And now for some Good News from Africa .......

Poverty rates throughout the African continent have been falling steadily, and much faster than previously thought, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The death rate of children under five years of age is dropping, with “clear evidence of accelerating rates of decline,” according to The Lancet.

Perhaps most encouragingly, Africa is “among the world’s most rapidly growing economic regions.” 

Attention!



Here is a good example of an older 'Colon' or colonial Figure.

It represents a 'General de Brigade' or Brigade General, of the 'Tirailleurs Senegalaise', a militia raised from West Africans in the old colonial period.

These soldiers fought alongside French troops in World War 1 and World War 2 with great distinction.

This authentic figure has some marks of wear and age.

See more -

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=6&page=2

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted during its 62nd session in New York City on 13 September 2007.

The UN describes it as –

… "an important standard for the treatment of indigenous people, that will undoubtedly be a significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations, and assist in combating discrimination and marginalization."

It is estimated that indigenous people number 370 million across the world.

Here is a selection of the traditional work of some of these people:

http://www.justafrica.com.au

Text courtesy of http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery

The Abolition of Slavery Act

By 1783, an Anti-Slavery movement to abolish the Slave Trade throughout the Empire had begun among the British public.

In 1785, the English poet William Cowper wrote:

"We have no slaves at home – Then why abroad? Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs receive our air, that moment they are free. They touch our country, and their shackles fall. That's noble, and bespeaks a nation proud. And jealous of the blessing. Spread it then, And let it circulate through every vein."

In fact, Slavery was officially abolished in most of the British Empire on 1 August 1834.

The Royal Assent to the Bill was given on 28 August 1833, making it law.

Image and text courtesy of -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BLAKE10.JPG

Mudcloth Throws just in from Mali - West Africa

We have just received a new consignment of these wonderful Traditional Textiles.

They are made from hand-woven cotton panels, sewn together, and decorated with patterns, using Mud, Bark and Leaf dyes.

This produces rich earth tones, as well as the natural white.

There is a huge range of variations in the designs: a tribute to the creativity of the makers who continue a long line of artists in Textiles.

Have a look for yourself -

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=27

Issa Bagayogo - Diarabi

What we're listening to at the moment... from the album 'Sya' :)

New Arrivals - Homewares

Mudcloth Table Runners

To see more click here

Wooden Bowls

To see more click here

Salad Servers

To see more click here

AfroCubsim

This specially made short film provides an exclusive look at the making of the most eagerly anticipated release in world music. This collaboration of the finest musicians from Cuba and Mali features Eliades Ochoa, Bassekou Kouyate, Djelimady Tounkara, and Toumani Diabate, and sees the realisation of the project that inadvertently became the Buena Vista Social Club.