Workshop: African Cultures of the Horn of Africa: texts,rituals, debates 3600-KM-AKNRA-OG

This workshop introduces students to modern, Africa‑centred approaches to the history and archaeology of ancient Egypt. It is grounded in the premise that Egypt is neither an exception nor a “civilizational island”, but one of many variants of African cultural traditions. The course presents Egypt as part of the broader cultural continuum of Northeast Africa, juxtaposing Egyptian sources with materials from Ethiopia, Sudan, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
Students explore African concepts of time, history and memory, models of statehood, religion and divinity, as well as the functioning of oral traditions. The workshop develops comparative analytical skills essential for contemporary archaeology and anthropology, and prepares students for critical work with textual and archaeological sources. It also introduces the foundations of Afrocentrism, Pan‑Africanism and the thought of Cheikh Anta Diop as African intellectual projects.
The workshop continues in the summer semester.

Course coordinators

Zuzanna Augustyniak
Hanna Rubinkowska-Anioł

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands
- the advanced impact and role of historical processes, religions, and philosophical systems of Africa and ancient Egypt on contemporary conditions (K_W04)
- the influence of natural and economic environments, international relations, and ethnic, demographic, and political situations on social and cultural issues in Africa and ancient Egypt, both historically and in the present day (K_W07)

Skills: the graduate is able to
- search for, analyse, and use information from diverse sources in order to formulate conclusions concerning Africa and ancient Egypt (K_U01)
- apply knowledge of socio‑cultural issues of Africa in typical professional contexts, including identifying cultural specificity and using solutions based on intercultural communication (K_U06)

Social competences: the graduate is ready to
- engage with cultural diversity, its origins, and its significance for the contemporary world (K_K02)
- reflect on the place and importance of African cultures and ancient Egyptian culture within world culture (K_K03)
- act to make accessible and promote the cultural and linguistic heritage of Africa and ancient Egypt (K_K04)
- recognise the socio‑cultural values of Africa and ancient Egypt as a resource for personal development and effective intercultural communication (K_K06)

Practical placement

Brak

Bibliography

The literature will be given during the workshop.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: