African Fractals: Modern Computing and Indigenous Design

by Ron Eglash

Fractals are characterized by the repetition of similar patterns at ever-diminishing scales. Fractal geometry has emerged as one of the most exciting frontiers on the border between mathematics and information technology and can be seen in many of the swirling patterns produced by computer graphics. It has become a new tool for modeling in biology, geology, and other natural sciences.

Anthropologists have observed that the patterns produced in different cultures can be characterized by specific design themes. In Europe and America, we often see cities laid out in a grid pattern of straight streets and right-angle corners. In contrast, traditional African settlements tend to use fractal structures-circles of circles of circular dwellings, rectangular walls enclosing ever-smaller rectangles, and streets in which broad avenues branch down to tiny footpaths with striking geometric repetition. These indigenous fractals are not limited to architecture; their recursive patterns echo throughout many disparate African designs and knowledge systems.

Drawing on interviews with African designers, artists, and scientists, Ron Eglash investigates fractals in African architecture, traditional hairstyling, textiles, sculpture, painting, carving, metalwork, religion, games, practical craft, quantitative techniques, and symbolic systems. He also examines the political and social implications of the existence of African fractal geometry. His book makes a unique contribution to the study of mathematics, African culture, anthropology, and computer simulations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, Mathematics, Art, Design, History, Science

258 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sjoen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. If you are interested in fractals, art, architecture and/or ethnology you will like this book.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book!

[Arthur Ralston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must get this Gem of a book back it was lost in a basement flood we our storing my belongings...

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

design and architecture is very important and lets you know the cultures thoughts on love and nature coexisting <3

[Mantis]

DNF at 33% had to return to the school lol!

[Dr. Barrett Dylan Brown, Phd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't see a lot of the fractal correspondences that Eglash points out, but then there is a lot of math in this book that I don't understand. There are some absolutely fantastic references to studies I have never heard of and holy shit did I not know how old african divination is. This book definitely goes in my reference pile for use if I ever get around to writing a research paper for my masters on the diffusion of the magic of ancient egypt to the modern world. Maybe if I was better at math it would get 5 stars, if any of my math friends are paying attention, please read this and get back to me.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read about one of the fascinating aspects of West and East African culture. (Most of my book shelf on Africa is NOT a fun read sad to say.) African art celebrates fractal design. That is unusual in world art and something that the West has just started to explore with Mandelbrot, et al. since the 1970's. Even the layout of some villages can show fractal patterns emerging across three orders of magnitude.

[Lalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I've been waiting half my life to read this.