[IDT] Workshop 4
Today we learned about the semi-nomadic African people who live in Kenya and the northern region of Tanzania. This was a departure from the previous day of talking about fossils and the scientist inside the country right now. But the morning lesson really didn’t depart from scientific study. Instead of just simply learning about this Tanzanian culture, we looked at in from an anthropologic aspect. Challenging our assumptions about what we perceive the Maasai culture to be.
I think the most interesting thing I learned about them is that they have also had to deal with the growing problems that humans are having on the environment. In their case, the dwindling numbers of lions that live near their grazing areas. It was interesting that they were working with international organization to try to come to resolution that would help them compensate their important cattle in return for not killing these predators.
Later we talked about the influence of hip-hop in Tanzania. How that was a good thing, because the young people enjoy expressing themselves in this relatively new, American form of expression. But as we heard some of the lyrics and talked to a real Tanzanian musician from New York City, we also uncovered a concern among those who cherish this form who use it to be social awareness to injustice. The current trend in the US has been more emphasize on material aspects that promoting civic engagement. I look forward to talking to another Tanzanian artist in Chicago later on this month and ask him more about how he feels about this negative aspect of American rap in his country.
