Africa is the second largest continent with
the second largest rank in terms of population.
It covers 6% of the land mass of Earth surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea,
Suez Canal, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. It is the only continent to stretch from the
northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere crossing over the Equator
creating a vast climatic ranging area from tropical to sub-arctic. It is also
home to the one of world’s earliest and longest lasting civilizations, the Pharaonic Civilization of Ancient Egypt in 3300 B.C.
With such rich
cultural heritage, how much does Africa in Second Life showcase? It was worth a
visit to explore and learn more about this part of our world.
My first impression of Africa in Second Life was amazement
paired with educational information. A club accompanied with a library gives
almost all the information to get one started. Among the many books stacked at
one end, one that caught my eye was about Queen Neferatari (Queen Nefertiti),
whose marriage to Ramesses II is one of the greatest royal love affairs that
brought an end to a hundred year war between Nubia and Egypt making it a perfect
political conglomeration to two power houses.
There are books on Kings and Queens, music,
folk songs, folk lore and others. The knowledge imparted does not end in the library;
one may find books and notecards at every important landing throughout Africa
in Second Life. A detailed history on Candace of Meroë,
King Hannibal, King Mansa Musa I (Emperor Moses), Shaka (King of the Zulus),
King Prempeh, Nana Yaa Asantewa, King Ramesses II, Amenhotep IV, Taharqa, Queen
Nzingha or “Amazon Queen of Matamba”, “Makeda” or “Belkis” are given.
Moving on, to one side are small thatched
huts with vendors of many designers selling costumes of Africa. Clothing
outfits are in vibrant colors embroidered with Jelabiya like that worn in North
eastern Africa. There are outfits similar to Djellaba, Dashiki garments worn in
north western Africa, The designs are with rich proportions of different colors. One may also find various
vibrant coloured bandanas or headbands worn by women in Africa.
On the other side of the library are the protected wetlands where one may
see the many animals of Africa wandering about. One may also find migratory
birds in the dense thicket or on the perch. The area is called Africa Live Terredarmoise where one may walk
or relax on the silts of construction like in a typical mangrove swamp in West
Africa, Benin Republic. Be ready to find underwater fauna like tortoise,
mangrove tress and many migratory birds. The environment is peaceful with the
sounds of nature nurturing ones soul.
Alongside is
the Africa Green Ekolo with all the real life news and latest updates on
initiatives on environmental issues. Detailed information in presented on the
RAMSAR Convention on wet lands, uranium pollution, loss of wetlands and the
endangered species among others. One may also find an interview with Cotton
made in Africa (CmiA) who are working along with Trade Foundation (AbTF) to reduce
the imbalance in cotton prices. Their main aim is to address with its
initiative, working with small holder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve
social, economic and ecological living conditions.
The fun with
freebies, shopping and information does not end here. There is an Auditorium
Ganvie that has various informative videos and movies for free. It is also a
place where Open Concerts are held. Events like the Earth Week, Route of
Slaves, Black Genies, African poetries Week, Slammers Recital, Peace
Train among others are held throughout the year.
Visit Africa
Live for a fulfilled experience with exotic music and dance at Grand Popo
above sharks, turtles and squids. Look around for the free African art market
and art gallery accompanied with
various glass sculptures and carvings. Shop for African clothing for formal ethnic groups and
don’t forget to relax near the "palaver tree" and read the tales of
Mami Wata and other African ancestral stories around the Baobab in the Mangrove
forest. Take a boat to visit the lakeside village of Africa today and come home
with a big smile after a relaxed yet adventurous vacation.
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