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AfricaFocus: Something Different + Website Updates
AfricaFocus Bulletin
Jun 30, 2009 (090630)
(Reposted from sources cited below)
Editor's Note
As regular readers of AfricaFocus Bulletin know, the bulletins most
often feature current policy issues. In June, topics have included
recent developments in Uganda and Nigeria, financing for action on
climate change and other global public goods of great concern for
Africa, and Amnesty International's heightened emphasis on
economic and social rights (see links below at end of Bulletin).
But occasionally suggestions from readers lead to something
different. Hopefully you'll find the break refreshing.
This AfricaFocus Bulletin takes advantage of information sent in by
subscribers to share with you some links going beyond the current
crises to such diverse topics as geometry, baskets, and sand
drawings, plus several videos from Kibera, Kenya, and news of a new
feature film in the making. Enjoy!
You'll also find a selection of recent articles highlighted in
AfricaFocus FYI, a new feature I've added for articles that
shouldn't be missed, but that I haven't been able to put in an
AfricaFocus Bulletin.
These include the cover story for the July issue of In These Times:
"The Somalia Crossroads: Piracy, insurgency tempt Washington to get
it wrong--again," written by William Minter and Daniel Volman. -
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/4520/the_somalia_crossroads/
Take a look at the links below. For more, visit the page on the web
at http://www.africafocus.org/fyi/recent.php
++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++++++++
Paulus Gerdes on Mathematics and Art
http://stores.lulu.com/pgerdes
Paulus Gerdes is currently Vice-President for Southern Africa,
African Academy of Sciences. He is based in Maputo, Mozambique,
where he directs the Centre for Mozambican Studies and
Ethnoscience, Universidade Pedagógica
Sipatsi: Basketry and Geometry in the Tonga Culture of Inhambane
(Mozambique) (2009, 422 pp.) and of the supplement "Sipatsi Images
in Colour" (56 pp.) (Lulu, Morrisville NC, USA).
http://www.africafocus.org/books/isbn.php?B002AD3NL8
Also available in print and as download from Lulu.com
(http://stores.lulu.com/pgerdes).
Gitonga speaking basket weavers, mostly women, from Inhambane in
the Southeast of Mozambique make colourful 'sipatsi' purses, and
handbags. .... This book, resulting from thirty years of enquiring,
collecting and observing, is unique. It presents a series of
'snapshots', which collectively constitute a short film that
records an unfolding exploration of personal and collective memory,
of symmetry, of combinations of colour and pattern, and of
variations of order and logic to create new designs. The book
includes a catalogue of over 700 different decorative patterns.
... In several chapters, activities and problems for exploration
in mathematics (teacher) education have been presented,
underscoring the scientific and educational wealth of the sipatsi
as a mathematical construct.
The book contains a Preface by Alcido Nguenha, Minister of
Education of Mozambique (2000-2005), a Foreword by Dr. Em¡lia
Nhalivilo, Deputy Director of the Centre for Mozambican Studies and
Ethnoscience, and an Afterword by Dr. Hippolyte Fofack, Founder of
the Nelson Mandela Institution. It includes an introduction to
Tonga basket weaving by Gildo Bulafo and an introduction to the
Vatonga by Dr. Gregorio Firmino.
African Basketry: A Gallery of Twill-Plaited Designs and Patterns
(2007, 220 pp.)
http://www.africafocus.org/books/isbn.php?1435726251
Also available in print and as download from Lulu.com
(http://stores.lulu.com/pgerdes).
From the Preface: "Over the years, Paulus Gerdes has established
himself as the pre-eminent expert on patterns in African weaving
and basketry, and the broader implications of these patterns...
This new book is a broad gallery of plaited African designs. These
range over much of the continent while concentrating on those parts
of Africa that are closest to his Mozambique center, including
Kongo, Mbole and Mangbetu from Congo, Cokwe and Lunda from Angola,
Digo from Kenya, Soga from Uganda, Zulu from South Africa, and
Makhuwa in Mozambique itself, but including such distant peoples as
Bamileke in Cameroon. As well as careful illustrations of details
that might easily be overlooked by a casual observer, there is enlightening information
about the cultural meaning of particular designs and their
symmetries, both local and global. ...
In Gerdes' gallery we are shown the love of patterns and symmetries
that are the result of centuries of exultant exploration.
Enjoy! - Donald W. Crowe, Professor of Mathematics, Emeritus,
University of Wisconsin
Drawings from Angola: Living Mathematics. 2007. 72pp.
http://www.africafocus.org/books/isbn.php?1430323132
Also available in print and as download from Lulu.com
(http://stores.lulu.com/pgerdes).
For children from age 8 to 14. "Drawings from Angola" present an
introduction to an African story telling tradition. The tales are
illustrated with marvelous drawings made in the sand. The book
conveys the stories of the stork and the leopard, the hunter and
the dog, the rooster and the fox, and others. It explains how to
execute the drawings. The reader is invited to draw tortoises,
antelopes, lions, and other animals. The activities proposed
throughout the book invite the reader to experiment and to explore
the 'rhythm' and symmetry of the illustrations. Surprising results
will be playfully obtained, such as in arithmetic, a way to
calculate quickly the sum of a sequence of odd numbers. Children
will live the beautiful mathematics of the Angolan sand drawings.
Answers to the activities are provided. The book can be used both
in classrooms and at home. (72 pp.)
Lunda Geometry: Mirror Curves, Designs, Knots, Polyominoes,
Patterns, Symmetries. 2007. 198pp.
http://www.africafocus.org/books/isbn.php?1435726294
Also available in print and as download from Lulu.com
(http://stores.lulu.com/pgerdes).
The book "Lunda Geometry" explains how the mathematical concepts of
mirror curves and Lunda-designs were discovered in the context of
the author's research of 'sona', illustrations traditionally made
in the sand by Cokwe storytellers from eastern Angola (a region
called Lunda) and neighboring regions of Congo and Zambia. Examples
of mirror curves from several cultures are presented. Lunda-designs
are aesthetically attractive and display interesting symmetry
properties. Examples of Lunda-patterns and Lunda-polyominoes are
presented. Some generalizations of the concept of Lunda-design are
discussed, like hexagonal Lunda-designs, Lunda-k-designs,
Lunda-fractals, and circular Lunda-designs. Lunda-designs of Celtic
knot designs are constructed.
Hot Sun Foundation
http://www.hotsunfoundation.org / http://www.kiberakid.com /
http://kiberakid.blogspot.com /
http://www.youtube.com/HotSunFilms
28 March 2009
News Release
Contact: Pamela Collett
info@hotsunfoundation.org
Hot Sun Films/Foundation announces the filming of "Togetherness
Supreme" - a feature length fictional film made by, with, for the
community of Kibera.
Kibera, the largest slum in east Africa, located in Nairobi, was
ripped apart by the 2008 post election violence in Kenya
"Togetherness Supreme", a story of hope and reconciliation, shows
a new, realistic, entertaining picture of urban Africa in a feature
film - an historic first in the cinematic world.
Filming of "Togetherness Supreme" is currently underway in Kibera,
with an all local cast and crew trainees. Shooting began on 23
March 2009.
"Togetherness Supreme" is produced by Hot Sun Films/Foundation
(Sinema Jua Kali), creators of the international award winning
"Kibera Kid".
Don't miss this unique opportunity to visit the "Togetherness
Supreme" set in Kibera and watch the community in action!
Contact Pamela Collett for more information and for the shooting
locations and schedule in Kibera.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Charcoal Traffic
Buy DVD from Amazon.com at this link http://tinyurl.com/kt9yqp
[DVD for home use; after using this link you can also search on
Amazon for versions for institutional use and by streaming video]
"Charcoal Traffic" is the story of two brothers trapped in a
murderous cycle of environmental and cultural devastation in
Somalia. Olaad is a charcoal trader, living well by destroying
trees to make charcoal. Olaad uses the power of the gun to get what
he wants.
Olaad's work crew are young men, whose only skills are using guns
and chewing the narcotic leaf known as khat. In their goal to make
money, the charcoal producers lost their connections with their
traditional pastoralist culture and the natural environment.
Olaad's brother Gelle lives in the traditional Somali way - as a
nomadic pastoralist herding goats. When Gelle tries to stop
charcoal producers from cutting trees, needed to preserve the
fragile environment and ensure vegetation for his goats, Olaad
cannot protect him.
The brothers' story illustrates the other war in Somalia - pitting
the fragile environment and the pastoral way of life against
charcoal producers - out to make money whatever it takes.
The first fictional film shot in Somalia in over 20 years,
"Charcoal Traffic" was filmed entirely on location in northern
Somalia featuring a local cast with no previous acting experience.
Through the dramatic story of "Charcoal Traffic", Hot Sun Films and
Sun Fire Cooking's goal is to promote community discussion among
Somalis about charcoal production, environmental destruction and
solar cooker alternatives to charcoal for everyday cooking.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kibera Kid
Buy DVD from Amazon.com at this link http://tinyurl.com/nlj4pz
[DVD for home use; after using this link you can also search on
Amazon for versions for institutional use and by streaming video]
You can also order DVDs and instructional material from
http://www.kiberakid.com
"Kibera Kid" is the story of Otieno, a twelve-year-old orphan
living in Kibera, one of the worlds' largest slums. Otieno lives
with the Razors, a gang of petty thieves. After a theft gone bad,
Otieno is forced to choose between saving an innocent man's life
and the Razors - the only family he knows.
"Kibera Kid" is a unique film, a global first - a short story based
on the lives of people in Kibera, Africa's largest slum, located in
Nairobi, Kenya.
"Kibera Kid" offers a window into a life that is shared by millions
of people living in urban slums throughout the world.
"Kibera Kid" is suitable for all ages, from 10 through adult.
"Kibera Kid" has screened at over 40 film festivals worldwide and
won numerous awards including:
* Student Emmy 2007 for best Children's Program category
(Hollywood, USA)
* Best Short Film, Kenya International Film Festival, (Nairobi,
Kenya)
* Best Kenyan Children's Film, Lola Film Festival (Nairobi, Kenya),
* Best Director, Angelus Film Festival, (Los Angeles USA),
* Graduate Student Director Award, Hampton's International Film
Festival (New York, USA),
* Most Innovative Short Film, Real to Reel (Vancouver, Canada)
* Best Film for Teenagers, Danville International Children's Film
Festival (California, USA)
The Oath
Buy DVD from Amazon.com at this link http://tinyurl.com/mzv7wx
[DVD for home use; after using this link you can also search on
Amazon for versions for institutional use and by streaming video]
"The Oath" is a story of the Mau Mau rebellion. Were the Mau Mau
freedom fighters or terrorists? For African Kenyans, the Mau Mau
cry for Land and Freedom in the 1950's expressed their deepest
desires. For the British colonialists, the Mau Mau were terrorists.
"The Oath" is the story of two brothers, Mwangi and Joseph, during
the time of the Mau Mau. Mwangi is a laborer on a white settler's
farm. Joseph is a priest. Mwangi joins the Mau Mau, taking an oath
to fight the white settlers. Joseph insists violence is never
justified.
"The Oath" is in two parts: a short story about two brothers during
the Mau Mau rebellion (20 minutes) and a documentary explaining how
the movie was made (10 minutes). Kenyans volunteered their time and
energy as a labor of love to bring the history of the Mau Mau to
people around the world.
AfricaFocus FYI
Visit http://www.africafocus.org/fyi/recent.php regularly for
these and other notes on recent stories you shouldn't miss.
Jun 29, 2009 - William Minter and Daniel Volman, "Somalia
Crossroads: Piracy, insurgency tempt Washington to get it wrongagain.",
In These Times (Published Jun 29, 2009)
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/4520/the_somalia_crossroads/
For Somalis, the crisis continues. So does the danger that
Washington may be tempted into military intervention that would be
damaging for Somalis, for U.S. relations with Africa and for U.S.
security. That risk exists, despite commendable caution thus far by
Obama administration policymakers, who are aware of the potential
for military actions to backfire.
Scenarios projected for the next few months range from complete
collapse of the internationally backed government, on the one
extreme, to significant weakening of the insurgent forces through
defections, on the other. What is certain is that outside forces,
including the United States, will need flexibility and patience as
well as good intentions to avoid mistakes that could make the
situation much worse. Unfortunately, there is no sure formula for
getting it right.
Jun 30, 2009 - Kevin Kelley, "Is Obama Following in the Disliked
Footsteps of Bush in East Africa?", East African via allafrica.com
(Published Jun 29, 2009)
http://allafrica.com/stories/200906290075.html
The Obama administration is seeking substantial increases in
military aid to East African countries, leading some analysts to
argue that the new president's handling of perceived threats to US
interests closely resembles that of his predecessor, George W Bush.
... it seems clear that the Obama administration intends to further
develop the Africa Military Command (Africom) established during
Bush's tenure. Johnnie Carson, the new assistant secretary of state
for African affairs, told a Washington forum last week that
"Africom isn't going away." Indeed, President Obama is asking
Congress to approve more than $500 million for Africom's operations
as well as for communications and airlift capabilities in the
coming fiscal year.
Jun 24, 2009 - Michael Levin, "Bill to Protect Poor Countries from
VULTURE Funds", Congresswoman Maxine Waters (Published Jun 18,
2009)
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca35_waters/PR090618_vulturefunds.html
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) today introduced the Stop Very
Unscrupulous Loan Transfers from Underprivileged countries to Rich,
Exploitive Funds or "Stop VULTURE Funds" Act (H.R. 2932),
legislation designed to protect impoverished countries from
lawsuits by so-called vulture funds.
Vulture funds are private investment funds that buy up the debts of
poor countries at reduced prices, usually for pennies on the
dollar. They then sue these countries to recover the original value
of the debts plus interest. Several poor countries that have
received debt cancellation from the United States, other
participating donor countries, and multilateral financial
institutions have subsequently been sued by vulture funds.
Several prominent Africa advocacy groups working on the Vulture
Fund issue strongly called for support for the bill. These groups
included Africa Action, TransAfrica Forum, and Jubilee USA Network
Jun 18, 2009 - Scott Gration (Special Envoy to Sudan), "Current
Status of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and His Recent
Travels", U.S State Department (Published Jun 17, 2007)
http://www.state.gov/s/sudan/rem/125021.htm
Obama administration special envoy for Sudan Scott Gration gives a
briefing in advance of talks next week on the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement.
"What we see is the remnants of genocide. What we see are the
consequences of genocide, the results of genocide. We still have
thousands of people living in camps as IDPs. We have women who are
still afraid to go out and collect firewood.
The level of violence that we're seeing right now is primarily
between rebel groups, the Sudanese Government, and as you know from
the news, we've had some violence between Chad and Sudan. The
violence still exists where bandits and Janjaweed and warlords and
those kinds of folks do conduct terrorist activities on these folks
and do increase terror. But it doesn't appear that it is a
coordinated effort that was similar to what we had in 2003 to
2006."
Jun 10, 2009 - National Union of Somali Journalists (Mogadishu),
"Journalists Stop Work to Mourn and Condemn 'Savage' Killing of
Colleagues", AllAfrica.com (Published Jun 09, 2009)
http://allafrica.com/stories/200906090822.html
Journalists downed their tools and shut down their broadcasting
stations to mourn and to protest the latest killing of Radio
Shebele director, Muktar Mohamed Hirabe. 15 senior radio
journalists of editors, producers, reporters, and anchors held a
press conference at Hotel Sahafi today and announced the work
stoppage.
Muktar Hirabe who was in the company of his colleague Ahmed Omar
Hashi, was on Sunday (7 June) shot five times by a gunman at Bakara
market in Mogadishu. Ahmed Omar who described the attack and
killing as "vindictive and barbaric" was also injured in the
attack. Muktar is the fifth journalist to be killed in Somalia by
gunmen this year alone.
AfricaFocus Bulletins - June 2009
Jun 24, 2009 USA/Uganda: Recovery from Conflict?
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/ugan0906.php
Jun 18, 2009 Africa: Climate Change Action, Who Will Pay?
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/cc0906.php
Jun 12, 2009 Nigeria: Midterm Results Disappoint
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/nig0906a.php
Jun 12, 2009 Nigeria: Delta Violence Past & Present
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/nig0906b.php
Jun 8, 2009 Africa: Innovative Global Financing
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/tax0906.php
Jun 1, 2009 Africa: Economy and Human Rights, 2
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/hr0906b.php
Jun 1, 2009 Africa: Economy and Human Rights, 1
http://www.africafocus.org/docs09/hr0906a.php
AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication
providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with
a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus
Bulletin is edited by William Minter.
AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please
write to this address to subscribe or unsubscribe to the bulletin,
or to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about
reposted material, please contact directly the original source
mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see
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