African Creativity with Muse Origins

What’s up people?

Two words; MEGA MILLION mayhem has officially taking over the DMV and the best thing about it is we all have the ability to hope and dream BIG. I am in no position to promise you all that I will be here next weekend blogging as I foresee I long week ahead of meeting with officials, doing press releases and starting the process of collecting my $650 million. Nigeria not to worry, I will bring this pot of cash home to the motherland so we can fix up my proud country. 

Ok people; let me get focused…

One highlight on many of my trips back home to Nigeria over the years not including spending time with family is always my visit to the local markets to collect new arts & crafts for personal use and as souvenirs.  Want to feel the spirit of a nation? One must connect with the natives and feel the pulse of the country through its people in order to properly gauge the climate and its affairs. Something else I always take with me when leaving the local shops after a long afternoon of haggling and shouting with vendors is the immense talent and enormous creativity available in Nigeria.

I recently came across a Nigerian group that focuses its efforts on EXACTLY that “African Creativity”. Muse Origins is an online website that aspires to feature African art, culture and custom with simple illustration and precision. Starting out as simply a hobby, Muse Origins has now expanded as a partnership amongst friends with hopes of bigger things to come. I recently reached out and connected with one of its creators and discovered we shared similar thoughts and interest when it comes to Nigeria. Here is an excerpt from the interview Adiya of Muse Origins;  

Panko            In your words; what does “African Creativity” Represent?

Adiya            African creativity represents the expression of art with a major focus on our Motherland (our Origins). More and more, it represents people’s expressions of African culture, fashion, photography, etc. It shows the Africa that popular media does not like to show – the Africa that is full of potential and beauty.

Panko            What do you want people to know about Muse Origins?

Adiya            I want people to know what Muse Origins represents – inspiration from our Motherland. There is a lot to be inspired by in Africa- from the people to our land to our expressions. Africa has a lot to offer the world, and this is what Muse Origins wants to showcase.

Panko            How would you describe or explain the Creativity in Nigeria?

Adiya            Creativity in Nigeria is generally on the rise – more people are expressing it. There was a time when making your living in a creative industry was looked down on, but that time is fast disappearing. More people are having two jobs even – their normal day job, and the moonlighting creative job. Nigerians are taking more pride in producing beautiful and creative things as well. I think this is great and I’m looking forward to the creative industry growing more and more.

Panko            How can this be better shared with the rest of the world?

Adiya            This can be better shared through more exposure, especially through the Internet. Internet penetration is still really low in Nigeria (even compared to sub-saharan Africa). But we need to use ICT to market Nigeria and all things made in Nigeria – from film, theatre, art, photography, fashion, make-up artists, etc. This way, the mature creative industries in other parts of the world can take notice of our emerging one. This will definitely give us a lift. This is starting to happen in fashion and it’s great.

Panko            How do you define success?

Adiya            I define success as simply getting what you want- be it money, love, happiness. To me, it’s a combination of all these things. Also, I see successes as little stepping stones, always changing along with my targets

Panko            Please complete the following; five years from now…

Adiya            Five years from now, Muse Origins will be one of the top five resources, both online and offline, for African fashion, art, photography, culture and all things creative.

Panko            Please complete the following; My Nigeria is…

Adiya            My Nigeria is full of promise, color, artistic expression and people who are working to lift up Nigeria

To learn and see more “African Creativity” please make sure you go and check out

the website www.museorigins.com and show your support.

Art truly is a universal language.