University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

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The History and Mystery of Belly Dance This general style of female solo interpretive dance is known and appreciated all over the Arab world including Northern Africa. There is no formal choreography but instead a variety of characteristic movements with which to interpret the music and show mastery of the rhythm. In the villages of northern Africa, most women dance as a social activity, at weddings for example, in all-female groups. The character of this sensual dance style is different in the big cities; particularly in Egypt where the dance has reached its most highly developed form. Top dancers achieve the status of movie stars because of the prominence of the entertainment industry. Through discussion, slides and demonstration, Ms. Siegel, as "Habiba" will trace the long history of this dance. Attend this fascinating lecture and find out for yourself the skills needed for authentic belly dance. Ms. Barbara Siegel

Tunisia: Crossroads of Culture Tunisia has a richly mixed cultural heritage that includes Phoenician, Berber, Roman, Early Christian and Islamic elements. Today it is an extremely modern and moderate Islamic state, which is host to the Arab League. Women's suffrage came immediately after independence and education is a high priority for both girls and boys. At the same time, Tunisians also have a high regard for their traditions and complex history. Join Ms. Siegel for this wonderful tour and slide show about Tunisia. Ms. Barbara Siegel

Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa Explore the fascinating history of the Ancient Nubiansthrough this illustrated lecture. This lecture provides an introduction to 3,000 years of Nubian cultural developments and shows how archaeologists have used artifacts found in ancient cemeteries and villages to reconstruct Nubian ways of life. Slides for this lecture will focus on objects included in the museum's traveling exhibit, Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa, to illustrate the art and lifestyle of the Nubians who inhabited the Nile Valley to the south of Egypt. Although parts of Nubia were, at times, dominated by Egypt politically, Nubians developed imposing kingdoms of their own. Through the use of artifacts ranging in date from 3,000 B.C. to A.D. 600, this lecture will allow the listener to witness the ebb and flow of indigenous cultural developments, including the establishment of a Nubian monarchy that ruled Egypt as the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. Dr. Stacie Olson

Moving Perspectives on Dance From ceremonial to street dance, enjoy a celebration of the strength and diversity of African and African-American dance styles! Using examples from parts of east and west Africa, this lecture will trace the African elements of established dances in the U.S., ranging from traditional African-American dances such as gospel, jazz and blues to more recent techniques such as breakdance and hip-hop. Special attention will be paid to understanding the meaning of dance movements, the links between dance and music, and the role of dance as an integral part of the community's social fabric. Dr. Patricia Reid-Merrit

To Visit the African Continent Attention all would-be explorers, tourists, and researchers! Before packing your bags for Africa, come to this presentation about the experiences of first time travelers to the modern African continent. Drawing on examples from Egypt, the Ivory Coast, Kenya, Senegal, and Togo, some highlights of this lecture will include the major conceptions and misconceptions about Africa today, cultural variations, the problem of cultural shock, "searching for roots", and how to avoid the ugly American syndrome. Dr. Patricia Reid-Merrit

Empires of the African Middle Ages The African Middle Ages (800 B.C. to 1600 A.D.) was a dynamic period dominated by great mercantile empires. This lecture will highlight the origins and contributions of the empires of Carthage, Ghana, the Moors, Aksum, Mali, Songhai, and Zimbabwe. The lecture will also explore the decline of these empires and the circumstances surrounding their downfall. Mr. Eli Pringle

Africa Under Colonial Rule Colonial Rule in Africa is perceived by many to have been long in duration and uniform in its application. In fact, colonial rule in Africa was brief and its implementation and impact upon the populations varied with each colonial ruler. This lecture will present the colonization of Africa by the major powers of Europe (1884 A.D. to Independence). This talk will highlight the policies of direct and indirect rule as practiced by the French and British as well as the distinct colonial policies of Germany, Belgium, and Portugal. Materials provided at the lecture will prepare participants for independent study. Mr. Eli Pringle

Political Development of Contemporary Africa&emdash;Sub-Sahara Sub-Saharan Africa was a region of the world that offered great promise at independence, but instead of progress, this region has experienced a considerable amount of turmoil and decline. This lecture will present the major trends in Africa since independence. Special attention will be given to the countries of Liberia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa, as well as, the unique circumstances of Francophone African countries. Mr. Eli Pringle

Political Development of Contemporary Africa&emdash;North Africa North Africa is a region of great contrasts. Morocco is a monarchy that is trying to expand its power through force and obstruction. The national government of Algeria is trying to keep political power from violent fundamentalist majority. Libya is a revolutionary Islamic country that is also an international outlaw. Egypt is the giant of the Arab world and a relatively stable supporter of the West. This lecture will examine the major issues and events in the contemporary history of Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Egypt, the goal of providing a better understanding of a diverse region. Mr. Eli Pringle

Conflict and Change in Central Africa The clash of elite rights versus majority rule are the central elements leading to war in central Africa. This lecture will present the history of Burundi, Rwanda, and Zaire and the impact that the current conflicts in these countries has on the region and the world. Mr. Eli Pringle

Five Thousand Years of African History Africa has a long and glorious past and has great potential for the future. To understand future events in Africa, a firm historical foundation would be helpful. This lecture is an introduction to the study of Africa and will present an overview of ancient, medieval, and contemporary African history. Mr. Eli Pringle

Hair Itage: The Art of African-American Hair Sculpting African sculpture in wood and natural fibers is famous throughout the world. Hair is another important sculptural medium in Africa. African societies developed a unique sculptural tradition of weaving hair into complex and intricate designs of braids, twists, and coils which expressed the social and cultural identity of the wearer. American slaves brought this from West Africa and over thecenturies elaborated it into the unique art form known collectively as African-American hair sculpture. Using slides, videos and demonstrations, master Yvette Smalls will trace the historical development of African-American hair sculpture. Ms. Smalls will concentrate on the creative and artistic aspects and compare African-American and West African hair sculpture. Ms. Yvette Smalls

An African Sampler: An Introduction to the Arts of Africa This slide lecture is a general introduction to some major ideas, concepts, and institutions among the African peoples, including the importance of lineage and village organization, relationships with ancestors and spirits, divine kingship, and gender and age roles. These shared elements are illustrated with slides of sculpture, gold, textiles and costumes. An age-appropriate version is available for younger audiences. Dr. Jill Furst

The Art of Doubles: The Art of the Yoruba This slide lecture presents several major arts of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, who have one of the highest rates of twins in the world. If one or more twins die, they fashion an ibeji, or an image of the twin, and the mother treats it as the missing child. Twins are under the protection of Shango, who is also the patron of double things. To ensure the continuation of the family, the Yoruba have a complex system for determining the will of the spirits and several important masked and costumed dance rituals. Dr. Jill Furst

The Golden Throne: The Art of the Ashante This slide lectures illustrates the thrones of Ghana which are symbols of royal authority. All are related to the original Golden Throne that descended from heaven and that still exists today. Many Ashante arts are commissioned for royalty and include elegant jewelry, gold-leafed symbols of political office, and exquisitely woven textiles. Frequently, these works reflect traditional Ashante proverbs, which are still used to educate anyone who misbehaves, even a king. An age-appropriate version is available for younger audiences. Dr. Jill Furst

The Balance of Male and Female: The Arts of the Dogon The Dogon of Mali live in a parched, and they tell a story of ancestral male-female pairs who descended from the sky, populated the world, and then transformed into water creatures. Despite limited materials, the Dogon have created some of the most sophisticated, abstracted human and animal forms in Africa. Their striking metal and wood ancestral images reflect their complex origin story. Dr. Jill Furst

The Magic of Metal, Wood, and Ivory: The Arts of Kongo Among the most striking and unforgettable African sculptures are the so-called “nail fetishes” from the Kongo people. These human, and sometimes canine, forms serve to ensure that truth is told in law cases, and they witness oaths when a nail or other piece of metal is driven into them. The oldest and most used examples bristle with metal. Also from Kongo, but very different in style and use, are the delicate small-scale wood and ivory images made for the Lega Bwami society. Commissioned by a man as he advanced in rank and knowledge of law, etiquette, medicine, natural history, and custom, they confirmed his increasing standing in the community. The old men who acquired many small masks and figures were encyclopedias of Lega knowledge. An age-appropriate version is available for younger audiences. Dr. Jill Furst

The Fine Art of Beading: The Arts of the Cameroons The Bamum people of the Cameroons beaded extravagant thrones for their kings. The seats were supported by beaded leopards and elephants, and sometimes beaded figures stood guard over the king. Much of the king’s property was elaborately beaded, including gourds, fly whisks, and masks. The beaded images were beautiful, but they also represented proverbs that instructed the king in his duties and responsibilities. An age-appropriate version is available for younger audiences. Dr. Jill Furst

The Incomplete Body: The Human Body in African Culture This slide lecture presents Africa ideas about how the body is incomplete at birth, and requires a variety of cultural processes to move it toward completion, including scarification, circumcision, and the dressing and cutting of the hair into specific patterns. As a person progresses, he or she moves toward death, and afterwards, toward the status of an ancestor. The disposal of the body completes the last operation on the flesh, but the funeral often directs the spirit to a substitute body in more durable materials in order for it to return as an ancestor to aid its living relatives. With illustrations of sculpture and of scarification rituals. Dr. Jill Furst

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