Month: August 2012

La SAPE: Societe des Ambianceurs et Personnes Elegantes

On By Dr. Y.In Great Art14 Comments
A Sapeur in Brazzaville, Congo
A Sapeur in Brazzaville, Congo

”La sape” (pronounced sap) is La Societe des Ambianceurs et Personnes Elegantes, or the Society of Atmosphere Setters and Elegant People.  The ‘Sapeurs’ adhere to a culture of high fashion at all costs.  Most are very well-dressed men who strut in Versace, Gucci, Prada, or Ralph Lauren’s attires.  They pay extreme attention to the quality or their clothing, and are extremely refined.  The word sapeur comes from two Lari words “Lunkété” and “tsi Muntu” or ‘beauty’ and ‘human.’  A true sapeur is one who symbolizes beauty and humanity through the clothes he wears, in his outlook, his words, and his actions.  In other words, he is someone who embodies and expresses the beauty of the mind and soul in harmony with the colors of his wardrobe, expresses love for his neighbor (luzolo), and is an apostle of peace.

Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba

The roots of the movement can be traced as far back as in the 1920s and 1930s when the first privileged Congolese returned from France with wardrobes of expensive suits. However the culture, and its name ‘la societe des ambianceurs et personnes elegantes’ took off thanks to the great musician and singer Papa Wemba who developed a flamboyant and sometimes exaggerated style.  His style was in direct opposition to Mobutu-approved uniform, the dreaded style-less ‘abacost’ (from the French “a bas le costume” or “down with the suit”) a dull Zairean version of the three-piece suit.  Papa Wemba called his new style Ungaru, and it was a throwback to the elegance of the 1930s—complete with tapered trousers, brogues, neatly trimmed hair and tweed hats worn at a rakish angle.  For Congolese all over the world, the look was irresistible:  SAPE was born.  Sape became almost like a religion: fashion at all cost, elegance, and setting the atmosphere, creating the spectacle.  Elegance at all costs is its motto. In the old days, sapeurs would often spend months or years saving up for outfits; they would start out by renting or borrowing suits from their more established peers.  Like in any movement, there are rivalries and affiliations within the SAPE movement: Paris vs Brussels, Brazzaville vs Kinshasa, Bacongo vs Moungali. It is a total fashion warfare. Sapeurs from Brazzaville follow the three colors rule, while the Kinshasa crowd is all about going overboard.

A flamboyant sapeur
Hector Mediavilla, a flamboyant sapeur

One important trait of the ‘sapeur’ is uniqueness: one cannot look like the common man, and so there is a constant urge to look different, unique, and elegant.  And the cost of the ‘sape’ is quite high… but very important.  Isn’t a person unique anyways? then why not exert that uniqueness in fashion?  There used to be weekly defilés (shows/catwalks) of sapeurs in the streets of Kinshasa or Brazzaville, to find and elect the most ‘sapé‘ man.  These were known as “Fight days”, weekly events, and the combat arenas were the local outdoor bars on Avenue Matsoua, the most famous place of Brazzaville, Congo.  Today, the sape culture has extended throughout Africa, and particularly French Africa.  In the video below, you will see how sape is redefined in Cameroon, a neighbor to Congo… and how there is a difference between being ‘hip‘ and being ‘sapé‘.  ‘Hip‘ is just having the latest trends: the pants down on the floor, the pierced jeans, etc… while ‘sapé‘ means having elegance, class, and uniqueness…. Enjoy!

To learn more about the history of SAPE, check out starducongo.com, harlemworldmag.com, LaSape.com, Les sapeurs: gentlemen of Congo and this really good article on africafeed.com.

Le Bœuf, le Cochon et l’Araignée

On By Dr. Y.In Great Legends & TalesLeave a comment
Cochon
Cochon

Il y avait une fois un village bien malheureux car, malgré tous les efforts des villageois, les cultures n’avaient pas poussé.  La nourriture manquait et tout le monde était devenu maigre et bien affamé.  Cochon, Bœuf et Araignée, trois habitants de cette infortunée région, erraient chaque jour dans la brousse en quête de quelque chose à se mettre sous la dent.

Un beau matin, Cochon, tout affaibli par la disette, se lamente sur le chemin à l’entrée du village lorsque, compère bœuf vient à passer.  Surpris de la mine florissante de celui-ci, cochon l’interpelle :« Holà, mon compère, d’où te vient ta belle mine alors que, tous ici, nous mourons de faim et tombons en faiblesse? »

Bœuf accélère son allure et passe devant le cochon sans répondre, comme s’il n’avait pas entendu la question.  Cochon comprend qu’il y a là quelque chose de louche et se met à observer attentivement son ami.  Plusieurs jours de suite, il se cache dans des arbustes au bord du chemin, et voit passer chaque matin Bœuf qui va toujours dans la même direction.  Chaque soir, Bœuf revient tranquillement au village et tandis que la faim ronge son malheureux compère, il semble lui au contraire, prendre un embonpoint de plus en plus dodu.  Alors n’y  tenant plus et sentant sa fin prochaine, cochon s’écrie en lui barrant la route.  « Compère!  Compère!  Tu grossis à vue d’œil alors que je me meurs.  Par pitié, dis-moi ou tu trouves tant de nourriture, ou j’appelle tous les habitants du village pour leur signaler ta conduite.  A nous tous, nous  saurons bien t’obliger à nous révéler ton secret. »

Bœuf
Bœuf

Bœuf s’arrête, réfléchit et déclare enfin: « Frère, tu me fais pitié. Jure-moi de ne rien révéler à personne et je viendrai à ton secours.

– Je le jure

– Demain matin, accompagne-moi dans la forêt et tu sauras tout. »

Le lendemain, tous deux s’en vont ensemble à travers la foret.  Parvenus à une clairière, ils trouvent une grosse meule. Alors Bœuf s’approche et dit haute voix : « Meule, prépare-moi a manger! »  En un instant, la meule prépare un bon repas et Les deux compagnons le dévorent.  Quand il a fini, cochon ordonne à la meule : « Meule prépare-moi encore à manger!»  La meule obéit aussitôt.  Bien repus les deux amis reviennent au village.  Et, tous les matins désormais, ils vont dans la clairière et la meule magique les nourrit.  Bientôt, cochon à son tour devient très gros.  Ce phénomène attire l’attention d’Araignée.  Il attend que ses compagnons soient revenus chez eux et va rendre visite à cochon.  « Cochon, mon bon ami, aide-moi.  Je vois que tu sais trouver assez de nourriture pour devenir gros et gras.  Si tu ne viens pas à mon secours, je vais appeler tous les habitants du village et on saura bien te contraindre à nous dire ou tu trouves à manger! » Continue reading “Le Bœuf, le Cochon et l’Araignée” →

London 2012 Olympics: the African Contribution

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments2 Comments
Oussama Mellouli
Oussama Mellouli

Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia won Gold in the 10 km marathon open water, to become the first swimmer to ever win olympic medals in both the pool and open water.  He had also won bronze in the 1500m freestyle in London, and was the Beijing Gold winner for 1500m freestyle.

Tirunesh Dibaba, the baby-face destroyer, took Gold in 10,000 m run to retain her title, and bronze in the 5000 m. I will take this opportunity to salute her for running in the 5000m even after suffering a harmstring the day before the 5000m run.  Kenyans  Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot won silver and bronze respectively in the 10,000m.  Meseret Defar took the gold in the 5000m, reclaiming back the gold medal she had won in 2004 during the Athens Olympics, but had lost in 2008 to Tirunesh Dibaba.  Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot took the silver home in the 5000m, followed by Tirunesh Dibaba.

Tariku Bekele, Kenenisa Bekele‘s little brother took the bronze medal in the men’s 10,000m.

David Rudisha (followed by Nijel Amos)
David Rudisha (followed by Nijel Amos)

David Rudisha of Kenya, became the first man to break a record at the London Olympics, in the 800m.  He ran the 800 m with such majesty and speed, he almost looked like an impala, very graceful.  Nijel Amos won a silver medal to offer Botswana its very first Olympic medal; while Timothy Kitum of Kenya took home the bronze medal.

Caster Semenya of South Africa won a silver medal in the women’s 800m run.  Watching her run, one could already see the potential, and had she not started far in the back, I believe she would have won the gold medal.

Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria stunned us by getting disqualified from the olympics because of ‘not trying hard enough’ (whatever that means) in the men’s 800m, getting reinstated, and then going on to win the gold medal by a huge margin, in the 1500m.  He definitely made us proud… telling us that one can always beat all the odds.  Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider took home the bronze medal.

Caster Semenya
Caster Semenya

Ezekiel Kemboi won gold in the 3000 m steeplechase, while his Kenyan compatriot Abel Kiprop Mutai took the bronze.

South Africa is the African country who won the most medals at the London Olympics, with three gold, two silver, and one bronze medals.  Swimmers Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh both won gold in 200m butterfly and 100m breaststroke respectively.  Chad also took home the silver medal for the 100m butterfly.  Sizwe Ndlovu, John Smith, Matthew Brittain, and James Thompson of South Africa won gold in the men’s lightweight four.

Ethiopian Tiki Gelana won gold in the women’s marathon, followed by Kenya’s Priscah Jeptoo.

Anthony Obame wins Silver
Anthony Obame wins Silver

Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich claimed the gold medal in the men’s marathon, making it Uganda’s first gold medal since 1972.  He was followed by two Kenyans who won silver and bronze: Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang.

Anthony Obame won Gabon’s first ever medal, by claiming the silver medal in taekwondo.

Alaeeldin Abouelkassem of Egypt won silver in fencing, becoming Africa’s first medal in fencing.

Overall, although I was quite disappointed by the performance of the Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes, particularly that of Kenenisa Bekele, I salute those who raised our flags high and made us proud of being Africans.  I am sure children in Botswana would now take to running like Nijel Amos, and I am sure children in Gabon will join taekwondo’s clubs like Obame, while Tunisians will learn to swim as well as Oussama Mellouli who made them all extremely proud.

Benin City: the Majestic City the British burnt to the ground

On By Dr. Y.In Great Civilizations12 Comments
Pendant Ivory mask representing Queen Idia, Iyoba of Benin City (16th Century)
Ivory mask representing Queen Idia, Iyoba of Benin City (16th Century)

Today, I would like to tell you about Benin City, the great city at the heart of the Benin Kingdom.  The city, not at all related to the present-day country of Benin, was burnt to the ground by the British who were amazed by its beauty and wealth (just like many ancient kingdoms in the Americas were burnt to the ground by Europeans).   I would like to tell you about this ancient beautiful city whose art still marvels millions of people everyday in worldwide museums: Benin City.

Benin City around 1600
Benin City around 1600

Benin city was the capital of the kingdom of Benin (in present day Nigeria) which was founded in the 13th century by the Edo people, and flourished between the 14th and 17th centuries.  Its early name was Ubinu, which later was turned into Bini, and then Portuguese called it Benin.  The kingdom was ruled by an Oba or king, in a very well-structured hierarchy.  Starting in the late 15thcentury, Benin traded with Europeans items such as ivory, pepper, palm oil, and cloth.  From history books, it is said that the city was laid out in a sophisticated system of huge straight streets, very wide, long, and well-maintained.  Houses were built in rows along the streets.  These houses had covered porches to protect people from the sun or rain, as they sat outside.

Benin City in 1897
Benin City in 1897

The Oba governed over the entire region.  Oba Ewuare, the first gold age Oba, is credited with turning Benin City into a military fortress protected by moats and walls known as the Walls of Benin.  It was from this bastion that he launched his military campaigns and began the expansion of the kingdom from the Edo-speaking heartlands.  At its peak, the empire extended from Onitsha in the east, through the forested southwestern region of Nigeria and into the present-day nation of Ghana.

The state developed an advanced artistic culture especially in its famous artifacts of bronze, iron and ivory.  The Benin artists mastered the art of bronze, iron, and sculpture. The most well-known artifact based on Queen Idia, popularly called the FESTAC mask, currently resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City.

Rooster from Benin Kingdom (18th century)
Brass rooster from Benin Kingdom (18th century)

The Punitive expedition of 1897 was a military excursion by a British force of 1,200 under Admiral Sir Harry Rawson that captured, burned, and looted the city of Benin, bringing to an end the West African Kingdom of Benin.  During the conquering and burning of the city, most of the country’s treasured art, over 3,000 pieces of art work, including the Benin Bronzes, was either destroyed, looted or dispersed.  The British used one of their favorite tactics to burn the city to the ground: deception – they claimed that the Omo n’Oba Ovonramwen had breached a treaty (they wanted to annex Benin Kingdom as a British protectorate, and the Oba refused to sign).  When the Oba realized that the treaty presented to him was a deceptive ploy to conquer his people, he issued an edict barring all British officials and traders from entering Benin territories.  Since the consul general of the Oil River Protectorate authorities considered the ‘treaty’ legal and binding, he deemed this a violation of the treaty and a hostile act.  Repeated attempts by the British to invade the Benin Kingdom followed, but without success.  In 1896, the major Phillip tried to attack and seize the city of Benin without approval from his superiors.

Art from Benin kingdom (18th century)
Art from Benin kingdom (18th century)

However, the Benin noblesmen decided to send a strike force to destroy the invaders (just normal, if an invader comes to burn and loot your place, you strike to defend yourself).  Only two British soldiers survived.  This came to be known as the ‘Benin massacre’ in the British press (In the eyes of the British crown, this was the perfect excuse to attack the Benin kingdom).  On January 12, 1897, Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson, commanding the squadron at the Cape of Good Hope was sent by his high commandment to capture the Oba of Benin and destroy Benin City.  The operation was named ‘Benin Punitive Expedition.’  The invasion of Benin kingdom was launched on February 9, 1897.  The field commanders were instructed by their commander-in-chief to burn down all Benin kingdom’s towns and villages, and hang the king once captured.

Queen from Benin kingdom
Queen from Benin kingdom

On February 17, 1897, Benin City fell to the British.  On that fateful day in history, the city of Benin lost its independence, its sovereignty, its Oba (king), its beauty, and its control of trade.  The city was looted and burnt to the ground.  The ivory at the palace was seized.  Nearly 3000 of the famous Benin Bronzes and other valuable works of art, including the magnificently carved palace doors, were carried back to Europe.  The Oba was exiled to Calabar with his two wives, and subsequently died there.  Today, every museum in Europe possesses art treasures from Benin.

To read a detailed account of the destruction of Benin city, check out the Benin Massacre page. Edoworld.net tells about the Benin Kingdom and its magnificence, as well as its destruction. The art pieces shown on this page are all exposed at the MET, and pictures were taken during my visit to the MET. Watch and enjoy a quick history of Benin City.

12 Days into the Games: African Olympians thus far….

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People2 Comments
Taoufik Makhloufi after winning the 1500 m
Taoufik Makhloufi after winning the 1500 m (source: telegraph.co.uk)

I just wanted to give you an update on all our African medalists at the 2012 London Olympics.

Taoufik Makhloufi, of Algeria, won Gold in the 1500m Men yesterday, after a display of courage and determination. He was disqualified on Monday for not putting enough effort in the Men’s 800m qualifiers, and then later on reinstated, and went on to winning Gold in the 1500m. Such drama! Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco won the bronze in the 1500m Men, after Taoufik.

Tirunesh Dibaba, the baby face destroyer, destroyed her competitors on the 10,000m women’s race. It was lovely to watch her sprint to the finish. We long for a repeat on the 5,000m women’s race which will take place this Friday. The Kenyans Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot won silver and bronze respectively.

On the men’s 10,000m, Kenenisa Bekele disappointed us. Frankly all Africans top runners disappointed us. It was mostly a show of African top runners elbowing each other to stop the other from winning (Kenyans, Ethiopians, and Erythreans) and cornering Kenenisa… and that’s how the British-Somalian Mo Farah won.  Basically, our brothers just went for the ‘crab’ politics.  Disappointing!  Tariku Bekele, Kenenisa’s brother, saved the day by winning the bronze medal.

Tirunesh Dibaba, after winning the 10,000 m race in London 2012
Tirunesh Dibaba, after winning the 10,000 m race in London 2012

The Men’s 3000m Steeplechase was won by Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya who took gold, while another compatriot, Abel Kiprop Mutai took the bronze. In the women’s 3000 m Steeplechase, Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia won the bronze medal.

The Women’s marathon was won by Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia who set a new olympic record, and was followed by Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya with silver.

As said earlier, Alaaeldin Abouelkassem of Egypt won Silver in Men’s Foil Fencing.

In swimming, Tunisian Oussama Mellouli took Bronze in the Men’s 1500m freestyle.  South African Chad le Clos took Silver in the Men’s 100m butterfly, and gold in the Men’s 200m butterfly.  Cameron van der Burgh, another South African, won the gold medal in the Men’s 100m breaststroke.

In rowing, the South Africans James Thompson, Matthew Brittain, Sizwe Ndlovu, and John Smith, captured gold in the Men’s Lightweight Four, thus winning South Africa’s first rowing medal.

Sameera Moussa: World-renowned Egyptian Nuclear Scientist

On By Dr. Y.In Great People, Great Science5 Comments
Sameera Moussa
Sameera Moussa

There are so few female scientists in the world, and particularly in Africa, that I had to talk about Sameera Moussa, the world-renowned Egyptian nuclear scientist.  Sameera Moussa held a doctorate in atomic radiation, specializing on making the medical use of nuclear technology affordable to all.  She organized the Atomic Energy for Peace Conference and sponsored a call for setting an international conference under the banner “Atom for Peace,” where many prominent scientists were invited.  The conference made a number of recommendations for setting up a committee to protect against nuclear hazards, for which she strongly advocated.

Sameera was born in the Gharbia Governorate in Egypt in 1917.  After she lost her mother to cancer, she vowed to study how to better medicine through science.  She went on the join the faculty of Sciences at the University of Cairo, where she earned a BSc in Radiology in 1939, with first class honors.  She became a remarkable faculty, and the first woman to hold a university post.  Being the first to obtain a Ph.D. degree in atomic radiation, she earnestly sought to make nuclear treatment to everyone. She used to say: “I’ll make nuclear treatment as available and as cheap as aspirin.” She worked hard for this purpose and throughout her intensive research, she came up with a historic equation that would help break the atoms of cheap metals such as copper, ultimately paving the way for a cheap nuclear bomb.  Sameera also volunteered to help treat cancer patients at various hospitals especially since her mother went through a fierce battle against this disease.

Sameera Moussa at the University of Cairo
Sameera Moussa at the University of Cairo

Later on, Sameera received a Fullbright scholarship to study at modern research facilities at the California University.  In recognition for her pioneering nuclear research, she was given permission to visit the secret US atomic facilities.  The visit raised vehement debate in the United States Academic and Scientific circles since Sameera was the first “alien” to have access to such facilities.

She turned down several offers that required her to live in the United States and be granted American citizenship, saying “Egypt, my dear homeland, is waiting for me.”  On August 5th, 1952 after her first visit to America she intended to return home, but was invited on another trip.  On the way, the car rushed down from a height of 40 feet, which killed her immediately.  The mystery surrounding her accident, since the invitation to California, made people suspicious and many believe that it was a planned assassination.

Today, Sameera has been awarded several prizes (the 1953 honor by the Egyptian Army, and the 1981 Order of Science and Arts by , but most importantly she has paved the way for Egyptian and African women scientists.  It feels so great to know that back in the 1930s, and 1950s, when there were people like Enrico Fermi, Albert Einstein, Maria Goeppert-Mayer, there was also Sameera Moussa, an outstanding Egyptian Female scientist who thought of ‘Atoms for Peace’ and wanted cheap treatments for all.

Quick note: African Olympians thus far…

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People2 Comments
Chad le Clos during the final 200 m butterfly
Chad le Clos during the final 200 m butterfly at the 2012 Olympics

Yesterday, July 31st, South African Chad le Clos defeated the great Michael Phelps (19 times olympic medalist – with 16 gold medals thus far – cited as being the Greatest olympian of all times) in Men’s 200 m Butterfly, and won the Gold medal.

Alaaedin Aboulkassem
Alaaedin Aboulkassem, after qualifying for the final for fencing at the 2012 Olympics

Last Sunday, July 29th,  South African Cameron van der Burgh won Gold medal in Men’s 100 m Breaststroke.

Watch out for Alaaedin Abouelkassem of Egypt who qualified yesterday for the final in Fencing, and will get either a Gold or a Silver medal in Fencing!