Tapestry™
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Cultural tradition claims soccer player
Soccer lost a player last week, but not on the field. Following the culture of Zimbabwe the entire Midland Portland Cement soccer team took a swim in the Zambezi River to rid themselves of evil spirits.
It is not clear if it was the spirit cleansing or the strong current that caused the mishap but we do know that one less player that went into the river actually came out of the water.
Crocodiles and hippos, which are plentiful in the Zambezi River may be responsible.
Source: The Chronicle.
Soccer lost a player last week, but not on the field. Following the culture of Zimbabwe the entire Midland Portland Cement soccer team took a swim in the Zambezi River to rid themselves of evil spirits.It is not clear if it was the spirit cleansing or the strong current that caused the mishap but we do know that one less player that went into the river actually came out of the water.
Crocodiles and hippos, which are plentiful in the Zambezi River may be responsible.
Source: The Chronicle.
Labels: African, Regional, Religion
¶ 10/14/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Superfruit comes from upside down tree
The baobab fruit has long been a part of the Senegal culture. Locals depend of the tree in many aspects of their daily life, for which the tree has been nicknamed, “The Tree of Life”.
In fact there is a special use for virtually every part of the Baobab tree. Locals use the tree’s seeds for cooking oil, its fruit for relief from stomachaches, its leaves to cure insomnia, its pulp for juice, and its bark for ropes and caskets. The tree is richer in vitamin C than oranges and has more calcium per glass than milk.
The hearty trees can live for thousands as they are drought and fire resistant. They have a large trunk with long spindly branches, giving them an appearance of being upside down.
Now the western world has discovered the tree. This Senegalese secret could easily become a billion dollar or 650 thousand Euro industry for the continent in need of jobs and income. And this estimate is based on the current unsophisticated farming of the trees -- with marketing and organized orchards, the industry could easily become ten to twenty times larger. ¶ 8/19/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
The baobab fruit has long been a part of the Senegal culture. Locals depend of the tree in many aspects of their daily life, for which the tree has been nicknamed, “The Tree of Life”.In fact there is a special use for virtually every part of the Baobab tree. Locals use the tree’s seeds for cooking oil, its fruit for relief from stomachaches, its leaves to cure insomnia, its pulp for juice, and its bark for ropes and caskets. The tree is richer in vitamin C than oranges and has more calcium per glass than milk.
The hearty trees can live for thousands as they are drought and fire resistant. They have a large trunk with long spindly branches, giving them an appearance of being upside down.
Now the western world has discovered the tree. This Senegalese secret could easily become a billion dollar or 650 thousand Euro industry for the continent in need of jobs and income. And this estimate is based on the current unsophisticated farming of the trees -- with marketing and organized orchards, the industry could easily become ten to twenty times larger. ¶ 8/19/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ghana: Culture critical for achieving goals
Professor George Hagan, Chairman of Ghana’s National Commission on Culture feels it is critical to recognizing the cultures of Ghana before a solid plan can be implemented to achieve the country’s goals for the future.
Ghana is establishing Millennium Development Goals and Hagan is very correct when he says the origin and character of Africa’s culture is imperative to laying out solid goals and a plan to meet them.
Obviously Ghana has a distinctive culture but so does every geographical area on the planet. If more countries and municipalities understood planning the way Hagan seems to, people would do much better achieving their vision of the future.
Want to know more about the culture of Ghana, here is a great book: The People of Ghana. ¶ 7/25/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Professor George Hagan, Chairman of Ghana’s National Commission on Culture feels it is critical to recognizing the cultures of Ghana before a solid plan can be implemented to achieve the country’s goals for the future.Ghana is establishing Millennium Development Goals and Hagan is very correct when he says the origin and character of Africa’s culture is imperative to laying out solid goals and a plan to meet them.
Obviously Ghana has a distinctive culture but so does every geographical area on the planet. If more countries and municipalities understood planning the way Hagan seems to, people would do much better achieving their vision of the future.
Want to know more about the culture of Ghana, here is a great book: The People of Ghana. ¶ 7/25/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Friday, May 16, 2008
Africa culture in America threatened by development
When the American Civil War ended and West African slaves burnt the plantations on Sapelo Island as the white owners fled to mainland Georgia. What developed was a microcosm of the West African culture, which was still fresh in the minds of many of the newly freed slaves setting up their community.
Today the Atlantic island is a popular destination for tourists who want to learn more about this unique “Geechee” culture.
However the culture, which has survived for over a hundred years, is now under attack by development. Former residents left the island during the Great Depression and recent economic downturn. They are being offered huge sums for the property they still own on the island by developers seeing profits from the possibilities presented by the strategic recreational location of Sapelo. ¶ 5/16/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
When the American Civil War ended and West African slaves burnt the plantations on Sapelo Island as the white owners fled to mainland Georgia. What developed was a microcosm of the West African culture, which was still fresh in the minds of many of the newly freed slaves setting up their community.Today the Atlantic island is a popular destination for tourists who want to learn more about this unique “Geechee” culture.
However the culture, which has survived for over a hundred years, is now under attack by development. Former residents left the island during the Great Depression and recent economic downturn. They are being offered huge sums for the property they still own on the island by developers seeing profits from the possibilities presented by the strategic recreational location of Sapelo. ¶ 5/16/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, February 1, 2008
Black History month
Today begins Black History month, a worldwide observance of the contributions and culture of Africans, African-Americans, and African-Caribbeans.
As people attend the events and celebrations each will feel different impact. Few, though, will understand a subliminal lesson most visible in the black community.
During the 17th, 18th, 19th, and even early 20th centuries this culture was largely driven into slavery. Their “owners” attempted to remove the African or Caribbean culture from their lifestyles. After slavery was abolished worldwide in the 19th and 20th centuries, local populations attempted to get blacks to conform to the local culture. Terminology such as “melting pot” conveyed the message that we must all act the same regardless of ethnicity. “When in Rome do as the Romans do” is also used in an attempt to erase ethnic culture.
Through this tremendous pressure and attempted social sterilization the culture survived. This shows the resilience of a people to preserve their heritage at all costs.
Hopefully every person in the world will attend at least one Black History month event. When you do pay particular attention to the enduring culture and be grateful it has survived.
Today begins Black History month, a worldwide observance of the contributions and culture of Africans, African-Americans, and African-Caribbeans.As people attend the events and celebrations each will feel different impact. Few, though, will understand a subliminal lesson most visible in the black community.
During the 17th, 18th, 19th, and even early 20th centuries this culture was largely driven into slavery. Their “owners” attempted to remove the African or Caribbean culture from their lifestyles. After slavery was abolished worldwide in the 19th and 20th centuries, local populations attempted to get blacks to conform to the local culture. Terminology such as “melting pot” conveyed the message that we must all act the same regardless of ethnicity. “When in Rome do as the Romans do” is also used in an attempt to erase ethnic culture.
Through this tremendous pressure and attempted social sterilization the culture survived. This shows the resilience of a people to preserve their heritage at all costs.
Hopefully every person in the world will attend at least one Black History month event. When you do pay particular attention to the enduring culture and be grateful it has survived.
Labels: African, African-American, Ethnicity, Race
¶ 2/01/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Colleges want Non-American Africans
A study in the American Journal of Education has revealed a growing trend among the most prestigious of American colleges and universities in seeking students from migrating black populations. According to the study blacks born outside the United States were twice as likely to gain admission at Ivy League schools.
Africans and African-Caribbeans are more likely to be able to prepare for admissions tests according to Harvard professor Lani Guinier, as quoted by the Washington Post.
From a diversity standpoint it is advantageous for colleges and universities to enroll students from foreign countries. They are able to introduce the student body into different processes and experiences.
As local businesses are able to recruit the African students upon graduation, they will also increase their ability or effective problem solving and decision-making. ¶ 1/27/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
A study in the American Journal of Education has revealed a growing trend among the most prestigious of American colleges and universities in seeking students from migrating black populations. According to the study blacks born outside the United States were twice as likely to gain admission at Ivy League schools.Africans and African-Caribbeans are more likely to be able to prepare for admissions tests according to Harvard professor Lani Guinier, as quoted by the Washington Post.
From a diversity standpoint it is advantageous for colleges and universities to enroll students from foreign countries. They are able to introduce the student body into different processes and experiences.
As local businesses are able to recruit the African students upon graduation, they will also increase their ability or effective problem solving and decision-making. ¶ 1/27/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
