African Material Research Articles

Notes on Somalian Sapindaceae

Summary. Two new genera, Chiarinia and Sennia, and three new species, Chiarinia jubae-fluvii, Sennia sciap-sciaple and Filicium somalense, were described by Chiovenda in his Flora Somala. In the present paper it is shown that Chiarinia is a synonym of Lecaniodiscus Planch. ex Benth. (Sapindaceae), as C.jubae-fluvii is conspecific with L.fraxinifolius Baker, that Sennia is a synonym of Dialium L. (Leguminosae subfam. Caesalpinioideae), as S. sciap-sciaple is conspecific with D. orientale Bak. f., and that Filicium somalense is conspecific with Haplocoelum inopleum Radlk. (Sapindaceae). All three species are members of the coastal forests of East Africa. No nomenclatural changes are necessary because of these identifications. A number of Sapindaceous trees described by Chiovenda from the southernmost part of Somalia have until now only been known from the type collections. The trees were found in riverine or coastal forest. It seemed likely that these species would also occur in Kenya, in which country there are more considerable areas of these forests than in Somalia. A study of the type specimens at the University Herbarium of Florence (FI), combined with studies of East African material at Kew, has shown that this assumption was correct, and two monotypic genera and one species are here identified with East African taxa.

Major review media and publicity outlets for African studies material

Major review media and publicity outlets for African studies material

Africana at Kew

Most readers of this journal will be intimately familiar with Noel Matthews and M. Doreen Wainwright's indispensable work, A Guide to Manuscripts and Documents in the British Isles Relating to Africa. However, it is virtually inevitable that in a comprehensive work of this nature (and I should indicate straight away that theirs is an exceptionally fine work) that there will be oversights, omissions, or less than adequately full listings. One case in point is the coverage Matthews and Wainwright devote to African material held in the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Their listing, which covers pages 188-91 of the book, is accurate insofar as it goes, but it presents less than a total picture of the potential riches that await Africanists in a multitude of discplines who journey to Kew.

A New Combination in Rubiaceae-Rubieae of Southern Africa

While revising the Galium species of southern Africa it was discovered that G. horridum Thunb. should be transferred to Rubia. The transfer had already been suggested in 1930 by Bullock on herbarium sheets from Kew and by Ehrendorfer (personal communication). Neither of them, however, has published the new combination. R. petiolaris var. heterophylla Sond. must be considered a synonym of R. horrida. Bullock (1930, unpublished) apparently shared this opinion because he determined the types of var. heterophylla as R. horrida (although at the same time he determined other Rubia material as 'R. petiolaris var. heterophylla' !). After preliminary investigation of South African material at Kew and four local South African herbaria it is obvious that R. horrida is a close ally of R. petiolaris and R. cordifolia L. subsp. conotricha (Gandoger) Verdc., two highly variable taxa which are sometimes difficult to separate. Although it seems that R. horrida is clearly distinct from both species, variants (particularly of R. petiolaris) may sometimes resemble R. horrida quite closely. Extensive experimental taxonomic studies would be needed to prove whether or not the present understanding of this complex species group is correct.

Marine meiobenthic Oligochaeta from Heron and Wistari Reefs (Great Barrier Reef) of the genera Clitellio, Limnodriloides and Phallodrilus (Tubificidae) and Grania (Enchytraeidae)

Marine microdrile oligochaetes are described for the first time from Eastern Australia, occurring in the sub-littoral zone beneath coral clumps on the sand flat and shallow lago on of Heron and Wistari reefs. A population density of 20,000 worms/m3, or 2 100, cm3, is estimated for Heron Reef. Clitellio arenicolus queenslandicus, subsp. nov. has proportionately smaller atria than the nominate subspecies from Naples and North America. Synonymy of C. subtilis Pierantoni with this species is questioned. Limnodriloides winckelmanni Michaelsen is described for the first time since its description for South-west African material but L. barnardi Cook, from Baja California, is regarded as a junior synonym. The genus Phallodrilus is redefined to include Torodrilus lowryi Cook, Rhyacodrilus prostatus Knollner and two new species, P. albidus and P. rohdei, and a key to the twelve species of Phallodrilus is given. Grania macrochaeta trichaeta, subsp. nov. (Enchytraeidae) is added to the three subspecies of G. macrochaeta recently recognized.

Access to Government Publications in South Africa

Here is a list of the government printing offices in South Africa. Many government departments also publish items and these documents are often only available from the department concerned. Publishing addresses for the new Southern African states and the semi-autonomous “Homelands” are not included, as it is very difficult to obtain materials from them and ascertain what has been published. The addresses of the main commercial publishers of South African statutory material including some commercial publishers who reproduce legislation under the South African Government Printer's copyright authority are listed and some examples of the type of material published by them are given in order to indicate their coverage.

Multivariate Analysis and the Geographical Distribution of the World Collection of Finger Millet1

Analysis of variance of 640 genetic stocks from the world collection of finger millet, Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., indicated highly significant differences among entries for the 18 characters selected. Most of the vegetative characters measured were environmentally labile in contrast to reproductive characters, which were little affected by environment. Some vegetative characters, such as stem width and blade length, were found to be relatively little affected by the environment. The characters under study, in general, did not show high mutual correlation.The data were subjected to principal components analysis. Twelve broad groups have been identified as a result of plotting the first two standardized principal components. Indian material showed clinal variation, with southern and eastern samples forming the extremes. The pattern of variation in African material was distinctly different from that found in India. Ugandan material exhibited distinct separation and isolation from the rest of the material studied.Canonical variate analysis not only supported the above findings, but also distinctly separated the Ethiopian material (which the principal components analysis grouped with some Indian material) into a distinct group of its own.

Aberdeen University: Collections of Interest to Africanists

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen contains two collections of materials of interest to Africanists. Both encompass a wider area than Africa, but in both the African materials are perhaps the most numerous and interesting.Andrew Walls, head of the Department, directs the Project for the Study of Christianity in the Non-Western World. There is a reading room (the Laws Room) and nn accumulating collection of mission magazines and journals, pamphlets, ephemeral materials, manuscripts, microfilms, photographs, and bibliographic aids. A wide range of current mission and church papers is received, including Catholic and Protestant publications from U.S.A., U.K., the Continent, and Africa. With the supporting collections in the University Library there is a good coverage of older mission journals. Manuscripts of Dr. Robert Laws (born in Aberdeen) have been donated to the Department by his daughter, with other materials relating to Livingstonia.

African Trade Union Material in the Library of the Trades Union Congress

The nucleus of the TUC Library was formed in 1915 with the establishment of the Labour Party Information Bureau. In 1922, a number of Joint Departments were set up by the Labour Party and the TUC, and Sidney Webb became the main advisor on the stock and organisation of the new library. In 1956, the TUC moved in Congress House in Bloomsbury, bringing the greater part of the stock with them.The formation of the ILO in 1919 and contacts, particularly with the South African and Indian delegates, intensified the TUC's interest in labour conditions in British Protectorates. The new library began to gather material to service the Joint International Committee and the Joint Advisory Committee on Imperial Affairs. The formation in 1937 of a Colonial Advisory Committee led to a further organised attempt to collect African trade union literature.

III: African Trade Union Material in Nuffield College Library

In 1966 the Nuffield College Library accepted responsibility under the SCOLMA specialisation scheme for the collection of African trade union material. Mr. C. H. Allen, then one of the College's Research Fellows, was particularly interested in African unions and he was instrumental in acquiring much of the material now held in the College Library. Since 1970 however, when Mr. Allen left Nuffield College, little use has been made of this collection, and as the library does not now have a contact in Africa not much has been added in the last few years. Relevant published material is of course purchased together with any unpublished working papers of universities and institutions which come to the attention of the

African Material in the Library of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides the means of communication for the discussion and negotiation of all matters within the field of international relations between the British Government and other governments and international organisations. Its diplomatic missions are responsible for protecting British citizens and interests overseas, and for explaining British policies to, and cultivating friendly relations with, governments in foreign and Commonwealth countries. The F.C.O. is also entrusted with the discharge of British responsibilities in the associated states and the administration of the remaining dependent territories. The primary functions of the Ministry of Overseas Development are to formulate and carry out policies to help the economic development of less developed countries, and to administer the British programme of development aid.

Studies on the genus Stenostomum O. Schmidt (Turbellaria; Catenulida).

SummaryStenostomum arevaloi Gieysztor, S. glandulosum Kepner and Carter, S. leucops (Duges), S. pseudoacetabtihtm Nuttycombe and Waters, and S. unicolor Schmidt are reported from E. Africa. The various localities in which each of the species were found are listed. All the species are new records for this region except S. Leucops which was recorded by Bohmig (1897) from Lake Victoria at Bukoba, Uganda. Descriptions of the species, based on the E. African material, are given.

Theories of Urbanization and the Colonial City in West Africa

Opening ParagraphThe main purpose of this paper is to show how recent research into the process of urbanization in Africa and into the structure of African cities and nations compels us to rethink our theories of urbanization in general.The relationship between theory and research is a reciprocal one. New research compels the creation of new models, and new models suggest new subjects and methods of research. But both theory and research are affected by politics in the broadest sense of the term. Many African scholars consider the study of modern Africa by Westerners an extension of economic and political colonialism, especially when African cities are studied in terms of Western models. And many African governments, aware of the social problems involved in urbanization, seriously study the work of both African and non-African social scientists. The period since 1960 has been one of rapid development in the study of urbanization in Africa and the rest of the world, and the African material should throw new light on general theories of urbanization.

East African Materials in the University of Sussex Library

East African materials have been collected at the University of Sussex Library with responsibilities in mind both to our own staff and students, particularly those in the School of African and Asian Studies, and to the SCOLMA area specialisation scheme. The basic collection was established by M. H. Rogers before he moved to the library of the Institute of Development Studies, and this has proved a reasonable base from which to develop. We purchase as much current material as funds allow, selecting from LC accessions lists, and maintaining subscriptions to locally published serials. Attempts have been made to use deposit accounts to cover standing orders with local publishers both government and trade; results have been fairly satisfactory in the former case, less so in the latter.

Source Book of African and Afro-American Materials for Music Educators

Source Book of African and Afro-American Materials for Music Educators

Laman's Kongo Ethnography: Observations on Sources, Methodology, and Theory

Opening ParagraphValuable African archival materials are known to have been ‘rediscovered’ accidentally after having been ‘lost’ to scholarship for a time. Perhaps the foremost example of this in Lower Congo research is the eighteenth-century bibliography located by Jadin in the Vatican Library some time ago. A similar case which I shall discuss here is that of the KiKongo sources of Karl Laman's four volume ethnography The Kongo, a 775-page work detailing traditions, customs, lore, and legend from the BaKongo north of the Congo River at the turn of the century. These sources were ‘lost’ too, but in a different way. Through an obfuscating editorial policy and several translations from KiKongo to Swedish, and again from Swedish to English, their central role in the final work became completely obscured. A reconstruction of how Laman's posthumous ethnography in fact reached the stage of publication should be of help to those who find it difficult to work with as it is—although I must make clear that the work is, as it stands, already of outstanding value. An explanation of the editorial policy in terms of its premises should reveal the impact of tacit ethnological theory upon something as seemingly cut-and-dried as the posthumous works of an established scholar, already well known in his field.

The classification of varieties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

An expanded scheme of groundnut variety classification is presented which is revised in the light of recently collected West African material and is designed in concordance with the most recent taxonomic treatment of the species Arachis hypogaea L. This species consists of two subspecies ssp. hypogaea and ssp. fastigiata Waldron. Each subspecies contains two botanical varieties. Those of ssp. hypogaea are var. hypogaea and var. hirsuta Kohler and those of ssp. fastigiata Waldron are var. fastigiata and var. vulgaris Harz. Each infraspecific taxon contains a morphologically distinct group of cultivated varieties.

African Art at the Los Angeles County Museum

African art, long resident in the ethnographic and natural history museums, has in recent years achieved new status and importance as Until recently, things African were displayed and treated as material evidence of one of the world's many and varied cultures, but few ventured to admit that they were legitimate artistic manifestations in their own right. Much has been said and written about the influence of African sculpture on the of many twentieth century Western artists. There is no doubt that this is true. The assertion, however, seems more a backhanded compliment than a positive affirmation of the beauty, power and integrity of those African works. It is like noting the of a minor painter because he is the teacher of a more gifted artist. The recognition is historical, not aesthetic. African is certainly a major, rather than a minor, artistic expression. What may be pertinent, is the impact of modern and its acceptance by a wide audience, which, in turn, allowed greater understanding and appreciation of those African works which contributed to its development. Prior to the nineteenth century, there was very little doubt about what was or wasn't a work of Individual aestheticians and groups diligently guarded acceptable artistic norms, and their decisions were largely based on Greek, Roman and Renaissance ideals of beauty. The taste makers still exist, but there is no longer a united front which automatically eliminates any deviation. Coupled with this tunnel view were theories concerning the linear evolution of man which unabashedly placed Western man at the top of the heap. Western man defined civilization, and every other cultural manifestation was ranked according to its similarity to Western culture. There was no committee formed, no consultation. It was done. Given this situation, art museums collected and displayed those works originating from the so-called high civilizations, while material (African works included) was placed in natural history and purely anthropological institutions. Largely based on ethnocentric precepts, these attitudes are the subject of increasing scepticism by a large segment of the world's population. Ever growing numbers have accepted African cultural manifestations as art: witness the tremendous number of African exhibitions, the proliferation of publications and the ever increasing number of collectors and dealers. All these changes have not been motivated by pure altruism, although this is certainly true in many cases. Legitimate demands for social reform and change, a re-thinking of the role and function of museums, and an increasing number of people interested in culture are only a few of many divergent causes for the current status of African art. Many people have contributed to this change. It has been gradual, sparked by anthropologists, painters, historians, museum curators, students (especially Afro-Americans), critics and other individuals struck by its beauty, strength and vitality. As a result, we are currently witnessing a rather remarkable metamorphosis. The installations of many natural history and anthropological institutions are undergoing a face lifting, in part dictated by a desire to display their holdings as art. In addition, the list of museums engaged in the acquisition or display of African material is rapidly expanding. In Los Angeles three institutions are currently engaged in the active display of African art. In addition, excellent exhibitions are periodically mounted throughout the entire southern California area. Permanent collections are housed at the UCLA Museum of Cultural History and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. The third major institution to join the ranks is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the fall of 1969 the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Riddle in Africa

THE RIDDLE IS ONE of the most important forms of oral art in Africa; yet it remains undefined and for the most part undescribed. What features lead us identify certain verbal expressions from many different languages as riddles? What grounds do we have for providing numerous African terms with such English equivalents as to pose a riddle, to solve a riddle, when even in English the riddle is not satisfactorily defined? On what basis do we identify riddles anywhere at all? On the basis of structural analysis? Or intuition? What features identify the riddle genre from particular manifestations of the genre? Can the study of African riddles bring new information the folklorist? Questions like these have received only scant attention from specialists in African studies, even though many collections of African oral art have been classified as riddles. The descriptive analysis of African riddles so far attempted is quite negligible. I can think of only one descriptive study of a riddle collection in which the author attempts make use of folkloristic theory, namely, Gowlett's description of Lozi riddles where attempts are made apply the suggestions of Dundes and Georges.1 Practically no direct study has been made of specific or comparative African riddle collections. The general emphasis is still on riddle collecting, but there is now sufficient material from Africa make possible at least tentative steps toward the discussion of riddle definition and analysis from African material.

A proposal for a data bank of African materials

A proposal for a data bank of African materials