African Studies Institute establishes research collection at Hargrett

UGA and the Franklin College are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the African Studies Institute with the events through the middle of November. One of the many lasting pieces of this milestone is the new research collection in the University archives of materials from the Institute:

the University of Georgia African Studies Institute has established a research collection in the University Archives of the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Posters, flyers, photographs and manuscripts show the progress of the institute since it began as a table and a typewriter in the corner of an office.

A current exhibit at the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries displays items from the collection along with objects illustrating African culture from personal collections.

In the exhibit, examples of hand-woven baskets, beadwork containers and clothing crafted in various African countries can be found, along with carved animals, statues and games. Also, photographs of animals, terrain and Mount Kilimanjaro appearing through clouds during a study abroad trip are displayed.

One case holds journals kept by students to chronicle their study abroad experiences.

"This is my favorite part because, for the students, this trip changes their lives," said Amsale Abegaz, an administrative specialist in the African Studies Institute. "This is their story."

Congratulations to our colleagues in the African Studies Institute and the Hargett Library for ushering in this important collection. Making resources like this available to scholars is how a first-rate research university continues to advance.