Arts and Culture Archive
World Cup Travails
Posted by jimheck in Arts and Culture, Planning Travel, South Africa on April 15, 2010
SA strikes grow violent
In a live sequel to Invictus South Africa’s dreams and aspirations were to be featured as it hosts the greatest sporting event in the non-American world, the World Cup. It’s not going well.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has been striking since July, and the protests are growing and the [...]
The Sound of Somalia
Posted by jimheck in Arts and Culture, Music on April 11, 2010
Who Represents Somalia?
By Conor Godfrey
On April 3rd, Hizbul-Islam gave Somali radio stations 10 days to stop playing music—or else.
The latest bit of absurdity was most likely an effort to prove that they are as [...]
Stunning: But Not All Africa Has to Offer
Posted by jimheck in Arts and Culture, Planning Travel on March 15, 2010
By Conor Godfrey
Last week, the New York Times travel section featured a two page special on Dogan-country in Mali.
Is West Africa finally on the tourism radar?
Inside an artisan cooperative frequented by foreign NGO workers in Conakry, Guinea, I once saw postcards for sale with Massai Morani on the front.
Stamps sold [...]
Must See: Habib Koite & Bamada – Live in the U.S.
Posted by jimheck in African Traditions, Arts and Culture, History, Music on March 8, 2010
By Conor Godfrey
This month Habib Koite and his group Bamada will be playing in venues across the U.S.—you must not miss them.
Before I rave about Habib’s music, we should talk about the Griot tradition he comes from.
When I first arrived in Guinea, I stayed with a Malinke family (an ethnic group prevalent in Northern Guinea, [...]