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Focusing on a single Malian textile identified variously as bogolanfini, bogolan, or mudcloth, Victoria L. Rovine traces the dramatic technical and stylistic innovations that have transformed the cloth from its village origins into a symbol of new internationalism. Rovine shows how the biography of this uniquely African textile reveals much about contemporary culture in urban Africa and about the global markets in which African art circulates. Bogolan has become a symbol of national and ethnic identities, an element of contemporary, urban fashion, and a lucrative product in tourist art markets. At the heart of this beautifully illustrated book are the artists, changing notions of tradition, nationalism, and the value of cloth making and marketing on a worldwide scale. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting and fun - a book on African mudcloth
Victoria Rovine tells a great story and illustrates it with wonderful images of the indigenous textile from Mali, bogolanfini or bogolan, known as mudcloth in the US. Her book is strong on theory but also full of personal details about the people and the places where bogolan is made. Good for anthropology, fine art, material culture courses but also an excellent read for anyone interested in African culture and creativity. Highly recommended! ... Read more

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The extraordinary manuscripts ofTimbuktu: invaluable historical documents,objects of tremendous beauty, and a testament to a great center of learning andcivilization.

For centuries, trading caravans made epicjourneys across the Saharan sands to reach themarkets of the legendary city of Timbuktu, where they traded salt, gold, slaves, textiles—andbooks. By the mid-fifteenth century, Timbuktuhad become a major center of Islamic literaryculture and scholarship. The city's librarieswere repositories of all the world's learning,housing not only works by Arab and Islamicwriters but also volumes from the classicalGreek and Roman worlds and studies bycontemporary scholars.

Theastonishing manuscripts of Timbuktu form thelavish visual heart of this book. Beautifullygraphic, occasionally decorated, these exquisite artifacts reveal great craftsmanship as well aslearning. All were written in the Arabic script, but not all are in Arabic, for they also featurea range of local African languages.

Aside from scholarly works, the surviving manuscripts include a wealth of correspondencebetween rulers, advisers, and merchants onsubjects as various as taxation, commerce,marriage, divorce, adoption, breastfeeding, andprostitution, providing a vivid insight into the ordinary life and values of the day.

Customer Reviews (4)

Fantastic book. Must buy
I will make this very brief, because I despise long pointless reviews that never tell you what you need to know. The bottom line is that this is a fantastic text. The surprising thing is that it is filled with gorgeous color photos. The book itself is huge. It's not one of those books you buy, and think..."that's it". You will not regret buying this book. The text focuses on the actual manuscripts in the ever growing collection of African manuscripts. But it also shows the life and country side of the region, in beautiful color.It is a well researched, well written book...that is again, gorgeous. Lastly, it's rare to see a text on African history that is as beautiful as most books on western civilization. And it's not because there is anything less beautiful about African history, but few ever invest the resources to produce the polished work that western histories receive. This book is different. Just buy the book. It's 20 dollars that you will not regret spending. This is one of my best purchases, on African history, or any topic!

Wonderful book! Wish there were more phtographs of manuscripts
The book contains wonderful photographs (many are full-page) of old manuscripts written or transcribed in Arab scripts between the 17th and the 19th centuries.Many of them are literally falling apart.Let's hope they'll find a way to preserve these precious pieces of history.

The book is divided into three chapters. The first chapter deals with the history and culture of Timbuktu and takes up about half of the book. The second chapter is the meat of the book - photographs and descriptions of the historic manuscripts that they have found and now preserved in the various libraries around the city. This part of the book covers only about 45 pages.Given the opportunities granted to the authors to these documents, I wished they were more photographs of other manuscripts. Yeah, the photographs are gorgeous, but it would have been even better to sacrifice pages from chapter 1 and put in more photographs of these marvelous manuscripts, especially given the title of the book. Hey, after all, how often does anyone get a chance to visit libraries in Timbuktu? This is why I'm giving the book a 4-star rather than 5.

The third chapter is devoted to the discussion (and listings) of Timbuktu scholars and libraries and this was quite interesting. More pictures of the libraries and their contents would have been even better. A nice glossary and a good bibliography (many sources in French) round up the book.All in all, a very good book but could have been a great one....

A fine guide for any college-level library specializing in either art or African cultural history
THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF TIMBUKTU: REDISCOVERING AFRICA'S LITERARY CULTURE is a fine guide for any college-level library specializing in either art or African cultural history. For centuries Timbuktu was a major center of Islamic literary and artistic culture: this gathers reproductions of the visual manuscripts of early scholars, offering lovely decorated graphics and in-depth historical notes. Any library strong in African literary history and traditions, also, will appreciate this gathering of Timbuktu treasures and history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Well researched, extradinary photography
I must confess that I didn't know much about Timbuktu until I read this thoroughly researched and beautifully photographed book. After spending an afternoon turning the pages of "The Hidden Treasures of Timbuktu," though, I feel like I made an extended personal visit.

Working under the auspices of the University of Oslo, Norway, and UNESCO, authors John O. Hunwick and Alida Boye have invited us to spend some time to get to know Timbuktu through its history, its people and its rich treasure of manuscripts. The photography is the work of Joseph Hunwich, son of the co-author.

Reading this book is an opportunity to see many of the ancient manuscripts that functioned as literary works and commercial documents, but also as aesthetically compelling imagery. After viewing these many full-page eye-popping photographs, you'll feel like you have personally visited the streets, and then many of the libraries, of one of Africa's cultural centers. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Amazingly obtuse
The author takes a variety of vague and nebulous social constructs and attempts to redefine them in order to reach preordained social and poilitical conclusions. The book is unbelievably overblown and could probably be summarized in a few pages.

I can only assume that the author has now moved on to writing government regulations. ... Read more

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CONTENTS - Unit 1. Africa: The Early Civilizations; Unit 2. Marvelous Africa; Unit 3. Nubia: Ancient and Supreme; Unit 4. Axum: The Gem of Africa; Unit 5. Ghana: The Kingdom of Ivory and Gold; Unit 6. Mali: The Magnificent Empire; Unit 7. Songhay: Land of Royalty ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Excellent Book On Classical Africa
Molefi Asante has done it again with this book.This book is a good introduction to Africa.He gives the main points of each area.He gives questions to make you think about what you've read.The pictures and the maps area absolutely beautiful.This is a book that you should have in your library.If you don't then it's your loss! ... Read more

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With becoming deference, I shall endeavour to illustrate in the following pages, the observations I have personally made upon the Coast of Africa, and to give the information I have obtained from an extended circle of Chiefs, and native Tribes, relative to its Inhabitants, their Religion, Habits and Customs, the natural productions and commercial resources, &c. and attempt to delineate the most eligible grounds upon which the condition of the African may be effectually improved, and our commercial relations be preserved with that important quarter of the globe. ... Read more

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This is an 11" x 12" Wall Calendar showing original works of art of Barack Obama, painted by folk and popular artists in Africa. Truly unique; no glossy Obama press-photos in this calendar !Special 39-Month Edition: celebrate all 39 months until the end of Obama's first term in office! Details: 36 pages (18*2), 39 months, illustrated with 77 art works by 23 artists, an essay by the collector, 50 photos, and quotes. '(Dreams Of My Brother: Paintings from Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Togo)' has located and collected original African Folk and Popular artworks created during Obama's first term as President, sensing that something so seismic, so public, and yet so personal for so many, would find fertile ground among African artists. As you can tell by the African art in this Wall Calendar, what we found was extraordinary...This unique calendar provides welcome proof that there is no such thing as "the art world," only worlds of art, including the legions of folk, popular, and self-taught artists in Africa, from Ghana to Kenya, Togo to Mali.Portion of proceeds to benefit the fight against malaria. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The man behind the camera
Well....it's an interesting story how I came upon this book..but basically..I'm a crispin Glover fan, and knew there was only one way to receive one movie he did, and that was to kiss the directors Butt. Which I did so in email, he was more than happy to sell me a copy of the movie, and in the package, was this book..signed "merry x-mas, trent harris". What an unexpected surprise!!! But even more so, was how great this book was! I was not expecting it to be that interesting...a very short book about a trip to Africa...but low and behold! I found myself laughing out loud ATLEAST 3 times per page! I am a busy working mother, and I read this book withen 2 or 3 hours in two days, i DEVOURED it! This book was insightful and incredibly moving....( not to mention a bit embarrassing..being in the dr.s office and suddenly bursting into laughter) I definatly recommend this book to anyone with a weird or off set of humor..it was fantastic!

From Rubin and Ed to the Wild Goose chase...
This is the honest, funny and eye opening tale of Trent Harris, director of the cult film Rubin and Ed. The story begins when the film is released which coincides with the LA riots in 1992.
"It was 1992. People were against me. No one in LA would give me a job. No one would invite me to a party...It was the week after the LA riots. My house had nearly been burned to the ground and my film Rubin and Ed had just been released. Nobody went."
Ultimetly, Trent decides to get out of LA and to chase the "Wild Goose" and go to...Timbuktu. The resulting events are as weird, humorous and interesting as any of his films. After reading this his films will make a lot more sense...erm, well maybe not, but you will understand something about the man who made them. ... Read more

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The Bamana people are known for their rich artistic traditions, including the creation of masks, statues, door locks, head dresses, and ritual and utilitarian objects: their door locks are among the most remarkable of all African art. Sculpted of wood in a rich variety of forms, they depict mythological and historical figures, social events, and representational figures - crocodiles, lizards, tortoises, owls, bats, butterflies, humans. Known as 'konbarabara', these exquisite locks were once presented to young women at the time of their marriage and affixed to the doors of their new homes. The beauty of the carvings and the ingenuity of the locking systems present a fascinating study of this unusual art form. The volume is divided into three parts. Part 1 provides an overview of the Bamana people and their philosophical and spiritual beliefs. Part 2 presents a comprehensive discussion of Bamana doors and locks. Part 3 contains sixty-nine photos each with detailed captions explaining the symbolism of the various forms, interpretations of graphic signs, and descriptions of the locking devices. ... Read more

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"Excerpt from the book..."
JUST COME FROM INDIA.

"Are they really coming to-morrow, granny?" exclaimed Fanny Vallery, a
fair, blue-eyed, sweet-looking girl, as she gazed eagerly at the face of
Mrs Leslie, who was seated in an arm-chair, near the drawing-room
window.
... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Middle Ages Reference Library, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 864 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Middle Ages Reference Library explores the complex period of the Middle Ages, covering the different civilizations and peoples of Medieval times. It also includes biographical essays on significant individuals from the period and an insightful collection of full or excerpted texts from the era. ... Read more