France has returned today to Nigeria five ancient terracotta sculptures which had been smuggled out of the country in 2010. Experts say Nok art is the earliest attempt at portraiture yet discovered in Nigeria. Over the past 100 years, Nok art has been discoverd in a large area near the Jos plateau in northern Nigeria. The Nok culture shows that African societies were quite versatile in iron works, and terracotta. I had posted an article earlier on the Nok culture. I am just glad to see that sometimes the French, with the pressure from the country from which it was stolen, can return stolen artefacts. There are so many of our artefacts, manuscripts which have been stolen and are still kept in museums in France. Applauds to the Nigerian government which kept demanding the return of their artefacts. These should all be returned. I fear that very soon, we will also find Timbuktu’s manuscripts at the Louvre.
Je viens de me rendre compte que le site djime.com qui était entièrement dedié au roi Béhanzin, n’est plus actif. J’ai donc decidé de poster ici, la version francaise, l’originale du discours d’adieu du roi Behanzin. J’avais deja traduit dans son intégralité ce discours du roi Behanzin en anglais. The English versionhere.
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« Compagnons d’infortune, derniers amis fidèles, vous savez dans quelles circonstances, lorsque les Français voulurent accaparer la terre de nos aïeux, nous avons décidé de lutter.
Nous avions alors la certitude de conduire notre armée à la victoire. Quand mes guerriers se levèrent par millier pour défendre leDanhomèet son roi, j’ai reconnu avec fierté la même bravoure que manifestaient ceux d’Agadja, deTegbessou, deGhézoet deGlélé. Dans toutes les batailles j’étais à leurs côtés.
Malgré la justesse de notre cause, et notre vaillance, nos troupes compactes furent décimées en un instant. Elles n’ont pu défaire les ennemis blancs dont nous louons aussi le courage et la discipline. Et déjà ma voix éplorée n’éveille plus d’écho.
An Amazon warrior ca 1890
Où sont maintenantles ardentes amazones qu’enflammait une sainte colère? Où, leurschefs indomptables : Goudémè, Yéwê, Kétungan? Où, leursrobustes capitaines : Godogbé, Chachabloukou, Godjila? Qui chantera leurssplendides sacrifices? Qui dira leurgénérosité ?
Puisqu’ils ont scellé de leur sang lepacte de la suprême fidélité, comment accepterais-je sans euxune quelconque abdication?Comment oserais-je me présenter devant vous, braves guerriers, si je signais le papier du Général ?
Non !A mon destin je ne tournerai plus le dos. Je ferai face et je marcherai. Car la plus belle victoire ne se remporte pas sur une armée ennemie ou des adversaires condamnés au silence du cachot.Est vraiment victorieux, l’homme resté seul et qui continue de lutter dans son cœur. Je ne veux pas qu’aux portes du pays des morts le douanier trouve des souillures à mes pieds. Quand je vous reverrai, je veux que mon ventre s’ouvre à la joie. Maintenant advienne de moi ce qui plaira à Dieu ! Qui suis-je pour que ma disparition soit une lacune sur la terre ?
Partez vous aussi, derniers compagnons vivants.Rejoignez Abomey où les nouveaux maîtres promettent une douce alliance, la vie sauve et, paraît-il, la liberté. Là-bas, on dit que déjà renaît la joie. Là-bas, il paraît que les Blancs vous seront aussi favorables que la pluie qui drape les flamboyants de velours rouge ou le soleil qui dore la barbe soyeuse des épis. Compagnons disparus, héros inconnus d’une tragique épopée, voici l’offrande du souvenir : un peu d’huile, un peu de farine et du sang de taureau. Voici le pacte renouvelé avant le grand départ. Adieu, soldats, adieu !…
Behanzin, the Last King of independent Dahomey
Guédébé…reste debout, comme moi, comme un homme libre. Puisque le sang des soldats tués garantit la résurrection duDanhomè, il ne faut plus que coule le sang. Les ancêtres n’ont plus que faire de nos sacrifices.Ils goûteront mieux le pur hommage de ces cœurs fidèles unis pour la grandeur de la patrie. C’est pour quoi j’accepte de m’engager dans la longue nuit de la patience où germent des clartés d’aurore. Guédébé, comme le messager de la paix, va àGhohooù campe le général Dodds.Va dire au conquérant qu’il n’a pas harponner le requin. Va lui dire que demain, dès la venue du jour, de mon plein gré, je me rends au village de Yégo. Va lui dire que j’accepte, pour la survie de mon peuple, de rencontrer dans son pays, selon sa promesse, le président des Français. »
extrait de – Kondo le requin – Jean PLYA – Ed. CLE
Very often, we, Africans, have been misinformed about our true place in advancing humanity. Very often, we have been told that we were a dark continent, an ignorant race, or rather a non-scientific class? Well… I have news for those nay-sayers. Ancient Africans, Ancient Egyptians used electricity: ancient pyramids were lighted via electricity… yes… you heard me well… not only did they show some of the greatest scientific fits by designing pyramids, but they also had electricity (thousands of years before Nikola Tesla or Alessandro Volta). Just like the great Library of Alexandria, or the University of Timbuktu … we, Africa, also had electricity. Enjoy… and Applaud … and above all be proud of the ingenuity of our ancestors.
Today I will be talking about a great queen of Madagascar, Queen Ranavalona I who fought against French and British expansionism in Madagascar, and strongly believed in autarky (self-sufficiency).
Born by the name of Mavo(or Ramavo) around 1788, Ranavalona I will later be named Rabodonandrianampoinimerina(which means the smart grand-daughter of Andrianampoinimerina) in reverence to her uncle, the King Andrianampoinimerina. She became Queen of Madagascar after the death of her husband Radama I and was coronated on 12 August 1829. She was also designated by the title Ranavalo-Manjaka I (« Reigning Ranavalona »). She reigned over the Kingdom of Madagascar from 1828 to 1861.
Ranavalona I followed in the footsteps of her predecessors, with the territorial expansion of her kingdom, and led several expeditions to pacify conquered territories such as the meridional Menabe, the Boina, and the north-east regions of the island (Madagascar). Fervent nationalist, she fought against foreign influence, including that of Christian missionaries. During her reign, the power of some castes increased, like that of the andriana or the royal family, or that of the military chiefs, the hova.
Madagascar
Ranavalona’s 33-year reign was distinguished by an ongoing struggle to preserve the political and cultural sovereignty of Madagascar in the face of increasing European influence and competing French and English bids for domination over the island. In the beginning of her reign, Ranavalona I tried to continue the work of modernization started by her predecessor. Very soon, she faced the hostility of the French, who in 1829, attacked different points on the oriental coast of the island. This unexpected aggression sharpened the queen’s distrust of European ambitions; especially since the British missionaries installed at the heart of the island since 1820 were converting many. Fearing the loss of the independence of her country, she denounced the anglo-malagasy treaty of 1820, and asked the British to give up on the religious extension in her country, and to focus only on the educational works she wanted for her people. However, the British refused, and in 1835, she had them expelled from the island. To counter-balance the European influence on the island, the monarchy created contacts between the ports of Majunga, and Zanzibar.
Manjakamiadana, the Royal compound built for Queen Ranavalona IManjakamiadana,encased in stone under the orders of Ranavalona II
Ranavalona I then hired the services of Jean Laborde who accomplished quite a lot of modern upgrades, the most important of these will be providing Madagascar with a metallurgic and chemical industry. He also built the queen a new residence known as the Manjakamiadana, which became the largest structure on the Rova grounds, the royal compound in Antananarivo. The residence was made entirely from wood and bore features of a traditional andriana home, including a central pillar (andry) to support the roof. The palace would eventually be encased in stone in 1867 by James Cameron of the London Missionary Society during the reign of Ranavalona II. The original wooden palace of Ranavalona I and virtually all other structures of the historic Rova compound were destroyed in a 1995 fire, leaving only the stone shell to mark where her palace had once stood. Renovation is on the way.
Royal Crown of Madagascar as worn by King Radama II, Ranavalona I’s successor (ca 1862)
Ranavalona pursued a policy of autarky (self-sufficiency) and isolationism, diminishing economic and political ties with European powers, repelling a French attack on the coastal town of Foulpointe, and taking vigorous measures to eradicate the small but growing Malagasy Christian movement initiated under Radama I by members of the London Missionary Society. She made heavy use of the traditional practice of fanompoana (forced labor in lieu of tax payments in money or goods) to complete public works projects and build a standing army of between 20,000 and 30,000 Merina soldiers, whom she deployed to pacify outlying regions of the island and further expand her realm.
Subsequently, to try to eradicate Christianity among her subjects, as she believed (and rightfully so) that this was a means of infiltration of the colonial ambitions of Europeans on the island, she had converts (considered as traitors) run off. As she declared in 1849: « Miala amiko ka mba ialako, mahafoy ahy ka mba foiko ! » (« they [christians] have denied me [ as a living symbol of their homeland], therefore I deny them as well; they have rejected me, I reject them! »).
Ranavalona I on the throne
She said in a letter addressed to the Europeans: “To all Europeans, British and French, in recognition for the good you have done to my country by teaching European wisdom and knowledge, I would like to express my thanks. … You can keep following your customs. Have no fear for I have no intention of modifying your habits. But if I see some of my subjects trying to change the rules established by the twelve great kings, my ancestors, I will not possibly consent: because I will not allow men to come and change anything to all the ideas I have received from my ancestors, which I had accepted without shame or fear. You are free to teach my people science and wisdom, but when it comes to touching our ancestors’ customs, it is a vain work, which I will fully oppose….”
Ranavalona I continued the works of Andrianampoinimerina and Radama I. In her country, she is seen as a great sovereign, true symbol of patriotic and national pride. However for Europeans, she has been described as a tyrant… but like her so many great African kings and queens defending their country against foreign invasion/colonization have been portrayed as cruel, and ignorant. Faced with the contempt of Christian converts, she proudly stated: ”ny fomban-drazako tsy mba mahamenatra ahy na mampatahotra ahy!” (“I do not feel any shame or fear about my ancestors’ customs”). Enjoy this great video, and honor one of Africa’s earlier nationalist and independentist: Queen Ranavalona I.
Three statues recently discovered in the tomb of the princess (Source: artdaily.org)
Archaeologists have unearthed the 4,500 year old tomb of a pharaonic princess, just south of Cairo. This discovery may lead to the discovery of other ancient tombs from before 2,500BC. Princess Shert Nebti‘s burial site is surrounded by the tombs of four high officials from the Fifth Dynasty dating to around 2,500 BC in the Abusir complex near the famed step pyramid of Saqqara. Inscriptions on the four limestone pillars of the Princess’ tomb indicate that she is the daughter of King Men Salbo. Only her tomb has been unearthed; her father, the king, or her mother, are yet to be found. The antechamber to the princess’ tomb includes four limestone columns and hieroglyphic inscriptions. The current excavation has also unearthed an antechamber containing the sarcophagi of the four officials and statues of men, women, and a child.
Azougui was a town in the northwestern part of Mauritania, lying on the Adrar Plateau, north west of Atar, 450 km north of Nouakchott. In the 11th century, it was a base for the Almoravid dynasty (this will be the subject of another post), who conquered a territory stretching from the Ghana Empire to Morocco and the Iberian peninsula. The chronicler Al-Zuhri, writing in the 1150s, called Azougui the “capital of the Almoravids.”
Azougui was an important transit place for the trans-Saharan trade route from Morocco and Ghana. The birth/ apparition of the oasis is strongly linked to the creation of Azougui. Today, this palm grove is the site for over 20,000 palm trees. The archeological site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list on June 14, 2001.
Archaelogical Site of AzouguiAn Almoravid Soldier
Azougui, as the first capital of the Almoravids, was a stone fortress with a wall and several concessions. This fortress was enlarged with time, which explains the urbanization inside the enclosure on an area expanding over several kilometers. The site was reported in 1068 by Al Bakri, and mentioned by several Arabic chroniclers such as Ibn Said, El Kalakshandy, and Ibn Khaldun. The Almoravid movement was a political formation at its origin, which was born in the midst of Sanhaja tribe of Lamtuna (or Lemtouna), and Gudala (Guedala) in Adrar, under the authority of a spiritual leader of extraordinary religious rigor, Abdallah ibn Yasin. This movement was able to unify west Africa, the Maghreb, and the Iberian peninsula for several centuries, after investing the Empire of Ghana, the Idrissides, and the kingdom of Barghawata (or Berghouata). The site’s excavation started in 1979, and continues until today. Its excavation has shed light on the importance of Azougui in the trans-Saharan trade.
Soundiata Keita a l’Assemblée constitutive de l’empire du Mandé avec les chefs de guerre (Source: Wikipedia.fr)
Le Kouroukan Fouga fut la constitution de l’Empire du Mali (1235 – 1645), et officiellement la plus vieille constitution républicaine en Afrique, et au monde. Le Kouroukan Fouga réuni officiellement la fédération des clans Mandingues sous un seul et unique gouvernement. Cette constitution régit la vie de l’empire à travers des lois auxquelles tout le monde doit obéir. Mansa (Empereur) Soundiata Keïta présenta ce document en 1236 après la célèbre bataille de Kirina, dans l’actuel cercle de Kangaba, et dès lors cette constitution a été léguée de générations en générations par les griots ou djeli. Les griots ont conservé une grande partie de l’histoire de l’empire du Mali, y compris ses rois, les batailles, et le système gouvernemental. Decouvrez avec moi la première constitution républicaine mondiale, et appréciez le génie de nos ancêtres. Si seulement nous, africains, pouvions tous adaptés celle-ci, et non perdre le temps avec ces constitutions importées de l’occident. (For English, click here).
Article 1er : La Société du grand Mandé est divisée en seize (16) porteurs de carquois, cinq (5) classes de marabouts, quatre (4) classes de Nyamakalas (1) une classe de serfs (esclaves) (Mofé molu)
Chacun de ces groupes a une activité et un rôle spécifiques
Article 2 : Les Nyamakalas se doivent de dire la vérité aux chefs, d’être leurs conseillers et de défendre par le verbe les règles établies et l’ordre sur l’ensemble du royaume.
Article 3 : Les Morikandas lolu (les cinq classes de marabouts) sont nos maîtres et nos éducateurs en islam. Tout le monde leur doit respect et considération.
Article 4 : La société est divisée en classe d’âge. A la tête de chacune d’elles est élu un chef. Font de la classe d’âge les personnes (Hommes ou Femmes) nées au cours d’une période de trois années consécutives.
Les Kangbès (Classe internationale entre les jeunes et les vieux) doivent être conviés pour participer à la prise des grandes décisions concernant la société.
Assemblée constitutive de l’empire du Mandé lors de la charte du Kouroukan Fouga (Source: Wikipedia.fr)
Article 5 : Chacun a le droit à la vie et à la préservation de son intégrité physique. En conséquence, tout tentation d’enlever la vie à son prochain est punie de la peine de mort.
Article 6 :Pour gagner la bataille de la prospérité, il est institué le Kongbèn Wölö (un mode de surveillance) pour lutter contre la paresse et l’oisiveté.
Article 7 : Il est institué entre les Mandenkas, le Sanankuya (cousinage à plaisanterie) et le tanamanyoya (forme de totémisme. En conséquence, aucun différent né entre ces groupes ne doit dégénérer, le respect de l’autre étant la règle.
Entre Beaux-frères et Belle-sœur, entre grands parents et petits, tolérance et le Chahut doivent être le principe.
Article 8 : La Famille est désigné famille régnante sur l’empire
The current floods in Senegal, particularly in Dakar, have unearthed 5000 years old artefacts: pieces of jewelry, pottery, iron tools dating back thousands of years. The discovery was made at a construction site in the capital Dakar. The objects could date back between 2000 to 5000 BC. Proper carbon dating will probably give us more accurate information, and would certainly yield information about the rich history of Dakar, of Senegal, and that part of Africa. Could this new discovery be related to the Senegambian Stone Circles (3rd century BC to 16th century AD)? or be from ancestors of these structures? Could these be related to the lost Atlantis the island which sank into the ocean in a single day? or could it be simply coming from a different civilization which flourished by its work of iron and pottery? Time will tell… in the meantime, enjoy this article on BBC.
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 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
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.
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)
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
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.
It is with horror that I watched and read about Timbuktu‘s desecration these past weeks, and I could not /would not stay silent as African treasures are being ransacked and destroyed. Why would somebody destroy such a rich historical city? Why would someone want to erase history? Then I read the articles on BBC, and they say that the destruction was conducted by muslim fundamentalists. Seriously who do these media think we are? Stupid? Muslim fundamentalists? Isn’t Timbuktu’s history linked to Islam? Why on earth would somebody who loves and respects Islam destroy a place dear to his life? It’s like saying that a catholic fanatic would want to destroy the Vatican or Jerusalem… really? then they say these Muslim fundamentalists are from Northern Mali and are Touareg groups working to divide Mali. See, again, BBC must really think that we are stupid or newborns. How could a Malian, a Northerner, a Touareg, destroy his own home? unless this group is not from Northern Mali… unless this group is from somewhere else. Remember Libya? there were foreigners attacking, and NATO, which destroyed the beautiful Libyan historic places: Sabratha and Leptis Magna … Remember that remains of Babylon were almost destroyed during the attacks of 2003? Where are these stolen treasures today? Please watch this video on Timbuktu and learn why any son of Africa should fight for its preservation. There is over 10 centuries of history in Timbuktu, and it is our duty to save this place. There are over 700,000 manuscripts saved in public libraries and private collections. Check out this photojournal on BBC. Enjoy and share!
African Heritage 