The African Classroom

School in Africa, Congo, 1997 organized by the ITURI FOREST PEOPLES FUND; Photo by Dr. David S. Wilkie

Cathedral of Learning

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
-Nelson Mandella

    The courtyard of an 18th-century Asante temple provides the architectural prototype for the African Heritage Classroom. Throughout Africa, courtyards are the setting for family activities, ceremonial events, learning, and worship. The shallow rooms or patos around the courtyard appear here as a display case and chalkboard area.

    The use of polished clay in an Asante temple is reflected in the oxblood wainscot with relief decorations, the steps, and the student benches on two levels. The openwork window screen is used in Asante structures to filter the sun's rays while admitting air.

    As the classroom represents the entire continent of Africa, the door carvings depict the Ancient Kingdoms of Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, Benin, Kongo/Angola, Kuba, Mali, and Zimbabwe. Nigerian master sculptor Lamidi O. Fakeye carved the door panels in Yoruba tradition. Nature spirits and ancestral spirits are key aspects of African religions. The bas-relief crocodile represents the river god nature spirit. Plaster forms in the frieze represent the languages, music, science, and literature of Africa. Below the chalkboard doors, bearing the Igbo lozenge and star motif, stand the Sankofa birds. Facing in different directions, they symbolize the need to learn from the past in order to prepare for the future. Six chieftain stools provide informal seating near the hand-carved professor's lectern. The display case houses exhibits of artifacts from many African nations.