations: Diana Ejaita Website Design: Elsa Westreicher Architecture: Van Bo Le Mentzel Documentation: Anguezomo Mba bikoro, Kathy-Ann Tan, Moro Yafani, Dorothea Tuch Press: Celine Rodriguez Partners: Hebbel am Ufer, Zentrum Für Kunst & Urbanistik, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, Collaborators: Wearebornfree! Empowerment Radio, International Women* Space, Acud Macht Neu, Initiative Hermannplatz
Disclaimer
We appreciate you recognising us as an organisation that is advocating for diversity, safety, workers’ rights and inclusion within the arts & cultural industry. We are an independently-run BiPOC feminist parent* collective and our available capacities may determine our response to public requests.
We do not support/advocate for non-remunerated opportunities.
We also do not advocate/ support participation in all-white male panels or organisations that tokenise on BiPOC talent & knowledge.
We strongly condemn any forms of abuse or extractive working practices that harm professional individuals in cultural spaces and aim for changes in structural spaces.
We understand that organisations claiming to be safer spaces, may not protect or be representing the rights of our communities.
We aim to encourage and challenge better representation, opportunities and equity in the cultural network.
Community Guideline
The Nyabinghi Lab social media pages on Facebook and Instagram welcomes feedback and discussions related to intersectional practices. We do not tolerate any form of discriminatory or debase remarks, hate speech and will act against violations of this guideline. Check our website for more information about our upcoming projects!