I hesitate to clarify Sarah Byatt's request for materials
for her film. But since she's travelling this week, I'll
plunge in!
Apparently Sarah's particular film unit at the BBC deals in
natural history, and the footage she's been given to work
with focuses exclusively on the landscape and some wildlife,
rather than on people.
Although Sarah's message mentioned the responses of
explorers/settlers/travellers to the landscape, my
understanding is that her plan is to include African as well
as other voices. (So far, our sources go back to Periplus.)
We know, for instance, that--before Krapf and Rebmann
arrived-- Africans in the region had already sent an
expedition to explore the snows of Kilimanjaro. The story
of the survivor of that expedition is among those we've
gathered. We've also collected a number of tales and poems
from the oral tradition, which Tomas mentions in his
message, and similar materials. But we know we've only
touched the surface, and any additional leads (particularly
related to African writers) would be very welcome, indeed!
Many thanks,
Amber Vogel
ottotwo@email.unc.edu
In-Reply-To: 199708271516.IAA12462@abraham.xc.org