In EPISODE FORTY TWO we start our two-episode Summer Reading Series with a reading and discussion of John Kirtland Wright’s1946 Association of American Geographers (AAG) Presidential Address where he outlines his ideas for geosophy. The word is a compound of ‘geo’ (Greek for earth) and ‘sophia’ (Greek for wisdom). It is the study of geographical knowledge from any or all points of view. Joining us is Dr. Geoffrey Martin, leading Geography historian and AAG Archivist to help put this canonical text in context.
In DARchitecture we discuss architectural heritage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Joining us for an episode-long conversation is Aida Mulokozi, CEO of the Dar es Salaam Centre for Architectural Heritage (DARCH). We walk through the process of urban heritage preservation in the context of rapid urban growth; we explore the politics of memory in Dar’s post-colonial present; and learn more about the vital work DARCH is doing to tell the story of Dar es Salaam to both locals and new arrivals alike.
In EPISODE FORTY we are on field assignment exploring the multi-species geographies of, perhaps, the most iconic safari game drive in the world. We report on site from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, learning some basic Swahili (Safari means “trip”) and seeing a range of animals we had never seen before outside of a zoo or a documentary. We have plenty of fun copying and/or poking fun at nature documentary style reportage.
In EPISODE THIRTY-NINE we set out and explore “Dar City Geographies” with urban geographer Dr. Sarah Smiley from Kent State University. This “urban safari” provokes discussions of the legacy of historical segregation policies on the urban landscape; the improvements made to the transport infrastructure in this rapidly growing, soon-to-be mega-city; and what residents in different zones have to do to access water across Dar es Salaam.
In “Piece by Piece,” we sit down with Rukia Hatibu, aka The Annoyin’ Artist, to discuss the importance of making public our ideas, stories and “pieces.” It is not enough to ask questions about who we are. What is vital is having an actual place to do it. Her evening forum helps showcase different voices and provides a space for personal poetic development. As if that was not enough, Rukia also discusses her new initiative, AIDIM, that seeks to bring out this same development in school children.
