Page 179 - A People Called Afrika

Afrika’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems

lighting and extreme fortifications for their city. The oldest
universities are found in the Northern parts of Afrika. The
Egyptian pyramids speak for themselves in terms of ancient
Afrikan architecture, but consider the Dogon who built their
houses with respect to their need for security and defensibil-
ity, access to clean water and the changing weather patterns.

Afrikans made defensive and offensive weapons, crafted
complex storage and carrying vessels from natural materials
and created medicines, clothing, shoes. Afrikans designed
and created complex musical instruments and dances that
were used for various societal functions and even to com-
municate coded messages. Afrikan people created fabrics,
dyes and print patterns and jewelry that were used to artic-
ulate meaning or to demarcate status. Afrikans engaged in
body decoration and modification to enhance beauty, make
themselves look fierce and intimidating or even protect them-
selves from the elements. The Himba, for example, used
ochre mixed with fat, to protect themselves from insects and
from the sun. Pots were formed and used to store and pre-
serve food, keep water cool or to cook. Afrikans construct-
ed eco-friendly structures using naturally available materials.

Everything they crafted (technology) was used, just like
today, for protection, trade, communication, health, ag-
gression, defense, nutrition, worship, social interaction or
adornment and all done in harmony with the environment.

Afrika’s art and creativity
Art and creativity for a true Afrikan is not just the display of skill
or talent, it is an expression of something deeper, something
spiritual, which no other medium could express other than art.

154