Swahili historian to lecture today Poet to discuss literature, culture In retirement, the self educated Fulbright Scholar has plans to continue educating people. By MICHELE DIGIACINTO Collegian Staff Writer Today, a well-known Swahili poet and historian will bring his unique knowledge to the University com munity as he wraps up his three day visit to the area. Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany, an expert on Swahili history, culture and literature and East African Islam, will lecture about the histo ry and literature of the Swahili people at 3 p.m. today in Eisenhow er Chapel’s Frizzell Room. The Kenya native has written several books, poems and many articles about Swahili culture. He currently is a Fulbright Scholar in residence at the University of Cali fornia at Los Angeles. Although Nabhany is a self-edu cated man, and the program rarely awards grants to such scholars, Nabhany received his grant last October. “I knew education is not through university only. And if people think that, they will miss on important people,” Nabhany said. Nabhany completed his formal education at an Islamic school in Kenya when he was 12 years old. After leaving school, Nabhany Marriage occurring later in life By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON, D.C. Americans are tying the knot later in life than ever before. The typical age for a first marriage has climbed to 26.7 years for men and 24.5 for women, the Census Bureau reported yester day. At the same time, people are showing less patience with problem marriages as growing numbers unravel the bond with divorce, according to the Census report, “Marital Status and Living Arrangements: March 1994.” In 1890, when age at marriage was first collected, the median age to get hitched was 26.1 for men and 22.0 for women. The marriage age declined for 66 years before climbing, said Arlene Saluter, the study’s author. 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Nabhany said he also worked with several professors throughout his career learning about Swahili poetry, culture and history. But his love for poetry began earlier. Raised by his grandfather and grandmother, a well-respected poet, Nabhany became interested with the beautiful words in poetry. “I asked myself, 'Can I compose a good, beautiful poem?’ ” he said. Nabhany said his grandmother was constantly asked by people to compose poems for special occa sions. “My grandmother was a poet of the people/' he said. Nabhany added that he inherited the talent when he wrote his first poem at age 12. And people eventually came to him for poetry. Today, people still approach Nabhany for his expertise. These people include educators from Yale University and the University of Illinois at Urbana who invited Nab hany to share his extensive knowl edge about the Swahili people and culture. And although he is retired, Nab- USG PRES/VP DEBATE DATE: TONIGHT! TIME: 7:00 P.M. PLACE: THE BIG ONION Johnston/Findlay Commons East Halls WHY: Exercise your student rights. Choose the best candidate for USG President ialon systems Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany from Kenya, a well-known Swahili poet and expert on Swahili history, culture, literature and East African Islam, is visiting the University from the University of California, where he currently is in residence. He will lecture about the history and literature of the Swahili people at 3 p.m. today in Eisenhower Chapel’s Frizzell Room. hany said, he plans to continue edu cating people. “I see a lot of people die with their education gone ... I like to teach anyone who needs knowledge from me,” he said. While at Penn State, Nabhany has done just that by visiting sev eral classes, including African lit erature, African history and Swahili classes. He has lectured about the Swahili culture and shared his poems with the students. In years past, there was some kind of a magic date by which people had to be married, observed Stephanie Kenitzer of Odenton, Md., who said her own marriage at age 27 "just kind of happened when it happened.” “People aren’t saying, ‘l’m 20 or I’m 25, so I’m an old maid,’ ’’ she said. “It’s no longer looked upon as a negative that you’re not married at a certain age.” “They’re more free to make decisions on their own and so people are waiting longer. I waited longer . . . There was no pressure.” In a recent study by the independent Population Reference Bureau, researcher Carol J. De Vita noted that “young adults are delaying entrance into mar riage, although very few will forego it altogether.” This declined gradually over the years, bottoming at 22.5 for men and 20.1 for women in 1956, before beginning to rise again. Nabhany will be donating to Penn State copies of a valuable col lection of Swahili language and cul tural materials dating back to the 17th century. would be open to students at all Big UCLA and Penn State are the Ten schools, only American institutions to have Hale said Nabhany is valuable in received those materials. helping to create a program. Nabhany is also working with He has extensive experience in Thomas Hale, professor of African, coordinating study abroad pro- French and comparative literature, grams for other universities such and Michael Laubscher, director of as St. Lawrence University in New education abroad programs, to ere- York. Family seeks damages due to lesbian teacher By KATHARINE WEBSTER Associated Press Writer BOSTON When a high school teacher told her Fritz said teacher Polly Atwood announced her social studies class she was a lesbian, one student sexual orientation at Brookline High three years was so upset that she was forced to transfer to a ago after being interviewed on television about a private school, the teen-ager’s parents claim. state bill to protect the rights of gay students. Jeannine and Thomas Jenei are seeking $359,571 Johanna, a 14-year-old freshman at the time, is from the town of Brookline including $300,000 now enrolled at Lexington Christian Academy. Her for emotional distress saying their daughter parents are both public school teachers in Cam- Johanna was denied her right to a public education, bridge. “Johanna is a young woman who believes in God The Jeneis claim that school officials refused and believes in Jesus Christ as her savior,” said their request to set up an independent study course the Jeneis’ lawyer, Randal Fritz. “She was just for their daughter with another teacher and threat completely overwhelmed by people bringing their ened to withhold credit if Johanna did not remain sexual . . . and political agendas into the school.” in Atwood’s class. Spring Break Every Day. • New, fully furnished, modern, two and four bedroom apartments • Full-size washer/dryer in each apartment • Swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts, basketball, sand volleyball, and fitness center • Student Services Center equipped with computer lab, copy machine, typewriters, and fax machine There’s nothing common about us. 234-A East College Ave. (Downstairs) (814) 238-4099 ate an eight-week summer abroad “He is a major cultural figure in program in Zanzibar and Kenya. Kenya. He’s a very well-known' The program would be implement- poet and cultural leader,’’ Hale ed for the summer of 1997 and said. Features: • Individual Leases • Electronic panic alarm system • On CATA H bus route • Free parking UNIVERSITY ♦ COMMONS* The Daily Collegian Wednesday, March 13, 1996 “Working with him will strength en our program and will make it much more effective.” hany completed an annotated Swahili dictionary, a book on Swahili poetry and a book about the social history of the northern Swahili people. Town officials say there is no merit to the fami ly's claim for damages, made in a demand letter that often is a preliminary to a lawsuit. >to/Laura Chiles During his time at UCLA, Nab-
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