Aziza Braithwaite Bey
A comparative analysis of the role of women in Kemet, Dogon, Tsalagi, and Mayan cultures reveals similarities between the cultures. The Tsalagi and the Dogon are matrilineal societies. Women are culture bearers, who pass the history, religion, ritual, and ceremony to their children and grandchildren. Each culture had prominent female deities and Mayan women, for example, could achieve their highest potential by emulating Mayan goddesses. Similarly, West African women were priestesses, medicine women and healers, who played (and continue to play) an essential role in sustaining balance and harmony in their communities.
There is a man in every woman and a woman in every man.
Women are the pillars of the world.
A complete person is one who can nurture both sides.
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Author bio |
Aziza Brathwaite Bey is an assistant professor in the Creative Arts in Learning Division at Lesley University. She is an international designer and curator who began her career as a recording and performing artist in Europe. She teaches courses in history and interdisciplinary studies. Dr. Bey has been the head of the Fashion Design program, and curator of the Costume Collection at the College of St. Elizabeth in New Jersey, and was an assistant professor and assistant curator of the Costume Collection at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. In addition, she was the principal of Patterns By Design, a designing/patternmaking/grading business in Austin, Texas. Her movie credits for costuming include The Alamo, Second Hand Lions, Spy Kids 2, Miss Congeniality, 20th-century Fox’s Hope Floats, and the CBS mini series True Women. Dr. Bey designed the costumes for The Cherry Orchard (nominated for best costume designs by the Critics Table in 1998), Little Shop of Horrors, Kathy & Moe, and Black Elk Speaks (nominated for best costume designs by the Ida B. Payne Awards in 1999). She has also created costumes for Zackary Scott Theater, Pro Eto Costumes and various other productions. She can be reached at abey@lesley.edu
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