African Art Essays - African Art, Masks, Free Essays, Term Papers

African Art Essays - African Art, Masks, Free Essays, Term Papers African Art The traditional art of Africa plays a major part in the African society. Most ceremonies and activities (such as singing, dancing, storytelling, etc.) can not function without visual art. It can also be used as an implement and insignia of rank or prestige, or have a religious significance. African art consists mainly of sculptures, paintings, fetishes, masks, figures, and decorative objects. Sculptures are considered to be the greatest achievement for African art. A majority of the sculptures are done in wood but are also made of metal, stone, terra-cotta, mud, beadwork, ivory, and other materials. It is found in many parts of Africa but mainly in western and central Africa. Many ancient rock paintings have been found in Southern and Eastern Africa. These paintings are believed to be attributed to the SAN (Bushman) people. Masks and fetishes are often used to scare off bad things such as evil spirits, witches or ghosts. They are also used to bring about a desired end-break a bad habit, improve ones love life, or kill a natural or supernatural enemy. There are three basic themes of African art. The first is the dualism between bush and village. African tribes wear masks and headdresses: the male is represented by the elephant, the most powerful of bush creatures and the female is delicately coifed to express refinement and civilization. The second theme of African art is the problematic relationships between the sexes. African tribes use art as a therapeutic device to deal with the problems and issues dealing with the relations between the sexes. The third theme is the struggle to control natural or supernatural forces to achieve a desired end. African tribes often use masks in ceremonies (called Gelede) to please and honor the forces. For each region in Africa, there is a different style of Art. The western Sudanic Region have masks and figures representing legendary ancestors and religious sacrifices. The central Sudanic Region art includes mud architecture, embroidered textiles, elaborate Coiffure, metal and beadwork jewelry, and leather work. This style usually doesnt represent anything special. The west Guinea Coast Region use masks and figures to police ceremonies, punish people for doing something wrong, settle land-owning problems and start or end wars. The Central Guinea Coast Region art employs aristocratic materials. Specialized artists creature works of art for the leaders that include: stools, drums, cloth, pottery, terra-cotta, figures, miniature masks, combs, mirrors, pipes, and carved musical instruments. African art is traditionally essential and optimistic. Without art, there would be no African culture.

How The Nursery Rhyme Eins, Zwei, Polizei Can Help You Learn German

How The Nursery Rhyme Eins, Zwei, Polizei Can Help You Learn German Learning German can a lot of fun if you use a simple rhyme. While Eins, Zwei, Polizei is a nursery rhyme for children, people of any age can use it as a game to expand their German vocabulary. This short rhyme is a traditional childrens song that can be sung or chanted to a beat. It includes very basic German words, teaches you how to count to ten or fifteen (or higher, if you like), and each phrase ends with a different word.   There are many versions of this popular and simple song and two of those are included below. However, dont stop with those. As you will see, you can make up your own verses and use this as a game to practice whatever vocabulary words you are learning at the moment. Eins, zwei, Polizei (One, Two, Police) This is the most traditional version of the popular German childrens song and  nursery rhyme. It is very easy to memorize and will help you remember numbers one through ten along with a few basic words. Both children and adults will find it to be a fun way to finish off your night with a little German practice.   This version of Eins, zwei, Polzei has been recorded by at least two German groups: Mo-Do (1994) and S.W.A.T. (2004). While the lyrics for the song by both groups are appropriate for children, the rest of the albums may not be. Parents should review the translations for themselves before playing the other songs for kids. Melodie: Mo-DoText: Traditional   Deutsch English Translation Eins, zwei, Polizeidrei, vier, Offizierfnf, sechs, alte Hexsieben, acht, gute Nacht!neun, zehn, auf Wiedersehen! One, two, policethree, four, officerfive, six, old witchseven, eight, good night!nine, ten, good-bye! Alt. verse:neun, zehn, schlafen gehn. Alt. verse:nine, ten, off to bed. Eins, zwei, Papagei (One, Two, Parrot) Another variation that follows the same tune and rhythm, Eins, zwei, Papagei demonstrates how you can change the last word of each line to fit the German words and phrases you are learning at the moment. As you can see, it doesnt have to make sense, either. In fact, the less sense it makes, the funnier it is. Deutsch English Translation Eins, zwei, Papageidrei, vier, Grenadierfnf, sechs, alte Hexsieben, acht, Kaffee gemachtneun, zehn, weiter gehnelf, zwlf, junge Wlfdreizehn, vierzehn, Haselnussfnfzehn, sechzehn, du bist duss. One, two, Parrotthree, four, Grenadier*five, six, old witchseven, eight, made coffeenine, ten, go furthereleven, twelve, young wolfthirteen, fourteen, Hazelnutfifteen, sixteen, youre dumb. * A  Grenadier  is similar to a private or infantryman in the military. It is understandable if you do not want to teach your children this last version (or at least the last line), which includes the words du bist duss because it translates to youre dumb. Its not very nice and many parents choose to avoid such words, particularly in nursery rhymes with younger children. Instead of avoiding this otherwise fun rhyme, consider replacing the last part of that line with one of these more positive phrases: Youre great - du bist tollYoure funny - du bist lustigYoure pretty - du bist hà ¼bschYoure handsome - du bist attraktivYoure smart - du bist shlauYoure special - du bist etwas  Besonderes How Eins, zwei... Can Expand Your Vocabulary Hopefully, these two examples of the rhyme will inspire you to use it throughout your studies of German. Repetition and rhythm are two useful techniques that will help you remember basic words and this is one of the easiest songs to do that with. Make a game out of this song, either on your own, with your study partner, or with your children. It is a fun and interactive way to learn. Alternate saying each line between two or more people.Complete each phrase with a new (and random) word from your most recent vocabulary list. It can be anything from food and plants to people and objects, whatever you think of. See if the other players know what that word means in English.Practice two- or three-word phrases on the last line.Count as high as you can and keep finishing off each line with a new word. See who can count the highest in German or who can say more  new words than everyone else.Try to create a theme throughout the song. Maybe your family is learning the German words for various fruits (Frà ¼chte). One line might finish with apple (Apfel), the next might end with pineapple (Ananas), then you might say strawberry (Erdbeere), and so on. This is one rhyme that has endless possibilities and it can really help you  learn the German language. Its hours (or minutes) of fun and can be played anywhere.

Renewable Energy Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Renewable Energy Systems - Research Paper Example astest power manufacturing segments of the world now and there is urgent necessity to minimise the maintenance and operation costs of electricity production. This research essay will make an earnest attempt to elucidate the wind and hydropower generation of manoeuvres of both Australian and Bangladesh government, in particular, to minimise the global warming and of that USA, China, Brazil, Russia and Canadian governments in general by giving unique attention to various empirical studies and eminent authors’ views on the subject. 1-Introduction Both wind energy and hydropower comprises of the renewable energy mix, these bring a lot of economic, technical and environmental advantages both to the developed and developing nations. Energy policy makers all around the world are now paying great attention to harness the renewable energy as they have a duty to safeguard the environment thereby by restricting greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Both wind energy and hydropower are resources which are abundantly available all around the globe, the technology has been well advanced and proven technology, are having longest plant life and lowest operating cost and the plant life can be extended at minimal costs .This research essay will analyse the hydropower and wind energy capabilities of Australia and Bangladesh in an exhaustive manner and that of USA, China, Russia, Brazil and Venezuela in a crisp. 2-â€Å"What is Hydropower?† As of date, hydropower is the largest renewable-energy source and about 16% of the globe’s electricity needs is catered by the hydropower and hydropower occupies about 80% of the globe’s renewable-energy resource. For 90% of their electricity needs, about 25 countries in the globe are now relying on the hydropower. For example, about 99.3%... This essay stresses that Australian government has set a target of 20% of Australian electricity needs to be catered from the renewable- energy sources by the year 2020. As this is an ambitious target, this can be achieved by developing and harnessing more percentage of energies from hydropower and wind farms. Hydropower is environmental friendly as it creates no pollution and maintains the stream flow of the rivers and the ecological balance. With the help of micro hydropower projects, tiny villages and remote hilly areas can be given electricity through off-grid, which would definitely help to enhance the socioeconomic growth of these remote regions. This paper makes a conclusion that Hydropower as one of the renewable energy helps to avoid about 225 million tons of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere in the USA, and this is equivalent to taking about 42 million cars out of the American roads. According to satellite imagery , the pacific Northwest which is the home of the majority of the hydropower projects in USA is an island of low carbon emission, and this is conclusive proof that hydropower can reduce the CO2 emission into the atmosphere. Thus, renewable energy like wind energy and hydropower are the energies of the future and both Australian and Bangladesh government energy policy makers should give more priority in the near future to these sectors so as to afford a clean, economical and environmental friendly energy to its citizens.

Barter and Monetized Systems of Exchange Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Barter and Monetized Systems of Exchange - Essay Example Barter and Monetized Systems of Exchange Different items have worked as money at different times. For instance, tobacco in America, chisels in China, gold until the gold standard was abandoned in the 1930s and paper currencies thereafter. Exchange of goods and services people produce and want is critical to satisfying the diverse wants of everyone. Such exchange is possible by using either the barter system or money as a medium of exchange. Barter was prevalent medium of exchange before the advent of money. It remains the principal form of exchange even today in tribal and traditional societies where political institutions are primitive, economies are not yet monetized and social systems are based on traditional practices and communal support. Even in advanced societies and economies like the United States, barter is still carried out to a limited extent in rural areas and public and charitable activities. On the other hand, modern societies and economies like that of the United States rely on money as the main medium of ex change. They have the highly developed political institutions to regulate money and prevent exploitation, manipulation and profiteering that money makes possible; they have monetized economies that help create and accumulate wealth; and they have social awareness that is necessary for people to trust an intrinsically worthless currency note, a mere piece of paper with the central bank’s assurance in small prints, as a medium of exchange. Barter and monetized systems of exchange have their own advantages and disadvantages (benefits and costs). ... Third, since commodities and services are exchanged directly, there are no foreign exchange fluctuation or balance of trade and payment crises. Fourthly, the division of labor is clear, as one produces what one has the means to do. Barter’s Disadvantages: The barter system has several serious disadvantages too. First, coincidence of wants might be difficult unless the net is cast widely, which makes trade cumbersome. Secondly, in barter, there is no common measure of value making it difficult to ascertain, say for instance, how many loaves of bread would be equivalent to a cow if one wants to sell bread and the other cows. Third, in many cases the commodity one wants to sell, as the cow here, might be indivisible to sell in parts to buy a few loaves of bread. Fourth, commodities and animals often deteriorate in value fast and cannot be stored for long, which makes accumulation and storing of wealth difficult. Fifth, barter makes deferred payment and contractual deal problemati c. Sixth, transporting bulky commodities from place to place becomes cumbersome in a barter system of exchange. Money’s Advantages: To avoid repletion of what has been already said, money takes care of all of the disadvantages of the barter system of exchange. Sexton describes the functions of money as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, as a store of value, and as a means of deferred payment (792-794). Briefly speaking, when money is used as a medium of exchange, there is no need for coincidence of wants. Money represents the common measure of value; it is divisible into small and large amounts; it can be stored almost forever if it is put away safely; it makes deferred payment easy; and

Global Warming Essay Example for Free

Global Warming Essay One of the biggest problems facing the world today is global warming. Many scientists believe that our production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is having a heating effect on the atmosphere, and this could be very dangerous for human life. This essay will examine the problem of global warming and suggest some ways of solving the problem. Many problems could result from global warming. One of the biggest problems is rising sea level. This could result in the flooding of low lying coastal areas and cities, such as Egypt, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh. Some countries might even disappear completely! Another problem caused by global warming is changes in weather patterns. Many areas of the world are experiencing increased hurricanes, floods, and other unusual weather. A third problem associated with global warming is the effect on animals. Fish populations could be affected, while some insects which spread disease might become more common. There are several things we can do to solve the problem of global warming. One solution is to stop producing C02. We can do this by switching from oil, coal and gas to renewable energy. Another solution is to plant more trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which is not a greenhouse gas. A third solution is to use less energy and to recycle more products. Generating electricity is one of the main sources of carbon dioxide. If we use less electricity, we will produce less C02. In conclusion, if we make small changes now in the way we live, we can avoid huge changes in the future. Scientists, governments and individuals must work together to overcome this threat.

Tragic Hero in The Crucible Essay examples -- The Crucible Arthur Mill

Tragic Hero in The Crucible What is a tragic hero? The most well known definition of a tragic hero comes from the great philosopher, Aristotle. When depicting a tragic hero, Aristotle states "The change in the hero's fortunes be not from misery to happiness, but on the contrary, from happiness to misery, and the cause of it must not lie in any wickedness but in some great error on his part.† In addition, he explains the four essential qualities that a tragic hero should possess, which are goodness, appropriateness, lifelike, and consistency. All of these necessities help to classify the character of John Proctor as the tragic hero of the play. Not only does he unfortunately fall to desolation, but also his character captures the sympathy and pity from the audience or readers. A tragic hero is also known to be someone who brings about their own death, through a flaw within their character or through their actions. Proctor's downfall in the play is initiated by a human error, which to a great extent qualifies him to be the tragic hero. Is John Proctor a tragic hero? In this essay I will be exploring his character, personality, and relationship towards others. The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, depicts the story of the Salem witch-hunt and the chaos it caused. One of the main characters is John Proctor. Proctor is put through many life-changing decisions. In many cases, a decision he made in one situation led to another problem. Miller sets ‘The Crucible’ in a Puritan community in Salem, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1692. The Puritans were a group of religious separatists who sought to worship God in uncomplicated and basic ways. They built their own houses, made their own furniture, and did... ...himself harshly. Before Abigail came and ruined his peace, he was always sure of himself. After Abigail, he was sure that nothing he would ever do would be pure and honest again. Proctor’s â€Å"tragic hero† status was illustrated by his efforts to save his wife from being put to death, his attempt to prove the children are making fraudulent claims, and his unwillingness to confess to practicing witchcraft when accused. Personally I believe all humans are created with flaws, which control our emotions and often twist our lives. We are put into predications because we are having a hard time of controlling them; therefore we just let them flow. John Proctor’s flaws were his faith, the belief of his own dignity, and his pride, that eventually put in to death. He is a tragic hero that dies of his own flaw, which brought up our sympathy and our fear of death.

Remedial education Essay

According to my knowledge, education helps empower people. I think education helps shape people; it affects how we act, think and respond. Sometimes education can help a person find their path in life. The process of getting a good education, however, may have its flaws. Most of the time, kids who are raised in a poor neighborhood doesn’t get the same opportunities as kids who are raised in a wealthier community. Like Mike Rose, I believed that everyone deserves a second chance in education. Remedial education was created mainly for that reason. It was created to help students who are underprepared and students who are immigrants. Remedial education also helps many immigrants by developing their basic education. Mike Rose pointed out the importance of remedial education in chapters 9 and 10 of his book â€Å"Why School? Reclaiming Education for All of Us†. Remedial education is the foundation of the education system in the United States because it helps ensure the success of many students. Remedial education helps prepare students who has received a bad education and also offers students a second chance to acquire the fundamental skills needed to get back on track. A student’s backgrounds always have a big impact in their education. Most of the time, students who are in remedial education are students who came from a poor background. Living in a poor neighborhood can affects a student’s education greatly because of all the distractions. In chapter 10, Mike Rose talked about a student of his name Kevin. Mike Rose stated â€Å"He was a good student in poor schools, schools with dated textbooks, scarce resources for enrichment, high teacher turnover. † A person future should not be decided because he or she was born in a lower class. If Universities doesn’t offered remedial education, Kevin would most likely dropout of school. After Kevin’s dropout, the chance of him earning a high salary is slim. The result of that creates a cycle that many Americans are struggling to get out of. I think remedial education helps give these students a chance to break that cycle. Like Mike Rose said, remedial education helps these students greatly by giving the students a second chance at education. In chapter 10, Mike Rose stated â€Å"†¦that is the remediation in nation that prides itself as being a ‘second-chance’ society. † Where this nation is the land where everyone is supposedly given the equal opportunities, students should get equal opportunity. The United States was built on the quote â€Å"the land of opportunities†. It is one of the main reasons why the United States is number one on immigrant’s population. Immigrants who immigrate to this country are mostly non-English speakers, they should be able to receive the same opportunity to success like others students. Remedial education helps many immigrants who may need a little extra help for prepare for college. Some colleges view remedial students as a hassle and a waste of college resources. In chapter 9, Mike Rose stated â€Å"Kick remediation off campus, and the primary thing you will achieve is the greater exclusion of American youth from higher education† (Rose 124). Dismissing remedial education is like denying education from the students. Rose’s statement helps reinforce the fact that remedial education helps Universities and Colleges to reach it highest potential. I think that Universities and Colleges should invest more resources in remedial education because it makes them look good. Show others institutions that they are capable of training underprepared students to be highly qualified graduate, now that is an impressive accomplishment. .Remedial education has always been very important in my family. My uncle has always been a person that I admired the most, simply because he worked hard to achieve his American dream. My uncle was a professor teaching at a University in Vietnam. He came to the United State in the year 2000. He spoke no English, yet the desire to learn and succeed had driven him to the land of opportunities. It was very tough at first, but slowly after settling down, he decided to attend a community college. As he recalled, remediation classes helps build his skills. It helped him learn the about the culture, the language, and the importance of communication. He learned that real education come from engaging courses. Courses that help students develop their thinking, as well as, challenge the instructors. He admitted that without remedial education, he would never be able to fully be prepared for higher education. Now my uncle has developed his own business by using the communication skills and networking he learned in his remedial classes. He is the living prove that remedial education are the core of the education system. Although remedial education shows how unprepared American students may be for college, it also revealed the false in our educational system. As much as the government tries to reform education, there will always be a loophole. For many students who are affected by this, they rely on remedial education as there last hope to get a good education. Remedial education also acts as a review for many students who feel that they are in need to revisit the basics. No matter what nationality or history a student has, he or she deserves a second chance at education and a remedial education ensures this.