Download AFRICAN CULTURAL APPRECIATION DAY: Wednesday

AFRICAN CULTURAL APPRECIATION DAY
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
It seems like we’re talking about a lot of things “wrong” with Africa. What about the
good stuff? It’s important that we recognize and appreciate the incredible cultural richness of the
diverse African cultural regions. What better way than a Cultural appreciation day? 
Each person is responsible for bringing in a physical example of African culture. You will be
assigned 1 of the following:
WEST AFRICA
EAST AFRICA
Music
Food
Painting or sculpture
Clothing
Music
Food
Painting or sculpture
Clothing
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Music
Food
Painting or sculpture
Clothing
CENTRAL OR NORTH
Music
Food
Painting or sculpture
Clothing
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WITH YOUR TOPIC:
-
-
You must bring in a real example (or two or three) of your piece of culture. The only
exception to this is clothing. However, if you sign up for clothing, you certainly CAN bring
something physical in. If you do not, you need a very well done, comprehensive poster.
include a short (1 page) but comprehensive description of your piece
o What it is (name, genre, etc.)
o Where in Africa it comes from
o Why are the materials chosen.
o What its cultural significance/value is to the native people of that region
o For an example, see the back of this page.
HALF the class will be responsible for bringing things on this day (the other half of the class will
bring things for our Latin American Cultural Appreciation day on November 9th.
This project is worth 30 points.
SCORE
6
DESCRIPTION/EXPLANATION
-
5
-
4
-
3
2
Props & pictures demonstrate clearly for the audience an authentic cultural example of
the region assigned.
Written explanation clearly and completely teaches audience all 4 content pieces (above).
Display shows thought, care and effort.
Props depict a cultural example of the region assigned, though choice of prop lacked
thoroughness. OR
Written explanation clearly teaches all 4 content pieces for the topic, though 1 is
superficial OR
Display shows thought, though care and effort are superficial.
Props depict a cultural example of the region assigned, though choice of prop lacked
thoroughness.
Written explanation attempts to teach all 4 content pieces for the topic, though 2 are
superficial or 1 is lacking completely
Display shows thought, though care and effort are superficial.
- Props are poorly chosen or show lack of care.
- Written explanation is lacking 2 content pieces, or overall superficial.
- Display is quickly constructed or shows lack of care/preparation.
- Props & display clearly show lack of attention to the topic
- Written explanation shows lack of attention to the topic, content is lacking
EXAMPLE EXPLANATION OF CULTURE (if you were doing America instead of Africa)
Hip Hop is a very popular type of music in the United States, especially with young
people. While people in the United States listen to many different types of music such as rock &
roll, jazz, blues, classical and country, Hip hop has grown in popularity more than any other type
of American music in recent decades.
Hip hop began in African American communities in the 1970’s, but has since spread to
the mainstream. Originally, Hip Hop recording artists were all African American, but this is
changing more and more as hip hop becomes more popular. For example, in the 1980’s the
group “The Beastie Boys” began to broaden hip hop as well as open it up to interpretations from
different ethnic groups of the area. Today, there are many different branches of hip-hop such as .
. . (?)
Hip hop is unique (as you can tell by listening to the sample I’m playing for you) for its
focus on rhythm over tone (musical notes). While “hooks” (short, simple note combinations) are
used to bring some tone to the music, it’s the beat/rhythm that one notices, even in the artists
voice. The words always rhyme, and all carry the same beat/rhythm. The lyrical focus
traditionally has been about life in working class communities. Topics such as sex, drugs, gang
warfare, and life’s other struggles are more common in hip hop lyrics than other American
musical styles, though hip hop lyrics do cover any and all topics. For example, you can see the
lyrics of this song on the poster.
Hip hop music incorporates a significant amount of technology. For example, instead of
using a real live drummer, hip hop recording artists usually use a drum machine or beat track
which has been previously recorded. Hip hop artists often have access to a significant amount of
musical recording technology, and choose to use this technology instead of a large band of
musicians. Recording studios in the United States are very advanced compared to the rest of the
world, so artists have access to a wide array of musical technology for hip hop artists that might
not be available in other world regions. In the end, using electronics can be cheaper than paying
a lot of musicians. The artist gets to keep more of the money for himself, where a band might
split the money among 5 or more people. Hip hop music artists can become very wealthy, and
music is seen by many in working class communities as a ticket to a better life. Shows such as
“Making the Band” are clear examples of this socio-economic situation.