Music..Religion..Dance..Art..Cuisine.. The culture of Africa first came to the New World through Brazil. And it is there that it has been best preserved, still exerting a tremendous influence on all aspects of Brazilian life. The African influence gives Brazil its soul, rhythm and character. Our trip to Brazil is inspired by the highly successful exhibition "Face of the Gods: Art and Altars of Africa and the African Americas".
To guide us on this fabulous odyssey, we are pleased to have the expertise of C. Daniel Dawson, curatorial assistant for "Face of the:' Gods. Dan was the first curator of photography at the Studio Museum in Harlem, producing numerous film festivals and photography exhibitions. As director of special projects at the Caribbean Cultural Center, he compiled many video projects, helping the Center to become a leading institution in the documentation of African influences in the New World.
Come join Dan Dawson and experience for yourself this incredible country. Under his leadership, we will see the kaleidoscope of Brazil through the lens of a master film maker. Meet the people and see, hear and feel first hand the African soul in the New World. Celebrate New Years Eve as you never have before.
Itinerary
THURSDAY, DEC. 29: Evening departure from USA via Varig Brazilian Airlines.
FRIDAY, DEC. 30: Early morning arrival in Rio de Janeiro, where we will be met and transferred by private coach to the deluxe Rio Atlantica Hotel on Copacabana Beach for four nights. Morning at leisure.
Afternoon tour of Rio, an introduction to the roots of African culture in Brazil. An expert will escort you to a candomble temple which combines Yoruba, Kongo-Angola and Catholic faiths, and explain how African culture shaped the Brazilian identity. Dinner in a local restaurant specializing in feijoada, a dish developed by Afro-Brazilians. Next a visit to a famous traditional dancehall, or gafieira, established by emancipated Africans, but now frequented by Brazilians of all classes and races.
SATURDAY, DEC. 31: Morning cable car ride to Sugar Loaf. After enjoying the view, an excursion into the African influenced world of samba. A visit to the sambadrome and the carnival museum will be followed by a barracao where the floats and costumes are made. Afternoon at leisure.
This evening begins the fascinating and pagan celebration of New Years Eve on the sands of Copacabana Beach. New Years dinner will be served to our group at Arataca Restaurant, after which we will stay at the beach for the night. Tens of thousands of people gather to pay homage to Yemanja, the goddess of the sea. With flowers and candles, they perform the ancient rituals dressed in white. At midnight, the mass of humanity rushes into the sea, carrying flowers and gifts for the goddess. If the waves claim their offerings, the worshippers know that the goddess will grant their prayers for the new year.
SUNDAY, JAN. 1: Day at leisure.
Oju Oaxala: Afro-Brazilian Altar
MONDAY, JAN 2: Morning excursion along beautiful beaches to the base of Corcovado Mountain. A small gauge railroad crosses the lush Tijuca forest to the mountain's top and the Christ the Redeemer statue. Enjoy the marvelous view. Balance of day at leisure.
TUESDAY, JAN. 3: After breakfast departure by air for Salvador Da Bahia, the most African city in the western hemisphere. You will be transferred to the deluxe Tropical Da Bahia hotel, for a four night stay. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and the beaches are nearby. Afternoon at leisure. Evening excursion to a uniquely Bahian event: a rehearsal of Olodum, the musical group which collaborated with Paul Simon on the Rhythm of the Saints. This joyous music is derived from African and African-American music.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4: Morning walking tour of Salvador, visiting the famed Pelourinho district designated by UNESCO as an international treasure. Stop at an Afro-Brazilian museum and the Casa do Benin. Learn how European, African and native Indian bloodlines and cultures mingled to create contemporary Brazilian culture. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening an excursion to Solar do Unhao, one of Salvador's oldest and most atmospheric buildings. Enjoy a buffet dinner of the exotic cuisine of Bahia followed by a dazzling folklore show of Bahian music, dance and pageantry.
THURSDAY, JAN. 5: A fascinating full day tour of Salvador. Included will be visits to local artists, contemporary art galleries, a Candomble temple and the historic Bonfim Church, spiritual center of Bahia. The day will end at a traditional Capoira Angola school, where this generations old combination of dance and martial arts will be presented. Dinner on your own followed by a visit to an authentic Candomble ceremony. In Salvador, the cult of Candomble, a religious ceremony honoring the divinities (or orixas) has been preserved as an integral part of the culture.
FRIDAY, IAN. 6: Early morning departure for a full day excursion inland to the charming town of Cachoeira. One of Brazil's oldest and most historic towns, it is the home of Candomble religion. Amid lush farmland and groves of palm trees, the faithful hold numerous festivals and processions in traditional garb. A lunch of Bahian delicacies is included in this trip into Brazil's past. In the evening, you will be treated to a sumptuous farewell dinner.
SATURDAY, JAN. 7: Free day to rest or shop. Late afternoon transfer to the airport to depart for Rio where we connect to Varig's overnight flight to the US.
SUNDAY, JAN. 8: Early morning arrival in your gateway city.
AFRO BRAZIL PROGRAM FEATURES:
PRICE
Land and Air Fare from New York ... $2899.00
Tax-deductible gift to the Museum for African Art ... $500.00
Total cost per person (double occupancy) ... $3399.00
Single Supplement ... $500.00
CANCELLATION PENALTIES.
Airline penalty of $100 if passenger cancels within 14 days of departure.
Cancellations received up to 45 days prior to departure will be subject to a $100 handling fee per person; within 45 days prior to departure, the deposit will be forfeited, plus any additional fees imposed by the hotels or local suppliers.
If the group size falls below 10 people, a surcharge may apply. Any changes made on airline tickets once issued will incur a $25 fee per person.
The Museum for African Art plans to expand its Discovering Africa travel program in 1995, adding a program in Ghana, Togo and Benin and a May trip to Madagascar to its popular visits to Mali and Ivory Coast. In October of 1995 we plan to go to southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe). In all of these trips, the emphasis will be on understanding traditional culture, on seeing art in use, on discovering Africa's rich architectural heritage, and on discussing contemporary African culture with Africans engaged in its development. Groups are small, (not exceeding twelve people) which encourages constant informal discussion with the tour leader and with people from the areas visited.
Hotels in the cities are international in style with air-conditioning, hot water and European food and simple but adequate in the more remote areas. Internal travel is usually by mini-bus or land rover, with an occasional flight on a domestic airline where that will extend the range of what we can see. Informal lectures and discussions with the tour leader, Jerry Vogel, provide insights into African cultures and societies.
As airline schedules change frequently in Africa, it is possible that there will be slight modifications in these dates or that the order of the itinerary will change.
Mali is unique among African countries because of the heritage of its powerful * medieval empires. Its famous trading cities were symbols of fabulous riches in both Europe and the Arab world. Modern Mali possesses many reminders of this great history in the form of architecture and literature. Seeing ancient buildings set in the beautiful, austere Malian landscape will be a memorable experience. Mali is also the home of some of the most magnificent African art of the Dogon, Bamana and Senufo peoples. A rich craft tradition is still very much alive, producing refined objects in gold, silver, bronze, iron, leather, pottery, wood, wool, and cotton. Our wide range of friends in Mali will make it possible for a limited number of members to see traditional art and architecture, the great Islamic monuments, the startling juxtaposition of river and desert landscapes, and to meet Malians who will talk about their country and its future.
As we plan to travel this year on Air France, a stop in Paris is possible at minimal extra cost.
COST: The cost of this trip is reduced to $4,700, which includes a six hundred dollar tax deductible contribution to the Museum for African Art. We have been able to reduce the cost of this and the Cote d'Ivoire trips to reflect currency devaluation in Africa.
Itinerary
MONDAY, JAN. 9 Evening departure for Paris via Air France.
TUESDAY, JAN. 10: Early morning arrival in Paris. Afternoon arrival in Bamako and transfer to the Grand Hotel. Dinner at the Santoro where we will sample Malian specialties in a decor featuring crafts of Mali.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11: We will fly to Timbuctou the historic city at the end of the caravan routes across the Sahara. Afternoon visit to the city with its ancient mosques and decorated houses. Overnight at the Hotel Relais Azalai. In the evening we will travel by camel to a Tuareg camp to see traditional dances and dine on roast lamb.
THURSDAY, JAN. 12: Morning departure by the same plane to Mopti, which will be our center for the discovery of northern Mali. Our land rovers will meet us at the airport and take us to the comfortable Relais Kanaga on the bank of the Niger River. Afternoon to catch your breath or visit the Thursday market.
FRIDAY, JAN. 13: We will visit the old quarter of Mopti, the impressive mosque and the craft market with its rugs, blankets, leather and jewelry made by the desert nomads. Some of Mopti's dealers in antiquities will be happy to invite us to their homes in the old city to see their collections. There will be time to rest before taking a boat trip on the Niger to visit a beautiful Fulani village and to watch the sun set over the river.
SATURDAY, JAN. 14: We will travel to the inaccessible country of the Dogon who fled to their rocky cliffs in the 16th century to avoid warlike neighbors. Isolated, they developed a style of art and architecture at one with the austere beauty of the landscape. We will spend two nights at the simple but pleasant camp at Sangha. In the late afternoon we will visit the village of Ogol with its many shrines and spectacular buildings.
SUNDAY, JAN. 15: We will get up early to hike down the cliff to visit the extraordinary villages on the rocky slopes. After a picnic lunch, we will see traditional mask dances performed in the isolated village of Tireli. While the descent is not very difficult, it will be possible to do the circuit in our land rovers.
MONDAY, JAN. 16: We will return to Mopti, stopping to see Dogon rock paintings along the way. Afternoon free to rest or shop.
TUESDAY, JAN. 17: We will drive an hour and a half to the perfectly preserved medieval city of Djenne. A center of trade and learning, Djenne has been important since the first millennium. We will visit the famous mosque, the decorated houses and the many craftspeople and goldsmiths. Evening return to Mopti and the Relais Kanaga.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18: We will travel by road to Segou, the capital of the most important Bamana kingdom. On the way, we will visit the beautiful mosque at San. We will spend the night at the Auberge.
THURSDAY, JAN. 19: We will visit a village of the Bozo fishermen on the far side of the Niger and the old quarter of Segou. In the afternoon we will drive to Bamako and the Grand Hotel.
FRIDAY, JAN. 20: We will see more of Bamako, including several markets. In the afternoon we will visit the national museum.
SATURDAY, JAN. 21: Morning free to rest, shop or to visit the gold market and the homes of some of Bamako's dealers. In the afternoon we will visit a nearby Bamana village where we will be welcomed by masked dances and traditional music. Dinner at the Djenne Restaurant in an elegant Malian atmosphere.
SUNDAY, JAN. 22: Evening departure for Paris. Arrival at JFK at 3:15 PM, Jan. 23.
Justly known as West Africa's most developed and prosperous country, Cote d'Ivoire is the home of some of the continent's most beautiful architecture and sculpture and of some of its most refined crafts. This program will benefit from the Museum's exceptional village contacts and offer an opportunity to spend time in traditional villages, to meet and talk to people and to see the methods of traditional potters, dyers and gold casters. We will visit the Senufo people in the north, the Baule in the center and the Dan-Guere in the west. Mask dances will be featured in all of these areas.
The cost has been reduced to $4,700 (of which $600 is a tax deductible contribution to the Museum for African Art).
A stopover in Paris is possible at no additional ticket cost.
Itinerary
MONDAY, JAN. 23: Evening departure from New York via Air France.
TUESDAY, JAN. 24: Evening arrival in Abidjan and transfer to the Hotel Ivoire.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25-FRIDAY, JAN. 27: We will fly to Korhogo and spend three days among the Senufo people. We will be staying at the Hotel Mount Korhogo which is built around a lovely garden and pool. During this time we will visit a blacksmiths village to see their special Poro dancers in their masks and to participate in a traditional divination. We will visit the village of Niofouin with its perfectly preserved buildings and many sculpted shrines, see potters at work and watch the making of the painted Korhogo cloths. Two other dances are planned: the dance of the leopard men and that of the marriageable girls and young men who dance in a blazing fire. At some point in our stay, we will visit one of the many small village markets where you see people selling the crafts for which the area is famous.
SATURDAY, JAN. 28- MONDAY, JAN. 30.: We will fly to Bouake the center of the Baule country and stay at the Ranhotel. We will visit villages specializing in weaving and dyeing, see potters at work, and watch goldsmiths do lost wax casting. An afternoon will be spent watching and photographing the Baule Goli dance with its series of masks and its special music played on gourds. We will visit Yamoussoukro to see the famous basilica.
TUESDAY, JAN. 31-WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1: We will fly to Man in the cool mountains of western Ivory Coast and stay at the Hotel Cascade. We will visit Dan and Guere villages, the bridge made of vines at Danane, and see the spectacular acrobatic dances of the region.
THURSDAY, FEB. 2: We will return to Abidjan and stay at the Hotel Ivoire. There will be time free for swimming or a visit to the market. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Ivorian restaurant.
FRIDAY, FEB. 3: We will have time to see Abidjan with its modern center and its bustling markets, as well as visit the national museum. Evening departure for Paris. Arrival at JFK at 3 PM on Feb. 4.
SATURDAY, FEB. 4:. Those staying on for Ghana will spend the day at Grand Bassam, the old colonial capital on the coast which has been preserved as a craft center.
This trip will permit us to know northern and southern Ghana, regions with quite varied traditional cultures, architecture and landscapes. We will visit the capital of an important African kingdomÑ KumasiÑsee the spectacular architecture of northern GhanaÑand some of the historic castles along the coast. As distances are relatively short, we will be able to make the entire trip by bus, most of it on good paved roads.
Cost: $4,900, which includes a $600 tax deductible contribution to the Museum for African Art.
Itinerary
SATURDAY, FEB. 4: Evening departure from New York via KLM.
SUNDAY, FEB. 5: Morning arrival in Amsterdam for connecting flight to Accra. Transfer to Labadi Beach Hotel.
MONDAY, JAN. 6: We will visit the National Museum, the old colonial city along the seashore, the Dubois Institute, the teeming central market and the carvers quarter where elaborate coffins are carved in forms that vary from roosters to Mercedes.
TUESDAY, FEB. 7: A very pretty two hour drive will take us to Akosombo, the largest dam in West Africa, and Ghana's largest development project. We will see the installations and take a trip on the large lake which has been formed.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8: We will travel west along the coast visiting Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, relics of Ghana's tragic past. We will also see some of the spectacular structures of the Fante military associations with their realistic multicolored cement sculptures. Night at Elmina.
THURSDAY, FEB. 9: We will drive inland toward Kumasi, through the lush cocoa growing Central region, passing the gold fields to which the country owes much of its prosperity. Night at the Savannah Hotel in Kumasi.
FRIDAY, FEB. 10 - SATURDAY, FEB. 11: We will spend these two days in and around Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city, the traditional capital of the Ashanti people. We will visit the Ashanti Cultural Center and the palace, the central market with its section devoted to the kente cloth for which the area is famous. We will also have a chance to spend time in villages known for traditional weaving and stool carving.
SUNDAY, FEB. 12 - THURSDAY, FEB. 16: We will spend this time discovering northern Ghana, whose landscape, culture, history and political systems are very different from those of the Akan peoples of the south. This is a region of arid, Sahelian landscapes, round houses and spectacular painted architecture. A rich craft tradition has been preserved along with music and dance. We will visit traditional villages to see the architecture and a demonstration of traditional iron smelting. We will have the chance to see ceremonies and dances.
FRIDAY, FEB. 17: We will drive across northern Togo and Benin, crossing an area of spectacular two story mud houses and the land of the Moba people, whose sculpture is much admired. The night will be spent in a comfortable hotel at Parakou.
SATURDAY, FEB. 18: We will drive south to Cotonou, crossing the entire length of this long, narrow country and visiting Abomey, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey, with its palace and museum.. We will spend two nights in Cotonou.
SUNDAY, FEB. 19: We will visit the old capital, Porto Novo with its museum of traditional culture and its preserved royal palace, Ouidah, the center of voodoo, and the fascinating stilt village of Ganvie which is built in the center of a lake. MONDAY, FEB. 20: Morning departure for Lome, Togo (a two hour drive along the coast).Here we will transfer to our KLM flight to Amsterdam. Arrival in JFK at 5: PM on Feb. 21. (A stopover in Amsterdam is possible on our KLM tickets.)
Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, is very much a world of its own. Its people are a mixture of African and Asian migrants and its cultures combine these two elements with an overlay of the recent French colonial period. Because Madagascar was physically separated from the African continent long ago, its flora and fauna developed independently. Consequently, the island is full of animals (like lemurs) and plants which exist nowhere else. Its landscapes vary from the upland plateau with its rice fields and water buffalo, to the cactus forests of the south, to the idyllic Polynesian islands in the north. We will visit several regions in order to see the funerary sculpture for which the island is famous as well as the natural beauties. Madagascar has a rich and varied craft tradition which is still flourishing.
We definitely plan to do this trip in 1995, assuming that people are interested. A detailed itinerary will be available in October, 1994.
he museum's first trip to southern Africa will focus on traditional art and architecture, provide an opportunity to meet contemporary cultural figures and community leaders, and also visit some of the natural wonders of this spectacular area. As the trip includes four countries, participants will have a chance to compare their social and political atmosphere and to understand the complex relationships within an area dominated economically by South Africa.
The trip will include Johannesburg and Capetown, a chance to visit prehistoric rock paintings and the spectacular painted houses of the Ndebele and Sotho peoples, a game reserve, Victoria Falls, and the ruins of ancient Great Zimbabwe.
A detailed itinerary will be available in October, 1994.
The cost of each trip includes a $600 tax deductible contribution to the Museum for African Art. The trips to Mali, Cote d'lvoire and Ghana/Benin are consecutive can be taken singly or together. Substantial price reductions occur if you combine trips. Prices for each trip include: round trip airfare from New York hotels (double occupancy),daily continental breakfasts, some lunches and dinners, all local transportation and sightseeing. If you request a single room or if we are unable to find you a roommate, there is a $500 supplement for single occupancy. Prices are based on foreign exchange rates and air fares in effect on June 1,1994 and are subject to change. Price is based on a minimum number of subscribers traveling together.
RESERVATIONS
Please complete the attached form and return it with two checks- Your deposit check of $600 per person made out to Magical Holidays and your contribution check for the same amount made out to the Museum for African Art. Full payment is due 45 days before departure.
CANCELLATIONS
In the event of a cancellation 45 days or more before departure, full refund minus a $100 charge for administrative expenses. Cancellation less than 45 days before departure will result in forfeiture of the deposit. There will be no refunds for unused portions of the tour. Any changes in air reservations after the tickets have been issued will be subject to penalties set by the airlines.
RESPONSIBILITY of the tour operator, Magical Holidays, Inc., the Museum for African Art and/or their agents is limited. They act only as agents for the hotels, airlines, bus companies and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or changes in schedules or their causes. The issuance of tickets and vouchers shall be deemed to be consent to the above conditions. The services of any carrier may be used in connection with this tour.
NOTE. Please be aware that medical facilities in Africa are limited and that general safety conditions differ from those in the United States. We strongly urge you to obtain all the recommended inoculations and to take out comprehensive medical insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation. For information call the museum: 212 966-1313 Ext. 106 or Jerry Vogel: 212 226-2080.
Upon receipt of your reservation we will send you information on how to prepare for the trip and a list of suggested readings.
DISCOVER AFRICA TOURS
The Museum for African Art
593 Broadway
New York, NY 10012.