Traditionally, an important function of folktales in West Africa has been to educate, as the older generation imparts knowledge to younger members of the family, tribe, societal unit, or ethnic group both informally in everyday life and more formally within the context of the bush schools. This anthology of West African folk literature offers more…

Delineates the cultural norms evident in the performance and practice of Ghanaian children's play songs. Describes the similarities and differences between these and those of adult Ghanaian music culture. Discusses the social significance of the songs and includes several tables showing musical notation. (MJP)

Compares and contrasts Namibian and U.S. policies concerning the promotion of English as an official language. Praises Namibia's thoughtful, gradual, and nonpunitive approach. Characterizes the U.S. policy as fragmented, contradictory, and driven by political considerations. (MJP)

Discusses the concept of Afrocentrism and presents the arguments of several scholars for and against the role of Afrocentrism in education. Implications for librarians are considered, and guidelines for related collections and services are offered. Major African studies repositories and suggested titles for Afrocentric collections are listed. (MES)

Contends that, in the past 30 years, a dramatic upsurge has taken place in activities designed to promote human rights for indigenous peoples around the world. Asserts that, in the case of Africa, attention generally has been concentrated on socioeconomic rights, such as health care, sufficient water, food, and shelter. (CFR)

Presents an in-depth portrait of the British government's educational policy in the Bechuanaland protectorate. The government systematized the primary school syllabus, regularized payment and training of teachers, and established cattle post schools. However, blatant discrimination favored support of European schools over African and little…

This article discusses the appointment of Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust as the first woman named president of Harvard University, which marks a diversity high point in the storied history of the nation's oldest university. At age 9, Faust famously wrote to U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower calling for an end to segregation. And in her current role as a…

The annotated bibliography cites over 500 audio-visual materials in the Afro-American Resource Center of the Toledo Public Schools. Black history and culture are emphasized, although some of the materials treat other ethnic and minority groups. Some items cited were published in the 70's, but most date from the 60's. The publication is divided…

Explores the native artwork of the Benin people and discusses how it can be used to document an African perspective to the "Age of Discovery." Portugal established trade with Benin (a small country on the west coast of Africa) in 1486. Includes illustrations and suggested student activities. (MJP)

Examines the interplay of social, cultural, and political factors involved in the education of native women in Southern Rhodesia between 1900 and 1934. Although originally conceived as a program stressing domesticity and social control, the women became active participants, transforming themselves into educational leaders. (MJP)

Assesses to present state of knowledge of African-American contributions to, and the role of slavery in the settlement of, the Americas. Suggests areas for future research and discusses research problems. Argues that the economics of capitalism had more effect on conditions of slavery than did the legal codes. (DK)

Reviews the debate concerning the impact of Afrocentric education and multicultural education on U.S. history instruction and course content. Responds to criticisms of Afrocentric education by historians Diane Ravitch and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Contends that multicultural education can help recognize divisions in U.S. society and show a…

The paper explores the effects of industrialization on objectives and content of education for women. Three groups of women serve as examples--Jewish women who immigrated from unindustrialized areas of Europe to the growing industrial economy of early 20th century United States; Ghanaian women who function in a dual economy historically and…

This book is the first in a series of UNESCO guide books for teaching geography on a continental scale, dealing with either land masses or vast regional groups which have common characteristics. Written by African geographers, it is intended for primary and secondary school teachers, teacher-training institutions in Africa, and also for geography…

The document presents 17 syllabi for undergraduate humanities courses treating black culture. This first volume of syllabi was prepared by participants in a 1981 Humanities Institute at Spelman College as part of an National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant. The document is divided into two parts. Part one, the bulk of the document, is…