Global Islam and the Arts Teachers Fellowship The Power of Ar t : Cr eat ing a Plat f or m f or Under st anding Islam in West Africa and Beyond
Welcome! Tinisha Shaw Jennifer Earnest Holly Loranger Anita Rubino
Cycle of Inquiry What do you observe? What do you think? What do you wonder?
Cycle of Inquiry What do you observe? What do you think? What do you wonder?
Cycle of Inquiry What do you observe? What do you think? What do you wonder?
Cycle of Inquiry What do you observe? What do you think? What do you notice?
Impact of the Global Islam and Arts Fellowship Duke/UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies with Carolina Performing Arts Sacred and Secular series
GIAT Explores Senegal, Sufism and the Arts https://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/us/sn
Islam and Trade in West Africa Islam was likely brought to Senegal through trade around 1000 AD Accommodation and adaptation; for example, gris-gris
The Kingdom of Ghana The empire derived its power and wealth from gold Arab writers like Al Hamdani describe Ghana as having the richest gold mines on Earth The Soninke also sold slaves, salt and copper, in exchange for textiles, beads and finished goods.
Kumbi Saleh The Ghanaian royal city was the southern terminus of traders from the Magreb Invaders and competing sources of gold eventually led to the decline of the kingdom of Ghana and the rise of the Mali Empire
Diaspora: Timbuktu Trade Movement of people Cultural exchange: Arts Islamic Identity
Mali Empire [13c-15c] SALT GOLD
Salt
European Map
The Greatness of Timbuktu
The Greatness of Timbuktu
Timbuktu- Heavenly Clay
Great Mosque at Djenne, Mali
Songhai Empire [15c-16c] SALT GOLD
Senegal Arts: Through the Arts, Sufism is expressed, is a vehicle for understanding, and an integral part of every day culture Music, Visual, Dance and Architecture
Background on Sufism Sufism without Islam is like a candle burning in the open without a lantern. There are winds which may blow that candle out. But if you have a lantern with glass protecting the flame, the candle will continue to burn safely. Muzzafer Ozak
Background on Sufism -Sufism emphasizes the personal search for mystical meaning -Sufis aim to be as close to God as they can possibly be Sufis aim to experience the divine through rhythmic and continuous repetition of special prayers and chants Bond between master and disciple is very important
Tasawuff: Sufism in Senegal *More than half of Muslims associate with a Sufi tradition *A tariqah or path to union with God in afterlife and experience God in physical life: only few attain the second *Tariqas: orders *Path to God is through guides/teachers who trace back to prophet *Stages of journey: hard work, abstinence, patience, service to others http://muslimcanada.org/sufi/introductionsufism.htm
Sufism in Senegal Arrival in 1700 s 90% of population connected to a Sufi order Ahmadou Bamba 1853-1927 Mourides: Brotherhood: connected with Bamba Order Values: Peace, Hard Work
Sufism, Senegal and the Arts *Contemporary Artists imaging Senegal *Disenchanted youth reclaimed forgotten or maligned areas by cleaning and imaging with artworks including numerous visions of Ahmadou Bamba *Visual arts combine with music for an experience that reinforces personal connections and universal connections with Islam through Sufism
Youssou N Dour Senegalese artist born 10/1/1959. Musician, actor, politician, businessman Grammy award winning Youssou N Dour film I Bring What I Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bftoqzsljaw&index =20&list=PLpM0rIgR6BUpcq9LkxKRkVRjow-XHYPTW Album: Egypt Bamba the Poet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc93kz8ujpy&list=plhdcjpwk5sltyaahp_ajj REP0zjpcFmlN&index=6
Architecture Early forms: Soudanese style common Use of clay, tolon: scaffolding of wood stakes (decorative and functional), buttresses for support, mihrab tower, flat roof Fortress like exterior similar to traditional tata defensive structures Combination of local traditions with Islamic traditions Contemporary Mix of contemporary materials such as cement and glass Influence from other mosque styles including pointed arches and domes
Nani Topeng Losari *Malay traditional mask dancer *Generation *stories told through dance
Ajoka Theater: Dara *Madeeha Gauhar and Salman Shahid founded 1984 *Pakistani contemporary theatrical group *Social protest-awareness-peace *
Sounds of Kolachi 10 members Traditional and contemporary musicians Fusion of folk, rock, rhythm, traditional, funk, etc Listen!
Curriculum Implementation of Fellowship Cultural Kits: Encourage student exploration of cultural artifacts for hands on engagement Our experiences with the Arts in transcending linguistic and stereotype boundaries in order to promote relevant dialogue Instructional curriculum for the classroom GIAT impact
Cultural kits Senegal Timbuktu EXPLORE!
Breaking Boundaries through Art Students can make connections through the arts: dispel us and other concepts Arts deliver content in a form that is engaging Repetition of elements within the art forms correlates with emphasis upon repetition in Islam practice Meditative Inclusive of various cultural elements to allow for diaspora of Islam with respect to existing culture
Connections to US History Musical Traditions Students can explore connections between West African musical traditions and American musical traditions; importance of griots and drumming... Congo Square
Music in Africa often contains messages. Music in Senegal, and Africa, is never music for music's sake or solely for entertainment. It's always a vehicle for social connections, discussions and ideas. -Youssou N'Dour http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/02/14/insideafrica-senegal-music-a.cnn
Resources Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies: http://ncmideast.org/ Outreach Coordinator: Emma Harver, harver@email.unc.edu Thanks :)