African Studies 60-year anniversary publication

AFRICAN STUDIES

1961

YEARS 2021

2021-22 NEWSLETTER Indiana University | African Studies Program

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60th Anniversary Issue Promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the African continent and its global diasporas through diverse research, teaching and outreach activities for 60 years.

1

Director’s Welcome

5

New Voices in African Studies

8

ASP at 60

15

Student Features

21

Student Awards

23 Program News 39 Events 46 Outreach 54 ASP Reading List

African Studies Associate Instructors, faculty, and staff

Director’s Welcome Beth Buggenhagen Greetings students and global alumni, Faculty, Faculty Emeriti, and

Lecturer, IU Language

friends. In 2021 the African Studies Program at Indiana University

Workshop and

celebrates its 60th anniversary from 1961-2021 as a program dedicated

Program Manager, IU

to promoting the greater understanding of Africa and its dynamic,

Language Workshop,

global diasporas. We have had a long tradition of excellence in the study

Dr. Christina Collins,

As a globally recognized, profoundly multidisciplinary program at Indiana University, we will continue to build our international partnerships and exchanges.

of African languages and research

Assistant Professor

expertise related to the continent and

of Anthropology, and Dr. Kazeem

its diasporas. Now more than ever,

Sanuth, Associate Director, National

our research, teaching, and outreach

African Languages Resource Center,

are vital to the world in which we find

among others. The journal, Africa Today,

ourselves.

published by IU Press welcomes a new Editorial Assistant, Asher Lubotzky, a

As I write this I am pleased to

Ph.D. candidate in History and a recent

reflect on the number of students

Ph.D. in Political Science, Kevin Taber, as

and faculty researching abroad

a Book Review Editor.

this summer with prestigious grant and fellowship support despite a prolonged period of upheaval, which continues to unfold in unpredictable

It is with great sadness that we share

ways with unprecedented consequences for our global connections. I am

the news of those who have passed.

also delighted to welcome new graduate students and new colleagues

We mourn the passing of Dr. Patrick

to African Studies including Dr. Nana Amoah-Ramey, Lecturer, African

O’Meara. Many of you have fond

American and African Diaspora Studies and Lecturer, Akan Language and

memories of his life and works in front

West African cultures, African Studies Program, Dr. Joseph Bradshaw,

of and behind the scenes for African Indiana University | African Studies Program

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Looking forward, we also continue to invest in long-term collaborations with other Title VI Africa National Resource Centers (NRCs) focused on nationwide outreach initiatives, including teacher trainings in the U.S. and on the continent. ASP also collaborates with, and supports, the consortia work of the Africana Librarians Group, and the African Studies Association’s Outreach Council. ASP maintains active institutional memberships with the Association African Studies Associate Instructors and graduate assistants

of African Studies Programs; African Language Materials Archive (ALMA); West African Research Association (WARA); and

Studies. No single note can capture the extent of his reach and the

the African Studies Association.

myriad ways in which he lightened our loads with his calm reassurance and wit. Dr. O’Meara served as Director of African Studies for two

I am pleased to share exciting events to

decades beginning in 1972, just twelve years after he came to IU for his

look forward to in the African Studies

doctorate in Political Science. Even after he stepped down, he stewarded

Program. On October 6th we will hold our

the program with great care. We plan to honor his life and works in the

annual welcome reception at the Wells

coming academic year. We also mourn the passing of Mpolo Lesetla, a

Library where we will have the opportunity

beloved Associate Instructor who taught isiZulu for many years as she

to visit an exhibition in the Archives

pursued her second MA degree in the Hamilton Lugar School of Global

Research Room curated by African

and International Studies. Both will be greatly missed.

Studies Collections’ Librarian, Mireille Djenno, with Indiana University Archives

Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, African Studies will have

commemorating 60 years of excellence

special programming and guests, invite back alumni, reflect on our

in research and collections at IU related

history, and look toward the future. As a globally recognized, profoundly

to the African continent. The exhibit will

multidisciplinary program at Indiana

be on view from September to December

University we will continue to build

2021. We will host a virtual gathering

our international partnerships and

and a performance for our alumni at the

exchanges which include Cairo

African Studies Association to honor and

University (Egypt); University of

celebrate the life of Dr. Patrick O’Meara.

Looking forward, we also continue to invest in long-term collaborations with other Title VI Africa National Resource Centers (NRCs) focused on nationwide outreach initiatives.

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Ghana at Legon; University of Cape Coast (Ghana); Kwame Nkrumah

In Spring 2022 our graduate colloquium

University of Science and Technology

led by Dr. Solimar Otero, will feature

(Ghana); the University of Pretoria

Dr. Toyin Falola, the Jacob and Frances

(South Africa); the University of Cape

Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities

Town (South Africa); the University of Western Cape (South Africa);

at the University of Texas at Austin and Dr.

the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); the University Cheikh Anta

J. Lorand Matory, Lawrence Richardson

Diop’s School of Education (Senegal); the University of Rwanda; Moi

Distinguished Professor of Cultural

University (Kenya); and, the Institute of African Studies at the University

Anthropology, Duke University. Later

of Bayreuth (Germany).

in the semester the seminar will host

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

On April 6th, African Studies will hold our annual Spring celebration during which we will announce student awards and feature a performance celebrating 60 years of the African Studies Program at Indiana University.

Dr. Aisha Beliso-De Jesus, Professor of American Studies, Princeton

the legacy of Dr. Roy Sieber, Dr. J. Gus

University and Dr. Françoise Lionnet, Research Professor of Romance

Liebenow, and Dr. Patrick O’Meara and

Languages and Literatures, Comparative Literature, Women, Gender

their students among other events.

and Sexuality Studies, and African and African American Studies, Harvard University. On April 6th, African Studies will hold our annual

Very Best,

Spring celebration during which we will announce student awards and feature a performance celebrating 60 years of the African Studies Program at Indiana University. Additional plans are in the works to honor

Beth Buggenhagen

New Voices in African Studies Nana A. Amoah-Ramey Lecturer, African American and African Diaspora Studies Lecturer, Akan Language and West African cultures, African Studies Program Assistant Coordinator, African Languages Program Regional Expertise: Ghana; West Africa

MAURITANIA MALI

THE GAMBIA

NIGER CHAD

SENEGAL

GUINEABISSAU

BURKINA FASO

GUINEA IVORY COAST

SIERRA LEONE

NIGERIA GHANA

LIBERIA

BENIN

Nana Abena Amoah-Ramey, Ph.D., is a Lecturer at the IU Department of African American

CAMEROON TOGO EQUITORIAL GUINEA

& African Diaspora Studies and the African Studies Program. She currently serves as Coordinator of Student Services for the Hutton Honors College’s Culture and Health Study Abroad Program, from which IU sends Study Abroad students to Ghana every other year.

She also serves as a Commissioner on Bloomington’s Commission on Women’s Status.

In 2016, Dr. Amoah-Ramey earned her Ph.D. degree from the flagship Bloomington campus of Indiana University in African American & African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) with a minor in African Studies and a focus in Ethnomusicology. Her undergraduate and M. Phil degrees in Ethnomusicology are from Ghana’s premier university, the University of Ghana. In addition, she received part of her graduate education from Hanover’s Music and Theater University in Germany. Dr. Amoah-Ramey’s research interests lie in African American & African Diaspora Literature and African Popular Music and Cultures, Gender Roles and Representations, Diversity & Internationalization Innovative Teaching Pedagogies.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

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Dr. Amoah-Ramey’s first book, titled Female Highlife Performers in

Dr. Amoah-Ramey, popularly known as

Ghana: Expression, Resistance, and Advocacy, is published by Lexington

Nana, is a recipient of the “Living Legend

Books. It is an expert account of the history and innovative challenges

Award” of the Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa

and progress, which have led to increased contributions of female

Alpha (AKA) Sorority Incorporated, a fellow

performers in Ghana’s Highlife musical tradition. She is also the author

of the Transformative Learning Collegium

of several review essays in refereed Journals, including a recently

at the Center for Teaching and Learning

published article titled “Biographies of two African American Women

Services, and a Study Abroad Award

in Religious Music: Clara Ward and Rosetta Tharpe.” Her current

recipient of the Hutton Honors College for

research and publishable projects are based on a comparative study of

Faculty training for Study Abroad training

the similarities, continuities, and differences between popular female

funded by the U. S. Department of State’s

musicians in Africa, the American black diaspora, and selected geo-

Capacity Building Program, all received in

cultural international locations.

2019 from Indiana University.

Joseph Bradshaw Director of Defense and Strategic Initiatives Language Workshop, HLS

MAURITANIA

Regional Expertise: Senegal; Mali

MALI

Dr. Bradshaw holds a Ph.D. in African History. His research

SENEGAL

THE GAMBIA

and teaching interests are in African political history of 19th

GUINEABISSAU

and 20th C.; Muslim West Africa; Western Sahel; Futanke; identity formation, political alliance, and warfare from the precolonial period to the moment of colonial conquest;

BURKINA FASO

GUINEA

IVORY COAST

SIERRA LEONE

African intermediaries in colonial period; Arabic sources of history written by African writers.

GHANA

LIBERIA

Teaching areas: Military Engagement and Global Power Competition in Africa; Islam in Africa; Identity in African History; Precolonial African History; The Atlantic Slave Trade.

Christina Collins Assistant Professor, Anthropology

MAURITANIA

Research + Teaching Interests: SENEGAL THE GAMBIA Anthropology and business; industry GUINEAGUINEA BISSAU and industrialization in emerging SIERRA LEONE markets; national economy; alcohol LIBERIA production, distribution, and consumption; science and technology studies; anthropology of development

MALI

NIGER

ERITREA

SUDAN

CHAD

DJIBOUTI

BURKINA FASO IVORY COAST

NIGERIA GHANA TOGO

CAMEROON

ETHIOPIA

SOUTH SUDAN

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

BENIN EQUATORIAL GUINEA GABON

CONGO

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Regional Expertise: Ethiopia; Sub-Sahara Africa

UGANDA

KENYA RWANDA

BURUNDI

TANZANIA

Christina T. Collins is a cultural anthropologist whose ethnographic research examines the social, cultural, and economic impact of multinational alcohol companies in Ethiopia. Up

MALAWI

ANGOLA

privatizations have opened up the local market to international competition. With a focus on beer andLugar brewing, fieldwork exploresStudies the socio-cultural effects of private investments Hamilton Schoolher of Global & International

ZIMBABWE

NAMIBIA

BOTSWANA

within labor and service economies (e.g., brewing, malt barley production, draft cleaning services, alcohol distribution, food and beverage services, advertising/marketing, and entertainment/nightlife). Her research shows that market activities (i.e., the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of commercial lagers in Ethiopia) are not merely economic in nature but saturated with symbolic, affective, religious, ethnic, and political meanings.

MOZAMBIQUE

ZAMBIA

until the early 2010s, the alcohol industry in Ethiopia was primarily state-owned, but recent 6

SOMALIA

SWAZILAND

SOUTH AFRICA

LESOTHO

Kazeem Kéhìndé Sanuth Associate Director, National African Languages Resource Center Adjunct Lecturer, African Studies Program Regional Expertise: Nigeria

MAURITANIA MALI

Kazeem Kéhìndé Sanuth holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) with a combined

THE GAMBIA

minor in the pedagogy of Less Commonly Taught Languages from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also has an M.A. in African Languages and Literature from the same university.

His research explores the social, cultural, and linguistic implications

NIGER CHAD

SENEGAL

GUINEABISSAU

BURKINA FASO

GUINEA IVORY COAST

SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA

NIGERIA GHANA BENIN

CAMEROON TOGO

of language study abroad in a multilingual West African setting.

EQUITORIAL GUINEA

Dr. Sanuth has been involved in language education and internationalization as a classroom instructor, a coordinator,

Kazeem’s mission is to further raise the

and an administrator of language education programs. Before

profile of the NALRC, to enhance supports

transitioning to NALRC, he served as the International Education

for scholarship and practice in the field

Outreach Administrator with the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and

of African language pedagogy, and to

International Studies (HLS), Indiana University-Bloomington.

broaden access to the center’s resources.

Asher Lubotzky Africa Today Editorial Assistant Asher Lubotzky is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of History at Indiana University. His Ph.D. dissertation explores the early relationship between the State of Israel and Southern Africa (1948-1976) as well as different South African interpretations of Zionism. Asher is the recipient of the Gerda Henkel Ph.D. Scholarship for 2021-2023.

Kevin Taber Africa Today Book Review Editor Kevin Taber recently earned his Ph.D. in political science from Indiana University and will be joining the faculty of Purdue University as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the academic year. His research focuses on contemporary African migration and diaspora communities and their impact on development, governance, and human security in their places of origin, as well as the implications these dynamics have for Global North-South relations.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

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Celebrating I

n 2021, the IU African Studies Program celebrated its 60th anniversary with a reception in Hazelbaker Hall. A welcome was given by

Director Beth Buggenhagen – a historical moment for IU’s African Studies Program as she is the first woman to lead the program as a full director.

Virginia Delancy and Tavy Aherne previously led as Interim Directors.

Kotchegna Dance Company performed at the African Studies Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies Program 60th 8anniversary closing celebration

60

Years

of African Studies

The performance was followed by tours of the IU Archives exhibition, In the National Interest: The Founding and

The welcome was followed by a tribute to former long-time ASP Director

Early Growth of Indiana University’s

Patrick O’Meara who passed away this year. Professor Daniel Reed

African Studies Program. The exhibition

and Associate Director Dr. Tavy Aherne — both alumni of the IU African

tour was led by African Studies

Studies doctoral program — offered their memories as former graduate

Collections Librarian, Mireille Djenno,

students under Patrick. These were followed by memories from the

who curated the special exhibition.

audience and tributes written by those who could not attend in person.

A photo booth was also set up by Ph.D.

Thank you to all who could join us in celebrating this milestone, and to those who made it possible.

Attendees were treated to an outstanding

student George Armstrong, who before

performance by Ph.D. candidate Sylvester

pursuing a degree in Anthropology

Makobi and Kimberly Carballo, both of the

and African Studies at IU, was already

Jacobs Music School. Makobi’s research

an accomplished professional

interests are in songs for solo voice and piano

photographer.

by African and African diaspora composers.

Carballo is an instructor and coordinating opera

Thank you to all who could join us in

coach, and member of the Tunaweza Kimuzikia

celebrating this milestone, and to

project promoting exchange among educators, scholars, and performers

those who made it possible.

in Kenya and the U.S.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

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African Studies Program faculty and staff gather for the 60th anniversary celebration. Left to right: John Hanson, Tavy Aherne, Beth Buggenhagen, Maria Grosz-Ngaté, Alwiya Omar, Marilyn Estep

Director Beth Buggenhagen welcomed guests to the African Studies Program 60th anniversary reception in Hazelbaker Hall.

ASP alumna Tyrikka Bailey

Left to right: George Armstrong, Paul Ntinda, Alwiya Omar, Ian Thomas

African Studies Ph.D. student and photographer George Armstrong set up a photo booth for guests.

African Studies Collections Librarian, Mireille Djenno, led tours of the IU Archives exhibition, In the National Interest: The Founding and Early Growth of Indiana University’s African Studies Program.

Top left to right: Mireille Djenno, John Hanson, Alex O'Neil, Beidy Sow, Paul Ntinda Bottom left to right: Wayne Parkinson, Twalha Abass, Kazeem Sanuth, Matthew Ajjibade

60th Anniversary Commemorative Presentations for the Spring Contemporary African Seminar Solimar Otero

Spring 2022

Aesthetics of the Underground: Performing the Street in Africa The African Studies Program’s 60th anniversary was celebrated in

presentations

multiple ways. One was through inviting internationally known scholars

by Toyin Falola,

to IU to participate in the renowned African Studies Colloquium,

J. Lorand

Internationally known scholars visited Indiana University to participate in the renowned African Studies Graduate Seminar, previously known as the Wednesday Night Seminars.

previously known as the

Matory, and

Wednesday Night Seminars.

Aisha Beliso-De

These public lectures are always

Jesús, Beatrice

linked to the topic of the annual

Capote, and

seminar, extending and enriching

Joe Galvin were

the issues.

hosted by the

Solimar Otero

African Studies In spring semester 2022,

Program and the Department of Folklore

Professor Solimar Otero taught

and Ethnomusicology in a joint series.

the AFRI-A731 seminar under

The course and events provided exciting

the topic, “Aesthetics of the

avenues for contemplating the impact

Underground: Performing the Street in Africa.” The interdisciplinary

of Africa in the global construction of

course introduced students to how vernacular performances in Africa

history, modernity, postmodernity,

and the African Diaspora constitute a range of embodied, material, and

and futurist worlds. We thank our

linguistic forms that provide unique viewpoints into the construction of

distinguished guests and all who joined us

place and knowledge, in public and private spheres. Commemorative

for the presentations.

Toyin Falola

January 26, 2022

Jacob & Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, Professor, History University of Texas, Austin

From Pan-Africanism to Afro-Futurism: Trajectories of African Liberationist Thought Trajectories of African Liberationist Thought This presentation explored the historical and cultural trajectory of African Liberationist thought. By connecting past pan-African coalition-building strategies to contemporary manifestations of Afro-Futurism, Falola unveiled evolving connections across time, nations, and forms of expression that situate Africa’s lasting importance in global movements.

An opening poem was recited by Maria Hamilton Abegunde, Assistant Professor, African American and African Diaspora Studies, Indiana University.

Falola

Abegunde

J. Lorand Matory

March 25, 2022

Lawrence Richardson Professor of Cultural Anthropology and African and African American Studies, Duke University

Slavery in the Heart of Freedom: Race, Religion, and Politics through the Lens of BDSM This lecture compared white US American BDSM, Haitian Vodou, and Trumpism as parallel, but ethically divergent, forms of nostalgia for compulsory hierarchy and solidarity in an

This lecture compares white US American BDSM, Haitian Vodou, and Trumpism as parallel, but ethically divergent, forms of nostalgia for compulsory hierarchy and solidarity.

age of compulsory competition and self-sufficiency.

White US American

Matory

Galvin

Capote

BDSM and Haitian Vodou demonstrate that — even

longing for a violent Messiah who would

for the greatest beneficiaries and

resurrect an Eden free of Black and brown

the greatest potential beneficiaries of the Enlightenment’s promises

competition.

— freedom and legal equality create a yawning hunger for the opposite condition. Having arisen amid the concurrence of the Enlightenment

An opening dance and Bata performance

and the Atlantic slave trade, BDSM’s paradigm of relief — and Vodou’s

were performed by Beatrice Capote,

powerhouse — is the Black slave. Trumpism dramatizes the ambivalence

Assistant Professor of Dance, IU and

of the middle rank—that is, precarious white US Americans’ slave-

Joe Galvin, Lecturer in Music, Indiana

identified rebellion against their class superiors and their equal

University Jacobs School.

Aisha Beliso-De Jesús

January 26, 2022

Professor of American Studies, Princeton University

Blamed to Death: Excited Delirium, Police Violence, and Spirit Activism Since the 1980s, “excited delirium” syndrome has been used by medical

police violence,

examiners to diagnose the unexplained deaths of a number of people who

and spirit

suddenly die in police custody. Mostly Black and Latino men seem to die

activism in the

unexpectedly in police interactions, and in many cases these people are

state-craft

blamed for their own death. During ethnographic research on the policing

produced through

of Santeria in the United States, I came upon a case of excited delirium,

excited delirium

and a spirit who was attempting to “correct” the blame for his death.

syndrome.

Based on ethnographic research with law enforcement and Santeria religious practitioners, this talk examined issues of race, accountability,

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Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

Aisha Beliso-De Jesús

Closing Celebrations for ASP 60th

Multimedia artist Emeka Okereke presents his work at the Eskenazi Museum of Art

Visiting Artist Emeka Okereke African Studies closed the year’s celebration of its 60th anniverary with

ASP graduate

several public events as well as special events for IU students. In the fall,

students were

the renowned multimedia artist Emeka Okereke was a Visiting Artist

deeply engaged in

Emeka Okereke has exhibited in biennales and art festivals in cities across the world.

with African Studies and the Eskenazi

the presentation

Museum of Art. Emeka Okereke (b.

and the

1980) is a Nigerian photographer,

conversation that

filmmaker, writer, and visual artist who

followed as many

lives and works in Lagos and Berlin.

are beginning their

A former member of the renowned

research fieldwork and collaboration with

Nigerian photography collective Depth

African colleagues is paramount.

of Field, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from l’Ecole Nationale supérieure des Beaux Arts de Paris and has exhibited in biennales and art

The 60th anniversary celebrations closed

festivals in cities across the world, notably Lagos, Bamako, Cape Town,

with a public lecture by Okereke at the

London, Berlin, Beirut, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Brussels, Johannesburg,

Martin Commons in the Eskenazi Museum

New York, Washington, Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, and Paris. Okereke

of Art, attended by more than 75 audience

is the cofounder of the Invisible Borders Trans-African Photographers

members. The lecture was part of the

Organization and the founder and host of Nkata Podcast Station as well

Visiting Artist Eskenazi Musuem series,

as the Director of Kupesonic Sound Project. In 2018, he received the

a student-hosted series. Okereke was

Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the government of France.

introduced by doctoral students Rachel Kabukala and Alexandria Nickolaou;

Okereke shared his creative practices through a multi-day Masterclass

Kabukala also fasciliated a discussion with

workshop for students in the Eskenazi School of Art and African Studies.

the audience post-presentation. Okereke

He was also a guest lecturer for Dr. Buggenhagen’s seminar on Global

discussed his artistic practices, his work, and

Africa. Additionally, he was one of our colloquium speakers for the year,

that of artists with whom he collaborates on

sharing how he works collaboratively with fellow artists and scholars.

projects such as Invisible Borders.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

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Kotchegna Dance Company The closing day events began with an outstanding performance by Vado Diomande and members of the Kotchegna Dance Company.

Based in New York, this exciting troupe features dancers, mask spirit performers and drummers from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) under the direction of master dancer and choreographer Vado Diomande. This public event was supported by the IU African Studies Program in celebration of its 60th anniversary and would not

African Studies closed its 60 — and closed down the museum that evening — with a festive reception for all attendees, faculty and students. Thank you for being a part of our celebrations over the past year. th

have been possible without the efforts of Professor Emeritus Daniel Reed. Dr. Reed, an ethnomusicologist, assisted in bringing Vado Diamande and dance company to Bloomington.

The performance concluded with a masquerade procession to the Eskenazi Art Museum for the public lecture by international known Nigerian multimedia artist Emeka Okereke.

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Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

Undergraduate Student Features Why African Studies?

Alumni Update

A conversation with sophomore Kevin Mantell

A conversation with recent alum Sydney Pleak

Kevin Mantell is a sophomore at IU, taking courses in International Studies and African Studies in the IU Hamilton Lugar School for Global

Sydney Pleak

and International Studies (HLS). Unlike most students who discover

graduated from

their interest while taking courses, Kevin knew he wanted to do a minor

the O’Neil School

in African Studies when he arrived at

with a BS in Public

IU as a freshman. So we asked him,

Affairs and a Minor

why African Studies?

in African Languages

I felt that many of the cultures, innovations, and knowledge within the continent go ignored, especially among US policymakers

(Zulu concentration) I decided to go into African Studies

from African Studies.

mainly because I felt that many of the cultures, innovations, and knowledge

Sydney said:

within the continent go ignored,

During my time at IU, I worked closely

especially among U.S. policymakers.

with African Studies – especially Dr.

From much of what I've seen, [Africa] is also incredibly beautiful. I can't

Aherne – as an undergraduate outreach

wait to visit soon.

ambassador. I studied isiZulu all four years with Dr. Dlamini and was a FLAS

What classes have you taken thus far, and

Fellow for three of the four. I loved my time

why do you enjoy them?

with the program and cannot imagine

So far I've taken Introduction to African Studies

where I would be without my wonderful

with Dr. Aherne as well as Contemporary Africa

experiences.

with doctoral student Emily Stratton. What I've most enjoyed about these classes is that they

Currently, I am navigating the post-

have helped me deconstruct preconceived

graduation world of figuring out

notions I once had about Africa while opening my

how to merge my areas of study. My

eyes to the continent's social, political, and economic realities.

biggest interest involves how different geographical locations around the world

How else are you engaged here at IU?

utilize insect protein. Thus, I am currently

I'm involved in Model UN [representing Mali and South Africa] and the HLS

applying for a forest entomology field

Student Ambassadors. Although I currently take French as my language,

technician position in southern Georgia. I

I am looking to possibly take Akan in the future since I plan on studying

am incredibly thankful to have developed

abroad in Ghana next spring.

a cultural perspective through African Studies to enrich my future endeavors.

How do you think you'll use the knowledge you are gaining in what you want to do after graduation?

My dream is to one day become a diplomat, so I'm hoping that by better understanding African societies, interests, and challenges, I'll be more equipped to do my small part in advancing the many partnerships between the U.S. and Africa.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

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Weaving Identities: African Diasporic Arts of the Americas. Pictured above: African Studies Master's student, Paul Ntinde

Graduate Student Features Congratulations to Dr. Victor Alabi

Weaving Identities: African Diasporic Arts of the Americas Graduate student co-curates exhibition at McCalla School Gallery In early 2021, the newly renovated McCalla School galleries hosted an innovative exhibition co-curated by graduate student Alexandra Nickolaou, Weaving Identities: African Diasporic Arts of the Americas.

Nickolaou is a doctoral student in the

Victor Alabi with Alwiya Omar

Department of Art History under the

African Studies wishes to congratulate Victor Alabi on receiving his Degree

(Associate Professor, Tanner-Opperman

of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Linguistics in May this year. His

Chair of African Art History in Honor of Roy

dissertation was titled: Discursive Constructions of Selected Yorùbá Speech

Sieber), who co-curated the exhibition with

Acts: Apologies, Refusals, and Sympathies. Victor’s research specializations

Nickolaou.

advisement of Dr. Bárbaro Martinez-Ruiz

are in sociolinguistics, and pragmatics and semiotics for African Languages.

Victor taught all levels of Yoruba for the African Studies Program throughout

Working with Dr. Martinez-Ruiz, the

his IU career, receiving outstanding reviews for his teaching. He led the African

exhibition focused on large woven

Languages and Cultures Club, organizing the African Studies Program Language

tapestries of contemporary artists Faisal

Festivals for years. Among his accolades, Victor was the recipient of multiple

Abdu-Allah (b. 1969), Jose Bedia (b. 1959),

College Travel Awards for the presentation of academic papers, the African

and Carlos Luna (b. 1969). The three artists

Student Research Award, ASP pedagogical awards, and was a Fulbright Language

created original works for this exhibit,

& Teaching Assistant. Dr. Alabi has accepted a position at Brown University in

translating their works from other media

Rhode Island.

into these large-scale tapestries.

Faisal Abdu-Allah is Professor of Printmaking and the Chazen Family Distinguished Chair in Art at the University of Wisconsin Madison. In his work, he addresses contemporary art in relation to Afro-British culture, and issues of race and identity in relation to issues of cultural diversity and multiculturalism. Jose Bedia is a Cuban artist who draws from his anthropological studies of Kongo religion and his interest in

Alexandra Nickolaou

African roots of American culture. Bedia’s work has been exhibited internationally, including in the Biennales in La Habana, Sao Paulo, Venice, and Beijing. Carlos Luna is a Latin American multi-media artist. His work draws on his cultural background and on “how memories and imagination affect temporal perception.”

Nickolaou’s research interests complemented the exhibition’s focus: highlighting cross-cultural interactions in contemporary West African art.

Nickolaou’s research interests complemented the exhibition’s focus: highlighting cross-cultural interactions in contemporary West African art. This includes issues of materiality, neocolonialism, Othering, the globalization of “modernism” and “modernity,” the African Diaspora, and the interplay of technology and art.

World War II, Humanitarianism, and the French National Relief in Senegal

During this year’s ASP Colloquia, Rolfsen discussed a chapter of her

A presentation by Avenel Rolfson at ASP Colloquium

dissertation research

Avenel Rolfsen is a Ph.D. candidate in African History with a Ph.D.

during World War II in

minor in Gender Studies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History

Senegal. She shows

from Westminster College of Salt Lake City, Utah, where she

how many Senegalese

graduated magna cum laude with honors. She also received her

made significant

master’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington in 2018.

philanthropic contributions, both willingly

on humanitarian aid

Avenel Rolfsen

and unwillingly, to the French during Avenel is broadly interested in social, cultural, and Islamic

World War II. Indeed, people contributed

history. Her dissertation research examines the history of charity,

everything from small monetary amounts

humanitarianism and giving in Senegal from the late nineteenth

to food stuffs, to musical instruments

century until 1980. Using a variety of archival documents and

for soldiers. In doing so, she shows how

oral history interviews, her research focuses on the philanthropic

contrary to the normative narrative of

practices of the French colonial State and Muslim Wolof communities

humanitarian history, humanitarian aid

in Senegal. In addition to studying French and Arabic, Avenel has held

actually flowed from Senegal to France.

multiple Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships to study Wolof and Sereer, languages indigenous to Senegal. Her research has also been supported by a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

17

Building Bridges through Language Three ASP students win community award for volunteer work

Twalha Abbass

George Armstrong Paul Ntinda

Congratulations to our IU Bridges: Children, Languages, World volunteers for Swahili! Student volunteers in the Bridges: Children, Languages, World program organize fun and engaging activities to teach local K-6 children in Monroe County schools less commonly taught languages.

African Studies students, Twalha Abbass, Paul Ntinda, and George Armstrong, taught Swahili at the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington and were recognized with the Volunteer Group of the Year award! We are incredibly lucky to have such wonderful students willing to dedicate their time on a weekly basis to share their knowledge with others.

Graduate Students in African Studies This year, we wish to highlight board members of the African Studies graduate student organization dedicated to promoting graduate student dialogue and professional experiences with students, faculty, and scholars external to IU: Graduate Students in African Studies (GSAS).

The African Studies Program associate director, Tavy Aherne, has served as their advisor for several years. Since the onset of the pandemic, this student organization has responded and shifted to broaden their activities from an annual graduate symposium to hosting a repertoire of events as well as social engagements for all IU students with an interest in African Studies. Additionally, they have volunteered their time, offering for example, Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) application workshops for first-time applicants and all undergraduates, and were a source of information for their peers during the graduate student campus strike.

18

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

Emily Stratton Emily Stratton has served as a peer mentor this year for GSAS. Stratton is a dissertating Ph.D. candidate in Religious Studies and has a Ph.D. Minor in African Studies.

Her ethnographic project, “Making It: Young Men, Livelihoods, and Religious Form in Urban Ghana,” was carried out over several years in Accra’s rapidly expanding western suburbs.

Along the way, she has been developing a few side projects related to urban visual and popular culture in Ghana and has had her

photographs of Accra featured in Africa Today, Theologies of American Exceptionalism, and two personally curated online exhibitions through

Sylvester Makobi

IU’s Center for Religion & the Human. Her favorite thing, however, is

Sylvester Makobi is a

working with undergraduates. She has been teaching the African Studies

Kenyan student pursuing

Program’s Contemporary Africa course throughout the 2020-2021 and

a Doctor of Music

2021-2022 academic years and is constantly delighted to see students

degree, majoring in voice

finish their semesters having more sophisticated understandings of

performance under the

Africa than she ever did at their age, and thinking critically about issues

tutalage of Professor

in knowledge production representation, and source analysis.

Mariette Simpson in the IU Jacobs School of Music. His minors are in Music History, Ethnomusicology and Arts Administration.

Fabiyi (Segun) Oluwasegun Fabiyi (Segun) Oluwasegun is pursuing a master's in African Studies, and serves as the President of GSAS. His interests are in African politics, international development, governance, semantics, and socio-political discourse analysis. He earned a BA degree in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria where he researched “Euphemism and Dysphemism in the Language of Nnamdi Kanu: A Decolonial Discourse Perspective on Biafra Secession in Nigeria.” He taught Cambridge A-Levels examinations like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE and PTE. In 2020, he was a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he taught Yoruba. He is currently a grader for the African Studies Program and researcher assisting Mireille Djenno in the African Studies Collection at the IU Wells Library. His current project explores the analysis of youth politics and the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria.

Makobi’s research interests in song for solo voice and piano by African and African diaspora composers. Makobi has been active in various capacities including teaching Kiswahili, serving as the secretary of GSAS, serving previously as the GSAS representative to the African Studies Executive Committee, and performing at numerous events — most recently the ASP’s 60th anniversary celebration.

In 2020, Makobi won in three solo categories for university students and professors at the Kenya Music Festival. His performances have allowed him to traverse four continents. Makobi’s repertoire includes five concert performances with orchestra as tenor soloist and seven opera roles, most recently the role of “Nate” in the historic performance of William Grant Still’s Highway 1 USA with IU Opera. Makobi has been involved in

Rachel Kabukala

the recording of five albums, where he is featured soloist, and on some of them plays different

Rachel Kabukala is a Ph.D. student in Art

Kenyan instruments (namely the Ohangla drums,

History and African Studies. She is currently the

Chivoti, Nyatiti and Kigamba.) His latest recording

GSAS representative on the IU African Studies

is with Bloomingscapes, on the album Building

Executive Committee, and previously served

Blocks.

on the Board of the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA). A former FLAS

Makobi has continued to serve various

recipient and Lingala language learner, Rachel’s

communities both at home in Nairobi and in

research interests center around Kuba art and artists in the Democratic

Bloomington, Indiana. He was the 2019 recipient of

Republic of the Congo. She is especially interested in Kuba textiles,

the African Studies Carleton T. Hodge Prize, which

the evolution of their designs, and the agency and creative freedom

is awarded by the African Studies Program to a

of the Kuba women who make the cloths. Outside of her academic

graduate student who has shown commitment and

pursuits, Rachel can be found spending cherished time with her family,

excellence in African Studies, in outreach and in

cultivating her garden, and volunteering as a commissioner on the

other activities directed to the wider public.

Bloomington Arts Council.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

19

Jaycee Chapman Jaycee Chapman is currently pursuing a dual master's in Library Science and in African Studies. She completed her BA in Anthropology at Indiana University, where she

Meet our 2021-2022 Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant

had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania for

Paul Ntinda

an archeological filed school at Olduvai, led by

Paul Ntinda is our

African Studies Affiliate Faculty Jackson Njau. In

2021-2022 Fulbright

2019 she served as Assistant Project Director to the Simliki Chimpanzee

Language and Teaching

Project in Uganda. Her research interests center around information

Assistant (FLTA)

activism and the misrepresentation of African knowledge as a result of

teaching Kiswahili

Eurocentric archival theory and cataloguing practices. She is currently

at IU-Bloomington.

a recipient of the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for

Before joining IU,

Kiswahili. Further, Jaycee serves as the Treasurer for GSAS.

Paul spent eight years teaching English as a Second Language (“L2”) to secondary

Alexandra Nickolaou Alexandra Nickolaou is pursuing her doctorate in Art History and African Studies. Her research interests highlight cross-cultural interactions in contemporary African art. She received her M.A. from the University of Chicago, where she wrote her thesis on addressing how museums and art history have approached African art history, from studying, displaying, and collecting. She has worked in the curatorial departments at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Smart Museum of Art in Chicago, where she assisted with several exhibitions, including The Allure of Matter: Material Art from China (Smart Museum of Art, 2020), Down Time: On the Art of Retreat (Smart Museum of Art, 2019) and Ruben & Isabel Toledo: Labor of Love (Detroit Institute of Arts, 2018). Most recently, Alexandra co-curated Weaving Identities: African Diasporic Arts of the Americas (McCalla School, IU, 2022) with Dr. Martinez-Ruiz [see p. 16.]

She serves as the Secretary of GSAS.

students, and Kiswahili as a foreign language to visitors to Tanzania. From 2014 to 2021, Paul worked with Ilala City Municipality as a Literature and L2 teacher at one of the city’s secondary schools (Kisungu Secondary School). Additionally, he has been a Kiswahli instructor to foreigners under the Kiswahili na Utamaduni LTD (KIU) program. Paul became a Certified Swahili Language Instructor by Tanzania’s National Language Council in 2019.

Besides teaching Swahili language and culture, Paul has been involved in other activities such as project management with a start-up tech company called Black Science Technologies based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he designed, planned, and

Caitlin Wischmeyer

managed software and power production

Caitlin Wischmeyer is an MA student in the

projects with individuals and local companies

Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International

in Tanzania and the US.

projects. He has also done translation

Studies at IU. Her research looks at possible connections between the historical persecution

We are thrilled to have Paul with is, sharing

of the Bantu ethnic group and the harsher

his expertise and experience. In addition

treatment Bantu women receive in Al-Shabab

to his teaching, Paul is one of several

controlled territory. She received her BA from Indiana University, with a

individuals who have been giving of their

regional concentration in Eats Africa and a thematic concentration in global

time as a volunteer for the Bridges: Children,

development. During the summer of 2021, she interned with the Bureau of

Languages, World early language outreach

East African Public Affairs. Wischmeyer has also volunteered her time for

program. As well, he has audited courses at

the Bridges early language outreach program for Swahli.

IU, and is applying for the Masters in African Studies at IU for the 2022 admission year.

20

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

Asante sana, Paul!

Welcome to our new MA Students in African Studies!

George Armstrong

Ian Thomas

Jaycee Chapman

Fabiyi (“Segun”) Oluwasegun

Twalha Twaha Abbass

African Studies Student Awards Emily Stratton Recipient of the Carlton T. Hodge Prize

Carlton T. Hodge Prize

Congratulations to Emily Stratton, our 2022

for outstanding commitment to African Studies

Carlton T. Hodge Prize awardee in African Studies! Emily Stratton is a Ph.D. candidate in the Religious Studies Department. She joined Indiana University in 2013 after receiving an MA with honors in Religious Studies and Certificate in African Studies from the University of Kansas as well as a BA in Religion from Pacific Lutheran University. Supported by a Fulbright-Hays DDRA Award and a research affiliation in the Department of Sociology at the University of Ghana, Emily conducted extended ethnographic research in Accra, Ghana throughout the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years. She continued to reside in Accra while writing her dissertation,

The Carleton T. Hodge Prize was established by the African Studies Program with funding support from Faculty Emeritus Carlton T. Hodge’s estate to recognize annually one of our advanced Ph.D. students for their commitment to excellence in African Studies. Those eligible for the award are Indiana University students in any discipline, who are advanced in the Ph.D. program, have a concentration on topics relating to Africa, and are actively engaged in African Studies Program activities including Outreach.

"Popular Pieties: Young Men, Digital Media, and Religious Form in Urban Ghana" until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring of 2020. She has presented her work both internationally and nationally.

Africa (AFRI-A232) course which is required for African Studies undergraduate degree seekers. She

The Hodge Prize is given annually to an outstanding graduate student

has consistently received the highest ratings from

who has not only excelled academically but dedicated themselves

students, and her course was continually waitlisted

to sharing African languages and cultures through outreach into

because of her popularity as an instructor.

schools, at IU and the broader community. They are also resources for their fellow graduate students. Emily is a past-president of GSAS, the

Throughout her time at IU, Emily attended

graduate student organization for African Studies, and assisted GSAS

workshops and trainings to make sure her teaching

this year after the disruptions of the pandemic. She has also contributed

was of the highest caliber. Her students greatly

throughout her tenure at IU to African Studies Outreach initiatives,

benefited from that commitment to pedagogical

including helping to launch the trainings for pre-service teachers for

training. We congratulate Emily and offer our

the new Ghana program of the IU Global Gateway for Teachers through

sincere thanks for her deep engagement with

the School of Education. Since 2020, she has taught the Contemporary

African Studies.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

21

ASP Language Pedagogy Awards Sponsored by the African Studies Program in support of excellance in language pedagogy, including support of conference presentations

Class of 2022 Recognition

and professional development

Rachel Kern (African Languages Minor; International Studies) Massa Massaley (African Studies Minor; International Studies) Shayla Tate (African Languages Minor; Psychology) Daniel Theus (African Languages Minor; International Studies) Anna Widell (African Languages Minor; Individualized Major – Forensic Pschology, Behaivioral Analysis & Body Language)

Baraka Mbise

Matthew Ajibade Twalha Abass

Certificate Student Honorees Awarded to undergraduates in recognition of academic excellance in African languages and/or African Studies area coursework Pilo Diaz, for excellance in African Languages (isiZulu) Esther Egunyomi, for excellance in African Languages (Yoruba) Rachel Kern, for excellance in African Studies coursework and African Languages (Akan-Twi) Kevin Mantell, for excellence in African Studies coursework Sydney Miller, for excellence in African Studies coursework Aaron Schall, for excellance in African Languages (Kiswahili)

Shayla Tate

African Languages Minor

African Studies Senior of the Year In recognition of excellence in the pursuit of a degree in African Studies and engagement in African Studies activities

Shayla Tate, for excellance in African Languages (Akan-Twi) Bridget Taylor, for excellance in African Languages (Bamana)

Congratulations to our African

Daniel Theus, for excellance in African Languages (Kiswahili)

Studies Outstanding Senior of

Adam Valentini, for excellence in African Studies coursework

the Year, Shayla Tate! Among

Danielle Dingman, for excellence in African Languages (Kinyarwanda)

her accomplishments at IU, Shayla completed a minor in

22

Awarded to students in appreciation for their outstanding dedication to, and volunteer service in support of, African languages and cultures

African Languages (Kiswahili

Twalha Abass

Paul Ntinda

with African Studies for outreach activities on Swahili

Matthew Ajibadi

Ibrahim Odugbemi

language and culture, and was a 4-year member

Victor Alabi

Alexandra O’Neal

and officer on the student organization, African

George Armstrong

Fabiyi (Segun) Oluwasegun

Languages & Cultures Club (ALCC). If you have

Pilo Diaz

Emily Stratton

enjoyed one of our African Language Festivals, then

Darby FitzSimmons

Shayla Tate

you have Shayla to thank. Shayla will be graduating

Rachel Kabukala

Salina Tesfagiorgis

with a BA in Psychology, and with her minor focus,

Simon Munyeneza

Ian Thomas

will be able to serve Swahili immigrant communities

Richard Namahanga

Dana Vanderburgh

in the U.S. We wish Shayla the very best!

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

concentration), has volunteered

Foreign Language & Area Studies Congratulations to African Studies Program’s Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship Awardees for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 Academic Year! This year’s FLAS awardees have a dedicated a combined total of 61 years to the study of one or more African languages.

Summer 2021

Marina Mecham (IsiZulu)

Academic Year 2021-22

Aaron Schall (Kiswahili)

George Armstrong (Kiswahili)

Gaya Morris (Wolof)

George Armstrong (Kiswahili)

Kaylee Sheehan (isiZulu)

Jaycee Chapman (Kiswahili)

Alex O’Neil (IsiZulu)

William Decourt (Kiswahili)

Sachin Talagery (Arabic)

Ayo-Igbala Fashola (Yoruba)

Trevor Phipps (Kinyarwanda)

Esther Egunyomi (Yoruba)

Daniel Theus (Kiswahili)

Maggie Fitzgerald (IsiZulu)

Avenel Rolfsen (Sereer)

Ezra Evans (Kiswahili)

Ian Thomas (Kiswahili)

Patrick Lee (Arabic)

Patrick Lee (Arabic)

African Studies Program News Faculty Retirements Daniel B. Reed

years later, Daniel

Daniel B. Reed has distinguished himself as a

serve as the director

researcher, teacher, administrator, multimedia

of the Archives of

pioneer, and consummate networker during his

Traditional Music

decades at Indiana University. His colleagues and

(ATM) at Indiana

students know him to be generous, kind, gifted, and indefatigable.

was recruited to

Daniel B. Reed

University. He returned to Bloomington in 2001 and continued in his ATM administrative role until

He has performed with the Monkey Puzzle and Blue Sky Back music

2007. Daniel was simultaneously appointed

ensembles as a composer, singer, bassist, and guitarist. A measure of

as an assistant professor in the Department

his talent emerged in the selection of his composition “I Will Fall Down,”

of Folklore and Ethnomusicology. He was

which opened the 2019 World Parkinson’s Congress in Kyoto, Japan.

promoted to associate professor in 2008

This song selection reflected Daniel’s inspirational engagement with

before being recognized as the Laura

Parkinson’s over the years.

Boulton Professor in 2017 and as a professor in 2018.

Daniel received his bachelor’s degree in English literature from Ohio University in 1985. In 1995, he received his master’s degree in folklore

While serving as director of the ATM, Daniel

and ethnomusicology from Indiana University, followed by a Ph.D. in

was part of the Indiana University team that

Folklore and Ethnomusicology with a minor in African Studies in 1999.

worked with Harvard University’s Virginia

His dissertation was based upon ethnographic fieldwork in the Côte

Danielson to spearhead several innovative

d’Ivoire, with a focus on music and masking traditions among the

digital research and preservation efforts.

Dan people. The fieldwork was supported by funding from a Fulbright

The National Endowment for the Humanities

Fellowship.

(NEH) recognized the importance of the group’s efforts with two major Preservation

Upon completing his Ph.D., Daniel was appointed as an assistant

and Access grants for a project entitled

professor at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Several

Sound Directions: Digital Preservation and Indiana University | African Studies Program

23

Access for Global Audio Heritage. These NEH grants laid the foundation for the later campuswide Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative, which demonstrated Indiana University’s leadership and innovation in the preservation of time-based media.

Daniel’s first book, Dan Ge Performance: Masks and Music in Contemporary Côte d’Ivoire (2003), received high acclaim when the United Kingdom’s Royal Anthropological Institute awarded him with its Amaury Talbot Prize, designating the title as the most valuable work of African anthropology in 2004.

Daniel’s second book, Abidjan USA: Music, Dance, and Mobility in the Lives of Four Ivorian Immigrants (2016), explored the complex expressive culture of musicians who live and perform in the United States even as they move back and forth to their homeland in West Africa. The title received

He has also tirelessly served on student exam

elaborate praise for its broad reach that encompassed everything from the

committees and advised students on grant

analytic to the experiential dimensions of expressive culture.

applications for a broad range of successful awards.

Over the years, he has chaired or co-chaired 21

Beyond his books, Daniel has illuminated other dimensions of his research

Ph.D. dissertations and two M.A. theses along with

in numerous articles and invited book chapters that have extended into

generously supervising independent research,

the African arts and into historical and medical topics in the field of

undergraduate honors theses, and capstone

ethnomusicology.

projects.

Daniel’s first book, Dan Ge Performance: Masks and Music in Contemporary Côte d’Ivoire (2003), received high acclaim when the United Kingdom’s Royal Anthropological Institute awarded him with its Amaury Talbot Prize, designating the title as the most valuable work of African anthropology in 2004.

Daniel’s early foray into the area

Complementing his exemplary research, teaching,

of multimedia in ethnomusicology

and scholarship, Daniel has served his profession,

demonstrated his talent for embracing

university, department, and the Bloomington

innovative approaches to the analysis

community with a monumental range and depth

and presentation of the complex

of service. Daniel has participated on countless

performance of music, dance, and

review committees for fellowships and tenure

ritual. Most notably, he served as

and promotion dossiers at Indiana University.

primary author and researcher with

Community art patrons will long remember his

Gloria Gibson for a historic exploration

efforts to arrange for a procession featuring the

of sound recording and photography

Kotchenga Dance Company of Ivorian musicians and

entitled Music and Culture of West

masked dancers on stilts to open the Visions from

Africa: The Straus Expedition (2002).

the Forest: The Art of Liberia and Sierra Leone exhibit

He later contributed a research

at the Eskenazi Museum of Art in 2015. Still others

analysis of his Ivorian field recordings

will remember his efforts to raise funds for the

to the Ethnomusicological Video for

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research,

Instruction and Analysis Digital Archive

his campaign to save the Bradford Woods outdoor

(EVIADA 2009).

education program, and his performance to raise money for Haitian earthquake victims.

Daniel has taught a wide range of courses over the years, including

24

Introduction to World Music and Culture, West African Music, African

Daniel Reed’s passion for serving Indiana University

Popular Music, Global Popular Music, and Music in Religious Thought

and the world beyond will be long remembered. His

and Experience. He has taught core courses in ethnomusicology such as

humor and courage have given us all an exemplary

Paradigms in Ethnomusicology, Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology, the Study

model for our own lives as university citizens and as

of Ethnomusicology, and History of Ideas: Mobility in Ethnomusicology.

community members.

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

— Ruth M. Stone, from IU In Honor of Retiring Faculty, April 5, 2022

Sarah Young

health issues for youth. She is a research fellow and past president of the Sport

Sarah Young grew up as “a country kid” in a small

and Recreation Law Association and the

farming community outside Quincy, Illinois. She

recipient of the association’s President’s

went to Illinois State University to study pathology

Award in 2004, the SRLA award for

but changed course and graduated in 1982 with a

dedication and service as president in

B.S. in Recreation and Park Administration. After graduation, Sarah worked in Colorado before

Sarah Young

2019, and the Herb Appenzeller Honor Award in 2019. Sarah published regularly

deciding to go back to school. She applied to the master’s program in

in peer-reviewed journals, co-authored

recreational sport administration at Indiana University and was awarded

six textbooks, and authored 15 book

a fellowship with Dr. Craig Ross, now professor emeritus. Sarah earned

chapters on sport and recreation law.

her M.S. in 1986 and applied for a full-time intramural sports coordinator position in the Division of Recreational Sports. “Just like every other

Sarah also applied for and was awarded

student who loves IU, you fall in love with the place and can’t imagine

multiple grants, including two through

leaving it,” she says. She got the job and began teaching as an adjunct

the Bureau of Educational and Cultural

Sarah worked on an exchange program called Youth Enrichment through Sport (YES) Ghana, with Dr. Craig Ross from 2013–2015.

“The purpose was to use sport as a developmental tool to help kids who don’t have a lot of opportunities to learn life skills,” she says.

lecturer the following year. “I really

Affairs in the Department of State’s

loved it,” she says. “I worked at

Sports Diplomacy Office. She worked on

it and learned how to become a

the first of these, an exchange program

better teacher—to meet students

called Youth Enrichment through Sport

where they are.”

(YES) Ghana, with Craig from 2013–2015.

“The purpose was to use sport as a

In 1989, Sarah was promoted to

developmental tool to help kids who

assistant director of intramural

don’t have a lot of opportunities to learn

sports, a position she held until

life skills,” she says. The program was

1995, when she decided to pursue

so successful that she and Associate

her doctoral studies in leisure

Professor Bill Ramos applied for and won

behavior with a minor in law

a larger State Department grant, Youth

while continuing to teach. After

Enrichment through Sport (YES) Africa,

she earned her Ph.D. in 1998,

which involved exchanges with Liberia,

Sarah accepted a position as an

Sierra Leone, Senegal, Zambia, and

assistant professor in the Leisure

Malawi. “We used sport as a vehicle to

Studies Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she

impact public health,” Bill says.

stayed until 2002, when Craig told her about a faculty position in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies. Sarah returned

Teaching has remained Sarah’s first

to IU as an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies.

love, and she has been invited to lecture

She earned tenure in 2008; was associate chair of Instruction and

across the U.S. and at Beijing Sport

Undergraduate Studies in 2013–2014; was academic major coordinator

University. She received the Excellence

from 2011–2016; and served on committees at the department, school,

in Teaching Award from the Academy

and university levels. Then, in 2018, Sarah was asked to take on the role

of Leisure Sciences in 2015; the Career

of interim department chair, a position she held until 2021. While interim

Teaching Award from the School of

chair, she was named full professor and oversaw the transition of the

Public Health in 2013; and the Trustees’

department from Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies to Health &

Teaching Award in 2003, 2004, 2006,

Wellness Design.

and 2009. She was inducted into FACET in 2007 and taught for three years in

Sarah’s teaching and research has focused on legal issues in recreation

the OVPUE Intensive Freshman

and sport and the use of recreational sport to help solve community

Seminar program.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

25

Dr. Louis J. Calli Jr., Ann Marie Thomson and artist Brad Long, from left, stand beside “The Bright Continent.”Photo courtesy of George Armstrong

“Sarah is an exceptional teacher whose priority has always been educating

difficult situations, and for the long haul when

and supporting our students. She is an exemplary colleague and educator,

she knew that she heard the call that help was

and I feel fortunate to have worked with her over the years,” says Dr. Carrie

needed. I stand in admiration of her selfless

Docherty, executive associate dean of the School of Public Health.

dedication to others and wish her every success and happiness in this well-deserved respite.”

Craig says, “Dr. Young attained a high level of

"Dr. Sarah Young typifies team spirit, goodwill, and beneficence as expressed through scholarship and education."

national recognition as an excellent teacher and

Sarah’s retirement from IU was official December

scholar in the field of park and recreation. She

1st, and she is looking forward to cycling

has been instrumental in bringing recognition

vacations with her husband, David. “I’m a leisure

to Indiana University as the leading institution

scholar, a scholar of leisure, and people ask me,

in this area of study and research.”

‘What are you going to do now?’”

School of Public Health Dean David Allison

Sarah says. “I think I’m going to enjoy leisure.”

says, “Dr. Sarah Young typifies team spirit, goodwill, and beneficence as expressed through scholarship and education. As much as anyone I have met, she

We thank Sarah for her dedication and service to IU and wish her the very best in retirement.

is about the good of all and a commitment to others. She is humble and selfless and has stepped up bravely when needed on many occasions, in

— Rebecca Lipscomb, from IU In Honor of Retiring Faculty, April 5, 2022

26

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

Patrick O’Meara’s Legacy Honored with Artwork Donated to Hamilton Lugar School Visitors to the African Studies Program in the Hamilton Lugar School

accomplishments, O’Meara was the first vice

of Global and International Affairs will notice a new piece of art on

president for international affairs and served

display. Titled “The Bright

as director of the African Studies Program for

Continent,” the beautifully

more than two decades. IU Press published the

hand-carved piece showcases

first edition of his co-edited textbook “Africa”

the continent of Africa.

in 1977, which is now in its fourth edition. The

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, O’Meara had a passion for the African continent, its cultures and its people, which showed in every aspect of his fivedecade career at IU.

textbook continues to be integral to African Ann Marie Thomson, a longtime

studies courses across North America.

adjunct faculty member for the O’Neill School of Public

O’Meara’s gift for communication and his

and Environmental Affairs, and

amiable sensibility proved a strength as he

her husband, Dr. Louis J. Calli

represented the university across the globe,

Jr., donated the piece to the

connecting with international leaders, including

Hamilton Lugar School in honor of the late Patrick O’Meara, whose

the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Nelson

illustrious career made an enormous impact on Thomson and many

Mandela. Additionally, he was instrumental

others at Indiana University. O’Meara passed away in March 2021.

in shaping the international study abroad programs that IU is known for today.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, O’Meara had a passion for the African continent, its cultures and its people, which showed in

“It was Patrick’s vision and distinctive ability to

every aspect of his five-decade career at IU. Among his many

bring faculty and students together that led to

Patrick O’Meara, seen here in 2007, was IU’s first vice president for international affairs and an acclaimed scholar. Photo by Chris Meyer, Indiana University

commitment to students. When we saw this beautiful piece of art, we had to buy it and donate it as a permanent part of the IU Art Collection in his honor.”

“The Bright Continent” was created by Indianapolis-based artist Brad Long, who was inspired to create the piece after he and his wife adopted two children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The art piece is a map of Africa made of richly toned wood carvings, pieced together like a puzzle. It took six months to create by hand. Long the numerous academic, programmatic and outreach initiatives that came to define the African Studies Program as a leading center during his leadership in the 1970s to 1990s,” said John H. Hanson, history and African studies professor and executive associate dean at the Hamilton Lugar School.

donated the proceeds from the sale of his artwork to Malembe Rise, an organization dedicated to developing teachers and educating young people in the central African country.

Patrick always made anyone he met feel special, a rare and wonderful quality that few people have.

“Patrick was able to bring out the best in students and faculty.

“When I saw this artwork, so beautifully and

Hundreds have counted on his good counsel and advice, as well as

lovingly crafted, it was as if the wood – the

warm wishes and constructive guidance, as they navigated their

primary medium of the piece – called to me

academic careers at IU and elsewhere.”

in the same way I remember the rainforest trees calling to my vivid imagination,”

Thomson donated “The Bright Continent” in honor of O’Meara because

Thomson said, recalling her favorite

of the indelible impact he made on her life. She was born and raised

childhood memories in Africa.

in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to the United States to attend college. When she came to Bloomington to pursue a Master

A dedication to O’Meara on the artwork

of Arts in the African Studies Program, O’Meara served as a mentor

reads, in part, “Mentor, Guide, Model of

throughout her academic journey and beyond.

Integrity, and Friend, not only to Ann Marie and Jim, but to countless others whose

“At every key decision point in my academic career, Patrick’s door was

lives were touched by this extraordinary

always open,” Thomson said. “I watched him in action throughout the

man across the African continent and far

more than 25 years I have been here at IU. I learned what it means to

beyond.”

be a person of integrity, humility and sincerity. Over time, our collegial and professional relationship quite naturally evolved into friendship.

Thomson said she hopes O’Meara’s legacy

Patrick always made anyone he met feel special, a rare and wonderful

inspires future students who walk the

quality that few people have.

pathways of educational opportunities he helped pave.

“He and my husband, Jim, also became good friends, and both of us wanted to do something special that would honor Patrick in perpetuity.

— Julia Hodson is a communications

We knew his passion for art, for the continent of Africa and for his

consultant with IU Studios; News at IU

Faculty Awards

Dr. Moyd was nominated

Margaret Graves

Associate Director of

Fellowship at the Clark Art Institute

on Race & Ethnicity in

for her work as the the Center for Research

supports research

and African Studies Affiliate Faculty) will spend

on race and ethnicity

the 2022-2023 academic year as a Florence Gould

across disciplines

Foundation Fellow at the Clark Art Institute. While

and fosters

there, Graves will be conducting research for her book, Invisible Hands: Islamic Ceramics and the Colonial Art Market, which discusses modern

Michelle Moyd

Society (CRRES), which

Dr. Margaret S. Graves (Professor of Art History

community among Margaret Graves

collecting economies and the craftsmanship of faking in a work.

In May, Dr. Graves and Dr. Alex Dika Seggerman (Rutgers University) published the edited volume, Making Modernity in the Islamic Mediterranean with Indiana University Press. Graves’ research interests include medieval Islamic art and architecture and 19thcentury art and craft in the Islamic world.

Karen Gould Prize in Art History

those engaged in this important work.

CRRES also hosts a speaker series and annual symposium.

Dr. Moyd has long

The Building Bridges Award recognizes those organizations and people who capture Dr. King’s vision, spirit, and leadership in ways big and small.

been actively engaged in the community on these issues, as well, but with the murder of George Floyd, she increased her work to create further safe spaces for discussions on social justice and race in 2020.

The ASP wishes to offer its congratulations to Dr. Margaret S. Graves, Associate Professor of Art History and ASP Affiliate Faculty, who has

Additionally, Dr. Moyd was nominated for her

won the 2021 Karen Gould Prize in Art History for her book, Arts of

volunteer work in the broader Bloomington

Allusion: Object, Ornament, and Architecture in Medieval Islam. This

community. Dr. Moyd is one of the founders of the

prestigious annual award is given to a book or monograph that is

People’s Market of Bloomington which arose out of

judged to be of outstanding quality, selected by the Medieval Academy

the need for a safe space for community members

of America. To read more: medievalacademy.org/page/GouldPrize.

to sell and buy farm-fresh goods. The non-profit “strive[s] to build equity, create relationships,

Dr. Michelle Moyd Receives IU Building Bridges Award

cultivate liberation, and ensure access to local

Ruth N. Halls Associate Professor of History, CRRES Associate

org/about).

food, art, and education” (peoplesmarketbtown.

Director, and ASP faculty affiliate, Dr. Michelle Moyd, is a recipient of the IU Building Bridges Award. The award is given annually during

On receiving the award, Dr. Moyd posted, “I am

celebrations of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This

so grateful for this award, and to all the good

year’s gathering was virtual, but included IU students, faculty, staff,

folks who took valuable time out to nominate me,

and IU community partners from across Indiana. Nominations are

as well as the folks who served on the selection

submitted by individuals statewide, to recognize organizations or

committee. This means so much to me.… When

people who “promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and respect

I look back at all that transpired between March

(OVPDEMA).”

2020 and now, I really can’t believe how many folks I’ve met because people invited me into

“The Building Bridges Award recognizes those organizations and

their spaces. So many spaces and people. It was

people who capture Dr. King’s vision, spirit, and leadership in ways big

hard work, but I am grateful to have the chance to

and small – right here at IU and within communities across Indiana.”

try and make a difference where I can, I need to

– James C. Wimbush, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and

remember that every day.”

Multicultural Affairs

Indiana University | African Studies Program

29

University Archives Exhibition focused on ASP at 60: In the National Interest: The Founding and Early Growth of Indiana University’s African Studies Program Beginning in 1961 with a Ford Foundation grant, Indiana University’s African Studies Program has been one of the most influential of its kind in the country. The program has been one of the principal ways the university has engaged with the rest of the world since the middle of the last century and supports teaching and research across various disciplines. The exhibition, held in the Fall of 2021, was researched and curated by African

African Studies Collection Librarian, Mireille Djenno

Studies Collection Librarian, Mireille Djenno. Using

Dr. Patrick O'Meara, former director of the Afrcian Studies Program with National Defense Fellows, 1972

documents

Using documents and photographs from the Indiana University Archives, the aim of the exhibit was to provide a broader understanding of when and how IU came to be the unlikely site of one of the pre-eminent centers for the study of Africa in the United States, and a Title VI National Resource Center for more than 50 years.

30

and photographs from the Indiana University Archives, the aim of the

Language and Area Center, signed by

exhibit was to provide a broader

Herman B Wells; images of early IU African

understanding of when and how IU

Studies faculty including George Herzog,

came to be the unlikely site of one

George Brooks, Gus Liebenow, Alan

of the pre-eminent centers for the

Merriam and Roy Sieber; letters of interest

study of Africa in the United States,

in new African Studies teaching positions;

and a Title VI National Resource

correspondence around U.S. Department

Center for more than 50 years.

of Defense offers of funding support; an invitation to help plan the African Studies

Archival materials in the exhibition

Association (ASA); Patrick O'Meara's 1982

included, among others, IU’s 1965

Christian Science Monitor commentary on

contract with the United States

the necessity for area studies; documents

Department of Health, Education

illustrating support for African colleagues;

and Welfare to create an African

and, ASP Directors’ annual reports.

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

IU Libraries/African Studies Collection News The African Studies Collections continue to grow in support of historical areas of focus, as well as new areas of research and teaching among faculty and graduate students. This growth is supported not only through IU institutional support, but through Title VI funds for acquisition trips and special purchases in support of languages. IU Libraries is a prominent member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries at comprehensive, research institutions in Canada and the United States. ARL statistics and rankings are published every two years and the most recent available are for the

By the numbers 2021-22 African Studies Collections

3,000

2018-2019 reporting period.

The average number of books added to the African Studies Collection annually.

IU Special Collections of note

440

Wells Library

Lilly Library

• Somali Digital Archive (platform migration in progress)

• Ousmane Sembène

• H.K. Banda Archive; • Nuer Field Notes (platform migration in progress) • Liberian Collections; 33 constitutive collections

• Nadine Gordimer • Boris Boubakar Diop • Athol Fugard • Ngugi wa Thiong’o

Uncatalogued material (primary and secondary sources), include, example:

Non-subscription “sample” serials

HathiTrust is the largest set of digitized books managed by academic

1,111

pandemic, Indiana University students, faculty, and staff were able to log into HathiTrust to read copyrighted titles in the collection that IU Libraries owns in print format. This made 1.73 million additional items available when the collection was closed for print circulation. The books accessed

2,939 New titles for the African Studies Collection added in FY 2021.

10,921,376 IU Libraries volumes held

1,446

• Onitsha Market Literature ephemera including poster and pamphlet collections

and research libraries. Through a temporary arrangement during the

African Languages represented by the African Studies collections.

8,679,755 IU Libraries titles held

Posters

1,053

638

Maps in microformats

B&W print photographs

9,135

Pamphlets (including some uncatalogued maps)

through Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) were made available under the fair use sections of the United States Copyright Act. From April 2020 when ETAS became available, through early December

Additional materials from the ephemera and

2020, more than 30,000 IU-full text items were accessed by Indiana

other uncatalogued IU African Studies collection

University users. While it is difficult to say with certainty exactly how

were made available upon request as scans by

many Africana titles were accessed via ETAS, given the aggregate

the African Studies Librarian.

reporting, a keyword search of the data of the word ‘Africa’, excluding titles having to do with African American topics, shows that over 400

Any student can make an appointment to see

unique, full-text Africana titles were accessed via Hathi Trust’s ETAS,

the African Studies Collections Librarian for

including serials and monographs.

research support.

Indiana University | African Studies Program

31

New IU Bloomington Center for Refugee Studies Professor of Geography and African Studies

traditional humanitarian aid, in supporting

Faculty Affiliate, Dr. Elizabeth Cullen Dunn,

refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine

was named the Founding Director of IU

[see related article on the 2021 Berlin

Bloomington’s new Center for Refugee Studies

Conference and #Africans in Ukraine].

in July 2021. Dr. Dunn also leads the African

Dr. Dunn has done extensive work on

Studies Program’s Title VI funded Displaced

the ground supporting refugees fleeing

Africans initiative, working closely with associate

into Poland over the last year and is the

director Tavy Aherne, as well as colleagues

Executive Director of the Bloomington

Eli Konwest (Center for the Study of Global Change) and Colton Ames

Refugee Support Network. She is looking

(European Studies Institute). Dr. Dunn's research and advocacy spans

forward to bringing her practical and

fourteen years. She has focused on studying refugee support networks

academic expertise to the new Center for

and humanitarian response around the world. Dunn’s recent work

Refugee Studies.

highlights the role of self-organized volunteer networks, rather than

Dunn’s recent work highlights the role of self-organized volunteer networks, rather than traditional humanitarian aid, in supporting refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Dr. Bárbaro Martínez-Ruiz Leads New Global Visual Cultures Initiative Dr. Bárbaro Martínez-Ruiz (Associate Professor of Art History, Tanner-Opperman Chair of African Art in Honor of Roy Sieber, and African Studies Affiliate Faculty)

This university-wide initiative is an outgrowth of the long-standing African Studies Program faculty working group focused on New Media and Literary Initiatives in Africa (NEMLIA).

was named the Coordinator of the new Global Visual Cultures initiative at HLS. This universitywide initiative is an outgrowth of the long-standing African Studies Program faculty working

Dr. Bárbero Martínez Ruiz

Alexandra Nickolaou

Rachel Kabukala

group focused on New Media and Literary Initiatives in Africa (NEMLIA). This growth reflects

Among this year's successful events

the historical strengths of arts

was an exhibition on contemporary wall

and humanities at IU and our strong faculty research and student

tapestries, organized by Dr. Martínez-Ruiz

interest across disciplines and schools at IU which are focused on

and curated by Nickolaou [see p. 16].

visual cultures.

Graduate students and faculty interested

32

Dr. Martínez-Ruiz has been working with doctoral students in African

in joining the related Global Visual

arts, Rachel Kabukala and Alexandra Nickolaou, in the planning of

Cultures working group should contact Dr.

student and faculty focused events and research initiatives.

Martínez-Ruiz or Dr. Beth Buggenhagen.

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

The conference in Berlin was planned and executed by Eli Konwest, Director of the Center for Study of Global Change, Colton Ames, Associate Director of the Institute for European Studies, and Tavy Aherne, Associate Director of the African Studies Program

ASP Co-hosts International Conference In Dialogue: Symposium on the Displacement of Peoples Between Africa and Europe In March of 2022, the African Studies Program, with the Center for the Study of Global Change and the Institute for European Studies hosted an international symposium at the IU Europe Gateway in Berlin on the transnational dynamics and repercussions of the movement of displaced peoples between

This symposium, hosted in Germany, one of the top five host countries for refugees displaced abroad, explored the refugee experience through multiple lenses, from the political and cultural, to the aesthetic, economic, intimate, and historic.

Africa and Europe. This three-day symposium featured scholars, practitioners, activists, members of local refugee communities, and artists in a dialogue that investigated how education, national security, humanitarian aid, social services, policies, economics, children, families, and identities are being impacted in communities in Africa and Europe.

Worldwide, there are an estimated 82.4 million forcibly displaced people, of which 26.4 million are classified as refugees. This symposium, hosted in Germany, one of the top five host countries for refugees displaced abroad, explored the refugee experience through multiple lenses, from the political and cultural, to the aesthetic, economic, intimate, and historic. To tackle the issue of displaced peoples, collaborations and conversations must be forged that integrate multiple perspectives, peoples, and nations. This gathering intended to offer a space for

but were not limited to: visualizing and

collaboration with resettled refugees, to allow a platform for their

representing displacement through art

voices to be engaged with scholars, activists, and others. New collective

forms; enrichment of host and originating

methodologies and innovative pedagogical approaches were also shared

communities; effects of war, violence,

to promote understanding and action about a complicated transnational

conflict or persecution; climate change

problem.

and forced displacement; art as an agent of political change in relation to forcibly

The symposium was comprised of interdisciplinary panels, roundtable

displaced peoples; art as an entry point

discussions, multi-media and arts-based events, and other creative

to more meaningfully and intimately

endeavors on the issues outlined above. Conversations included

Indiana University African Studies Program understand the |experience of refugees.

33

Dr. Lawrance discusses publishing with graduate students

ASP (African Studies Program) Pathways Created in 2020, the ASP Pathways series is meant to provide unique

This was followed by the editor-in-chief of the

mentoring, professionalization and career-preparation experiences for

African Studies Review, Dr. Benjamin Lawrance

students and faculty.

(Professor of History, University of Arizona) who offered an intimate perspective to graduate

African Studies opened this year’s ASP Pathways series with Power

students and faculty with his discussion,

Up Your Research! Introduction to Digital Methods. This workshop

Intellectual Currents in Interdisciplinary African

was directed at graduate students and early career faculty and was

Studies: Reflecting on the Role of Editor of the

presented by the team from IU Institute for Digital Humanities, including

African Studies Review.

Kalani Craig, Vanessa Elias and Sydney Stutsman.

Dunn’s recent work highlights the role of self-organized volunteer networks, rather than traditional humanitarian aid, in supporting refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Mireille Djenno, African Studies Collections Librarian, offered a session on Navigating the African Studies Research Landscape at Indiana University, including new library and archival resources for students and faculty.

The Grad Center led a session on the Art of Grant Proposal Writing, about structuring and drafting competitive grant proposals.

Dr. Beth Buggenhagen, director of graduate Mireille Djenno presents for ASP Pathways

studies for ASP, and Dr. Tavy Aherne, director of undergraduate studies for ASP, led several mentoring/advising sessions for graduate and

34

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

undergraduate students where students could also connect with their peers from across campus with similar interests.

Further sessions included information on how to plan for study abroad work, and on Peace Corps.

Students are welcome to suggest topics for future Pathways events.

African Studies 2021 Visiting Scholars Each year, the African Studies Program Left to right: Dr. Amos Sawyer Former President of Liberia, Dean and Professor Emeritus, University of Liberia, Doctor of Humane Letters from IU Dr. Maria Grosz-Ngaté Research Scientist and Associate Director Emerita for ASP, Past President, African Studies Association Jacien Carr Ph.D. Candidate, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

hosts scholars, artists, and professionals from around the world whose interests and expertise engage with Africa and the global African diaspora. In a mutually beneficial relationship, visiting scholars are able to avail themselves of the extraordinary resources at Indiana University, while contributing to the intellectual and cultural life of the university and greater Bloomington through public lectures, performances, film screenings, exhibits, student conversations, and more.

Yakasah Wehyee Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota

African Studies was also privileged to welcome two Carnegie-IREX Fellows from Uganda to IU: Roscoe Kasujji, Ph.D. Chair of the School of Psychology, Makerere University President of the Uganda Clinical Psychology Association.

Zaam Kalemba Namuli Ssal Head of Communications and Research in the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University

Indiana University | African Studies Program

35

Dr. Tavy Aherne with members of the fall African Studies graduate seminar in interdisciplinary methods: Ezra Evans, Twalha Abbass, Ian Thomas, Paul Ntinda, Fabiyi (Segun) Oluwasegun, and George Armstrong

Graduate Seminar in Interdisciplinary Methods The Interdisciplinary Methods in African Studies (AFRI-A 650) is designed to provide a foundation for conducting research and applied work in, and on, Africa. Originally developed by Dr. Maria Grosz-Ngaté, the course has been updated and is now taught by Dr. Tavy Aherne (Associate Director, ASP). The course begins with an examination of African Studies as an area of knowledge production with an emphasis on the historical, intellectual, and institutional contexts that have shaped the field over time. The majority of the seminar then focuses on the approaches and methods of inquiry used by scholars and professionals of various disciplinary backgrounds; the identification and analysis of

sources; new modes of scholarly communication and publication; and the ethics and politics of research and publication.

African Studies faculty members from departments and schools across the IUB campus share their research and discuss associated conceptual issues and methodological techniques.

African Studies Collection librarian Mireille Djenno also acts as the course's embedded librarian, and introduces students to research in IU libraries, special collections, and archives.

Mireiile Djenno leads A650 seminar students through a discussion of archival materials

The seminar is held each fall, and contents and articles are tailored to the current graduate student cohort, as well as faculty participation.

36

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

Mandela Washington Fellows Return to IU The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, established in 2014, is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic

Indiana University welcomed 24 of Africa’s bright, emerging civic engagement leaders and hosted a six-week Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute.

coursework, leadership training, and networking. More than 700 Fellows from across subSaharan Africa are selected annually through a highly competitive process. Through the Office of International Development (OID), IU has hosted Mandela Washington

Fellow cohorts since 2016 for a Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute, including an all virtual program in 2021.

On June 8, Indiana University welcomed 24 of Africa’s bright, emerging civic engagement leaders and hosted a six-week Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute. During the Institute,

peer collaborators, offer diverse cultural perspectives, and work toward building strong networks for sharing ideas and best practices. One-on-one coaching and mentoring around individual “focus projects” further empower them to make an impact on important issues in their home countries and communities.

Each summer, African Studies faculty and others are asked to host scholars for a home visit. These visits may lead to long-lasting relationships. This summer, ASP’s associate director Tavy Aherne once again hosted two of the scholars,

During the Institute, this cohort of accomplished young professionals from 18 countries across sub-Saharan Africa developed skills, experiences, and technical capacity in areas such as community development, volunteerism, grassroots activism, leadership, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and fundraising for non-profits

this cohort of accomplished young professionals from 18 countries across sub-Saharan Africa developed skills, experiences, and technical capacity in areas such as community development, volunteerism, grassroots activism, leadership, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and fundraising for non-profits. Engaging the Mandela Washington Fellows with IU faculty and surrounding communities also creates mutually beneficial opportunities for learning and exchange as Fellows share their

Boubacar Mahmoud from Mauritania, and Lithalethemba (“Litha”) Stwayi from South Africa. African Studies MA student Oluwasegun (“Segun”) Fabiyi worked for this YALI program as the Fellows’ liaison.

— Teshome Alemnah/IU Global

personal and professional experiences, meet with Americans and Indiana University | African Studies Program

37

African Studies Outreach The Muslim Voices Project Increasing intercultural understanding Muslim Voices is a project dedicated to promoting understanding and dialogue between Muslims and

Ale Ebrahim

Heather Akou

Derya Dogan

non-Muslims. Led by the Hamilton Lugar School's Center for the Study of Global Change, and supported by the African

The project is now led by Derya Dogan.

Studies Program through Title VI funding, the project works to increase

Derya has been with the Muslim Voices

intercultural understanding through podcasts, art exhibits, public

since summer 2019. She is also one of

discussions, and accessible scholarship.

the Interfaith America co-project leaders and runs the Muslim Voices Instagram

The project aims to increase intercultural understanding through podcasts, art exhibits, public discussions, and accessible scholarship.

account. She is a double-major Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy Studies and Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures.

Since its relaunch in 2018, Muslim Voices

The project aims to: • Increase intercultural understanding by providing access to the voices and visions of Islam and Muslims locally and around the world.

further projects and events. Last summer saw the launch of the “Interfaith/ Intercultural Conversations: Broadening

• Inform and promote dialogue as it tackles the complexities of Islam

Horizons at IU” project with a grant from

and the often-complicated relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Interfaith America that we received

• Replace misinformation, mistrust, and oversimplifications with awareness, consideration, dialogue, and a diversity of voices.

• Promote accessible scholarship, forthright communication, balanced

in the summer. The first phase of the project, “Human Library of Religions” has been successfully implemented, thanks to our volunteers who represented

viewpoints, and the value of the many voices and visions of Islam.

different faith traditions and were willing

The project includes a faculty advisory board, as well as advanced Ph.D.

community at three different events.

students who gain professional experience, putting their academic knowledge in practice. ASP faculty affiliate Heather Akou is one of the advisors for Muslim Voices, while doctoral student Benjamin (Ben) Ale-Ebrahim (Anthropology and African Studies) was the creator and coordinator of the original blog and social media content. Ben is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Anthropology with a Ph.D. minor in African Studies. He earned a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.A. in Religious Studies at the University of Kansas before beginning graduate studies at IU in the fall of 2017. He has conducted research in Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier and Tetouan, Morocco.

38

has been growing with the addition of

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

to answer questions from the IU student

Muslim Voices also organized a panel discussion, “The Hijab as Contested Political Site in Iran and France,” with Dr. Carol Ferrara from Emerson College and Dr. Pouya Alimagham from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

They discussed the politicization of the Islamic practice of wearing a headscarf through two contrasting examples,

first in France where it is constantly being banned in different levels of

Muslim World. The Muslim Voices blog

society, and second in Iran where it is mandatory nationwide.

is currently looking for new contributors to add to the team. Graduate students

The Muslim Voices project has also launched its Instagram account,

interested in engaging with the project

where original cultural content from around the world is posted, and

are invited to learn more at

updates about symposia, conferences, lectures and talks about the

muslimvoices.indiana.edu.

Dr. Hillary Khan leading one of the ICCI workshops

Institute for Curriculum & Campus Internationalization: Assisting Minority Serving Institutions and Community College Partners The Institute for Curriculum & Campus Internationalization (ICCI)

workshops, focused on either course

was created under then-director of IU’S Center for the Study of

or campus internationalization, with

Global Change, Dr. Hilary Kahn. It was created to assist faculty and

large group sessions which encourage

administrators at Minority Serving Institutions and community

perspectives from across any institution.

colleges to prepare students, faculty, and staff to be effective

Some sessions are presentations, while

scholars, practitioners, and citizens of the 21st century. ICCI is funded

others involve participants in activities.

by IU’s National Resource Centers, including the African Studies

Different aspects of the ICCI program

Program. ICCI provides the highest quality learning environment

are meant to model ways to engage

for individuals in higher education to think deeply and productively

audiences in the internationalization process in higher education institutions.

ICCI provides the highest quality learning environment for individuals in higher education to think more deeply and productively about internationalization.

Participants • Learn how to internationalize their curriculum and campus • Understand comprehensive

about internationalization. ICCI includes two distinctive tracks with

internationalization and the importance of

individualized workshops led by experts in international education

collaboration and dialogue

(Course and Campus tracks; focused for individual faculty or administrators). The ICCI program mixes dedicated small group Indiana University | African Studies Program

39

At the ICCI Showcase Event, various Hamilton Lugar School centers introduced their work to ICCI participants for potential future collaborations

• Identify innovative pedagogies, technologies, and best practices • Explore the teaching and assessment of global learning objectives

Over 40 attendees joined this year for the first in-person conference since ICCI 2019.

ICCI allowed for the IU National Resource

• Examine strategic planning and measurements of institutional success

Centers to begin new partnerships,

• Become members of a network of international and global educators

immerse participants in several global

and administrators and much more.

cultures, and equip participants/campus leaders with tools to internationalize their home institutions more robustly. Partners

ICCI allowed for the IU National Resource Centers to begin new partnerships, immerse participants in several global cultures, and equip participants/ campus leaders with tools to internationalize their home institutions more robustly.

joined us from institutions such as: the University of Indianapolis, Fort Valley State University, Ivy Tech Community College, Moraine Valley Community College, Navajo Technical University, Diné College, Usmanu Danfodiyo University (Nigeria), Indiana

The African Studies Program provides funding as well as materials and interactive cultural presentations at every ICCI. Most recently, in spring 2022, Associate Director Aherne provided participants information on African expressive forms.

40

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

University, and more.

IUB Global Employability Project A Title VI Outreach Initiative

Collaboration between Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana

course content and style of instruction:

University Bloomington has grown for the past two decades and

worthy and interesting, opening eyes

facilitated stronger global education initiatives for both institutions.

to see the business connections with

When administrators and faculty came together in 2018, they discussed

different cultures, religions and politics,

the need for new credentials that would offer community college

an amazing course and well presented,

students the opportunity to strengthen their workforce preparation

[providing] much-needed cultural

through global competence and employability skills. Over the next year,

competence education.

Ivy Tech courses were evaluated and selected for the Global Workforce Skills Certificate. Introduction and Capstone courses were also created

During January 2022, the IUB Global

by Ivy Tech Community College faculty to complete the curriculum for

Employability Project worked with TPMA

the 21 credit hours certificate.

and the Indiana Chambers of Commerce

The new Global Workforce Skills Certificate offers community college students the opportunity to strengthen their workforce preparation through global competence and employability skills.

The new certificate was approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher

to disseminate an e-survey to Indiana

Education in 2020 and housed in the School of Business. It requires

employers. Survey questions were

students to complete fifteen credit hours from the Schools of Business,

developed by IUB, IUPUI and Ivy Tech

Education, Agriculture, Health Care, Communication, Social Science or

Community College educators. TPMA

Humanities, in addition to the Introduction and Capstone courses. The

received the survey results and prepared

Introduction course (GLOB 101), provides modules for Global Indiana,

a summary report for contributing

Global Supply Chain, Global Competencies, Decision Making in a Global

partners. Sixty-four percent of the (61)

Environment, Intercultural Communication, Global Economy and

Indiana employers who responded

Diversity in Communication.

indicated their organization has international ties that include import/

Last year, sixty Ivy Tech students enrolled in the GWSC Introduction

export of goods or services, foreign

and Capstone courses. Through Title VI funding, student focus groups

ownership, or foreign direct investment.

were conducted with those who completed either course. The feedback will allow Ivy Tech Community College educators the opportunity to

For management level positions, nearly

strengthen curriculum and marketing. Thomas P. Miller Associates

two thirds of employer respondents

(TPMA) provided a summary of the interviews, noting that students’

indicated global competency and world

remarks were significantly positive in descriptions of the Introduction

language proficiencies are beneficial for Indiana University | African Studies Program

41

hiring or promotion. Understanding of intercultural communications and

Ivy Tech Community College Coordinator of

the global workplace (63%) and world language proficiency (49%) were

Global Education, Emily Watson, presented

the most prioritized survey attributes in hiring employees.

on new global education programs. Heather Singmaster and IUB CGC staff engaged

For management level positions, nearly two thirds of employer respondents indicated global competency and world language proficiencies are beneficial for hiring or promotion.

Another focus for the IUB

with teachers regarding their development

Global Employability Project

of a new curriculum. CTE teachers earned

has been professional

Certificates for 15 Professional Growth Points,

development with CTE

a participation stipend and travel allowance.

Educators. During July 2022, the Global Employability

CTE Centers from across the state

Project coordinated a hybrid

collaborated with us in marketing and planning

K-12 CTE teacher workshop,

the workshops. These included the McKenzie

Internationalizing Work-Based

Institute of Technology, Hoosier Hills Career

Learning Connections for

Center, Greater Lafayette Career Academy

Indiana Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs. Eleven CTE

and Walker Career Center. Indiana University’s

teachers created a small, engaged group that traveled from diverse

CGC and CIBER contributed funding, staff

regions of the state to Hoosier Hills Career Center for the first workshop

presentations and implementation of the

session on July 12th.

workshops. The Global Center, the African Studies Program and the other

Director of IU Center for the Study of Global Change, Eli Konwest, shared global education resources for classroom use. Asia Society facilitator, Heather Singmaster, provided a context for global competence, global leadership performance outcomes, and career ready practices that integrate with Indiana K-12 Academic and Employability skills. The morning session was complemented by a lunchtime business panel that addressed workforce opportunities and needs. Christi McBride, Hoosier Hills Career Center Director, facilitated the panel and teachers also provided questions.

[Indiana] employers explained what they seek in applicants when hiring or promoting.

to work in diverse environments, communicate respectfully with others and participation in internships were mentioned consistently.

Employers noted the growth of international

The ability to work in diverse environments, communicate respectfully with others and participation in internships were mentioned consistently.

Employers noted the growth of international business within Indiana and the nation.

business within Indiana and the nation. CTE teachers voiced appreciation for hearing directly from the business leaders and being able to share the information with students.

Asynchronous study global education courses included templates to draft classroom curriculum. At the second workshop session, held virtually on July 22, IU CIBER Program Manager, Ryan Craven provided work-based learning resources within a global education framework.

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Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

also contributed funding and curricular support this year for the CTE professional development, promotion of

Employers explained what they seek in applicants when hiring or promoting. The ability

IU National Resource Centers

the Global Workforce Skills Certificate and other global education projects.

— Linda Mann, Global Employability Coordinator

Photo courtesy Amanda Hutchins

Lotus Fall Festival This year, the African Studies Program sponsored two artists’ performances at the annual Lotus Festival in Bloomington.

Yacouba Sissoko was born in Kita, Mali, to a well-known Djeli family.

For centuries, Djelibe have been the traditional musicians and keepers of the factual history and fables of

Yacouba Sissoko

Maria de Barros

past rulers, nobles, social groups and families. The kora is the traditional instrument that Djelibe play. Yacouba

coladeiras and bluesy mornas common

continues to blend effortlessly the kora with other musical styles,

to her culture’s music, while also

whether it is performing Indian ragas or Appalachian tunes. Yacouba can

introducing the intoxicating rhythm of

be seen regularly touring with Regina Carter, Rachel Brown, Jordana de

the funana. An instrument called a ferro,

Lovely, Oran Etkin, Kavita Shah, Benyoro and his own band SIYA. He has

which is simply a piece of metal played

performed at Carnegie Hall and is a 2021 Featured Lotus Fest Artist.

with a spoon, drives the funana rhythm.

A native of Dakar, Senegal, Maria de Barros lived the first 13 years of her life in Nuakchott, Mauritania in northwest Africa. Her creative heart, however, ultimately lies in the culturally rich Cape Verde; a former Portuguese colony located 350 miles off the coast of Senegal, the birthplace of her parents. Currently a resident Los Angeles, her love for Latin music flourished, triggering her to sing in Spanish, one of the six languages that de Barros speaks. Maria de Barros sings salsa-flavored

Indiana University | African Studies Program

43

Swahili Language and Culture: Hands-on Experiences at Harmony School The African Studies Program (ASP) engages in outreach to K-12 educators and their students, from the local to the national level. One example of such initiatives is the long-time engagement with third and fourth grade students at Bloomington’s Harmony Margaret Mwingira

School. At the request of a Harmony teacher years ago, the Swahili program was created

by ASP’s Dr. Alwiya Omar – a nationally known Clinical Professor in Linguistics and the Director of the National African Languages Resource Center (NALRC). This year, doctoral candidate in Education, Margaret Mwingera, led the Harmony Swahili program.

Students in this classroom are introduced to the Swahili language and culture through songs, children’s games, folktales, dress code and cooking – for example, designing kanga designs and creating their own kanga sayings in Kiswahili.

Margaret teaches Swahili language and culture for the IU African Studies Program and was the instructor of record for the 2019 STARTalk Swahili summer program and the 2021 and 2022 IU Summer Swahili Camps. She has also done extensive outreach into the community.

At Harmony Elementary School, an accredited independent

educational institution, students integrate interactive, project-based

chapatis. They also learn about a variety

learning. The students engage in hands-on activities while they learn

of occupations in the different East African

about Swahili culture and learn Kiswahili in this year-long program. Their

environments. They learn daily activities

teachers sometimes play the guitar as students work, sing, draw or make

and foods of the coastal areas, including

designs of Swahili materials and cultural works. Students are curious,

the great Rift Valley, Great Lakes Region,

enthusiastic, and engaged in learning the Swahili language and daily

areas surrounding major mountains, and

routines of Swahili people of East Africa.

wildlife reserves. It is interesting to see students compare differences between their

Students in this classroom are introduced to the Swahili language and

own culture and that of East Africa through

culture through songs, children’s games, folktales, dress code and

discussions and activities. We hope they

cooking. For example, students create kanga designs, Swahili cloths that

remain enthusiastic about East Africa and

incorporate Kiswahili sayings. They create their own kanga sayings in

Swahili language and culture.

Kiswahili, role-playing the use of language in everyday settings through a fruit and vegetable market set up in the classroom, and cook and eat

44

Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

— Margaret Mwingera

K-12 Outreach: Bridges: Children, Languages, World The African Studies Program is pleased to support the 2021-2022 Bridges: Children, Languages, World program—an opportunity for Indiana University language learners to share ten global languages with youth across Bloomington’s K-6 schools. Bridges is a wonderful opportunity to ignite a passion for global learning in K-6 students and strengthen civicleadership skills in IU undergraduates. During the 2021-2022 Academic Year, ASP student volunteers led classes in isiZulu and Kiswahili. In recognition of their leadership, Kiswahili volunteers were honored with an award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington for Best Volunteer Group (see p. 16).

Swahili Summer Camp The African Studies Program (ASP) returned to offering its Swahili summer day camp in person. The camp, first established in 2020 and held virtually, replaced the former federally funded STARTALK-Swahili program. The ASP summer camp is now funded as part of African Studies outreach initiatives through the U.S. Department of Twalha and Zaituni prep for a lesson

Education Title VI program.

The main goal is to introduce middle and high school students to Kiswahili and Swahili culture. The program is offered at no cost to students in Bloomington and the surrounding region. Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a major language of Eastern and Central Africa and is one of the working languages of the African Union. While it has been taught at IU for over 25 years, it is not taught in K-12 schools.

The natural world was a focus for the ASP Swahili summer camp

Indiana University | African Studies Program

45

Now, with the Bridges: Children, Languages, World Swahili program for elementary students and the camp for 7-12th graders, children in the Bloomington community can take Kiswahili straight through K-12. One of ASP's 2021 participating students is in their third year of summer study and hopes to be able to continue to study the language at IU. We want to thank this year’s phenomenal instructors without whom this program would not be possible: doctoral student in Education Margaret Mwingera, and MA student in African Studies Twalha Abbass. Asante sana!

Twalha prepares lesson on plants and animals

ASP Recommended Reading

Camp Educators Twalha Abbass and Margaret Mwingera

Contact us!

Contact African Studies to learn about academic options and stay informed of upcoming events and announcements.

AFRICAN STUDIES PROGRAM africanstudies.indiana.edu

@iuasp

afrist@indiana.edu

Newsletter editor: Tavy Aherne Newsletter layout and design: IU Hamilton Lugar School Office of Communications & Marketing Photography: Courtesy of the African Studies Program, photographer George Armstrong, and IU Hamilton Lugar School unless otherwise noted

jpsi.indiana.edu africanstudies.indiana.edu

@21JPSI_IU jpsi@iu.edu @iuasp afrist@indiana.edu