Ghanaian Kente Art Cart and Weaving Activity
Saturday, Sept. 24; 10:30 am–4 pm—Pavilion
Kente cloth made by the people of Ghana and Togo is one of the best known of all African textiles. Visitors will be able to create their own Ghanaian kente cloth design while learning about the history of kente in the United States.
Docent-led Tours
Saturday, Sept. 24—Pavilion
Tour times are 10:30–11:30 am, 12:45–1:45 pm and 2:30–3:30 pm
Docents will lead “I Am Africa” tours of the museum’s galleries to explore works that show the relationship of individuals—youth and elders, fishermen and hunters, farmers and kings—to the community as a whole. Those interested in a tour should meet at the Pavilion-level visitor desk at the appointed time.
Talk and Performance
Sunday, Sept. 25; 12–3 pm—Lecture hall, sublevel 2
Inspired by the museum’s current exhibition, “Senses of Time,” “Defining Our Time” will explore how members of the African diaspora exemplify our time through creative engagement with the arts. The discussion will begin with a guided tour of “Senses of Time,” followed by a live performance by Tsedaye Makonnen responding to the exhibition. Patrick Kabanda moderates as Esosa E., Jacqueline Lara, Femi Ogunjinmi, and Joy Spencer discuss how innovative entrepreneurship can help tell our stories. Visual artist Laolu Senbanjo will join the discussion to talk on creative interpretation.
Film
Friday, Sept. 30; 6:30 pm–8:30 pm—Lecture hall, sublevel 2
The museum will present a screening of the film, Am I: Too African to be American or too American to be African? Director Nadia Sasso interviews young women living in America and West Africa to gain insight into the complexity of identity. Following the screening, join us for a discussion with film director Nadia Sasso; moderator Msia Kibona Clark, assistant professor of African Studies at Howard University; and other members of the cast. Visual artist Laolu Senbanjo will discuss heritage and identity.
More information about additional programming is at Africa.si.edu.