The Anitafrika Method is an intersectional, trauma-aware decolonial framework, performance praxis and pedagogy of transformation, originated by d'bi.young anitafrika and inspired by the foundational dub poetry theory of their mother—pioneer dub poet Anita Stewart. The integrative creative approach is used to support the growth and development of people, including artists, educators, healers, innovators, leaders and everyday practitioners of living. Embodying arts-based interventions to nurture self-transformation, creative expression & community embodiment in its practitioners, the method is practitioner-centred and critically reflexive. The nine fundamental principles that ground the method include Self-Knowledge, Orality, Language, Politics, Rhythm, Urgency, Sacredness, Integrity and Experience which are explored through the Physical, Emotional, Mental, Creative, Exchange, Spiritual, Community, Energy, and Earth Bodies.
The Anitafrika Method can be applied to personal, professional and community development, playwriting, devising, dramaturgy, drama therapy, conflict resolution, transformational justice, organisational restructuring, health intervention, anti-racist/anti-oppression facilitation, decolonising curricula and developing/actualising critical pedagogy.
d’bi.young anitafrika conducts Anitafrika Method workshops globally and has most recently facilitated modules in the framework at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance and London South Bank University in the UK. The Anitafrika Method is the pedagogical framework of the new Soulpepper Theatre Academy in Canada, where d’bi.young—Faculty and Curriculum Designer—conducts a six-week module on biomyth monodrama making through a decolonial lens. The Anitafrika Method has been taught in the past at SOAS, the University Arts London, the University of Glasgow, York University, the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, the University of Victoria, and Vancouver Island University. It has been utilised by organisations in Canada such as MaRs, the Stephen Lewis Foundation, R.I.S.E, Regent Park School of Music, ArtStarts, PuSH Festival, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands and by international events such as South Africa Book Fair, Sommarscen in Sweden and Nigeria’s Ake Book & Arts Festival.
Anitafrika Method alumni include globally celebrated soca king Machel Montano, actor-playwright and co-Producer of ‘da kink in my hair television series Ngozi Paul; Manifesto founder and photographer Che Kothari; Poet Laureate of Ontario Randell Adjei, lecturer and performance artist Ria Righteous from the UK; from Zimbabwe, writer-activist Rudo Chigudu; CBC The Exhibitionist's host Amanda Parris, Handmaid’s Tale Bahia Watson, Theatre Centre Associate Artistic Director Liza Paul, Associate Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Luke Reece, and singer/songwriter/filmmaker TiKA Simone, along with hundreds of other artists in the global south and north.
d’bi.young anitafrika is currently engaged in doctoral studies, researching the application as a decolonial performance praxis in the lives and art of Black womxn in theatre in Canada.
Biomyth Monodramas Devised Using The Anitafrika Method - Dramaturged and Directed by d’bi.young anitafrika (selected)
Brown Girl in the Ring by Actor/Playwright Miranda Edwards
11:11 by Writer/Performer Samson Bonkeabantu Brown
Speaking of Sneaking by Writer/Performer daniel jelani ellis
Addicted by Writer/Performer Raven Dauda
I Cannot Lose My Mind by Writer/Performer by Najla Nubyanluv
Oughtism by Writer/Performer Faduma Mohammed
The Emancipation of Ms Lovely by Writer/Performer Ngozi Paul
Who Am I by Writer/Performer Webster McDonald
Other Projects Developed with Support from the Anitafrika Method (selected)
Jah in the Ever-Expanding Song by Kaie Kellough
Shades by Esie Mensah
Venus’ Daughter by Meghan Swaby
32C by Amanda Parris
Anitafrika Method (FKA the Sorplusi Method) mini documentary
The Anitafrika Method and Canada’s Women’s College Hospital: Arts Based Intervention into The Health of Black Womxn
Together in collaboration with Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre, globally renowned Canadian Poet of honor and 2015 YWCA Woman of Distinction in the Arts, d’bi.young anitafrika was funded in 2014 by Women’s Xchange through Women’s College Hospital to explore the effectiveness of The Anitafrika Method as a holistic arts-based health intervention in the improvement of Black Womxn’s health entitled the Black Womxn’s Sacred Health Research Project. The intent of the project was to promote optimal holistic (creative, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) health services, resources and toolkits to Black and diverse womxn, by critically exploring innovative health education and advocacy through the development of the Anitafrika Method an arts informed health intervention. Six series of 2 day intensive workshops were facilitated by d’bi.young anitafrika over a 6 month period from January to June 2015. Research Question To explore how engaging with an arts informed health intervention can positively influence the holistic embodiment of health for womxn of colour. Secondary to this, was to also explore how artistic engagement facilitates the development of agency around health within the broader community.
Podcast - The Anitafrika Method
Short Video - The Arts Based Intervention - The Anitafrika Method
Evidence-Based Research - The Anitafrika Method - Black Womxn Sacred Health Website
Scholarly Articles on d'bi.young and the Anitafrika Method - Black Plays Matter, Black Queer Divinity