Tuesday, 25 August 2009 20:29
The Africans
DVD, 60 min. each, 1985 Study guide available
The Africans is a view of Africa from the inside looking out. It examines the contemporary life and history of Africa through its triple heritage: what is indigenous, what was contributed by Islam, and what was acquired from the West. The coexistence of these legacies helps to explain the diversity of the continent and the African people.
1. The Nature of a Continent - The examination of Africa as the birthplace of humankind and discussion of the impact of geography on African history. The program includes the role of the Nile in the origin of civilization and the introduction of Islam to Africa through its Arabic borders.
2. A Legacy of Lifestyles - African contemporary lifestyles are examined by tracing the influence of indigenous, Islamic, and Western factors. The program compares simple African societies with those that are more complex and centralized, and examines the importance of family life.
3. New Gods A healer in a Doep ceremony in Senegal - from the video "New Gods" - The factors that influence religion in Africa are traced, paying particular attention to how traditional African religions, Islam, and Christianity coexist and influence each other.
4. Tools of Exploitation - This program contrasts the impact of the West on Africa and the impact of Africa on the development of the West, looking at the manner in which Africa's human and natural resources have been exploited.
5. New Conflicts - By exploring the tensions inherent in the juxtaposition of the three heritages, and looking at the ways in which these conflicts have contributed to the rise of the nationalist movement, the narrator illuminates the warrior tradition of indigenous Africa, the jihad tradition of Islam, and modern guerrilla warfare.
6. In Search of Stability - This program studies several means of governing. New social orders are examined to illustrate an Africa in search of a viable form of government in the post-independence period.
7. A Garden of Eden in Decay? - This program identifies the problems of a continent that produces what it does not consume and consumes what it does not produce, showing Africa's struggle between economic dependence and decay.
8. A Conflict of CulturesThe Lagos Polo Club in Nigeria - from the video "A Conflict of Cultures" - The coexistence of many African traditions and modern life, and the conflicts and compromises that emerge from the mixing of cultures is shown in this program. It explores whether Africa can synthesize its own heritage with the legacies of Islam and the West.
9. Global Africa - The final program illustrates African contributions to contemporary culture, including the significance of the African diaspora, and examines the continuing influence of the superpowers on the affairs of the continent.
The Africans is a view of Africa from the inside looking out. It examines the contemporary life and history of Africa through its triple heritage: what is indigenous, what was contributed by Islam, and what was acquired from the West. The coexistence of these legacies helps to explain the diversity of the continent and the African people.
1. The Nature of a Continent - The examination of Africa as the birthplace of humankind and discussion of the impact of geography on African history. The program includes the role of the Nile in the origin of civilization and the introduction of Islam to Africa through its Arabic borders.
2. A Legacy of Lifestyles - African contemporary lifestyles are examined by tracing the influence of indigenous, Islamic, and Western factors. The program compares simple African societies with those that are more complex and centralized, and examines the importance of family life.
3. New Gods A healer in a Doep ceremony in Senegal - from the video "New Gods" - The factors that influence religion in Africa are traced, paying particular attention to how traditional African religions, Islam, and Christianity coexist and influence each other.
4. Tools of Exploitation - This program contrasts the impact of the West on Africa and the impact of Africa on the development of the West, looking at the manner in which Africa's human and natural resources have been exploited.
5. New Conflicts - By exploring the tensions inherent in the juxtaposition of the three heritages, and looking at the ways in which these conflicts have contributed to the rise of the nationalist movement, the narrator illuminates the warrior tradition of indigenous Africa, the jihad tradition of Islam, and modern guerrilla warfare.
6. In Search of Stability - This program studies several means of governing. New social orders are examined to illustrate an Africa in search of a viable form of government in the post-independence period.
7. A Garden of Eden in Decay? - This program identifies the problems of a continent that produces what it does not consume and consumes what it does not produce, showing Africa's struggle between economic dependence and decay.
8. A Conflict of CulturesThe Lagos Polo Club in Nigeria - from the video "A Conflict of Cultures" - The coexistence of many African traditions and modern life, and the conflicts and compromises that emerge from the mixing of cultures is shown in this program. It explores whether Africa can synthesize its own heritage with the legacies of Islam and the West.
9. Global Africa - The final program illustrates African contributions to contemporary culture, including the significance of the African diaspora, and examines the continuing influence of the superpowers on the affairs of the continent.
Category:
Anthropology and Archaeology