In recognition of its 25th anniversary, the African Studies Institute has established a research collection in the University Archives of the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Posters, fliers, photographs and manuscripts show the progress of the institute since it began with a table and a typewriter in the corner of an office.
A current exhibit at the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries displays items from the collection along with objects illustrating African culture from personal collections.
In the exhibit, examples of hand-woven baskets, beadwork containers and clothing crafted in various African countries can be found, along with carved animals, statues and games. Also, photographs of animals, terrain and Mount Kilimanjaro appearing through the clouds during a study-abroad trip are displayed.
One case holds journals kept by students to chronicle their study-abroad experiences.
One student recorded observations in Swahili. Another created a pop-up book. All journals contain photographs, watercolors or sketches to illustrate daily lives and experiences.
