African Canadian Culture
When an entire group from the same culture is moved from one place to another, you have a continuation of the culture and heritage, as opposed to the suppressed understanding you come to when you try to mix groups.
A huge difference between the usual African Canadian or African American community is that Preston is rural as opposed to urban based. When people arrive in Preston they would likely be surprised to find that the community is controlled, safe and functional, developed entirely by black slaves of the time. North Preston is considered one of the most closed in terms of immigration. No one from outside the town has entered really since 150 years ago.
The Preston area has always suffered through hard financial times, because they were always self sufficient and self organized, they were at a loss when it came to large businesses causing economic increases. In the past, everyone in Preston would have had a farm they used to plant crops and there would be local general stores and postal services. In recent years there has been a decrease of people who are skilled in a specific trade. In the 50’s-70’s people from Preston were leaving to work as masons due to their skills in crafting, but recently people have found it difficult to train in skills.
Very recently, modernization can be seen moving toward Preston, with many people who had left coming back to open cottage rental businesses and other construction operations. These things are not being built to modernize Preston, but rather to help the community by offering some much needed financial care through a small economic boom. The people building are trying to keep Preston self sufficient as it always has been.
Looking at Preston is a great way to discover the true roots of African Heritage as it applies to Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia has a rich, largely unchanged African Canadian community, and it is important to realize this and to learn what we can from the people living there. The biggest problem with exploring the area and people further is that it can cause more harm than good, big business has historically destroyed towns like Preston, and it could very well do it again.
References
Lawson, William (1999) History of the townships of Dartmouth, Preston, and Lawrencetown: Halifax County, N.S. Colorado: Morton & Co.
Mason, Tom (2006) Nova Scotia: The Official Gateway Open to the World. Retrieved June 9, 2006 http://www.novascotialife.com/AbsPage.aspx?id=378&siteid=1⟨=1
NS, Preston Article Archive (2006) Retrieved June 9, 2006. http://www.topix.net/ca/north-preston-ns/keepmedia
White, Spencer (1995) The Small Communities of Halifax. Charlottetown: Nicholis and Sons
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Post Commentnnamdi
On June 24, 2009 at 11:20 am
Dear Sir/Ma ,
I am Nnamdi Charles Ijiomah a documentary photographer cum artist with specialty in promoting african culture and tradition.
It is with great honour that I write you this mail knowing that we could find a mutual way to put Nigeria and indeed Africa on the international limelight through the promotion of our cultural heritage by using unique photographic images to tell stories of our roots to the outsideworld and for the benefit of generations to come.
It is a fact that people al over the world appreciate and even celebrate African cultutre as is evident in some of the exhibitions I have attended with my works presently on display in an exhibition in New york tagged’ the first black aesthetics’ holding in Africa house, 50 washignton ave, Endicott NY see: http://www.africaresource.com/house/the-black-aesthetic-nnamdi-charles-ijiomah.html.
I am hereby privleged to bring to your attention my humble intention to have a pictorial in a documentary form showcasing one of the most interesting aspect of the culture of the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria as it relates to their age long revered diety Ogun ( god of iron) and the Osun (river godess) feautured in your magazine. This material will be used for research purposes and would bring recognition to our cultural heritage thereby bringing to international light our unique cultural values.
While I humbly await your response I relish this oppotunity to be part of history in the making at the same time giving people of other climes the oppotunity to appreciate our rich culture.
Thank you and looking forward to your favourable reply. I will be glad to send a soft copy of the work for your review.
Sincerely,
Nnamdi Charles Ijiomah
+2348077699767