Dieu garde le troupeau en ton absence (Proverbe Kirundi – Burundi).
God keeps the flock in your absence (Kirundi proverb – Burundi).
Proverbe Burundais sur l’omnipresence de Dieu / Burundi Proverb on God’s Omnipresence
Pierre Nkurunziza: Some of His Achievements for Burundi
Given all the negative rhetoric played by the foreign media, I thought it will be good to remind all of Pierre Nkurunziza‘s achievements. I will focus mostly on his work within his country of Burundi. As we saw earlier, internationally he helped broker peace in Somalia.
A popular president
A president in office doing manual work, taking part in soccer games, had never been seen before. This president, Pierre Nkurunziza, was not a “traditional” president in his white marble castle, but was seen rather as a simple man, a man of the people, a man like the people he served. He was seen cycling, and taking part in community work. He was also an avid soccer player and lover; he owned a soccer team and trained them.
Free education and health
During his investiture, some of his first adopted measures were free primary school education (i.e. from Kindergarten through 6th grade), free childbirth, and free health for all children under 5. This might not be seen as much, but in a poor country such as Burundi, free primary school education definitely increases the literacy of the people and offers parents very needed help. Similarly, free health services for women during childbirth, and for children under 5 is a tremendous help. This is an achievement not seen in many places in the world, not even in Western countries.
A religious president
Nkurunziza was not afraid to show his faith. He was deeply religious. For each public event, or manual work, prayers were said at the beginning and at the end of these events. This led him to put God first in the constitution of the country, as well as establishing a day of national solidarity.
A Patriot
He deeply loved his country Burundi and his people. He pushed for ancient local cultures and values long forgotten to be re-instated and taught in schools. He established the national day of the commune which is celebrated in the old fashion.
The works
During his tenure, from 2007 to 2014, 5200 schools were built, compared to 1900 schools from 1962 to 2007. Several roads were asphalted and created RN12, RN13, RN15, RN18, RN19, … Hospitals and community universities, classrooms, stadiums, modern markets, including the new Ntare Rushatsi presidential palace were erected.
Most importantly, he is the first president of Burundi to have ruled the country without a civil war.
So long Pierre Nkurunziza: we, the people, salute your patriotism, love of your country, and people. You will be remembered for your great achievements.
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Pierre Nkurunziza: So Long to the President who said ‘NO’ to the ICC, UN, WHO, BBC, and VOA
This past Monday, the relatively young (55 years-old) president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, died of a heart attack. It deeply saddened me. Why? Because of what he stood for, and his will to give decency to his own people or rather to govern his country without foreign involvement in their affairs. Pierre Nkurunziza was the first president of Burundi to have ruled without civil war.
With this global ‘pandemic,’ It has finally been understood that whatever the West calls democracy is not really democracy, but rather the government of the entire population by a few. In the past, people have said that Pierre Nkurunziza was not a democrat and was holding onto power. Yet… he had been in power 15 years due to step down in August, and I did not hear the West complain about his neighbor Kagame in power for over 20 years. It is as if democracy is a word or rather a card pulled out of a bucket by Western powers to threaten those who prefer to do the bidding of the people rather than their bidding.
Given that he had asked the UN to get out of his country last year, and then last month the WHO, and was one of the few countries to get out of the WHO because of their compromising and virulent tendencies in his country… is it a surprise that he died so suddenly?
Nobody talks about his achievements. What were Pierre Nkurunziza’s achievements?
Upon assuming office in 2005, Nkurunziza faced the significant challenges of maintaining peace and stability in the country, as well as rebuilding its war-battered economy. Burundi was emerging from over 10 years of civil war and unrest when he took over.
He united the country and brought in peace, during his first 10 years.
He rebuilt the infrastructures of his country, and oversaw the disarmament of several armed groups in Burundi.
He helped foster peace in the region: in 2007, he sent troops to Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission to prevent al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked armed group, from overrunning the Horn of Africa country’s government.
The East African Community, a regional bloc, said in a statement: “Nkurunziza’s contribution to the re-establishment of constitutional order, peace, ethnic tranquility, rights and equality for all since his ascendancy to power in 2005 in Burundi cannot be overemphasised.”
“His commitment to security and rights for all irrespective of social, ethnic, religious or political background remains a beacon on which Burundians can build on to further their development objectives,” it added.
In 2015, Nkurunziza made the controversial decision to seek a third term in office. A coup was launched in May 2015 while Nkurunziza was abroad, but it was swiftly foiled. Despite several delays, an opposition boycott, and ‘international’ pressure (we know what that means), polls were held and Nkurunziza won a third term. After the 2015 elections, the situation took a turn for the worse, when donors cut off funding and placed sanctions on Burundi (similar to Côte d’Ivoire when France was bombing it in 2010, or Libya with the NATO coalition in 2011, or Zimbabwe). History repeats itself, we now know that when a country is placed under ‘international’ sanctions, it is usually because the leader might be serving his people.
In 2017, Nkurunziza formally withdrew Burundi from the International Criminal Court (ICC) – the first country to do so – amid accusations the court was focusing too much on the continent. Every African country should withdraw from that sham called ICC which only prosecutes African (Black) leaders. Later the UN left (remember ONUCI taking sides in Côte d’Ivoire?), and BBC and VOA were kicked out of the country for inciting violence, and spreading false news.
In the streets of Bujumbura, “some residents said they would remember the former leader [avid football player], a born-again Christian known for his preaching, for the good things he did for their country.”
“I will remember him for the advice he gave us. He always told us to love our country. He always put God first and someone who does that will not face hardships in life,” Achel Niyongere told Al Jazeera.
Patrick Harakandi added: “He is the first president to govern Burundi until he finished his term. He made history. He ruled Burundi for 15 years without a civil war.” (Al Jazeera)
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Mory Kante : So long to an Electrifying Griot
I remember dancing to the tunes of “Yé ké yé ké” as a child… I also have fond memories of seeing Mory Kante play his kora, and being amazed by his dexterity, finesse, and charisma. Every note transported me to different horizons. It did not matter that I did not understand his language, I could feel the emotions he conveyed with his voice and kora… it was like magic: one could travel all the way to Guinea and back within the confines of one’s room.
On May 22, 2020, an honorable member of the Griot (Djeli) family, Mory Kante, moved to the land of his ancestors. In reality, he just changed dimensions, and left us with the electricity of his music. Born in 1950 in a small town near Kissidougou in Guinea, Mory Kante came from a long family tradition of griots (Djeli). Both of his parents were griots, his father was from Guinea and his mother from Mali Mory absorbed the singing of his parents and as a child learned to play the balafon. As a child, his family sent him to Mali to study the kora and other griot traditions.
Mory Kante is often known as the “electronic griot” because he modernized local traditional instruments such as his kora which he electrified, and fused African music with styles and instruments from Western pop. Kante’s 1987 single “Ye Ke Ye Ke” was a hit, first in Africa and then across Europe. It became the first African single to sell more than a million copies and has been licensed frequently for commercials and film soundtracks. It has even been reworked by other musicians into German techno, Bollywood film music and Chinese Cantopop.
If you ever come across a kora, or listen to Ye Ke Ye Ke remember this great man who modernized the ancient ways to share with us his love of the music of his forefathers. His music has inspired countless singers from the new generation. The New York Times , BBC, and Guardian have written articles about this great man.
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Proverbe Douala sur la prudence / Duala Proverb on Prudence
Quand l’oiseau ne connait pas l’arbre, il ne va pas s’y reposer (proverbe Douala – Cameroun). – Ne visitez que les bons voisins.
When the bird does not know the tree, it does not rest there (Duala proverb – Cameroon). – Only visit good neighbors.
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Francis Bebey introducing us to the Communication System of Pygmy People
As we saw on Monday, Francis Bebey’s poem ‘Je suis venu chercher du travail’ / ‘I Came to Look for Work’ is the story of many immigrants, living their homes, families, friends and countries, to journey to far-away lands in search of a better living.
More than a writer, Francis Bebey was also a musician. Below is a video where Francis Bebey introduces the viewer to the one-note flute, and the communication system invented by the pygmy peoples of Central Africa to converse with each other using that instrument. As I told you earlier, Francis Bebey headed the music department at the UNESCO‘s office in Paris, where he focused on researching and documenting African traditional music. Enjoy a lesson from the maestro!
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‘Je suis venu chercher du travail’ / ‘I Came to Look for Work’ by Francis Bebey
Today, as states and countries are slowly reopening after the shelter-in-place due to the coronavirus pandemic, many have been left jobless, and are looking for a job now or in the near future. I think the poem ‘Je suis venu chercher du travail / I came to look for work‘ by the great Cameroonian writer and musician Francis Bebey is very appropriate. The poem below is the story of many immigrants traveling to a foreign land in search of a job, a better life, leaving all behind: families, friends, and country. This poem is very simple, yet so deep as it details the losses taken today, in hope for a better tomorrow. As you think about the immigrants dying in the Mediterranean sea, or those crossing the Mexico-US border, or all the countless faces in the world, take a moment to imagine families torn apart, lives in peril, and possibly no light at the end of the tunnel.
Francis Bebey was sort of a genius: in his early years, he studied mathematics, before going into broadcasting. He was called to Ghana by President Kwame Nkrumah, where he served as a journalist. He began his literary career as a journalist in the 1950s and worked in Ghana and other African countries for the French radio network, Société de radiodiffusion de la France d’outre-mer (SORAFOM) and Radio France International. Later, he wrote novels, poetry, plays, tales, short stories, nonfiction works, and established himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. His first novel, Le Fils d’Agatha Moudio (Agatha Moudio’s Son), was published in 1967 and awarded the Grand prix littéraire d’Afrique noire in 1968; it remains his best-known work to this day. He also headed the music department at the UNESCO‘s office in Paris, where he focused on researching and documenting African traditional music.
Enjoy ‘Je suis venu chercher du travail‘ by Francis Bebey, published in Anthologie africaine: poésie, Jacques Chevrier, Collection Monde Noir Poche, Hatier 1988. Translated to English by Dr. Y. Afrolegends.com.
| Je suis venu chercher du travail
Je suis venu chercher du travail J’espère qu’il y en aura Je suis venu de mon lointain pays Pour travailler chez vous J’ai tout laissé, ma femme, mes amis Au pays tout là-bas J’espère les retrouver tous en vie Le jour de mon retour Ma pauvre mère était bien désolée En me voyant partir Je lui ai dit qu’un jour je reviendrai Mettre fin à sa misère J’ai parcouru de longs jours de voyage Pour venir jusqu’ici Ne m’a-t-on pas assuré d’un accueil Qui vaudrait bien cette peine Regardez-moi, je suis fatigué D’aller par les chemins Voici des jours que je n’ai rien mangé Auriez-vous un peu de pain? Mon pantalon est tout déchiré Mais je n’en ai pas d’autre Ne criez pas, ce n’est pas un scandale Je suis seulement pauvre Je suis venu chercher du travail J’espère qu’il y en aura Je suis venu de mon lointain pays Pour travailler chez vous |
I came to look for work
I came to look for work I hope that there will be I came from my far away country To work for you I left everything, my wife, my kids In my country over there I hope to find them all alive On the day of my return My poor mother was very sorry To see me go I told her that I will come back one day To put an end to her misery I had long days of travel To get here Was I not assured of a welcome Which will be worth all this trouble Look at me, I am tired To go by the ways It has been days since I ate anything Do you have some bread? My trouser is all ripped But I don’t have another Do not scream, it is not a scandal I am just poor I came to look for work I hope there will be I came from my far away country To work for you |
Inédit
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Proverb about One’s Undoing
People bring about their own undoing through their tongues (Ancient Egypt proverb).
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Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award, Thank you Dear Kitty!
Thanks to my blogging friend petrel41, of The Dear Kitty. Some Blog blog, for the Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award! It is a new award for me. I ‘d like to say “a big thank you” for the consideration and kindness. Please check out The Dear Kitty. Some Blog for amazing images and videos of wildlife and more…
The RULES of this award are:
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
- Post the award logo.
- Post the rules.
- Nominate up to 20-30 other bloggers and notify them.
- Notify Vincent of your nomination, via comment.
- After notifying Vincent, he’ll check out your blog, follow and give you your unique award for the good work on your blog.
- Like Kim said in her original post, we’re not sure if we are supposed to add a list of questions the nominees are supposed to answer, but I guess I’ll do it.
Here are petrel41’s questions and my answers:
1. Do you have long or short hair? At the moment, short.
2. Fantasy or Historic Fiction? fantasy.
3. What book do you like a lot, but you dislike the author, because of background, etc.
Not sure…
4. Have you ever watched a movie that was better than the story that it was based on?
No.
5. If you could visit one place in the world right now where would it be?
Greenland – I don’t understand how a country which is covered in ice half of the year can be called ‘green land’. Apart from that, I would love to visit each of the countries of my many blogging friends.
My questions to my nominees are the same as petrel41’s questions.
My nominees are: I have so many bloggers’ friends and I am sure I might have left out some… but below are some of the few, and there is no particular order… ultimately, I would like to nominate all my friends here on WordPress. So I’ll welcome any blogger who wants to participate on this Award. Please answer the same questions above.
- Tish Farrell
- Cee’s Photo Challenges
- Michigan in Pictures
- Common Sense and Whiskey
- The International Rhino Foundation Blog
- SWO8
- Grandeur Noire
- Ospreyshire’s Realm
- Portraits of Wildflowers
- THE OLD GUV LEGENDS
- African Eye Report
- Random Thoughts
- Grounded African
- Herman van Bon Photography
- & Arablit
- Black Women Of Brazil
- aquacompass 7
- Repeating Islands
- 365 Days
- Rebus Photography
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Proverbe malgache / Malagasy Proverb
Les morts ne sont vraiment morts que lorsque les vivants les ont oubliés (proverbe malgache – Madagascar).
The dead are only dead when the living have forgotten about them (Malagasy proverb – Madagascar).
African Heritage 