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While a great portion of the world is concerned
with modernization and the furthering of trade and science in
all societies regardless of the impact to local culture, the African
Conservancy is concerned with the preservation of cultural expressions
that meet man's most ancient and universal (traditional) needs,
or the expressions of his humanity. These include religious, ethical,
and artistic expressions; systems for explaining and dealing with
natural phenomena: magic, mythology, and traditional medicine;
and systems to satisfy the need to learn, or education.
As we work to accomplish our mission to preserve
traditional cultures, we do want to avoid the common pitfall of
contributing to Africa's acculturation. In order to meet that
goal, we are committed to participate in and to support or sponsor
those cultural programs that originate
in African society rather than without, and that are implemented
primarily by African teams using African resources. A by-product
of those resolutions is that all our initiatives, while not undertaken
solely for the purpose of economic development, contribute to
it.
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Under the criteria defined above, our
program plan includes environmental and cultural education,
sponsorship of artists and craftspeople, and the documentation
of religious and ethical practices, traditional medicine,
and magic and mythology.
Programs under research include the
merchandising of local hand-painted textiles; the sponsorship
of a series of books on traditional medicine, magic, and
mythology; and the sponsorship of an organic farming cooperative
that teaches residents of the Luangwa Valley to organically
produce much needed fresh herbs and vegetables to the local
tourism industry.
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African Conservancy programs that are well
under way include the development of our Online
Store & Gallery
where we will offer African arts, crafts, books, and music,
and where all art and craft pieces are created by sponsored
artists and craftspeople; and our Tribute
and Memorial program, which utilizes cards produced
by African artists. Please, as you consider what to give
your family and friends for that next occasion, remember
that the Conservancy's Online
Marketplace & Gallery
and Tribute and Memorial
program, are a convenient locations for unique gitfs,
and that your purchases help us sponsor African artwork
and the continuation of African culture.
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African
Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
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