I’ve just finished watching this week's ‘Lost Kingdoms of Africa’ by Dr Gus Casely-Hayford [featuring the ancient Kingdom of Ethiopia] -and he’s the best, –engaging and passionate [with none of that patronizing verve that most art historian Possess]. Part of the most influential black family in the UK, -like the rest of Casely-Hayford clan –he is at the top-of-his-game. **Don’t forget to watch Dr Gus next Tuesday –it’s about the lost Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe. Please visit the BBC website for more information. www.bbc.co.uk
Its terrific stuff.
ReplyDeleteHas he written this stuff up in a book ?
mail me on dancer@axelrod.plus.com if you know please - I didn't find any obvious books.
andy
I watch it every week and it is great! Love every bit of his account on these fantastic sites. I took courses on Ethiopia and Nubia (am art historian myself) but had no clue on Great Zimbabwe. Am genuinly excited about kingdom of Benin next week.
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know in case you don't know already: British Museum will open a new exhibition on Kingdom of Ife and West African sculpture in March!
Tania
just watched great Zimb abwe and no mention of iss Caton Thompson- the remarkable woman archaeologist (white British woman NB) who established that Great Zimbabwe was built by Africans- the 'controversy' may have been carried on by white settlers but it had already been quashed by a remarkable woman who was invited to the celebrations of Zimbabwe's independence and at least one anniversary in recognition of her contribution to the history of ZImbabwe. To leave her out was simplistic and verging on racism. Not all whites were wicked or idiots and in the face of so much that was terrible it is important to remember that.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that African history is being shown on TV as so little is known. Please can you let the audience know if this documentary is available to buy from the BBC. This a good documentary for collection.
ReplyDeleteStumbles across your blog googling Casely-Hayford. Cant agree more - the series is vital. Most people,myself included, had no idea of the great history and civilizations of Africa. As for missing out Caton Thompson, I dont think it was a problem - this programme is about the Africans that built these places , not the academics who have worked on them.
ReplyDeleteMissed out Caton Thompson. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhen is "Great" Britain planning to return the bronze artifacts stolen from Benin (among others of course stolen from "The Empire")?
I've just done the same as MJN. Completely brilliant series, so much more unprecedented, interesting and intelligent than most of the guff on telly. Wish there was more.
ReplyDeleteSome great moments Gus however, you fell into the big mistake that others have taken great pains not to. Gus should have read the greats such as Diop and Obanga etc scholars who have claimed our full heritage. What I am referring to is the fact that in episode one 'Nubia' you differentiated North Africa from that of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially as it pertained to Egypt. You should have proclaimed the 'Africaness' of ancient Egypt to the world. Most non-racist studies now accept that ancient Egypt was unified from the South at the start of the Pharonic age.Moreover, the fact that ancient Egypt was was fully African and that the differentiation that it made between its people and the Nubians further south, was that between the Blackest people in the world in Nubia and those somewhat lighter in Ancient Egypt was akin to a Scandinavian differentiating themselves from Italians. (Indeed Gus was told this by the Nuba elder....."We are all the same people the colour is different that's all, some are in Egypt some stayed in Meroe and others came here". Gus you must know that many of today's North Africans are much later arrivals to Africa, arriving way after the glories of Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately, by not mentioning this you undermined all of your other good works by re-enforcing the stealing of our historical heritage in the one area that really matters to our place in the world, Ancient EGYPT! Why is this important, and why did western colonial historians hide this fact when Ancient Egyptian iconography spoke for itself (Note: there was little or no difference between the faces of those Kushitic statues and the Egyptians), The real reason why these colonial historians hide the truth was because they knew that the Ancient Greek scholars stated that Egypt was the cradle of Greek civilisation!
ReplyDeleteWell said Jim!
DeleteTemples Of The African Gods - Michael Tellinger - I've found this to be fascinating reading - who knows maybe this is the missing link?
ReplyDeleteThis guy is warm in personality, engaging in narration and explosive in intellectual profundity!! He is simply brilliant!! I read most of what he is talking about in well written but obscure books as a boy back in Africa, Kenya. Gus has broached the 'elephant in the room' topic but with such class that you have to admire his delivery.
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog by googling the deliciously articulate Dr Gus as well. I just watched the Ethiopian segment on TVO (I am in Canada) and I thoroughly enjoyed his delivery ...very engaging, very informative, very humble and yes pleasing to MY eye lol.
ReplyDeleteI hope they show Zimbabwe next week because as a Zimbabwean I would like to see how he fares ;) @PrueHardwick, just what is the problem? I am sure she did a great job DISCOVERING what the Zimbabweans had already done - although I am not sure what is there to discover besides plunder. There has never been a dispute as to who built Great Zimbabwe hence naming our country Zimbabwe (Dzimba Dzemambwe = Houses of Stone). You anger may be displaced but we've got this.