A significant heritage initiative in Essex has received a major funding boost to celebrate and preserve the rich textile traditions of West Africa. The Over 50s Black Men Forum (O5BM) has been awarded £224,010 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its new 18-month project, Threads of Heritage: Connecting West African Costumes with Essex Local Communities.
Weaving Culture into Community
Made possible by National Lottery players, the project will explore, preserve, and celebrate the cultural symbolism of traditional West African men’s dress. This includes garments such as the agbada, danshiki, boubou, kaftans, Aso-oke, kente, fugu, and traditional smocks. The programme aims to connect this vibrant heritage with communities across Essex through a series of exhibitions, hands-on workshops, storytelling sessions, and a live stage production.
At the core of the initiative is the commissioning of authentic garments representing the textile traditions of Creole, Wolof, Ewe, Yoruba, Ashanti, Hausa, and Igbo cultures. These items will be co-curated with local museums to ensure professional interpretation and public accessibility.
Ambassadors and a Lasting Legacy
Older Black men from Essex, who have privately maintained these cultural practices for years, will step into roles as cultural ambassadors. They will share their lived experience, tailoring knowledge, and personal histories in creative community workshops. Their contributions will culminate in a major public fashion showcase at a local theatre, designed to foster powerful intergenerational and intercultural dialogue.
To safeguard this heritage for the future, the project will establish a permanent digital archive in partnership with the Essex Record Office (ERO). This archive will feature high-resolution photography, recorded oral histories, and educational resources, creating a valuable repository for generations to come.
Voices of Support
Enitan Kane, chairman of O5BM, reflected on the award, stating: “Kwame Nkrumah once said, ‘We face neither East nor West. We face forward.’ This project is our way of facing forward by honouring where we come from. The threads we wear carry the stories of our ancestors.”
Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford, commented: “I’m so pleased to see this fantastic project taking place in Chelmsford. It’s a great example of how culture can bring communities closer. Huge well done to all who’ve helped make it happen.”
Dr Samson Tsegay, a research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University, added: “Within the Threads of Heritage project, we also aim to document the rich cultural significance of West African costume traditions, trace their journey to the UK and map their transformation within local communities.”
Key project activities include:
- Collaborating with partners including Chelmsford Museum, Chelmsford Theatre, Essex Record Office, and Anglia Ruskin University.
- Commissioning bespoke traditional garments from West African artisans.
- Delivering creative workshops and exhibitions across libraries and museums.
- Producing educational resources on textile heritage and tailoring.
The Threads of Heritage project strengthens O5BM’s ongoing mission to improve wellbeing, cultural confidence, and community cohesion. It also creates meaningful opportunities for the wider public in Essex to engage with and appreciate African heritage.
For further information or to get involved, contact O5BM via www.o5bmforum.org.uk, info@o5bmforum.org.uk, or 07488 352 736. The project is based in Chelmsford, Essex.
