Tree of Pearls: Shajar al-Durr and her Architectural Patronage D. Fairchild Ruggles Synopsis: In the mid-thirteenth century, Shajar al-Durr—or “Tree of Pearls”—rose from slavery to become the first female sultan of Egypt, and ultimately the first in what would become the Mamluk line of sultans. With wealth and political power, she built innovative tombs for…
Tag: Africa and the African Diaspora Topics
Djingareyber Mosque of Timbuktu: Expression and Innovation at the Saharan Crossroads
Djingareyber Mosque of Timbuktu: Expression and Innovation at the Saharan Crossroads Ashley Miller Synopsis: This presentation examines the history and meaning of Djingareyber Mosque, the Great Mosque of Timbuktu in Mali. Constructed beginning in the fourteenth century under the patronage of Mansa Musa (ruler of the Mali empire from 1312 to 1337), the mosque was…
“Do-For-Self”: The Visual Culture of the Nation of Islam
“Do-For-Self”: The Visual Culture of the Nation of Islam Christiane Gruber Synopsis: The Nation of Islam (NOI) was founded in 1930 as a politico-religious movement for Black empowerment in the United States. During the 1960s and 70s, the NOI’s official newspaper, Muhammad Speaks (1960-75) included numerous essays, op-eds, and illustrations promoting the moral and salvific…
Swahili Mosques Between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean
Swahili Mosques Between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Stéphane Pradines Synopsis: Running along the East African coast, Swahili mosques count among the best examples of Islamic architecture in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study of the Swahili architecture allows us to analyze the diffusion of ideas, people, and material cultures in the Indian Ocean, as well…
The Egyptian Tentmakers and the Art of Khayamiya
The Egyptian Tentmakers and the Art of Khayamiya Sam Bowker Synopsis: This talk introduces the textile art of tentmaker appliqué, or “khayamiya.” Historically, the Egyptian tentmakers sewed complex decorative interiors for urban tents, providing spectacular temporary venues for public and private events. Today, they use these skills to create textile artworks resembling quilts, sustaining their…
Mahmoud Mukhtar’s Khamasin: Sculpture in Modern Egypt
Mahmoud Mukhtar’s Khamasin: Scuplture in Modern Egypt Alex Dika Seggerman Synopsis: This presentation discusses the rise of the Egyptian modern fine arts movement in the early 20th century through a close look at a sculpture by Egypt’s most renowned modern sculptor, Mahmoud Mukhtar (1891‒1934). Entitled “Khamasin,” the work depicts a woman walking into a sand…