30 June 2009
analysis
Washington, DC — 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
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
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.
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