Over the last 30 years, people with roots in East African countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya have made Hackney their home. This blog shares some of the stories of the groups, businesses and community spaces that celebrate eastern African heritage in Hackney, shaping the borough’s mixed cultural identity and forming places for communities … Read more
As part of our ongoing series ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ celebrating the impact of Hackney’s African and Caribbean communities on music in the borough and beyond, this post focuses on the history and impact of Pyramid Arts, Dalston in supporting the performing community to develop artists, experiment with music and find commercial success. Introduction Pyramid Arts originated … Read more
Hackney’s African and Caribbean communities have used clothing and hair to express personal and cultural identity. This blog explores the history and impact of style amongst the borough’s Windrush Generation, through the memories and experiences of Hackney people. We Didn’t Come In Rags A large Caribbean community settled in Hackney from the 1950s onwards, seeking … Read more
This blog explores the story of Perpetual Beauty Carnival Club, the Stoke Newington Mas Band that introduced Caribbean carnival traditions to the borough in the 1970s, inspiring generations of Mas makers. Mas Comes to Hackney In the 18th and 19th centuries, enslaved people in the Caribbean developed Mas – short for ‘masquerade’ – as a … Read more
Carnival in Hackney goes back many years. However Hackney Carnival is a more recent way to celebrate the borough’s diverse communities and cultures. This blog shares some stories exploring the imaginative and persevering carnival groups who helped develop Hackney Carnival into the community celebration we recognise today. What is Hackney Carnival? Hackney Carnival is a … Read more
Through stories of musical innovation, distribution and enjoyment, this series ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ celebrates the impact of Hackney’s African and Caribbean communities on music in the borough and beyond. This week we are exploring the important role of record shops in Hackney and their impact on music. Who were early record sellers in Hackney? In the 1960s, … Read more
Through stories of musical innovation, distribution and enjoyment, the ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ series celebrates the impact of the London Borough of Hackney on music in the borough and beyond. In this post, we focus on the role of female artists in the development of the musical genre of Lovers Rock. What is Lovers Rock? … Read more
This blog explores the cultural influences of the Windrush Community on Hackney and looks at the generation coming up in the borough today.
This blog post explores the communities that the Windrush Generation created in Hackney and what they did to have fun.
The first blog in our Revisiting Windrush and Beyond series explores the Windrush Generation’s first experiences and challenges in coming to Britain.