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Dinizulu African Dancers, Drummers and Singers
THE
AFRICAN DIASPORA African Diaspora: Are the communities of people of Black African descent, scattered throughout the globe. The term expresses commonality with Africa as a place of origin and a distinction from Africa in time and place.
Mission Statement 1. The African Diaspora Children’s Museum endeavors to build upon the African principal of the extended family. Through family and community involvement in our programs we hope to strengthen and nurture a sense of self-actualization, history and community. 2. Through interactive participation in the museum curriculum students will develop a heightened awareness of self and African ancestral contributions to global development. 3. Children will develop a deeper understanding of the role of the African Diaspora in creating and contributing to the world’s development and economy.
Foreword
Africa is the birthplace of humankind. Through the ages Africa has had a rich and vibrant history. Ghana, Mali, Songhay, and Egypt were among the nations that developed and spawned eminent leaders, scientists, architects, and universities. Across the Sahara, trade flourished with the Arabs, as well as with Europe and other countries. The face of Africa was irreversibly altered, when the Europeans began their period of exploration and conquest. Slavery and colonialism abruptly halted African development. Despite this stifling of the human and creative spirit, wherever their location, whatever their condition, the African people carried with them their genius and knowledge and made many of the most significant contributions known to man. Because they were not participants in the writing of their own history, their many meaningful contributions have been omitted from the history books, and remain, to a degree, unrecognized and unheralded. We have developed the African Diaspora Children’s Museum from private collections and contributions so that youth from all cultures may, through interactive participation with the subjects and objects displayed, and with the support and encouragement of their educators and parents, deepen their knowledge of Africa, her people around the globe and their contributions. A dedicated group of scholars and educators embraced the idea and mission of the museum, formed an advisory board and spent an entire summer and countless hours in the preparation of this guide. This curriculum guide was developed to accompany and complement the exhibits in our museum. We hope that it will stimulate your interest and imagination so that you may participate by adding this information to your regular lesson plans in creative and interesting ways. The museum was established as a result of the vision of Nana Kimati Dinizulu, and is dedicated to the memory of Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu, a consummate teacher of African history and culture, and founder of Aims of Modzawe, Inc.
The
Dinizulu Center of African Culture & Research
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