West Side High School - Lamp Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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The Languages The language Iwrriers are more significant than the racial differences in Africa. Although educated Africans may speak English French or Portuguese, most of the | coplc speak only the language of their tril e. There are more than 800 local languages and dialec ts in Africa. A trilx. may speak an entirely different language than another living just a mile away. The Ixmndarics of the countries usually ignore tribal grouping. They follow the lines laid out by colonial administrators, who paid little attention to trilxal differences. The Afro-Asiatic group which includes the Semitic languages (Hebrew. Arabic, mharic) and the Hamitic languages (Berlier. Cuslite. and ancient Egyptian), is one of the four divisions. Speakers of these languages are mainly Caucasoid in radical tvpe. Nilo-Saharan is the language of the Sudan and up| er regions of the Nile. It is called the Nilo-Saharan so as to include related languages native to some of the desert nomads and farmers on the desert’s fringe. The people who sjH ak m this language are of mixed racial backgrounds. The Khoisan language is also commonly called the click languages liecause that's what they are - all a bristle with consonants not so much voiced as expelled, rather like the sounds of reproof we make with our tongues and write as tsk. tsk. The Khoisan languages are largely monopolized by Bushmen and Hottentots of South-west Africa and by remnant Iwnds of eastern relatives, whose presence demonstrates the extent of old homelands. The Congo language is the largest language division; it covers a vast geographical territory. One can hear it spoken throughout the heart-land of Africa which stretches from the Niger to the Congo. As a result, the Africans find it difficult to think in terms of nations.” Tribal loyalties are often stronger than the sense of nationality. Clothing — Dress The hotter and wetter the climate of their homeland, the fewer the clothes the Africans wear. Tribes in the jungles of the interior wear very little. But in North Africa, the nomads of the desert protect themselves against the hot sun by wearing loose cotton rol»es. The Africans generally wear clothes made of whatever materials are available, such as grasses or animal skins. Most African tri! es have a strong love of color and ornament. Since they wear few clothes, some tattoo their skins, paint themselves with clay, and hang ornaments on their liodies. In South Africa, the white population wears light clothing of the usual European type. The Bantus are also adopting this style. Art Perhajw Africa’s greatest contribution to the world is its vast body of masterful art. Most of the ancient works of Africa have religious significance. Wood carving of human figures are supposed to represent living spirits. Many trilies still cane striking and colorful masks to l e worn during religious ceremonies. The empires of the Kongo and the Kul a. the Luba and Lunda were responsible for a tremendous development in arts and crafts, particularly music anti sculpture. African kings were patrons of art and as a result, you find some magnificent carving in ivory and wood. Also fine metal work in bronze, gold and iron go l ack as far as the sixteenth century or further. Sculpture African sculpture consists of figures, masks, and other decorated ceremonial and useful objects. Because most African sculptures were made in perishable materials such as wood, few of these works are more than 100 or 200 years old. However, w orks in bronze and ivory and terra-cotta date I Kick several centuries. The oldest known African sculptures are terra-cotta figures created about 500 B.C. in the Nok culture of Nigeria. figures and masks are found mainly in the western and central parts of Africa. Manv figures represent ancestors — either the recently dead or the mythical trilral founders who watch over the well-lrcing of the tribe. Despite its remarkable variations, African sculpture reveals a few recurring characteristics. Many of its forms have an expressive rhythm Irecause the same shapes are repeated over and over again. fn recent years. African Art has won world-wide appreciation. The alrstract form of expression employed by African artists has had a major influence on Modem Art in the West. Modern Africa Africa faces the future with high hopes. Its hopes are more attuned to reality now than they were at the start of inde|H ndence. Few people in Africa expect miracles overnight. The rest of the world needs to acquire the more realistic views of Africa that Africa itself has developed. Governments have changed suddenly in this great continent - and they will change even more in the coming years. In the next few years, Africa may not Ik- peaceful and sedate, and orderly, but. it will not fall apart or sever. The tensions and the instabilities are signs of progress and it means that the continent is alive and in the process of dynamic change. Its |H-oplc are on the march and they are throwing off centuries of isolation. They are hungry for progress and for a place in an exciting world. No one can predict the future, but the signs for Africa are favorable. The people arc alert and eager and they possess a great native ability in terms of creative ideas. With the substantial resources that are accessible and the able leaders who are learning rapidly. Africa is assured of a productive and shining future.

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JEANNKTTK ALLEN WILLIAMS Principal In West Side High School, we have attempted to provide an atmosphere in which you. the Class of 1971, could grow intellectually, physically, morally and socially. It is our hope that you have developed fundamental skills to prepare you for milking a living; we trust that we have instilled in you. basic ethical values to ixjuip ou for making a life. During your school years, you have experienced | crsonal problems as well as those of this nation and this century. Parents, counselors, teachers, administrators and others have helped you cope with this complex world. It is our hope that through our guidance, you have learned to adjust to life, to overcome obstacles, to make wise decisions and to l e of benefit to yourselves and others. Farewell to the Class of 1971. Jeannette Allen Williams Principal 10