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Articles by Grace Maina
Archaeology of a book/film
American Afterlivesdocuments rapidly changing death practices in the U.S. while asking what this change tells us about American society today. Conceived as a kind of contemporary mortuary archaeology, it zeroes in on material practices, particularly those concerning the corpse and its role in memorialization, ritual, and spiritual belief.
Earth
Photo by Daniel Zox. American Afterlives (Princeton University Press, 2021), with Shannon Lee Dawdy. American Afterlives concludes with the ritualized disinterment of the author’s decomposed corpse. An archaeologist is excavating a twenty-first century cemetery, nestled in a California oak savannah. She discovers some decayed cloth and carefully recovers the bones within, intact but for a gopher tunnel through the torso.
The Life of American Afterlives
I first became aware of Shannon Dawdy’s American Afterlives during the fall of 2019, when her friend and fellow New Orleanian, the literary scholar and Princeton author Bryan Wagner, suggested that she contact Princeton University Press about her manuscript. As an established and award-winning cultural anthropologist and archaeologist, as well as an experienced author, Shannon had other publishing options for her new book, to be sure.
Thinking with form, playing with genre
Multi-genre, multi-form, multi-limbed Multi-temporal, multi-gestural, multi-media Evocation, invocation, assertion Implication, explanation, argumentation Ideas, concepts, themes structured as overlapping considerations in multiple, recursive, (re)tracings of difference, specificity, embedded mutualities Myriad Intimacies experiments with form and genre to enact a mode of thinking about interrelations.
Myriad Intimacies and feminist political imagination
I read Myriad Intimacies with joy and wonder. It is a beautiful book that frames itself as an offering, rather than an intervention — a spiritual journey between secular and sacred. It pushes against knowledge as capture, and for an understanding of life as sensuous, sentient, and situated. My goal here is to read Myriad Intimacies in the context of the longer arc of Lata Mani’s work, broadening the way we understand her offering.
Sacred experiments, intimate politics
On walks between writing, when I pass the California poppies, I let them press into my mind, remembering a poem from Lata Mani’s Myriad Intimacies: “nectarous orange / pulsing for hours.” The orange petals a complement to the blue sky, the contrast of glaucous, weedy leaves. I track the poppy to see if it tracks the sun as it passes over the equator, close to where I was born.
Brilliance and complexity: Publishing Lata Mani’s Myriad Intimacies
Lata Mani has been an intellectual hero of mine since before I became an editor at Duke University Press. I had attended the pathbreaking “Marxism and the Interpretation of Culture” conference at University of Illinois in the early 80s and returned there for its successor “Cultural Studies” in 1990, which is when I heard Lata Mani give a version of what became part of her brilliant University of California Press book, Contentious Traditions: The Debate on Sati in Colonial India.
Experimental books - An introduction
In 2019, Liane Carlson wrote about a dying field (hers, the philosophy of religion). Its death arrived more rapidly than most others.
How to overcome shipping challenges
The shipping industry is vital to logistics, but it faces many challenges. The logistics industry is known as the core of any supply chain and plays a key role in the economy. When it comes to linking companies to their customers, logistics firms have one of the most crucial responsibilities. As time passes, the evolutionary changes in technology, customer demand and ever-changing legislation create more hurdles for even the largest logistics organizations.
How to overcome shipping challenges
The shipping industry is vital to logistics, but it faces many challenges. The logistics industry is known as the core of any supply chain and plays a key role in the economy. When it comes to linking companies to their customers, logistics firms have one of the most crucial responsibilities. As time passes, the evolutionary changes in technology, customer demand and ever-changing legislation create more hurdles for even the largest logistics organizations.
Kiisi, Mombasa Tuskys customers to enjoy ongoing sale
Retailer Tusker Mattresses has responded positively to Kisii and Mombasa customer demands seeking to be included in the ongoing Tuskys Gigantic Sale Grand Finale festivities. Responding to public demands, Tusker Mattresses management has confirmed the inclusion of Tuskys Bandari, Mombasa and Tuskys Echiro, Kisii as participating outlets commencing today.
Sony Sugar striker Agwada wins Sportpesa Player of the Month
Rejuvenated Sony Sugar striker Enoch Agwanda has won the coveted Sportpesa Player of the Month Award for July after hauling his boyhood club from relegation embers to the comfort of mid table with match winning performances. He laid twin assists and banged in two goals in July to force himself into contention for the award that yields a 49 inch LG television set and Sh100000.
Former world champion Nicholas Bett dies aged 28
Former 400m hurdles world champion Nicholas Bett has died aged 28, following a car crash on Wednesday. Bett is said to have lost control of his vehicle and rolled along the Eldoret-Kapsabet road and later died in Lessos, Nandi, North West Kenya. The former world champion had just returned from the Africa Championships in Nigeria when he In 2015, he made history in China by becoming the first Kenyan to win a world gold at a distance shorter than 800m.
MKU commissions centre for professional development
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has commissioned a multi-million shillings Centre for Professional Development at the main campus in Thika, Kiambu County. Speaking during the University’s 14th graduation ceremony at MKU Pavilion at Happy Valley in Thika, Board of Directors Chairman Professor Simon Nyutu Gicharu said the centre will coordinate professional training to enable students and other Kenyans to acquire additional skills that will make them competitive in the job market.
Expert comment: Why unity governments are formed
The trend towards power sharing is a longstanding solution and has been utilised as a conflict resolution tactic or preventive action solution in other instances. A good illustration is the Liberian example where an Interim Government of National Unity was established to bring about political transition through democratic election in July 1997. This interim government intended to bring unity in Liberia to end hostilities and pave way for a transitional government following an election.
University researchers urged to put in more work
Mount Kenya University (MKU) Vice Chair Prof Stanley Waundo is urging university researchers to take keen effort on their studies in order to acquire research funding.
Safaricom launches base stations to improve coastal network
Safaricom has launched two new base stations and expanded Fibre-To-Home connectivity in Coast region as part of its broader strategy to expand its network infrastructure in the country. One of the stations, which is situated at Holili in Taita Taveta County, will help ease voice data and text communication in the region thus expand Safaricom’s network reach in the vast Coast Region.
All 47 counties to benefit from KenSAP scholarship programme
KenSAP (Kenya Scholar-Athlete Project) has announced plans to expand its airlift programme to cater students across all the 47 counties even as it looks for more donor funds. The program has till to date secured admissions for 179 Kenyan students to top-tier universities in North America. Some of the highly acclaimed institutions include Harvard (19 students), Yale (12 students) and Princeton (11 students) among others, all with full scholarships from the universities.
Nyeri County employs 200 youth under 1 year contracts
Nyeri County has employed 200 youth under one-year contracts where each will be paid a monthly stipend of Sh. 10,000 in the spirit of youth empowerment and employment creation. The government through the program dubbed ‘County Internship Program,’ also intends to equip the fresh graduates with skills and experience necessary to take up the competitive labor market.
GDP expected to hit 5.7pc despite debt burden
Despite a debt increase, Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to reach 5.7% up from 4.9% last year, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW’s) latest report. According to the Economic Insight, Africa Q2 201 launched on Tuesday, the accountancy and finance body says the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), jumped to 56.4 points in April 2018 from last year’s all-time low.
Telkom, DStv partner to offer World Cup bundle deals
Telkom Kenya and DStv have partnered to offer Kenyans more value during this World Cup season, with the introduction of the DStv Football bundle. Telkom customers with a valid DStv subscription will be able to enjoy the 2018 World Cup action by downloading the DStv Now App onto their mobile devices and thereafter purchasing one of two DStv Football Bundles on offer: 4GB at KSh 49 and 10GB at KSh 999.
Over Ksh 18M set aside for flood relief initiatives
Global consumer products company Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has set aside over 18 million shillings for flood relief initiatives in Kenya. The funds will be distributed to various partners including Save the Children Emergency Fund, Plan International and Red Cross for provision of hygiene kits and kitchen kits as well as support relief and recovery efforts for the flood-affected families across the country.
10 Kenyan girls’ teams shortlisted for Global Technovation semifinals
Ten Kenyan girls’ teams have been shortlisted for the 2018 Global Technovation Challenge semifinals. The ten teams are drawn from secondary schools across the country, with more than 80 girls’ teams making submissions to this year’s competition. Kenya has been rank fourth in global submissions since the submissions, behind Spain’s 11 teams, Canada with 13 and the US with 19 teams.
Nokia 3 to receive Android Oreo software update
Home of Nokia Phones (HMD) Global, the home of Nokia phones has announced that the Nokia 3 Smartphone will begin to receive the Android Oreo™ software update on Wednesday. With Nokia 8, Nokia 6 and Nokia 5 already updated to the latest version of Android, Nokia smartphones will continue to deliver a secure and up-to-date Android experience. The new software will include Picture-in-Picture mode, 60 new emojis as well as an optimized battery usage by limiting background app use.
Dubai; Your guide to the ultimate experience
If you fancy luxury, thrilling adventure and a vast range of restaurants to choose from, we would highly recommend a trip to Dubai. Often termed as the world’s fastest-growing city, Dubai has grown from a trading hub between the Eastern and Western worlds to an ultramodern and urban destination filled with a glamorous, westernized atmosphere.
Truecaller reaches 100m daily active users
Truecaller announced its reach to 100 million active users on Friday. The app jumped from 100 million active users (MAUs) per month to 100 million daily active users (DAUs) in less than a year. With more than 20% of their users based in Africa, the Truecaller app service identifies to more than half a billion calls a month in the region, and 50 percent of SMS received are spam. The application blocks and filters more than 4.4 million calls and 14 million spam SMSes per month in Kenya.
Local Mandera teachers deny claims of discrimination
Non local teachers in Mandera have castigated their colleagues who fled the region on grounds of insecurity and discrimination. The tutors drawn from private and public schools in the county told the press on Tuesday that claims made by the teachers who left the region after suspected Al Shabaab killed two of their colleagues in Qarsa primary school in Wajir County were unfounded.
Manu Dibango to headline 6th edition of Safaricom Jazz Festival
Cameroonian jazz musician Manu Dibango is expected to headline Safaricom’s International Jazz Day celebrations on the 1st May. Dibango is well-known for his Grammy Award-winning track Soul Makossa that topped the charts in 1973 and went on to be sampled by various musicians including the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and Rihanna.
CBA starts operations in Rwanda
Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) has officially started its banking operations in Rwanda following the successful acquisition of Crane Bank Rwanda Limited, now re-launched as CBA Rwanda Limited. CBA is now operational in five countries, which include Tanzania, Uganda, Ivory Coast and Kenya where the 56 year old bank has its headquarters.
PGK receives Ksh 1m sponsorship for tournament software
Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) has received a Ksh 1 million for a Tournament Management System (TMS) for their members. The TMS will include a full tour membership system, tournament entry option, player database and financial recordings. It will also include information on tournament draws, scoring, cut and a results facility linked directly to the website www.progolfkenya.com.
More than 144,000 homes now connected to Safaricom Fibre
More than 144,000 homes countrywide are now within reach of Safaricom’s Fibre to the home service in Nairobi County. Safaricom connected Ngummo and Newa estates to its Fibre benefiting more than 1,200 homes on Sunday. Safaricom’s Director of Regional Services and Operations Steve Okeyo, says that Ngummo has been highly requesting for the service.
Diamond partners with Safaricom to launch album
SONGA by Safaricom partnered with top Tanzanian performer Diamond Platnumz for the launch of his latest album ‘A boy from Tandale’ on Wednesday. The singer during a press conference held at the Kenya National Theatre said that the 18-track album was a tribute to his humble beginnings in Tandale, a slum in Tanzania where he was raised and where he discovered his talent.
NACADA arrests bar owners in Lamu
National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has arrested several bar owners operating illegally in Mpeketoni, Lamu County. The operation led by NACADA Coast regional manager George Karisa, said the operation is aimed at eradicating illicit brews within coast province especially Lamu and Kwale counties which are mostly affected.
3rd edition of NTW set to begin April
The third edition of the Nairobi Tech Week (NTW) powered by Moringa School is set to be held from the 19th to the 21st of April 2018 at the Strathmore University. The event will aim to bring various actors and influencers of the tech ecosystem to one space and exhibit the forefront of innovation and technology focusing on the tech makers, such as developers, designers, data scientists, engineering managers and more.
New Lipa Na M-PESA Cash Back Promotion launched
Safaricom launched a new customer reward campaign dubbed Lipa Na M-PESA Cash Back Promotion on Monday. The promotion is set to boost the usage of the Lipa Na M-PESA for retail purchases and will run for the next two months. Customers who will meet their weekly target will receive monetary amounts ranging from Ksh 5 to Ksh 100 and will be able to confirm their target and spend by dialing *234#.
Truecaller reveals more women reporters than men
Truecaller released findings from its Insights report revealing that women around the world are reporting their harassers by 19% more unwanted calls than men on Thursday. This could be for various reasons, but the same trend is happening in many regions around the globe. When a number in Truecaller is reported a certain amount of times by various users, it can be auto-blocked for all Truecaller users, and will show the amount of times the number has been reported.
I&M Bank, Visa launches Infinite Credit Card
I&M Bank has partnered with Visa Kenya to launch the I&M Bank Visa Infinite Credit Card and the I&M Visa Platinum Debit Card in Kenya for its Premium clients. Both cards have been developed with customer needs in mind and will complement I&M Bank’s efforts in enhancing customer centricity, dynamism, and innovation in line with the Bank’s Corporate Strategy dubbed Imara.
High Court Judge Onguto dies
High Court Judge Joseph Onguto dies High Court Judge Joseph Louis Onguto has died. The Judge collapsed at Parklands Sports Club on Thursday evening and was later on rushed to MP Shah Hospital where he was pronounced dead before arrival. Justice Onguto is said to have finished a gym work out session at the club and had just sat down to have a refreshment before the tragedy occurred.
AAR appoints new East Africa Group CEO
AAR Insurance has announced the appointment of their new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for East Africa, Ms. Caroline Munene. Ms. Munene will take the lead with the responsibility of driving AAR Insurance’s operations throughout Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania as well as ensuring the growth of the company as a whole.
KRA to accelerate technology adoption in tax administration
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to accelerate technology adoption in tax administration to boost compliance and improve effectiveness and efficiency.
IEBC confirms Lamu senatorial elections results were flawed
The Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have confirmed that senatorial election results in Lamu County had arithmetic errors. Lamu County IEBC Returning Officer Mohamed Adan who is a witness in a petition filed against the victory of Anwar Loitiptip said he used excel to auto sum the results which led to the small errors of individual candidates.
Safaricom launches E-commerce portal, Masoko
Safaricom officially announced the launch of its e-commerce portal, Masoko on Tuesday that will aim to provide local merchants with an online platform to sell their products and services. Masoko, (Swahili for ‘markets’) will provide customers with a variety of access to items ranging from groceries to books, auto parts, clothing, the latest technology and everyday essentials.
Kenya, UAE sign agreement to strengthen relations
Kenya and United Arabs Emirates (UAE) signed a bilateral agreement on Thursday to establish a mechanism for political consultations aimed at strengthening existing bilateral relations and cooperation.
Kenyans celebrate KBC journalist for saving disabled man
Victor Muyakane, a Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC ) journalist has been hailed a hero for putting his life in line of duty to save a disabled beggar who was being stung by bees outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred while judges of the Supreme Court were delivering a detailed judgment on the Presidential petition filed by NASA leader Raila Odinga and his running-mate Kalonzo Musyoka.
Equity Bank launches campus prepaid card at Maseno University - KBC TV | Kenya's Watching
Equity Bank has launched a MasterCard branded prepaid card for use by Maseno University students as it deepens its foray in cashlite agenda through University’s e-payment systems. The campus prepaid card will help the students to receive their HELB loans, reduce the risks involved in handling cash and embrace e-payment platforms during transactions. “For a long time, students have longed for an opportunity to easily manage their money and track their expenditure.
KQ launches new group booking tool - KBC TV | Kenya's Watching
Kenya Airways Plc has launched a portal that enables its customers to book group travel in an efficient, simple and user-friendly way for self-registration and booking. The tool is accessible for all travel agents and retail customers who have group bookings and is linked to all Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and reservation system in real time.
Netflix lets children call TV shots
Netflix is launching two interactive children’s TV shows that let audiences determine the on-screen action. The animated programmes ask youngsters to choose between two options at several points in their plots. The firm says the nature of its online streaming platform has allowed it to experiment with “branching narrative” tech in a way that would not be possible for traditional broadcasters. But it acknowledges that such shows are more costly to make than normal.
‘Thousands dead’ in DR Congo violence
More than 3,300 people have been killed in the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasai region since last October, the Catholic Church says. The figure, reported by Reuters, is from Church sources in the country. The deaths are the result of clashes between the army and a rebel group, but civilians have also been caught up in the violence. The UN has reported on the discovery of more than 20 mass graves but has put the death toll so far at about 400.
US jet ‘downs Iranian-made drone’ over Syria
A US jet has shot down an Iranian-made drone operated by forces backing the Syrian government in the south of the country, American officials say. The drone was thought to be armed and threatening US-led coalition troops on the ground, officials said. It was shot down near Tanf, an outpost of the US-led coalition. This is the latest incident in the skies over Syria, after the US shot down a Syrian fighter plane on Sunday and another drone earlier this month.
US suffers biggest ever voter data breach
Sensitive personal details relating to almost 200 million US citizens have been accidentally exposed by a marketing firm contracted by the Republican National Committee. The 1.1 terabytes of data includes birthdates, home addresses, telephone numbers and political views of nearly 62% of the entire US population. The data was available on a publicly accessible Amazon cloud server. Anyone could access the data as long as they had a link to it.
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