DOCSLIB.ORG

Royal Palaces of Abomey a World Heritage Property

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Royal Palaces of Abomey a World Heritage Property The restoration of King Gbehanzin Palace Royal Palaces of Abomey A World Heritage property The restoration of King Gbehanzin Palace Royal Palaces of Abomey A World Heritage property Edited by JUNZO KAWADA Anthropologist Cover photograph Sacred baobab tree planted by King Gbehanzin before the conflict with the French troops Hereunder The adjalala, the reception hall of the King Preface Koïchiro MATSUURA Kan to gbe nu e no gbe kan do Director-General of UNESCO [It is at the end of the rope woven by the father that the child starts to weave his own]. It is through the protection and restoration of a prop- erty inscribed on the World Heritage List, that we can perpetuate the link between one’s own heritage and the common heritage of humankind, between the times of our ancestors and the rooting of the identity of future generations. The saying above, taken from the Trupinmeji, one of the signs of the Ifa, Deity of divination, a mediator between men, the dead and the gods, tells us about the chain which connects the tangible – the bas-reliefs molded inside the cob walls of the adjalala - with the intangible - the living dimension of the allegorical accounts that recall the history of the kingdom of Danhome. Benin ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention on June 14th, 1982, and, as such, became the sixteenth country in the African continent having committed itself to pro- tecting its cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. Three years later, in 1985, the site of the Royal Palaces of Abomey was simultaneously inscribed on the prestigious World Heritage List and on the World Heritage List in Danger. Since then, this outstanding testimony of a Kingdom ruled by twelve successive kings between 1625 and 1900 - which I had the privilege to visit in 2002-, this “unique his- torical document” has been subject to intense conservation campaigns, aiming at repairing the damages caused by time, as well as by natural or human factors. In 2001, UNESCO, Japan and Benin signed a cooperation agreement for the restoration of the Palace of King Behanzin, one of the greatest testimonies of the Dahomean phi- losophy, art and history, which are so well represented in the symbolism in the specific life of the Royal Palace-Museum of the kingdom of Dahome - one of the kingdoms of sub-Saharan Africa which developed outstanding royal cultures in the 18th Century. This kind of attention on the part of the Government of Japan in favor of the safe- guarding of this memory inscribed into the clay, echoed by the litanies of Kotoja - the sacred rhythm of the Royal court of Abomey -, could only inspire UNESCO in its mission to facilitate international co-operation relevant to the protection and the safeguard of a heritage that belongs to the history of humanity as a whole. May this encourage the international community in the years to come to pursue other actions of rehabilitation in accordance with the safeguard measures promoted by the Statue of Gbehanzin, 1972 Convention relative to the World Heritage. King of Abomey, in Goho square, at the entrance of the town of Abomey, May the international community take the responsibility to protect heritage at the erected in co-operation global level, for it is the symbol of the diversity of the creative genius of the peoples with the Democratic and societies, a strong base towards the construction of a sustainable development People’s Republic of Korea 2 in March 1979. and a renewed hope for a dialogue between men and cultures. Picture of King Adjalala,Gbhanzin restau- and hisration court desduring bas his exile in Martiniquereliefs ci-contre,© Musée aspect du quai avant Branly, Preface sa restauration, et photo Fabre ci-dessus, après. Forward King Gbehanzin T WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT BENIN was the first African © Musée des Armées Icountry to have the honour to benefit from a financing support from the UNESCO/Japan Fund in Trust for World Herit- age, for the restoration of one of the country’s major heritage sites, the Palace of Gbehanzin, king of Dahomey. It is also by chance that the restoration came to an end at the same time as the celebration to mark the centenary of the king’s death that took place in December 1906 in Algiers. But, actually, the wonderfully generous gesture on the part of Japan was not just a matter of chance. We know about the richness of the multi-millenary cultural heritage of Japan, the depth and refinement of the heritage consciousness of its people, as well as the generosity of its government towards countries in the southern hemisphere. The publication of this remarkable booklet carries a strong symbol: that of Japan con- tribution not only to the Benin’s national remembrance duty, but also and probably above all, to the emergence of a new global appeased perception, that of Gbehanzin being an inter- national symbol of resistance against colonial conquest. In other words, international co-operation and heritage have been associated in favour of peace: the ultimate goal of UNESCO. In that respect, we would like to thank Mr. Koïchiro Matsura, Director General of UNESCO, as well as the Japan and UNESCO experts, Professor Junzo Kawada and Professor Tito Spini who, through their patient efforts, guided and sup- ported this fruitful pioneering venture: a clear example of a well accomplished, solidarity-based, international cultural co-operation. His Excellency, Mr Olabiyi Yai Ambassador Permanent Delegate of Benin to UNESCO 4 Bas-reliefs of the adjalala after stabilisation © D. Mizehoun WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS my great satisfaction at seeing catastrophes such as tornadoes and floods have caused I the completion of the restoration works on the palace of serious degradation to these remains. As a result, in 1985, King Gbehanzin of Abomey, which is commemorated by the UNESCO simultaneously inscribed the site on the World publication of this brochure. Heritage List and the World Heritage List in Danger. Beyond borders, civilisations, languages or time, Cultural Facing this reality, the Japanese Government decided to deploy Heritage bonds mankind together, creating a brotherly link. a mission to Abomey in collaboration with UNESCO, to develop Cultural heritage transmits the history and memory of mankind a restoration project for the site with the participation of to future generations, and its traces offer an absolutely unique relevant experts who eventually participated in the execution view of the various cultures that make up our world. of the project. Several discussions and dialogues were held with the Beninese Government and representatives of the However, at this present time and on each continent, there community in order to examine how assistance could be still exist various remains, historic monuments or other rendered through the Japanese Fund-in-Trust. This resulted heritage in danger of disappearance, as a result of their in the activities which were carried out by UNESCO and which extreme state of degradation. All this cultural heritage are presented today in this superb brochure. belongs to the entire mankind and it is necessary to rapidly take appropriate protective measures. The Royal Palaces of Abomey still remain on the World Heritage List in Danger. On the occasion of the publication In reaction to this situation, the Japanese government of this brochure, I would like to express the wish to see more created, in 1989, the “Fund-in-Trust for the preservation of and more people testify of their interest in this unique site, world cultural heritage” at UNESCO, in order to contribute to and in their turn, participate in preservation and promotional the protection of remarkable cultural sites, be they historic activities for Abomey. monuments or archaeological remains. At the initial stage, the beneficiaries of this financial support were mainly cultural sites in Asia, and this project in Abomey His Excellency, Mr Seiichi KONDO is the first to have been carried out in sub-Saharan Africa, Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary from 2001 to 2004. Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO From the 17th to the 20th century, twelve kings succeeded each other within the fortified enclosure of Abomey, each one building his own palace on his accession to the throne. While the remains of these palaces constitute a precious testimony of the evolution of this civilisation and its past glory, especially as there are no written texts, natural 5 One of the most important sacred tree of the palace is planted close to the adjalala Restoration of the Palace of King Gbehanzin an example of a dynamic partnership in the valorisation and development of local know-how Ayari RACHIDA DE SOUZA Anthropologist - Curator HE PALACE OF KING GBEHANZIN is part of the architec- King Gbehanzin could not to complete the construction Ttural genealogy of a great Royal city, a home for the of his palace, Dowomè, for lack of time. It is symbolically living and the spirits of the ancestors, spread over approxi- thought of as having ten-layer walls. Thus the oral tradi- mately 44 hectares. tion states: Since the rule of Houegbadja (1645-1685), each King built his “… We are in Singbo, in front of the Adjalala of Gbehanzin palace next to that of his predecessor, along a north-south- and you know that the kings cannot do anything without the west axis, directed towards Adja-Tado and following the line Ifa” (statement of Gbehanzin Agboyidu, July 1995, recorded of expansion of the kingdom. by Tito Spini). The palace, in this context, represents the uniqueness of “Looking in the direction of Tado, the axis of reference, the the royal person as a central point within the universe; the predictions that the Ifa had made in Houégbadja are ac- centre of gravity of the political life where the great annual complished - the palaces shall continue up to the tenth wall ceremonies and the celebrations take place, for the king is (with the tenth king) and not any further.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Palace Sculptures of Abomey
    Bas-Relief Art Early in the eighteenth century, King Agaja is believed to have ini­ tiated the tradition of decorating palace walls. Decoration consisted of murals, encrusted shells and pearls, perfo rations, and bas-reliefs, , but it is the bas-reliefs that have remained the most remarkable ele­ ment. In addition to their excep­ tional artistry, which has led them to be described as "one of the most " beautiful artistic creations of the people of the West African coast, rr they provide a document of excep­ tional historical value, because few other areas in Africa have so well preserved the traces of a cultural · . memory as it developed over the centuries. Exa mples can be found on temples, palaces, and other buildings throughout the region. Bas-relief at temple near Abomey. Photograph by Leslie Railler, 1996. BAS-RELIEF ART 49 Commonly called noudide in Fon, from the root word meaning "to design" or "to portray," the bas-reliefs are three-dimensional, modeled- and painted­ earth pictograms. Early examples of the form, first in religious temples and then in the palaces, were more abstract than figurative. Gradually, figurative depictions became the prevalent style, illustrating the tales told by the kings' heralds and other Fon storytellers. Palace bas-reliefs were fashioned according to a long-standing tradition of The original earth architectural and sculptural renovation. used to make bas­ Ruling monarchs commissioned new palaces reliefs came from ter­ and artworks, as well as alterations of ear­ mite mounds such as lier ones, thereby glorifying the past while this one near Abomey. bringing its art and architecture up to date.
    [Show full text]
  • The Understanding of Beijing Cultural Spaces 49Th ISOCARP Congress 2013
    Gu Zongpei The understanding of Beijing Cultural Spaces 49th ISOCARP Congress 2013 The understanding of Beijing Cultural Spaces Zongpei GU, China academy of urban planning and design, China “The enduring competitive advantages in a global economy lie increasingly in local things.”1 With the progress of globalization, urban culture becomes increasingly important. Beijing has a long history and rich cultural resources. But the space vectors of her cultural resources are being invaded in the process of urban growth. In the end of 2011, the municipal government decided to ―turn Beijing into a city of prestigious cultural center of national demonstration and promotion and international significance.‖ 2 Building such a ―Culture-enriched Beijing‖ pose an urgent quest to reexamine and analyze the current status of the city’s urban cultural space against the background of the new era. 1. Identification of Beijing’s Current Urban Cultural Space “A nation’s cultural renaissance starts with a summary of its legacy.”3 Beijing’s long history and rich cultural resources laid a solid foundation for her cultural construction. An empirical study of the current status of her urban cultural space is the basis and prerequisite for further analysis. This article will discuss the current status of Beijing’s urban cultural space from her historical cultural space and contemporary-modern urban cultural space in a time sequence. 1.1 Historical Cultural Space Before the establishment of People’s Republic of China, Beijing’s historical cultural resources can be divided into ancient time (before the opium war in 1840) and modern time(1980 – 1949). 1.1.1 Ancient Time Beijing’s history as a city can be traced back to more than 3,000 years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol. 24 - Benin
    Marubeni Research Institute 2016/09/02 Sub -Saharan Report Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the focal regions of Global Challenge 2015. These reports are by Mr. Kenshi Tsunemine, an expatriate employee working in Johannesburg with a view across the region. Vol. 24 - Benin August 10, 2016 Even without knowing where the location of the country of Benin is, many Japanese may remember Zomahoun Rufin, better known as “Zomahon”, as an African who became famous as a “TV personality” on the Japanese television show “Hey Japanese People, This is Strange” for the interesting way he spoke Japanese. “Oh, you say Zomahon is from Benin? And he is now the Benin ambassador to Japan (note 1)?” as many Japanese are and would be surprised to hear. Through him though, many have in some way a feeling for the country, which you may have guessed is the country I am introducing this time, Benin. Table 1: Benin Country Information Benin is located in West Africa bordered by Togo in the west, Burkina Faso in the northwest, Niger in the northeast and Nigeria in the east while facing the Bay of Guinea in the south. The constitutional capital of the country is Porto Novo, however, the political and economic center of the country is found in it largest city Cotonou, which also boasts the country’s only international airport (picture 1). Picture 1: A street with vendors in town near the border with Togo 1 8/10//2016 Benin is only 120 kilometers from east to west, while being 700 kilometers in length from north to south being a narrow, elongated country like Togo which I introduced last time.
    [Show full text]
  • S a Rd in Ia
    M. Mandarino/Istituto Euromediterraneo, Tempio Pausania (Sardinia) Land07-1Book 1.indb 97 12-07-2007 16:30:59 Demarcation conflicts within and between communities in Benin: identity withdrawals and contested co-existence African urban development policy in the 1990s focused on raising municipal income from land. Population growth and a neoliberal environment weakened the control of clans and lineages over urban land ownership to the advantage of individuals, but without eradicating the importance of personal relationships in land transactions or of clans and lineages in the political structuring of urban space. The result, especially in rural peripheries, has been an increase in land aspirations and disputes and in their social costs, even in districts with the same territorial control and/or the same lines of nobility. Some authors view this simply as land “problems” and not as conflicts pitting locals against outsiders and degenerating into outright clashes. However, decentralization gives new dimensions to such problems and is the backdrop for clashes between differing perceptions of territorial control. This article looks at the ethnographic features of some of these clashes in the Dahoman historic region of lower Benin, where boundaries are disputed in a context of poorly managed urban development. Such disputes stem from land registries of the previous but surviving royal administration, against which the fragile institutions of the modern state seem to be poorly equipped. More than a simple problem of land tenure, these disputes express an internal rejection of the legitimacy of the state to engage in spatial structuring based on an ideal of co-existence; a contestation that is put forward with the de facto complicity of those acting on behalf of the state.
    [Show full text]
  • Lands of the Gods
    LANDS OF THE GODS 15 Days: Benin – Togo – Ghana Cotonou – Ganvié – Ouidah – Potossomé – Grand Popo – Togoville – Kara – Kpalimé – Wli Falls – Accra – Cape Coast Day 1: Arrival in Cotonou: Fly to Cotonou, the capital city of Benin. On arrival, you will be met and transfer to your hotel. D Destination Information: Cotonou: Cotonou is the biggest city of Benin, in fact it is the economic heart of the country with its port, markets and banks. Day 2: Cotonou – Ganvié – Abomey In the morning, go on a half day trip to Ganvié and explore the history of these stilt villages. In the afternoon, journey to Abomey. On arrival, visit the 12 palaces of the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a tour of the royal enclosure, museums, the King’s tomb and Jewel Room. Drive to Ouidah for the night. BLD Destination Information: Lake Ganvié: The Venice of Africa, the largesse stilt village of the region of Calavi, where 12,000 fishermen live. They were created over three hundred years ago when the local tribes moved into the shallow Lake Nakoué to avoid capture and enslavement. The Royal Palaces of Abomey: The palaces are spread over 99 acres of land in the heart of Abomey, former capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey and have a capacity of about 8000 people and the one belonging to the king included a two-storey structure called the “cowrie house” or akuehue. The Royal Palaces of Abomey have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in Africa. Ouidah: In the past popular with the slave traders because it was the route that was used to take the slaves to the boat.
    [Show full text]
  • The Geography of Welfare in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D'ivoire, and Togo
    Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized The Geography of Welfare in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo Public Disclosure Authorized Nga Thi Viet Nguyen and Felipe F. Dizon Public Disclosure Authorized 00000_CVR_English.indd 1 12/6/17 2:29 PM November 2017 The Geography of Welfare in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo Nga Thi Viet Nguyen and Felipe F. Dizon 00000_Geography_Welfare-English.indd 1 11/29/17 3:34 PM Photo Credits Cover page (top): © Georges Tadonki Cover page (center): © Curt Carnemark/World Bank Cover page (bottom): © Curt Carnemark/World Bank Page 1: © Adrian Turner/Flickr Page 7: © Arne Hoel/World Bank Page 15: © Adrian Turner/Flickr Page 32: © Dominic Chavez/World Bank Page 48: © Arne Hoel/World Bank Page 56: © Ami Vitale/World Bank 00000_Geography_Welfare-English.indd 2 12/6/17 3:27 PM Acknowledgments This study was prepared by Nga Thi Viet Nguyen The team greatly benefited from the valuable and Felipe F. Dizon. Additional contributions were support and feedback of Félicien Accrombessy, made by Brian Blankespoor, Michael Norton, and Prosper R. Backiny-Yetna, Roy Katayama, Rose Irvin Rojas. Marina Tolchinsky provided valuable Mungai, and Kané Youssouf. The team also thanks research assistance. Administrative support by Erick Herman Abiassi, Kathleen Beegle, Benjamin Siele Shifferaw Ketema is gratefully acknowledged. Billard, Luc Christiaensen, Quy-Toan Do, Kristen Himelein, Johannes Hoogeveen, Aparajita Goyal, Overall guidance for this report was received from Jacques Morisset, Elisée Ouedraogo, and Ashesh Andrew L. Dabalen. Prasann for their discussion and comments. Joanne Gaskell, Ayah Mahgoub, and Aly Sanoh pro- vided detailed and careful peer review comments.
    [Show full text]
  • Warsaw in Short
    WarsaW TourisT informaTion ph. (+48 22) 94 31, 474 11 42 Tourist information offices: Museums royal route 39 Krakowskie PrzedmieÊcie Street Warsaw Central railway station Shops 54 Jerozolimskie Avenue – Main Hall Warsaw frederic Chopin airport Events 1 ˚wirki i Wigury Street – Arrival Hall Terminal 2 old Town market square Hotels 19, 21/21a Old Town Market Square (opening previewed for the second half of 2008) Praga District Restaurants 30 Okrzei Street Warsaw Editor: Tourist Routes Warsaw Tourist Office Translation: English Language Consultancy Zygmunt Nowak-Soliƒski Practical Information Cartographic Design: Tomasz Nowacki, Warsaw Uniwersity Cartographic Cathedral Photos: archives of Warsaw Tourist Office, Promotion Department of the City of Warsaw, Warsaw museums, W. Hansen, W. Kryƒski, A. Ksià˝ek, K. Naperty, W. Panów, Z. Panów, A. Witkowska, A. Czarnecka, P. Czernecki, P. Dudek, E. Gampel, P. Jab∏oƒski, K. Janiak, Warsaw A. Karpowicz, P. Multan, B. Skierkowski, P. Szaniawski Edition XVI, Warszawa, August 2008 Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport Free copy 1. ˚wirki i Wigury St., 00-906 Warszawa Airport Information, ph. (+48 22) 650 42 20 isBn: 83-89403-03-X www.lotnisko-chopina.pl, www.chopin-airport.pl Contents TourisT informaTion 2 PraCTiCal informaTion 4 fall in love wiTh warsaw 18 warsaw’s hisTory 21 rouTe no 1: 24 The Royal Route: Krakowskie PrzedmieÊcie Street – Nowy Âwiat Street – Royal ¸azienki modern warsaw 65 Park-Palace Complex – Wilanów Park-Palace Complex warsaw neighborhood 66 rouTe no 2: 36 CulTural AttraCTions 74 The Old
    [Show full text]
  • Opera Houses
    REFERENCES Austria Mont Blanc Shop, London Park Hyatt, Vienna Eldon Road Private Residence, London Albertina Restaurant, Vienna Hereford House Residence, London La Maree am Naschmarkt, Vienna Private Residences, London & Wimbledon Private Villa, Baden Sheraton Skyline, London Private Residences, Austria Sheraton Heathrow Private Apartments, Vienna Harrods Shoe Heaven, London Office AACC, Vienna Sunseeker Private Yacht Lanesborough, London Germany Park Crescent Private Villa, London Kempinski Hotel Adlon, Berlin Hilton Frankfurt Ireland Dorint Hotel Messmer, Baden-Baden Hotel Europe & Spa, Killarney Private Residences, Hamburg & Berlin Private Villa, Thueringen France Hotel Wachtelhof, Rotenburg Hilton Suffren, Paris Mandarin Oriental, Munich Hyatt Roissy, Roissy Hotel Pont Royal, Paris Switzerland Palais de Mediterrané Casino, Cannes Hotel Schweizerhof, Bern Château de Massoury Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz Château de la Barre Private Villa, Geneve Residence Fürstenberg, Neuilly Kempinski Grand Hotel, Geneva J.C.T. Apartments, Paris Hotel Grand Bellevue, Gstadd J.C.T. Residences, Paris Razzia Restaurant, Zurich Meunier Vaugirard Appartments, Paris Private Villa, Hochfelden Private Residence Pastor, Monaco Hotel Royal Savoy, Lausanne Private Residence Cote d’Azur Brewery, St. Gallen Private Villa, Alsace Papierfabrik, Zurich Palace Hotel Bürgenstock, Lucerne Belgium Sofitel, Bruxelles Liechtenstein Radisson, Bruxelles Villa Garnis The Netherlands United Kingdom Jaz Hotel, Amsterdam The Dorchester, London Corinthia Hotel, London Italy
    [Show full text]
  • Baku Airport Bristol Hotel, Vienna Corinthia Hotel Budapest Corinthia
    Europe Baku Airport Baku Azerbaijan Bristol Hotel, Vienna Vienna Austria Corinthia Hotel Budapest Budapest Hungary Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel, St Petersburg St Petersburg Russia Fairmont Hotel Flame Towers Baku Azerbaijan Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest Hungary Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg St Petersburg Russia Grand Hotel Vienna Vienna Austria Hilton DoubleTree Zagreb Zagreb Croatia Hilton Hotel am Stadtpark, Vienna Vienna Austria Hilton Hotel Dusseldorf Dusseldorf Germany Hilton Milan Milan Italy Hotel Danieli Venice Venice Italy Hotel Palazzo Parigi Milan Italy Hotel Vier Jahreszieten Hamburg Hamburg Germany Hyatt Regency Belgrade Belgrade Serbia Hyatt Regenct Cologne Cologne Germany Hyatt Regency Mainz Mainz Germany Intercontinental Hotel Davos Davos Switzerland Kempinski Geneva Geneva Switzerland Marriott Aurora, Moscow Moscow Russia Marriott Courtyard, Pratteln Pratteln Switzerland Park Hyatt, Zurich Zurich Switzerland Radisson Royal Hotel Ukraine, Moscow Moscow Russia Sacher Hotel Vienna Vienna Austria Suvretta House Hotel, St Moritz St Moritz Switzerland Vals Kurhotel Vals Switzerland Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Amsterdam Netherlands France Ascott Arc de Triomphe Paris France Balmoral Paris Paris France Casino de Monte Carlo Monte Carlo Monaco Dolce Fregate Saint-Cyr-sur-mer Saint-Cyr-sur-mer France Duc de Saint-Simon Paris France Four Seasons George V Paris France Fouquets Paris Hotel & Restaurants Paris France Hôtel de Paris Monaco Monaco Hôtel du Palais Biarritz France Hôtel Hermitage Monaco Monaco Monaco Hôtel
    [Show full text]
  • « Palais Royaux D'abomey » (Benin)
    « PALAIS ROYAUX D’ABOMEY » (BENIN) RAPPORT MISSION CONJOINTE DE SUIVI REACTIF CENTRE DU PATRIMOINE MONDIAL/ICOMOS/ICCROM DU 18 AU 22 AVRIL 2016 Sommaire REMERCIEMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Résumé et recommandations .......................................................................................................................... 5 I. ANTECEDENTS DE LA MISSION .................................................................................................................. 9 1.1. Historique ...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2. Critère d’inscription sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial .......................................................... 10 1.3. Menaces pesant sur l’authenticité, soulevées dans le rapport d’évaluation de l’ICOMOS au moment de l’inscription .............................................................................................................. 12 1.4. Retrait du bien de la Liste du patrimoine mondial en péril ....................................................... 13 1.5. Examen de l’état de conservation par le Comité du patrimoine mondial ................................ 14 1.6. Justification de la mission ........................................................................................................... 15 1.7. Composition de la mission .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Science in Africa: UNESCO's Contribution to Africa's Plan For
    Contents Foreword 1 Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Indigenous Knowledge 2 Conservation and sustainable use of Information and Communication biodiversity 2 Technologies and Space Science and Technologies 15 Safe development and application of biotechnology 5 Information and communication technologies 15 Securing and using Africa’s indigenous knowledge 6 Establishing the African Institute of Space Science 17 Energy, Water and Desertification 7 Improving Policy Conditions and Building Building a sustainable energy base 7 Innovation Mechanisms 19 Securing and sustaining water 9 African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative 19 Combating drought and desertification 12 Improving regional cooperation in science and technology 20 Building a public understanding of science and technology 23 Building science and technology policy capacity 25 Annexes 26 Annex I: Microbial Resource Centres in Africa 26 Annex II: UNESCO Chairs in Science and Technology in Africa 26 Annex III: World Heritage Sites in Africa 27 Annex IV: Biosphere Reserves in Africa 28 Published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the support of the UK Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and UK Department for International Development Edited by Susan Schneegans and Anne Candau This brochure has been possible thanks to the contributions of UNESCO staff at Headquarters and in the field. Graphic design by Maro Haas Printed in France © UNESCO 2007 Download a copy from: www.unesco.org/science Request a copy from UNESCO: (Paris): [email protected]; [email protected] (Nairobi): [email protected] (Cairo): [email protected] Or write to: Mustafa El-Tayeb, Director, Division for Science Policy and Sustainable Development, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cédex 15, France Foreword Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General of UNESCO January 2007 The Year 2007 promises to be a year of great opportunity for science in Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • The House of Oduduwa: an Archaeological Study of Economy and Kingship in the Savè Hills of West Africa
    The House of Oduduwa: An Archaeological Study of Economy and Kingship in the Savè Hills of West Africa by Andrew W. Gurstelle A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology) in the University of Michigan 2015 Doctoral Committee: Professor Carla M. Sinopoli, Chair Professor Joyce Marcus Professor Raymond A. Silverman Professor Henry T. Wright © Andrew W. Gurstelle 2015 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I must first and foremost acknowledge the people of the Savè hills that contributed their time, knowledge, and energies. Completing this dissertation would not have been possible without their support. In particular, I wish to thank Ọba Adétùtú Onishabe, Oyedekpo II Ọla- Amùṣù, and the many balè,̣ balé, and balọdè ̣that welcomed us to their communities and facilitated our research. I also thank the many land owners that allowed us access to archaeological sites, and the farmers, herders, hunters, fishers, traders, and historians that spoke with us and answered our questions about the Savè hills landscape and the past. This dissertion was truly an effort of the entire community. It is difficult to express the depth of my gratitude for my Béninese collaborators. Simon Agani was with me every step of the way. His passion for Shabe history inspired me, and I am happy to have provided the research support for him to finish his research. Nestor Labiyi provided support during crucial periods of excavation. As with Simon, I am very happy that our research interests complemented and reinforced one another’s. Working with Travis Williams provided a fresh perspective on field methods and strategies when it was needed most.
    [Show full text]