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African Culture Promoted Through Books in Canada
Many North Americans have a skewed vision of Africa, says local Zimbabwean artist and graphic designer Jacqui Terry. She is on a mission to correct that image for the sake of Canadians who will benefit from the rich cultural traditions of the Southern African nations and for her fellow immigrants from Africa, especially the children whose growth into healthy, contributing adults relies on a positive self image and a strong connection with their heritage.
Terry earned her BA in Fine Arts at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and worked in Botswana before moving to southern Ontario five years ago. Terry has a deep appreciation of the arts and traditions of these countries. Quoting the UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Terry states that “Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent in the world. People speak close to 2,000 different languages which is a third of the world’s linguistic heritage.”
If the languages are lost, so too is the culture and this concerns her, as does the negative portrayal of Africa by North American media as a continent perpetually in need. Terry asserts, “There is a deep well of cultural richness and wisdom that Africa has to offer Canadians.” Bridging the gap in vision between the North American media-version of Africa and the Africa she knows and loves will benefit the children of African immigrants, those with African heritage and those with a connection to the continent and who feel the need to connect with these traditions, as well as the broader Canadian community.
This was Terry’s motive for working on the book project with author Selu Mdlalose of Vezani Publsihing. “How Zebby the Zebra Lost His Stripes” is the first of a series for children. “Zebby” tells a story of identity lost and found; a theme Terry believes resonates with all children, but especially those growing up in a culture different from their family’s place of origin.
“Zebby” is available in English as well as, Shona and IsiNdebele, and Setswana. This makes “Zebby” an excellent teaching tool for Southern African parents who want to nurture their children’s connection to their culture of origin. Venancia Nyandoro of Kitchener in Canada says that “Zebby” is “a great resource for our kids to learn Shona and Ndebele. It’s an exciting story and they want to read it over and over again. The pictures make them laugh, and they really enjoy reading the Shona story even though they don’t understand all the words, but it is amazing how quickly they learn them!”
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