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Afro-beat

© Deborah Jeter

This home page is the start of a great African culture experience. The Kids Zone, that I have spotlighted below, is just a scratch on the surface of the in-depth and marvelous information that you can access for your Black History lessons next month.

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• Learn about this African Tribe called Baga.

• Even though Kwanzaa is over, you still might like to see what you can use as resources for the next Kwanzaa celebration at Kwanzaa.

• Learn about African Animals at Animals of Africa, and then sing a song about jungle animals.

• How about letting your students take this Black History Quiz?

• Children love myths and fables. Take a look at this great African collection.

• There's lots of information on many African countries at this link. Did you know that Africa is the home of the human species, which developed there about five million years ago?

Here is a link that will take you to a call and response song that dates back to the 1800's. Unfortunately, there is no music to accompany the words, but the history written behind the song is well worth the visit.

Check your local listing for a PBS production of IPI NTOMBI — AN AFRICAN DANCE. The review says it's regarded as one of South Africa's greatest exports.

If you have satellite TV, then take a look at what's coming up on January the 19th. The Gandy Dancers - "This program features the musical traditions and verbal recollections of eight retired African-American "gandy dancers," railroad track laborers whose occupational folk music was once heard along the railroad tracks that crisscross the South..." (note :some portions of this program may not be suitable for children)

Amistad — Visit this link for a look at what is being acclaimed as being one of the biggest hits on the silver screen.

NPR has a great collection of Black Musicians collected and presented by Pete Seeger.

Black History Month, Nubian Message Online says, "We celebrate Black History every February. But guess what . . . our people have a part in history for every day of the year!! Choose a month to begin with and see for yourself!" There is a wealth of information here that is excellent for the classroom. Take a look at the history for Jan. 20th.

Meet the man that started Black History Month, Carter Godwin Woodson.

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