Nike has decided to honor African-American history once again this year with a very limited edition Nike Air Force 1. Nike's
2008 Black History Air Force 1s are so limited that few people have seen them. Store owners did not even get to glimpse
these low cut Forces as they were released via special events in New York and Los Angeles.
Using sneakers to tell stories, Nike has spread the words about legends such as the Black Fives, Tuskegee Airmen, and Negro
Baseball League in the past. They teamed up with the African-American owned "Black Five" clothing line to come up with
most the ideas, following in suit with this release.
The shoes have incredible detail and while it's not an easy to read the symbolic nature of the shoe it does tell
part of a story that can educate African-Americans (who are mostly of mixed ancestry) on their heavily diluted past.
The canvas on the rear panel was chosen and treated to represent Africa's mud cloth. Bogolanfini, mud cloth in English,
if not familiar The shoes also have special wooden lace debays engraved with BMH 08 as well as wooden lace tips.
Inspirational words from Dr. Carter G. Woodson can be found on the insole and special packaging.
History of Mud Cloth:
Bogolonfin, for Bamana women, has always been an essential component in the marking of major life transitions, such as
birth, marriage, and death. Bogolanfini is a living art form, with techniques and motifs passed down from generations of
mothers to daughters. Bamana hunters also wear Bogolanfini in the form of red mudcloth laden with leather amulets,
forceful visual symbols of the supernatural powers believed necessary for successful hunters to possess.
Each piece of mudcloth tells a story. No two pieces are alike and each pattern and color combination has a meaning.
The symbols, arrangements, color as well as shape of the mudcloth reveal secrets. The mudcloth is also used to define a
person’s social status, character or occupation. Bogolanfini is an expression of Malian national identity and a symbol of
belonging to African culture.
Sneaker News courtesy of Kicks and Chicks Forum Community
Member "SJ x KaC" and SoleRedemption.
