How do you imagine Africa? Do you think of the beauty of African people, the color and vibrancy of their dress or even the intricacy of African artwork and masks? Or, maybe you see yourself and your own heritage?  These are a few of the questions posed by the Penn Museum in its newest exhibition and 12-month community engagement project, Imagine Africa. 

The Penn Museum has selected works from their extraordinary African collection, and curated an exhibition of 50 items around 8 universal themes, including Fashion, Strength, Healing, The Divine, Power, Creating, Changing and Beauty. The museum's African artifacts, in combination with a variety of interactive activities and multimedia, allow for a more personal and in-depth exploration of the themes' relevance to Africa, the museum's collection and also to the viewer. Throughout the exhibit, the museum has placed whiteboards for visitors to express their ideas on each theme and what could make the collection a more engaging and enlightening experience.

One of my favorite pieces included in the exhibit is the Zulu Love Letter. Instead of writing notes, Zulu women wore pins that contained a combination of shapes and colors to send their messages of love or even displeasure. Other highlights include the 30-foot Interactive Digital Wall where visitors can create their own interpretation of Africa and the African Music Jukebox, where you can explore the eclectic and lively sounds of African music.

Of course, everyone knows you can't fully understand a culture until you have tasted it's cuisine! So, every Saturday through April, the museum's cafe will offer a "Taste of Africa" featuring delectable African dishes, like Roasted Chicken & Fufu, Black Eyed Pea Fritters, Groundnut Stew and more.

Presenting much more than just an exhibit of artifacts through Imagine Africa, the Penn Museum has opened its doors in an unique way and invited the Philadelphia community to be a partner in this project. In addition to the exhibit, the museum will offer exciting programs including ceramic art and African dance workshops, a lecture series, community nights and even a showcase featuring the Philly Youth Poetry Movement. 

The Penn Museum plans on using the community feedback gathered through the exhibit to guide and plan for the redesign of their main African Collection.  Imagine Africa is a phenomenal project that invites the public to the table in a sincere and groundbreaking way.  So, definitely make time to visit and share your thoughts on what Africa means to you.

Click here to visit the Penn Museum's exciting new interactive website for the full program schedule and to start sharing your ideas now!