Tesi sul tema "African Jewelry"

The purpose of this study is to find out the spiritual meanings behind traditional West African jewelry, more specifically from The Gambia and Casamance in south of Senegal, and how children and youth learn about jewelry production. I want to find out if teaching about jewelry production lies in school’s responsibility—as it does in Sweden where we have our hand-craft education—or if it is learned in another way. I also want to know whether the youth of West Africa value their jewelry traditions, and if it is something they want to pass on to future generations.           This study has a pedagogical perspective with an emphasis on “practical” and “silent” knowledge. Furthermore, this study discusses forms of communication other than verbal, such as visual languages. I have chosen to make a few qualitative interviews with a young woman, a jewelry smith, and a teacher, and to hand out a small questionnaire in a school class. I have chosen these methods of research to discover more about West African traditional jewelry and its meanings. I also seek to know about young people’s views on their ornament traditions.           The result of my study is that traditional West African jewelry often has spiritual meanings and aims to provide divine protection from sickness and other ailments. The jewelry traditions in West Africa are still very popular, even among teenagers. Western African youth is very proud of this tradition and plans to pass it on to future generations, including their own children. I also found out that there is a severe lack of resources in schools, and the handicraft profession, therefore, must be learned from older family members and relatives rather than from school.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study considers the dynamics and nature of neo-avant-garde jewellery with specific reference to contemporary South African (neoavant- garde) jewellery. In Chapter One defensible working descriptions of the terms "avant-garde" and "neo-avant-garde" are established in order to establish some manageable conclusions regarding their application to jewellery design. These descriptions are derived from a consideration of the concepts in contemporary aesthetic discourse. Chapter Two considers the role, justifications and implications of adornment with a view to isolating the development, influences and nature of neo-avant-garde jewellery. A distinction is drawn between the aesthetics, ontology and art-relevant status of such jewellery and commercial or mainstream jewellery. Chapter Three analyses specific examples of contemporary South African avant-garde jewellery in the light of the above-mentioned distinctions. Works are considered in relation to the transgression of material, the transgression of taste, the transgression of integrity of form and the integration of narrative and parochial content and attempts to demonstrate that an appropriate critical posture in regard to such jewellery is art, rather than craft-relevant. In Chapter Four general influences regarding themes and concepts apparent in the author's body of practical work are discussed. An annotated catalogue supplements the general discussion.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: CONTEMPORARY AVANT-GARDE JEWELLERY IN SOUTH AFRICA Hierdie studie ondersoek die dinamika en karaktereienskappe van neoavant- garde juweliersware, met spesifieke verwysing na kontemporêre Suid-Afrikaanse neo-avant-garde juweliersware. In Hoofstuk Een word die terme "avant-garde" en "neo-avant-garde" beskryf. Die doel hiervan is om uiteindelik die omvattende gebruike en definisies van hierdie terme (met betrekking op kontemporêre estetika) vas te lê. Hoofstuk Twee gee 'n oorsig aangaande die redes vir- en implikasies van fisieke versiering. Die ontwikkeling, invloede en aard van neo-avant-garde juweliersware word bespreek en gekontrasteer met komersiêle jeweliersware. In lig van die bogenoemde onderskeidings verwys Hoofstuk Drie na spesifieke Suid-Afrikaanse voorbeelde van neo-avant-garde juweliersware. Hierdie voorbeelde word oorweeg in terme van hul oorskryding van tradisionele grense aangaande materiaalgebruik, smaak, integriteit van vorm en die integrasie van relaas. Die studie poog om die relevansie van neo-avant-garde juweliersware as kuns eerder as kunsvlyt te demonstreer. In Hoofstuk Vier word die outeur se praktiese werke bespreek deur middel van 'n geannoteerde katalogus. Die katalogus word voorafgegaan deur 'n bespreking van invloede, temas en konsepte van die deurlopende ooreenkomste in die outeur se werke verduidelik.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis I examine the extent to which interpretations of African material culture play a role in the creation and visualisation of an ‘African aesthetic style’ in South African contemporary jewellery practices. My investigation of an ‘African aesthetic style’ in this thesis is informed by the production, display and writings on African cultural objects. I demonstrate contemporary jewellery design to derive from a critical methodology, particularly as it facilitates a renegotiation of the relationship and dialogue between the producer and viewer of contemporary jewellery objects.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis ondersoek ek die wyse waarop interpretasies van Afrika materiële kultuur 'n rol speel in die skepping en die visualisering van 'n 'Afrika estetiese styl' in Suid- Afrikaanse kontemporêre juwelierspraktyke. My ondersoek van so 'n styl is ingelig deur die produksie en uitstalling van, sowel as diskoerse rondom Afrika kulturele objekte. Ek ondersoek kontemporêre juweliersontwerp as 'n kritiese metodologie, veral ten opsigte van die wyse waarop dit 'n nuwe verhouding tussen die vervaardiger en toeskouer van kontemporêre juweliersobjekte fasiliteer.

The genus Evides Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) belongs to the family of woodboring beetles commonly known as jewel beetles. This comparative study was undertaken on the morphological characteristics of three species from field specimens, private collections and collections at the Transvaal Museum of Natural History. The genus Evides consists of eleven species and one subspecies in total worldwide. Nine species and one subspecies are endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. One species is recorded from India and further species from Laos and Vietnam: Bellamy (World Catalogue, in prep.) The objective of the study was to quantify morphological differences between species representing the genus in South Africa. Specimens of E. gambiensis (Laporte & Gory, 1835), E. interstitialis (Obenberger, 1924) and E. pubiventris (Laporte & Gory, 1835) were collected in the Waterberg (Limpopo Province) and additional specimens of E. pubiventris were collected at Ezemvelo Nature Reserve (Gauteng Province). All three species are related, difficult to differentiate in the field and occur on the same host plants, marula (Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst.) and false marula (Lannea discolor (Sonder) Engl.). Results indicate that there are morphological differences and species can be differentiated according to elytra length, total elytron width, eye size, frons length, frons width and abdomen length.

Vertebrate populations are subjected to novel anthropogenic stressors that are expected to multiply exponentially in the future. Introductions of nonnative species and human-altered hydrology are among these stressors to native species communities. The Rocky Glades, located in Everglades National Park, may serve as a population sink for native species that typically do not survive the altered hydrology of the dry season, and as a source of nonnative species that may be better adapted to chronically stressful conditions. In the seasonally-flooded Everglades, the nonnative African Jewelfish invaded in the 1960s and has since shown rapid range expansion. African Jewelfish are aggressive and territorial, thus they are predicted to be more successful at acquiring space and resources, and may displace native Sunfishes. I monitored assemblages of fish across time in experimental mesocosms and solution holes and quantified survivorship and body condition of both natives and nonnatives. Overall, native Sunfish did poorly while nonnatives had higher survivorship over the course of the dry season. Unexpectedly, no evidence indicated that Jewelfish reduced survival of native Sunfish. I compared aggressive interactions between native Dollar Sunfish and nonnative African Jewelfish in Sunfish populations either sympatric or allopatric with Jewelfish. Sympatric Dollar Sunfish were twice as likely to approach African Jewelfish as allopatric ones. My study suggests native species can survive invasion through behavioral adaptation to nonnative competitors. Characterizing interactions between native and nonnative species and identifying their niche use can assist in understanding the challenges of native species conservation in the face of species invasions.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
Regional shopping centres play an important role in the South African economy, especially by providing location services to retailers (large and small) and non-retailers. One of the main value propositions of regional shopping centres is to attract a large number of customer footprint to a central location where a group of retailers can market and sell to a larger customer market. Independent retail jewellers have numerous channel options available, in South Africa the preferred channel for independent jewellery retailers is a physical retail outlet within regional shopping centres. The purpose of this research is to determine the value proposition quality of Cape Town Metropolitan regional shopping centres as a preferred location to independent retail jewellers. The location value proposition analysis was performed by evaluating a set of location criteria as prescribed by available literature. Furthermore, this research also explores the antecedents of relationships and trust between shopping centre management and independent retail jewellers. This research followed a mixed-method approach and the focus is a sample of regional shopping centres and independent retail jewellers within the Cape Town Metropolitan area. Information was gathered through interviews by using structured questionnaires, which was prepared from literature on location value assessment criteria for shopping centres, relationship management and building trust within relationships. The research shows that although regional shopping centres are the preferred channel for independent retail jewellers there are some location value proposition elements that require improvement. A key concern for shopping centre management should be the imbalance in power created by contractual agreements that mostly favour regional shopping centres. This imbalance in power negatively influences relationships and trust between shopping centre management and independent retail jewellers. Furthermore, the feedback from independent retailer jewellers is that rental costs charged for location services are miss-aligned to the value received from these services. This study is limited that it only surveyed regional shopping centre management and independent retailer jewellers within the Cape Town Metropolitan area in South Africa. The limited scope and focus of this study confines the generalisability of this study for other types of retailers and / or other metropolitan areas within South Africa. The value of this study is that it tested location criteria from international literature within the South African context and set the foundation for future research, which is currently limited in South Africa.

Performance management systems help align individual goals and objectives with those of the organisation. The system engages employees and thereby directs them toward achieving the strategic goals of the organisation. The purpose of this research study was to conduct an investigation at a manufacturing jeweller in the Western Cape to establish whether a performance management system would facilitate the achievement of the organisation’s strategic goals and objectives. Preliminary investigations showed that the organisation was using a performance appraisal process which was not effective in facilitating the organisation’s strategic objectives. Based on the initial investigation, this study was undertaken. To achieve the goals of this study, 33 employees of the organisation were presented with a questionnaire based on important key elements of performance management. Responses were received from 31 employees, of which one was from senior management, two from management, three from supervisory staff, and 25 from general staff members. Their responses to the questionnaire were analysed and evaluated and, based on the findings, recommendations were made. The results of the study showed that problems exist in the organisation which impede achievement of its strategic goals. A performance management system would assist the organisation in many of these areas to overcome the identified problems. The results of the study will enable the management of the organisation to design and implement a performance management system to facilitate the achievement of the organisation’s strategic goals.

The exploratory study investigated jewellery store robbery from a victim risk and intervention perspective. An explanation of the phenomenon was offered based on the information obtained from a review of the existing literature, case studies, personal observations at jewellery stores, discussions with jewellers, a scientific questionnaire submitted to jewellers, and semi-structured and structured interviews conducted with a group of knowledgeable respondents and victimised jewellers respectively. A predominantly quantitative research method was applied. The research findings obtained during the study enabled a proposal for a jewellery store robbery intervention model based on the situational crime prevention perspective, which is inclusive of decisional, environmental, situational, procedural, personnel and business-oriented strategies.
Criminology
M.A. (Criminology)

Thesis (M.Tech.: Fashion Design)-Durban Institute of Technology, 2006, 168 leaves : ill. + 1 CD-ROM (4 3/4 in.).
My journey of awareness which is an exploration of my identity through design has resulted in a body of artefacts presenting as sculptures and various pieces of jewellery and a written dissertation. The sculptures include bronze castings as well as stoneware ceramic pieces. I produced silver jewellery and vitreous enamelled pieces which include some gold and glass bead detail. Although my sculptures could be considered as fairly small, working on this scale was a new experience to me as a jewellery designer who is used to working on an even smaller scale. I found it challenging to express the necessary emotion and meaning in my work while creating on such a relatively small scale. The body of artefacts is a concrete manifestation of my exploration of identity and was produced as an intuitive expression of memories and emotion. My memories are of personal experiences within a specific cultural and historical context, and the exploration forms part of a critical transformative inquiry. The motivation for this transformative inquiry forms part of a holistic de-fragmentation of my personal and cultural identity in an attempt to construct meaning and authenticity through design. The artefacts were produced in holistic cycles presenting in two distinct phases which are discussed chronologically. I recorded the process and my thoughts and feelings in a reflective journal which included a visual journal in my studio and served as a reference for my discussion of the cycles. I experienced the process of making as a ritualistic enactment of healing and the construction of meaning. In the written and illustrated submission for the award of this degree, I have endeavoured to offer an explanation of my professional and emotional development that formed part of the transformative process. I have chosen not to separate my explanation of my development as a designer and my personal development as it occurred concurrently. Digital imagery of my body of artefacts forms a record of my work offered for exhibition purposes and is included with the written dissertation.

M.Com. (Marketing Management)
Market potential is a decision making aid for the strategic marketing orientated manager. Jewellers can use information on market potential for planning, decision making and the overall managing of their own business. It would then be possible to develop the South African jewellery industry, to be able to deliver unique and quality products to present and potential buyers (local and foreign). The unknown need for information on the market potential of the South African jewellery industry realised into this study. The aim of this study is to develop a market potential measuring model with which the market potential of the South African jewellery industry can be determined. The model developed is based on the chain ratio method. Various measuring variables were identified and included in the model. The uniqueness of the model is based on two variables namely the willingness of buyers to purchase the product and their buying behaviour based on changes in their income (income elasticity). The above mentioned factors have a definite influence on the buying behaviour of jewellery buyers and therefore also the market potential. The research is done by identifying homogene groups of buyers and determining their buying behaviour with postal questionnaires. Personal interviews were conducted with which the South African jeweller's opinion was included in the study. The research results showed that with the market potential of the South African jewellery industry it can bring about a large amount of buying opportunities. If jewellers analised the markets in which they operate with care, they will be able to accomplish an optimal level of need satisfaction. Buyers needs will be addressed and the potential of the jewellery industry maximalised.

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Master of Architecture (Professional) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016
Hyperembodiment is an approach to negotiating the interface between spaces for women (in Johannesburg’s inner-city) and jewellery as a connector of the body – especially for women – to place. The inner-city, a space that is male-dominated and where women are present but seem to be largely excluded, or to feel unsafe and vulnerable - especially because of what the female body represents in an ‘unsafe’ male space, is also full of vibrancy and activity and has the potential for a positive and radical cultural change, but remains disconnected, nonprogressive and stagnant in thinking as well as non-inclusive of all people. The spatial investigations into places for women (modern feminist spatial concepts) and jewellery as a ‘site’ or interface between the body and architecture, and the interesting parallels it draws between feminist views, space, psychology and the body (process and development of body adornment and jewellery theories), are powerful ways of thinking about space that could suggest an appropriate architectural approach that could realign both spaces for women, a modern approach to the act of making, and creative jewellery practices in Johannesburg. The spatial connotations of the word ‘hyper’ is something that is ‘very’, ‘beyond’, or ‘very active’ and those of the word ‘embodiment’ is something ‘embodying’, ‘representing’ or ‘expressing’ a space. The compound word ‘Hyperembodiment’ used here means beyond embodiment, or very actively personifying a space and its innate properties of land, earth, materials, and the bodies (people) in it. It is also all the layers of embodiment – physical, historical, social layers – that are collaged together in one time and in one space to create a high-intensity and complex expression of place. Jewellery as a connector; for the body and for woman to place, would be these collaged layers made into a physical object and symbol made from the materials, earth, historical and social layers. It is a simultaneous case of the wearer embodying the place, and the place embodying the wearer.
MT2017

A project report submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 1994.
South Africa is the largest primary producer of platinum-group metals (PGMs) in the world. It is estimated that only 2.1 per cent of the 153711 kg of total sales for 1993 was beneficiated locally. Potential value added foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities. therefore. are being forfeited. This study identifies prospective areas of development in the major sectors of application of PGMs namely: autocatalysts; chemical and allied industries; electrical and electronics sectors; jewellery and coinage fabricators. The methodology of intensity of use (IOU) is first discussed. ThIs is followed by an analysts of South Africa's production and sales of PGMs. The body of the report is an empirical study of the IOU of platinum and palladium to establish a world outlook for these metals in their applications. Finally, the more lucrative of these applications are discussed in the light of South Africa's participiltion and competitiveness in the world market. The conclusions are firstly, that the established autocatalyst industry has the best prospect for growth and expansion. Secondly, the electrical application of platinum in fuel cells has potential depending on the level of government funding and support for a R&D programme. The third finding is that the electronics and jewellery industries have development potential on condition that resistance to market entry can be overcome by reduced public policy costs. Possible violation of GATT agreements may be avoided for these applications by world free trade co-operation.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Language Practice, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015.
This research is designed to assess the validity of the Sapir Whorf hypothesis in relation to the linguistic and cultural notions of the Yoruba and Zulu language speakers’ via the evaluation of the culture enriched drama text The Lion and The Jewel by Wole Soyinka. The study, which uses both questionnaires and interviews to derive responses from participants, engages both the primary and secondary data throughout the chapters. The study queried both the hypothesis’ strong version, (language governs thought: linguistic classifications restrain and influence mental classifications); and its weak version, (linguistic classifications and their use influence thought as well as some other classes of non-linguistic activities) and their possible reliability. Participants’ ages were between 16 and 46 years old who all speak both English and isiZulu (isiZulu-speaking participants) and English and Yoruba (Yoruba-speaking participants). Questionnaires were used and interviews were conducted, the research questions were answered and the findings provided support for validity of the linguistic relativity hypothesis, that is, languages indeed influence thought. The findings also revealed that linguistic influence on cognition is not limited to different language speakers alone, but also same language speakers per level of exposure to other languages and concepts. Based on these findings, recommendations have been made. Among which is the soliciting more research on language and culture (acculturation and enculturation) such that societal peace, love, unity and development can be maintained and promoted in any monolingual, bilingual or multilingual society. Also, educators should be aware of the possibility of a psycholinguistic influence on thought and assimilate it into schools’ curriculum so that multiculturation is fully adopted and promoted in the schools.

Tourism has increasingly been viewed as an important means to challenge poverty, especially in developing countries. Since the beginning of democracy in South Africa, the ANC government has emphasised the importance of overcoming poverty, and identified tourism as an important intervention in pursuit of this objective. The study will assess “pro-poor” tourism initiatives in Alexandra Township since 1994, with particular focus on the arts and crafts at St Michaels Church and SA Jewel. It will investigate whether projects similar to bead craft, initiated at the same time with the same objectives have benefited the residents of Alexandra. Finally, the study will consider if tourism initiatives being implemented in Alexandra conform to ‘sustainable development’ objectives. The research report reviews the literature on Tourism Development domestically and Local Economic Development. Furthermore the report extends to literature reviews specifically in Sustainable Tourism and Pro-Poor Tourism, its definitions and its examples in the tourism industry. It examines the various arguments for tourism development and alleviating poverty through these initiatives. The research findings that follow provide my opinion and those of the different stakeholders involved in tourism in Alexandra and those who were affected by the initiatives in Alexandra.