The Mobile African Foundation Timeline
In 2018, via the Continuing SBA course, the Ashay University Community came together to ensivion, create, produce and finance the MOBILE AFRICAN FOUNDATION TIMELINE (MAFT), a teaching tool developed by Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten to demonstrate the contributions of African people that created the foundation of world civilization. During the six-month project, materials were acquired, additional information was researched and inserted and funding was raised within the Ashay U community family. The visually compelling timeline is sixteen feet long and four feet high and beautifully hand-painted by artist and educator Mrs. Angela Ming-Bean.
Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten and Artist Angela Ming Bean at the grand unveiling, February 2019
MAFT had its initial unveiling during the annual Ashay U Kwanzaa Celebration in December of 2018; the public unveiling was held at the Bermuda Society of the Arts at City Hall (Hamilton, Bermuda) in celebration of Black History Month in February 2019. The grand opening was a standing room only event followed by a ten-day exhibit.
The walls surrounding MAFT at the ten-day exhibit were adorned with various African fabrics including mud cloth, kente, indigo cloth, and wood scupltures. Periodic talks about the timeline were also part of the exhibit programme.
Drumming at unveiling
African fabric adornment at unveiling
Kephra Sisters at the MAFT Unveiling at Ciity Hall
Creator and Artist interview by Channel 82
MAFT Attendees, Bermuda Society of the Arts
MAFT Attendees, Bermuda Society of the Arts
For Bermuda Heritage Month (May), MAFT had a community unveiling at The Centre on Angle Street and talk by Mwalimu Van Putten sponsored by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
Attendees of Public Unveiling at The Centre
Mwalimu teaching MAFT at The Centre
In September 2019, The Library of Bermuda College hosted MAFT and offered an evening lecture. The libaray director extended the week-long exhibition, calling the timeline “magnificient!”
The Library at Bermuda College Director Robert Manders with MMVP
In February 2021, the Mobile African Foundation Timeline returned to the Bermuda Society of Arts at City Hall. The Royal Gazette newspaper featured the timeline in its Lifestyles section. “Showing how Black people led the way to civilization” was well received and generated numerous visits to the exhibit.
The Royal Gazette newspaper’s MAFT Lifestyle Section feature
MAFT is available for exhibition and lectures and is ideal for churches, schools and various events. Designed to inform and grow consciousness, one cannot help but be enthralled when viewing the timeline and absorbing the reality of who we really are as African people.