The document provides information about The African School, a cultural education project founded in 2009 that provides interactive lessons on African studies. It offers courses on topics like pre-colonial African cultures, medieval Ethiopian Christianity, and 19th century Black journalism. Courses are designed to be fun and engaging using tools like role playing, games, and discussions. The African School has partnered with various organizations in Oxford and London to provide cultural education opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds.

1. Cultural and historical learning opportunities; interactive education for all
P r ospectus
2015

2. About The African School
The African School was set up in September 2009, by Natty Mark Samuels, a Visiting
Tutor at both the Isis Academy and Ruskin
College, Oxford. This Cultural Educational project
provides education in African Studies, to people of
all ages and backgrounds ; focusing on pre-
colonial sub-Saharan cultures. It has specialisms
in early Black journalism and medieval Ethiopian
Christianity
African School can take place in your own
organisation’s premises or we can source a
suitable venue for you. We also deliver teaching at
community initiatives, cultural events and faith
organisations.
Our Approach
The African School was founded on a vision and a
belief, in Cultural Education for the general community. Sessions are
designed, using interactive learning aids, such as human maps, cloze
exercises, and charades. Lessons are interspersed with role play and
the use of mime enabling the teaching to be fused with fun.
If you go on a train or coach, you will see word searches being attempt-
ed. Many pubs present a weekly quiz. So We utilise these universal
learning tools that are familiar and popular: hoping that whoever steps
through the learning door, will be able to engage and enjoying their
time in African School.
All African School courses are accredited by Oxfordshire Coun-
ty Council. For youth (under 16) Oxfordshire Young People’s
Award; for adults—Oxfordshire Achievement Award.
Our Objectives
 The enjoyment of Cultural Education
 A leave taking of the Mud Hut Syndrome; gaining a balanced, truer
picture, of African history
 That what is learnt, will then be passed on.

3. What people say about The African School
People we have worked with
“On the two occasions I have worked with Natty he has been totally enthusiastic, prepared, on
time, and very supportive of my event, wanting the best for me and my project and not, as some
"Artists" more concerned with his own ego “!!
“Natty is an All Round Creative person. A respected local expert/Tutor on African and other
Indigenous Cultures”.
“Thanks for educating me to understanding the way Africa was before the colonialism. May the
Lord bless you”
It has been a great course. Very interesting and informative. Thanks for the time and effort you
put into preparing the course “
“thank you for taking your time to do the African Summer School. It helped a lot “
We are proud to have worked with: Ruskin College Oxford, Isis Academy, Oxfordshire
MIND, Leys CDI,and Donnington Doorstep Youth Club, all in Oxford. Also, South
Abingdon Children's Centre (Abingdon), Chilworth House Upper School (Wheatley), Jean
Stokes Community Centre (London), University College School (London) - and the
Working Men's College, also in London.
“thanks for educating me to understanding the way Africa was before the colonialism”.

4. This course explores topics such as the abolition
movement; the first Black newspaper and its
empowerment; correspondence of the American
Independence and Civil Wars, medical journalism—
and early Pan-Africanism.
Iridescence celebrates the medieval
scholarship, of Islamic West Africa; looking at
aspects such as Sufism, the education system,
universally acclaimed teachers and calligraphic
expertise.
Learners will gain an understanding of the
atmosphere of Black male chauvinism - and wider
racism in America. Gain awareness of the Women's
Club movement, discover the newspapers and
periodicals, these women founded. Identify the
community activism of these women—focusing on
nurseries, schools and settlement homes.
This course enables the learner to gain an
understanding of the significance of the East
African medieval trading; the infrastructure of the
Kingdoms, of the Great Lakes region, examine a
state, of the southern Congo area; discover the
craft skills of the West African Islamic societies and
explore Christianity in medieval Ethiopia.
IRIDESCENCE; Celebrating pre-
colonial West African Islamic
Scholarship
PIONEERING PENS;
Celebrating the 19th Century
Black Journalism
SISTA JOURNALIST;
Celebrating the iconic
figures, of Black female
journalism.
THE SHRINE of
STATEHOOD; Celebrating
pre-colonial centralised
Societies
A journey of discovery into the lives, heroism,
talents, struggles and triumphs experienced by
Black combatants in World War II; through the eyes
of accredited African American journalists in all the
theatres of war.
WORDSMITHS of WAR ;
Celebrating the African American
journalists, of World War II.
Island Ink celebrates the contribution made by
expatriate Caribbean journalists, to the Harlem
Renaissance, the West Indian Federation and
Independence movements - and the fight
against fascism.
ISLAND INK; Celebrating the
journalistic heroes, of the
Caribbean region.
African School Courses
Unless otherwise specified all courses cover 10 hours usually delivered in five, two hour sessions.

5. Using recorded music, pictoral imagery and jembe
drums, this course looks at pre-colonial Ghanaian
statehood, female heroism in Ghana and Jamaica,
the roots of Nyabingi, Jamaican folk music—as well
as its musical heroes.
JEMBE to JAMAICA;
Celebrating the historical
connection, between Ghana
and Jamaica. Using jembe
Traversing five countries, learners will gain an
awareness of early West African journalism;
looking at Pan-African organisations, early
trade unionism and Francophone colonialism
ACCRA ARTICLES; Celebrating
the trailblazing journalists, of
West Africa
DEVOTION; Celebrating the
history, of Ethiopian
Christianity.
T h i s course takes the learner on a journey of
Ethiopia’s rich story of Orthodox Christianity
looking at: manuscript production, church
music, monastic life and female sainthood.
Quote from one of our heroes ‘Alexander Crummell’; teacher, writer,
lecturer, editor, professor and pastor:
“Strive to make something of yourself; then strive to
make the most of yourself”.

6. Bespoke Courses
If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for here we can work with you to design
bespoke courses direct for your group or organisations specific needs. Do get in touch to
discuss your ideas, needs and requirements so we can create cultural educational
provision, for your targeted group.
How to get in touch or book a course
The African School
Email: bantudub06@gmail.com or
sashaeast@yahoo.co.uk
Website: http://africanschool-africa.blogspot.co.uk/
Telephone: 0791 770 4320 or
0788 420 5422

7. That dream of beauty,
Waiting for a Bornu Koran.
Across the savanah,
To the Master Calligrapher;
To marvel with the Bornu Man.
© Natty Mark Samuels, 2013. African School
MEDIATION and LIGHT
for St. Krestos Samra
How did he receive you, Krestos Samra,
On your laudable mission to Hell?
Did he jeer,
Brandish his fist?
Attempt to entangle you,
Spin you in a twist?
You flew the flag of redemption,
Of reconciliation for all.
Did he cuss,
Weave a spell?
Try to banish you,
To the darkest dell.
You laboured to invite everyone,
To the great banquet of peace.
Did he stomp,
Raise the volume level?
Strive to ensnare you,
Because he's the Devil?
We celebrate you, Mother of Peace;
Your gifts of mediation and light.
© Natty Mark Samuels, 2014. African School
BEAUTIFUL
Beauty took another styling,
New fashion of Bornu Court Hand.
Kufic to Ifriqi,
To Sudanic Barnawi;
When it travelled across the sand.
Something called beautiful, was taken on a journey; from Iraq, to Tuni-
sia, to sub-Saharan Chad. In the last mentioned country, in a great
state called Kanem-Bornu, men of learning, became custodians of this
beauty. They became renowned for their guardianship of it. Sought by
many – commissions aplenty; the requests that beauty be emulated.
From two Greek words meaning beautiful writing; they reached the
highest skill in calligraphy, known to the Arabic world as Khatt. The
beauty that did not fade; on it's long journey, from Kufa, to Tunis – to
Birni Gazargamo.
GOING to MOSHOESHOE
(pronounced Mo-shwey-shwey)
In a time of complete chaos, when disaster came stomping through the land, grab-
bing what it wanted, devastating the rest; his name became an amulet to thou-
sands, a talisman for the terrorised. They flocked to see him, to see if the light-
house was real.
In a time when children laughed less - a time to pray; wishing for Moshoeshoe.
They dreamt of Thaba Boisu, the mountain stronghold of Moshoeshoe. Of a heav-
en in hell. Where skeletons could replace, the flesh that had disappeared. The or-
phans could once again grasp stability. Where drought and famine were not victori-
ous. The ragged refugees could rest their war-torn feet. And when war came, it did
not leave as conqueror.
There's an exodus from everywhere, leaving night and day; going to Moshoeshoe.
Blessed with the skill of diplomacy, admired by foe as well as by friend. This man
could fight, this man could talk. Man of the crocodile clan, his totem on the flag of
Lesotho. Founder of the Sotho state, icon of African freedom.
Because of his wisdom, the children returned to play; singing songs of Moshoe-
shoe.
©Natty Mark Samuels, 2010. African School.