"Maturity is gained from the mind and not age. Therefore if you want to do something positive in your life and/or others, do not be discouraged when people say 'you're too young or old to do that'" - Rujizzle
A lapa is the krio word for a cloth that is wrapped around the waist and worn by girls and women in Sierra Leone (and most African countries); boys/men also wear lapas, mostly in the rural areas though. It can be tied with the cloth itself, but I prefer lapas that have strings on them because I feel that it is more secure than the bulky cloth tied. After wrapping, it looks just like a skirt and is very comfortable. I do not wear it often, but when I do, I LOVE it! I love wearing *Africanas but sometimes they tend to be too extravagant, so what I've been doing is wearing regular shirts/tops with lapas; lapas usually come with their own Africana tops. The pictures below were what I wore to my university's African Students Association cookout this afternoon. I didn't want to go all out, but still represent. In case you can't tell, the orange "skirt" is THE LAPA.
Tip: There are some people that complain that when they tie lapas, they find it difficult to walk. When I was younger, the trick my lovely grandma taught me is that when you are about to wrap it around your waist, one must stand with their legs wide open. Therefore, after it's wrapped, there'll be a lot of space with the lapa and one can walk freely with whatever large or average strides one walks with. Brilliant right? I know, you're welcome :)
*Africana: Sierra Leonean word for African clothes/prints
Giileh Scholz simply known as Giileh is an actress, singer, and songwriter, who has been in the musical industry since childhood, winning choreography performances from age 11 until her early teens when she decided to put her music career on hold to complete her education. Her songs are a unique mosaic of R&B, Soul, with a touch of African beat blended together to create a melodious musical explosion.
Giileh explains that God has blessed her in every stage of her life and it’s only right to give him the honor. She has multiple skills in Management, a Bachelor’s in Economics, and a Masters in Technology Management. Giileh is now applying these skills to her well-managed music career, embracing music and life’s experience as a total package while adapting to the gospel industry.
Giileh has recently been a guest on the Murphy & Friends Show featured on Bronx Net TV in NY, she has performed on the Voice of America“African Beat Show” hosted by David Vandy where she was interviewed on “Infocus Television”, VOA’s TV to Africa. She has also shared the stage with various artists including Vicky Fornah, Atilla, just to name a few; participated in the African Gospel Concert in Virginia sharing the stage with multiple artists like, Josephine Atanga – Cameroon, George Okudi – Uganda, . Giileh always gives back to society and has supported multiple non profits such as - Me Against Poverty, Arch of Hope, Save Sierra Leone Foundation, and several others. Giileh will be dedicating one of her songs, “Nchomalain” to the Mama Africa Program for Women, the proceeds will be used to provide knowledge and supplies for women in African countries to assist with various pregnancy related issues.
Giileh is the Business Development Manager of Sierra Theatre Productions, www.stproduction.net – Sierra Leone’s first theatre company in the United States and performs the role of actress seamlessly. She has been featured in an ongoing series depicting the Sierra Leonean Culture at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. She has been featured in multiple plays with Sierra Theatre in 2011.
Giileh has embarked on a drive to embrace all countries in Africa exemplifying the talents of Africa to the world. She has worked closely with Mother Africa & Her Talents in the role of a performer and coordinator to ensure the successful launching of a yearly show that will portray the talents of African Designers, Musician, Artists, and Dance groups. She has emerged as an African International Artist with her newly released album “Bringing The News”. Giileh is devoted to what she believes is her God-given-purpose, to use her musical talent to unite and minister to people everywhere no matter what situation they find themselves in.
In December 2008, Giileh started public performances of this album, the feedback has been phenomenal her unique voice captures the attention of all who hear it and the words to her songs are powerfully uplifting. Audience participants have been known to remark that it is common to experience “one of Giileh’s songs playing in their minds when they encounter difficult situations. “Giileh explains that this album depicts different emotions that apply to the experiences in her life which everyone can relate to.
In concert with her philanthropic efforts of giving back to society, 10% of the proceeds of her newly released album “Bringing The News” will be donated to Save the Nation, Inc., www.savethenationinc.org a 501c (3) Non profit organization founded by Giileh – Current project is the SEA MOURNERS Project – geared to providing sustainable solutions to assist the surviving families of the boat tragedy that occurred in the Shenge Area in Sierra Leone, on September 8, 2009 where 200 out of 250 people lost their lives.
SLMTV acronym for Sierra Leone Music Television. It was founded by Chris Williams (Dj Chris) in 2000 as a non-for-profit organization with aims to showcase his people in the entertainment industry.
With the everyday growing support, our website offers various functions in the entertainment sector. In 2008, SLMTV was able to launched its first video music awards offering awards to not only the entertainment field but also in arts and social sciences.
SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION
Entertainment is one of the means in which our citizens have found peace and tranquility after the brutal war that killed so many. We have created the "Save Our Music" foundation in order to help kids with love for music to pursue their creative knowledge.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact via e-mail (info@slmtv.com), someone will contact you or send them any correspondence to:
Here's an amazing video I came across online featuring the winner, Ms. Leila Lopes (Miss Angola). Congratulations, Phenomenal Woman. I wish you all the best in your reign and strength to supremely serve communities with endless possibilities.
P.S.: I was very surprised to find out that there has been 60 years of hosting the Miss Universe Pageant, and this is the fourth time it has been won by an African nation and second time won by a Black African. Being the fact that this is the Miss Universe Pageant, I think changes need to be made to those figures and African nations need to put themselves out there more and utilize the Pageant as a gateway to be Ambassadors for their nations, Mama Africa, girls and women, and humanity as a whole. By God's grace, Sierra Leone will be represented there in the near future and also end as the WINNER(S).
More pictures of Miss Universe 2011-2012, Leila Lopes:
Here's a video I came across and needed to share. I am a woman of Limba (Mother) and Creole (Father) ancestry who had a Creole upbringing; I can definitely relate to the perspectives shared by the women in this video. I think having a mini-documentary like this is a great initiative to see the viewpoint of other women, and also bring awareness on what it means to be Creole and Woman.
