HIZINA TRADITIONS, TRADE AND tRANSITIONS IN EASTERN AFRICA BEST BOOK ON CULTURAL

TITLE HAZINA

Traditions, Trade and Transitions in Eastern Africa.

Edited by Kiprop Lagata and Julie Hudson

Pages 98

Reviewed by Francis Ilahaka

Even though numerous books had been published on African art and traditions ihave never come across such book under review.

Hazina: Traditions, Trade and transitions in eastern Africa represents the culmination of unique collaborative initiative between the national museums of Kenya and the British museum. This book is published to coincide with the opening of a major exhibition of eastern Africa arts and cultures in Nairobi .it is the first time that objects from European collections have been selected by an African curator as the focus of such a display.

 Hazina is very important because it is among the beast books published in the last few year recording African rich cultural through the eye of art scene.

 It is also useful at this time when Kenya is at 50 years when both Scholars and festival organizers are   searching for any suitable materials to reflect the planned activities

 Compiled in simple way Hazina present  perfect reading to both students Scholars and genera readers who understand the important of books in the modern society

The book presents overview of the earliest evidence of human cultural activity in the area. It explores the rich and dynamic cultural traditions that have emerged over centuries as a result of trade, exchange and contact between the different peoples of this vast region. Hazina discusses the emergence of the powerful and wealthy Swahili civilization, as well as the influential internal trade based around the Great lakes. The book examines Africa perception of well being, both spiritual and secular, through the paraphernalia of ritual specialist- diviners, healers and medicine men-and by means of amulets and charms that provide protection from harm or illness. It considers the different structure used to maintain political power and the impact of independence struggles in the mid twentieth century on some of these structure.

The book combines thematic discussion with interpretations of specific objects by anthropologist, historians and art historians, many of whom are based in Africa or of Africa ancestry. It is richly illustrated with colour photographs of key pieces from the collections of the national museums of Kenya and the British museum as well as little-known historical images.

Kiprop  lagat is the keeper of ethnography at the national museums of Kenya . Julie Hudson is a curator in the department of Africa, Oceania and the America  at the British museum

For those who had read the book will  agree with me that Africans including Kenya has capacity to produce  there own books and that is why   The British Museum and National Museum of Kenya are trying to do.

The cover of the book is reflection of what is inside something which other publishers should copy.

 On my view recommend the government through Ministry of Education to make the book    a text in Schools for better understanding while books seller should stock it like any other seriously text

  And very interesting the book is in both English and Kiswahiri and still the same had  made impact on both  local and international  scene which also reflects the important of African  languages which some Scholars claims that  some of them are dying

Ends

 francisilahakai@gmail.com