Afro-Botany Seminar

Experience Applied Ethnobotany at Hidden Garden and be part of the Afro-Botany Seminar that will create an Africana Grove, a sacred circle of plants which have contributed to the survival of Africans in the Americas. This spring semester we will focus on the identification and propagation of these plants, as well as the creation of media and cultural experiences to provide the context for their use.

Weekly meetings will include interdisciplinary practical applications of ethnobotany. We will study plant identification, botanical categorization, medicinal uses. history, politics, economics, education and community development from an Afro-botany perspective. We will also investigate creative strategies for reviving the Africana cultural practices which are interdependent with the survival of Afro-descendants in the Diaspora and use story-telling and videography to document Afro-botanical wisdom sharing.

Students should read the free online references in Hidden Garden’s Digital Library, search code AFR, and then choose a topic or research area to specialize in. Throughout the semester students will be asked to present their research to the group, and by the end of May each student will contribute a digital presentation for our library. Certificate of Completion and/or Independent Study Evaluations are available based on participation, both for onsite students and those who wish to participate virtually.

Tuesdays 10 am to noon, Central Time

February 14th to May 30th

Full course Price: $300

Payment Plans and work exchanges are available. Audit course at $10/session.