Preserving Heritage: The Centuries-Old West African Song in the Mende Language

A family from Georgia has maintained a unique heritage by transmitting a mysterious song through generations, dating back to their ancestors’ era of enslavement. Upon investigation, researchers confirmed that this song was an authentic West African funeral tune in the Mende language, remarkably preserved through mother-to-daughter transmission over several centuries.

Resusci Anne’s Echo: The CPR Dummy Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ Refrain

In the iconic Michael Jackson track “Smooth Criminal,” the memorable refrain “Annie, are you OK?” derives its inspiration from Resusci Anne, a mannequin commonly employed for CPR training. Interestingly, Resusci Anne, also known as the “most kissed face” in the world, was designed in the late 1950s to help teach people lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. The connection between the song and the training dummy adds an intriguing layer of depth to this classic pop anthem.