Tales About Black Appalachia
ZANESVILLE, OH – On Thursday, Ohio University Zanesville hosted its Black Appalachia event in the library.
People often see Appalachia as a region with a rich history, but they frequently downplay the conversation around its diversity. The event’s goal was to encourage attendees to recognize the variety of cultures that have shaped Appalachia, highlighting the often-overlooked African American population, which plays a significant role in the region’s cultural makeup.
“The Black Appalachian population is the second largest cultural group in the Appalachian region,” storyteller Lyn Ford said. “It’s also referred to as Affrilachian, thanks to Frank X. Walker of Kentucky, who coined that term. I’m going to encourage [people] to look at things in a different light—the many cultures and creative arts that are a part of Appalachia.”
Ford is a published author of two books: Affrilachian Tales and Beyond the Briar Patch. These books contain stories about African American Appalachian culture and traditions passed down through generations.
“These are the first two books that I ever wrote, that are just mine. The first one is Affrilachian Tales. A collection of folktales, with a touch of history about my family and the people who shared the stories with me. The second book is called Beyond the Briar Patch,” Ford said.
Ford’s stories touch on culture and history, including her West African roots, Native and Indigenous history, and European American history. She aims to emphasize the importance of storytelling and to encourage the idea that Appalachia is a diverse space with many people and traditions that deserve celebration.
