The Baobab Project: Exploring Southern African Identity in Vancouver
Rohene and Rowena
Wednesday, 2 July 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (PDT)
Burnaby Public Library - Tommy Douglas Branch
7311 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC V5E 1G8
Rohene and Rowena
Wednesday, 2 July 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (PDT)
Burnaby Public Library - Tommy Douglas Branch
7311 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC V5E 1G8
A Little Background...
The Southern African region is made up of countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. From landlocked countries to regions with an assortment of landscapes, a trip
to Southern Africa is an unforgettable experience. Southern Africa is filled with both
the historical and the natural, as well as being home to culturally rich and ethnically diverse people. It is also the place
where singers like Brenda Fassie, Andy Brown and Oliver
"Tuku" Mtukudzi became important figures whose songs were not just
played at weddings and parties, but also put Africa in the spotlight.
Why the baobab? The baobab tree is of great importance in Africa. Found in many Southern African countries, the baobab tree sustains people by providing them with food, shelter and fibre. An ubiquitous and easily recognizable tree due to its prodigiousness, it is also the source of many myths and legends, both positive and negative. The baobab is viewed as a symbol of life, somehow managing to thrive in harsh climates using very little water. Historically, African elders have met in its shade in order to hold meetings and deliberate on important issues.
We wanted to use the powerful and admirable quality of resilience to frame our project, making the baobab not only relevant but enlightening. Using the baobab tree as a symbol of African dialogue, we too (as our ancestors have done in the past) sit here in Vancouver and discuss Southern African roots, identity and belonging with you.
Why the baobab? The baobab tree is of great importance in Africa. Found in many Southern African countries, the baobab tree sustains people by providing them with food, shelter and fibre. An ubiquitous and easily recognizable tree due to its prodigiousness, it is also the source of many myths and legends, both positive and negative. The baobab is viewed as a symbol of life, somehow managing to thrive in harsh climates using very little water. Historically, African elders have met in its shade in order to hold meetings and deliberate on important issues.
We wanted to use the powerful and admirable quality of resilience to frame our project, making the baobab not only relevant but enlightening. Using the baobab tree as a symbol of African dialogue, we too (as our ancestors have done in the past) sit here in Vancouver and discuss Southern African roots, identity and belonging with you.