Djenné: the mud brick (adobe) city

On December 21, 2010May 26, 2011 By Dr. Y.In Great CivilizationsLeave a comment

Djenné is a city of Mali whose history is closely linked to that of Timbuktu. It is well-renowned for its mud brick architecture, and today most of the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In no place in the world do you have a civilization entirely built on mud! Maybe that is why Malians are so renowned for their work on mudcloth a.k.a. bogolan! The Djennenké say that nowhere in the world would you find people who can build in mud like Djenné’s masons: their work with mud is pure magic, as illustrated by the beautiful Great Mosque of Djenné. The masons’ family lines stretch back half a millenium! They mix the clay from the surrounding plains with the water from the Bani river, and bring to life an architecture purely from Djenné rising with splendor.

Djenné has fallen victim of time, erosion, and particularly rain which deteriorates the mud structure. Recently, as part of protecting this UNESCO world heritage, restoration started. For this process, Djenné masons divide up the work according to whose ancestors originally built the houses, the families that inhabit them, and themselves: dirt from old brick is reused only within the dwelling which it came from, since it is believed to carry a blessing which cannot be transferred; this is a practice whose roots date back to 250B.C.. Before the arrival of the French in 1900s, Djenné’s masons built using the technique of Djennefere or the art of building with cylindrical bricks, as opposed to rectangular bricks introduced by the French. Recently, a Malian-American team of archaeologists found in the base of wall fragments, from about A.D. 1400, of a type of bowl Djennenké still place in foundations for protection; another fragments with Arabic inscriptions dating back to A.D.

1118. This is important, since before Djenné, there was Jenné-Jeno (before 200 B.C.), the “city without a citadel” which had no royal palace or ruler with an army, but was made up of different tribes or clans with different specialties which formed a sort of democracy where they came together to trade and decide community affairs. After 1100, Jenné-Jeno shrank, and by the 14th century, it felt and a new city, Djenné, grew from the trans-saharan trade in salt and gold. Djenné was later on invaded by Arab traders who introduced islam to the city. Later, Djenné was part of the great Mali Empire, the Songhai empire, the Ségou Kingdom, the Macina Empire, and the Toucouleur Empire. In essence, in Djenné, the old and the new merged, the mud from the earth grew, and the learning was passed on from generations to generations, making Djenné, the city built on mud rising from the splendors and knowledge of the past!

Both Djenné and Jenné-Jeno are UNESCO World heritage sites. You can learn about them on the UNESCO WHC website, as well as on Wikipedia, Architecture in Mali, and Djenne Patrimoine. Enjoy:

Ivory Coast: When the French Army lies

On December 9, 2010January 23, 2011 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments5 Comments

Dear All,

With all that is happening in Ivory Coast, and the willingness of the international community not to respect a country’s constitution, I have decided to post this video which shows what happened in 2005 in Ivory Coast with the French military. As a brief parenthesis… I have never seen the international community act so vehemently in Africa… when they last did, it was in Rwanda where they choose not to say a word. Why are they still treating Africans like children, like old colonies? Has any of us Africans, ever said a word about elections in France, or in the US (Bush vs. Gore 2000)? Why is it that when we organize elections, they all act like we cannot take care of our own business. They all say “Ouattara won, Gbagbo lost according to the electoral commission”… but according to the constitutional committee of Ivory Coast (founded on Ivory Coast’s constitution), Gbagbo won and Ouattara lost. In that case why trying to force Gbagbo out… why not just say ‘Re-organize the elections’! Why trying/wanting a military action when half of the people of Ivory Coast are with either one of the protagonists? When people care about the safety of others, and peace, and a solution cannot be found: why do they want to force one over the other? Why this obsession in imposing the West’s will? … why not since they are the United Nations, France, etc… ask for a recall? Are they afraid that we are actually going to find out who the real winner is?

Compère Lièvre et Dame Pintade

On November 30, 2010November 15, 2011 By Dr. Y.In Great Legends & TalesLeave a comment

Thanksgiving étant la fête de la Pintade, rien de tel qu’un conte à son honneur…

Cette année-là, la famine était grande. Les plantes mouraient desséchées par le soleil trop ardent. Les quelques animaux survivants étaient décharnés et affaiblis. Tous, sauf Compère Lièvre le très rusé. Celui-ci de bon matin la houe à la main, quitte sa maison, s’en va jusqu’à une grosse plate-forme de pierre et entreprend de sarcler. Or, en ce temps-là, nul ne se moquait d’autrui car les dieux avaient interdit de le faire, sous peine de mort. Voyant Compère Lièvre s’acharner à vouloir cultiver une plate-forme rocheuse, les animaux de la brousse s’assemblent autour de lui:

“Qu’arrive-t-il à notre compère? Est-il devenu fou? Hé ! Azui ! Travaille bien, frère ! Quelle magnifique récolte tu auras! c’est alors que la famine disparaîtra ! Ah le bon champ! Ah le bon cultivateur!”

Et tous rient aux éclats.

Mais les dieux entendent les railleurs et se fâchent:

“Comment ose-t-on nous désobéir? A mort, les sacrilèges !”

Tous les animaux qui se sont moqués d’Azui, tombent foudroyés sur le sol. Paisiblement, Compère Lièvre dépose sa houe, ramasse les animaux défunts et rentre chez lui très satisfait d’avoir obtenu des provisions pour un certain temps.

Or, non loin de là, habitait Pintade. Elle avait observé toute la scène sans rien dire et l’idée d’Azui lui avait paru bonne. Quelques jours plus tard, Compère Lièvre croise sur son chemin Pintade qui se dirige vers le village à pas pressés.

“Où vas-tu de ce pas rapide, voisine ?” demande t-il.

– Ne me retarde pas, mon frère! répond Pintade, très sérieuse, j’ai rendez –vous avec Commère Guenon qui a accepté de me tresser élégamment les cheveux.

– Ah ! Ah ! Tresser les cheveux d’une pintade ! Ah ! quelle idée ! Chère sœur, où sont tes fameux cheveux, s’il te plaît? Mais tu es complètement folle ! Ah ! Je t’imagine très bien avec une belle coiffure de tresses !

Compère lièvre rit si fort qu’il se laisse tomber sur le sol, perdant son souffle. C’est alors que les dieux courroucés le foudroient.

Pintade, très contente, n’a plus qu’à ramasser le corps d’Azui et à l’emporter chez elle comme provision de nourriture.

Quand on fait des fourberies aux autres, cela leur donne des idées, parfois.

Conte Mina tire de “Contes des Lagunes et Savanes,” Collection ‘Fleuve et Flamme,’ édition Edicef, 1975.

Guinea: the country who dared say ‘NO’ to France

On November 28, 2010January 23, 2011 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments6 Comments

Dear all,

Last week was the second turn of elections in Guinea, and it only made sense to talk about Guinea. Well… Guinea is a country in West Africa whose capital is Conakry… it is a country rich in minerals such as bauxite, gold, diamonds, magnesium, etc. It is well-known for his first president Sekou Toure, who was the first to say ‘NO’ to France in 1958. In his own words, he said: “It is better to be poor and free, than to live in opulence and be a slave.” Guinea, thus became the only nation in French Africa to say ‘NO’ to the General de Gaulle and France. It was seen as a treason and an affront… and France never forgave Guinea, destroying files when leaving, withdrawing abruptly, destroying infrastructures, and breaking political and economic ties. I will not say much, but the video below says it all… Sekou Toure and the people of Guinea dared to say ‘NO’, and for that we, from French Africa, are forever thankful!

Je lance un appel à tous les Guinéens d’aller sur Wikipedia corriger l’histoire de leur pays. La définition sur Wikipedia est très incomplète! Nul part est-il mentionné le fait que la Guinée était le seul pays en Afrique Francophone à dire ‘NON’ à la France; et à cause de cela, ils ont été persécutés!

Thomas Sankara: Discours sur la dette

On November 17, 2010June 27, 2012 By Dr. Y.In Great Economy, Great Moments, Great People3 Comments

Thomas Isidore Sankara, notre héros africain, mort pour ses convictions et son amour de son peuple, et de sa patrie. Ce grand héros a fait l’un des plus beau discours que j’ai jamais entendu sur la dette africaine! Quelle éloquence mon Dieu! Quelle vérité! et quel humour! Je suis d’accord avec lui que la dette africaine ne peut pas être entièrement payée… et que les pays membres qui ne vont pas aux réunions de l’UA ne devraient pas recevoir les mêmes faveurs que ceux qui y assistent assidûment. De plus, il parle de consommer africain: toute sa délégation était habillée par des tisserands Burkinabés. Regardez, écoutez, et célébrez avec moi l’un des plus grands hommes qui ait foulé le sol du continent africain.

Thomas Isidore Sankara, our African hero, killed for his convictions, love of his people and his country. This great hero gave one of the greatest speech I have heard about the problem of African debt. Such an eloquence! Such Truth my Lord! Such humour! I do agree with him that the African debt cannot be entirely paid… and that the African nations who do not show up at the UA summit should not have favors extended to them the same as those who attend the meetings. Moreover, he talks about living and breathing African: his delegation and himself were entirely dressed by Burkinabes tailors with cotton from Burkina Faso. Please watch, listen, and celebrate one of the greatest man the African continent has ever seen!

Don’t forget to watch Thomas Sankara Discours sur la dette Part 2/2

La Bataille pour le Contrôle d’Abidjan

On November 6, 2010November 28, 2010 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

A la veille du deuxième tour des élections en Côte d’Ivoire qui verra soit Laurent Gbagbo ou Alassane Ouattara être élu président de la Côte d’Ivoire, j’ai trouvé qu’il n’y avait rien de tel qu’une petite historique sur le conflit qui sévit en Côte d’Ivoire depuis 2001, et ses principaux acteurs. Le documentaire que vous allez voir a été produit par la chaine Arte, et fait lumière sur la bataille pour le contrôle d’Abidjan. De nombreux acteurs tels le defunt président Houphouët Boigny, le defunt général Robert Guéï, le président actuel du CI Laurent Gbagbo, l’ancient PM Alassane Ouattara, et l’ancien président du CI Konan Bédié (et son ivoirité), la France, le Liberia de Charles Taylor, et le Burkina Faso de Blaise Compaoré y figurent.

A few days before the second round of elections in Ivory Coast, which will see either Laurent Gbagbo or Alassane Ouattara become president, I thought that a little turn down memory lane will be more than appropriate. The following documentary is from the channel Arte, and details the battle for the control of Abidjan and its numerous actors among which the first president of Ivory Coast Houphouet Boigny, General Robert Guei, President Laurent Gbagbo, ex-PM Alassane Ouattara, ex-president Konan Bedie, France, Liberia of Charles Taylor, and the Burkina Faso of Compaore. Enjoy!

N’oubliez pas de regarder Parties 2, 3, et 4.

China’s presence in Africa

On October 28, 2010October 28, 2010 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments1 Comment

The Chinese presence and growth in Africa has not stopped amazing me… but this map from RFI tells it all… Africa is like a big field with great resources, great opportunities (for foreigners) for development, but very little progress. Look at this map and feel the Chinese presence in Africa… Welcome big sister from the East. I just wish Africans could learn from the hard-working and solidaritarian spirit of the Chinese people!

I choose the category ‘Great Moments’ because this map reveals the turning page from the European domination in Africa, and the beginning of a new dawn, the Chinese dawn in Africa.

L’Araignée et la calebasse magique

On September 23, 2010October 17, 2011 By Dr. Y.In Great Legends & TalesLeave a comment

Il était une fois un village ou la famine sévissait. Le roi se faisait beaucoup de soucis car les enfants mouraient et les villageois n’avaient plus assez de force pour aller cultiver la terre. C’était là que vivait Kakou Ananzè, l’Araignée. Malgré toute sa ruse, lui aussi souffrait de la faim. Tous les jours, il partait dans la brousse à la recherche de racines ou de graines qui puissent nourrir sa famille.

Un jour, Kakou Ananzè était en train d’errer au milieu des buissons. Epuisé de fatigue, il s’arrête pour se reposer. Alors il entend une petite voix qui sort d’un fourré et lui dit : papa Ananzè! papa Ananzè! Un peu effrayé et très curieux de savoir qui l’appelle ainsi, Kakou Ananzè entre au milieu des épines et découvre une calebasse posée sur le sol.

Comme il l’examine de plus près, l’ustensile de cuisine lui adresse la parole en ces termes: Sors-moi de ce buisson d’épines et emmène-moi dans ta case. En récompense, je te rendrai la vie heureuse. Araignée ramasse la calebasse et la rapporte chez lui. A peine arrivé, il appelle sa femme et ses enfants. Leur montre l’ustensile et leur raconte son aventure. Tandis que tous s’étonnent, Kakou Ananzè se penche sur la calebasse et lui dit:

Chère amie, j’ai fait tout ce que tu souhaitais. A toi de tenir ta promesse. Les miens et moi mourons de faim et n’avons pas de nourriture; peux-tu nous aider?

A peine achève-t-il ces mots que la calebasse se trouve remplie de toutes sortes de mets: ignames frites, boules de pâte, bananes–plantains, poulet, sauce, etc. Ils remercient tous leur nouvelle amie, mangent jusque ce qu’ils soient rassasiés. Puis Kakou Ananzè prend la parole en ces termes :

Enfants, écoutez-moi bien et toi aussi femme! Je vais aller cacher soigneusement cette calebasse magique. Ne racontez cette histoire à personne, sous aucun prétexte. Car les gens jaloux de notre chance pourraient venir nous voler celle qui désormais, va tous nous nourrir.

Tous les membres de la famille jurent de garder le silence. Pendant quelques jours, tout se passe bien. Le soir, Araignée sort la calebasse de la cachette, lui demande poliment de la nourriture et, après que la famille ait mangé, remet l’ustensile à l’abri.

Or, la femme de Kakou Ananzè était très gourmande. Elle avait caché dans son pagne quelques beignets de haricot comme provision pour la journée. Dans l’après-midi, elle sort dans la concession, s’assied sous un manguier et commence à manger. Mais sa voisine affamée, l’aperçoit. Elle s’approche sans faire de bruit et se met à crier: “comment peux-tu avoir des beignets de haricot alors que tout le monde meurt de faim et qu’il n’y a plus de nourriture dans le village? D’ailleurs, je ne t’ai pas vue piler la pâte ni faire la cuisine. A qui as-tu volé cela ?”

Madame Araignée est ennuyée. Elle donne immédiatement les beignets qui lui restent à la voisine en la suppliant de se taire. Celle-ci dévore tout puis recommence à faire du tapage: “Voleuse ! Voleuse! A qui as-tu pris cela ?”

Effrayée, madame Araignée lui raconte alors toute l’affaire de la calebasse magique trouvée par son mari, et lui jure que, désormais, elle lui portera tous les jours un peu de nourriture si elle garde le secret. Pendant la nuit, la voisine ne peut tenir sa langue et raconte tout à son mari qui s’en va aussitôt chez le roi dénoncer l’égoïsme de Kakou Ananzè.

Le roi envoie des soldats fouiller toute la concession de Kakou Ananzè. Mais ils ne trouvent rien. La calebasse magique a disparu. Et jamais plus personne ne l’a revue.

Adea, kue: La langue, c’est la mort.

Conte tiré de “Contes des Lagunes et Savanes” Collection ‘Fleuve et Flamme’, Edition Edicef, 1975.

Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia

On September 18, 2010September 18, 2010 By Dr. Y.In Great People1 Comment

Affectionately known as KK, Kenneth Kaunda was the first president of Zambia.

While president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda nationalized the copper mines, and also worked towards freeing all the Black people of Southern Africa from white supremacy. He supported freedom fighters in the Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique, in Southern Rhodesia (today’s Zimbabwe), Namibia, and South Africa. He even met with Pieter Botha and B.J. Vorster to solve the issue of apartheid in South Africa, but got no results. Being so close to all these countries and seeing what his fellow brothers were going through made him want to fight. He played a crucial part in the liberation of all of southern Africa from white supremacy. Zambia paid a price for its backing of those countries by being bombed by the Apartheid government.

One thing I remember clearly is the day KK went on national television to sensibilize the Zambian people about the danger of AIDS. He had just lost his son to AIDS, and he was on tears, and urged the people of Zambia to take precautions. I was impressed! How many presidents do you see doing that? or at least how many African presidents do that?

Please enjoy this interview given by Kenneth Kaunda to CNN African voices. One other special plus… Kenneth Kaunda is a great singer!

Don’t forget to watch Part 2 and 3 of the interview.

Pius Njawe in his own words

On July 31, 2010May 26, 2011 By Dr. Y.In Great Literature, Great People1 Comment

The following excerpts are taken from the article Never a Prisoner published in Pambazuka in 2006, in which Pius Njawe talks about himself.

“I have been a journalist since the age of 15. I started as an errand boy at a newspaper called Semences africaines, in the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Over the past 34 years, I have been arrested 126 times while carrying out my profession as a journalist. Physical and mental torture, death threats, the ransacking of my newsroom, etc., has often been my daily lot in a situation where repression and corruption, even within the press, have become the norm. Woe betide the slightest dissenting voice in this context, for it attracts all kinds of wrath, even from so-called colleagues…”

“I have never felt like a prisoner when I have been behind bars. You can be in prison without being a prisoner; the real prisoners are those who imprison journalists whose only crime is to inform or to express an opinion… ”

“… my long stay in prison above all stimulated my sense of solidarity with others, particularly the poor and the outcast… strengthened my determination to use journalism as a weapon against all kinds of abuse. For there is no better weapon than words for restoring peace and justice among people…”

“To have the privilege of writing taken away from you overnight feels like being victim of a crime…”

“During a lecture I once gave to students from a well-known university in New York, the director of the school of journalism made the following remark: “Mr. Njawe, my students and I appreciated your brilliant exposé of the situation regarding press freedom in Cameroon and in Africa in general. But I cannot help wondering one thing: either you invented all these stories to impress us, which I could understand, or everything you have told us is true and I am dying to ask you why you continue to work in the profession in the suicidal situation you describe?”

“It is indeed difficult to understand why people persist in a profession that causes them so much misery and suffering. As regards my own case, I invariably reply to everyone who wonders this, that I entered journalism the way you enter a religion; journalism is my religion. I believe in it, and a thousand trials, a thousand arrests, a thousand imprisonments and as many death threats will never make me change job. On the contrary, the harder it is, the more you have to believe in it and cling to it.”

“Even in the depths of a prison cell you can feel good about being a journalist. How many times have I not rubbed my hands in my cell, my fingers itching to once again hold a pen between them, when thinking back over my career? How many times have I smiled when recalling an editorial or an article that helped foil the most atrocious plans against Cameroon and its people? If only for consolation, one sometimes ends up saying: “They’re right to take it out on me like this, after all, I haven’t spared them in my articles…“. ”

Respecting ethical standards is of fundamental importance for anyone wishing to be a journalist. It protects you against all kinds of people who would like to teach you a lesson. When you are facing a judge who is being manipulated, it is your irreproachable professional defense that makes that judge examine his or her own conscience. It is what wins your colleagues over to your cause when you are in difficulty. Doing your job properly therefore seems to be the best advice anyone can give a journalist operating in a context of constant harassment. And doing your job properly also, and above all, means avoiding “gumbo journalism“, a practice becoming increasingly widespread in our profession, where people write what they are paid to write instead of giving real information and the truth. While journalists have the right to earn a decent living, even in emerging nations, honest journalists never need pockets in their shrouds…

Journalists perform a social function, which gives them not immunity, but the right to look critically at the way a nation is being run. While playing this crucial role, it is important for them to be protected by the law, but also by the whole of society for which they work… Every time a journalist is silenced, society loses one of its watchdogs.

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