“Chinese Green Tea Arrives in Africa”

Time:Monday, 22 October 2018 / 3-5pm

Venue: Main Campus, Second Social Sciences Building 610

Chair: Professor Zhang Zhenjiang

Description: This lecture details the wide circulation of Chinese tea and introduction of tea culture that have made it a global commodity. It further focuses on how tea reached countries in Western Africa, tracing its history from China to Africa on the new Maritime Silk Road. Dr.Röschenthaler reveals how the arrival of green tea in West African countries spurred the creation of new cultural practices that have adopted Chinese and local features. According to her, there are similarities and differences in its consumption between the two regions that could offer a way to think about how commodities also introduce new cultures and generate new cultural practices that are particular to the Global South.

“European Institutions’ Approaches to the Study of Africa-Asia: The Case of AFRASO”

Time: Wednesday, 24 October 2018 / 3-5pm  

Venue: Main Campus, Second Social Sciences Building 610

Chair: Dr. Tu Huynh

Description:Dr. Röschenthalershares her thoughts on how European institutions currently approach the study of Africa-Asia and, in particular, Africa-China. She shares the example of AFRASO, an interdisciplinary and transregional research project that comprises scholars from various disciplines at Goethe University. This is also a causal gathering for professors, staff, and postgraduate students to meet and exchange ideas with Dr. Röschenthaler.