A WELCOME from African Project Director, Temple Ogundu, Dean for Academic Affairs, Okefenokee Technical College, Waycross, Georgia
The purpose of African Exposition project is to promote a greater understanding of African traditions, to raise awareness and increase appreciation for the African culture, heritage, and its people.
Most people tend to see Africa as a uniform place. In reality, however, Africa contains over 54 independent countries, and is the second largest continent next to Asia. To celebrate the wealth of our continent, Africa has many assets besides the scenery and wildlife which impresses many visitors to Africa.
The continent is rich in mineral and forests, agriculture and water resources, culture and traditions. Africa is home to enormous mountains, tropical rain forests, grassy savannas, three large deserts, the world biggest swamp, and the worlds longest river. The culture is unique and diverse, with great craftsmanship, magical tribal dancing and fabulous musicians.
Africa has an enormous reservoir of natural and human resources. Beside oil and diamonds, Africa is the continent that has almost all the worlds reserves of the scarcest and most precious minerals, the platinum group minerals: platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and tantalum. These minerals are used in minute amounts in electronic and space- age materials, medical instruments, and other high precision devices. These minerals have led us to the new technology age.
We hope you will enjoy learning about our culture, resources and people as you journey through Africa at the Azalea International Folk Fair.