Remembering Africa

From Kenya to Uganda, artisans across Africa are the creative sources for nearly 40 percent of the crafts, home decorations and unique gift items at Ten Thousand Villages. In honor of these talented individuals and the continent that provides the inspiration for their work, we held a number of events at our store in Cameron Village on February 11, 2006.

A drum circle, featuring the Raleigh Drum Circle, kicked off the event, and throughout the day shoppers were treated to tastes of traditional African dishes, while others learned to play mancala, an African game of skill and strategy. Visitors were also encouraged to spend time at and educational display in the store to learn more about the devastating AIDS epidemic in Africa.

A highlight of the day’s events was guest speaker Dr. Elaine Neil Orr of North Carolina State University, who read from her autobiographical work Gods of Noonday: A White Girl’s African Life (2003). Born in Nigeria to missionary parents, Dr. Orr’s book recalls her childhood in Africa and subsequent return to the United States at the age of 16. Gods of Noonday was nominated for the Creative Nonfiction award given by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance. (To order your copy visit http://www.amazon.com.)