L’épine sortira par où elle est entrée (Proverbe Bamiléké – Cameroun). – Cela finira de la même manière que ça a commencé.
The thorn will go out the way it entered (Bamileke proverb – Cameroon). – It will end the same way it started.
African Joke: A Rich Zimbabwean Pen Pal
A chick has a very rich Zimbabwean pen pal.
Every night, she loves on Skype, WhatsApp, Imo, Twitter, etc…
One morning, the guy surprises her by sending her a moneygram transfer for 60 millions as pocket money.
Given all the operations that she anticipates doing, she hires 2 security agents (100 000 FCFA) to accompany her, she hires a cab for the day, and buys a pretty handbag on credit to go retrieve the money…
- Billet de 10 000 FCFA (1992)
At the counter, they tell her that 60 Zimbabwean million dollars is 30 320 FCFA.
Imagine the rest. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
The original in French is found on Nouchi.com . Translated to English by Dr. Y. Afrolegends.com
Share this:
Description of Kong, Capital of Samori Touré, in 1892
Below is a description of Kong, the last capital of Samori Touré, by a French explorer back in 1892. In 1892, it was a delight to the eyes, and even the French explorers and conquerors were stunned by its beauty! Enjoy!
=======
“Kong is infinitely less dirty that Bondoukou, even though its population is six (6) or seven (7) times higher. The deleterious miasmas are less persistent probably because of the altitude (about 700 meters). At these heights, the wind beats any infection. Built on an elongated rump, the city is freshened up by the least breeze. The surroundings, except a few groups of large trees used as sheds for animals, are deforested as far as the eye can see. At this time of the year, this immensity is of a deep green similar to English lawns, the whole landscape is of an exquisite charm. – And the grace, charm, are rare things on this
morose continent ! – The city, especially from the northwest, gilded by the setting sun, with its pyramidal minarets of its five mosques, the palm trees separating their thin silhouette from the sky, the superimposed terraces where groups of faithful appear at the time of prayer, is an unforgettable vision. This is how Binger saw Kong for the first time, and I can imagine what must have been his surprise.”
Marcel Monnier, France Noire, Plon ed. Paris, p. 204, 1894 . Translation to English by Dr. Y. Afrolegends.com
Share this:
Proverbe Burkinabé sur l’amour de la patrie / Burkinabe Proverb on Patriotism
Un enfant qui aime la culture et l’élevage, voilà un enfant parfait (Proverbe Mossi – Burkina Faso). – Amour du pays, aider à la construction nationale.
A child who loves agriculture and breeding, that is a perfect child (Mossi proverb – Burkina Faso). – Love of one’s country, help on the nation’s building.
Note: This proverb refers to the fact that in the olden days (and even some to this day), Mossi people were well-versed in animal husbandry.
Share this:
Why the Name: Ouagadougou?
I always loved the sound of the name Ouagadougou as it rolled off my tongue: it felt like a mouthful, but like a happy mouthful, the one you say with love: OUA-GA-DOU-GOU (WA-GA-DU-GU). Remember this is the capital of the land of upright people, the land of this proud son of Africa, Thomas Sankara. Yes, you know, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Originally, the city was called Kombemtinga, or the “land of princes.” It was founded on the 11th century by the Nyonyonse people.
The name Ouagadougou dates back to the 15th century when the Ninsi tribes inhabited the area. According to the Larlé Naba, the holder of the Mossi Empire‘s secrets, the city founders were in constant conflict with neighboring people until 1441, when they were forced to seek the protection of the Mossi Emperor Zoungrana, who was then living in Tenkodogo. In 1441, Wubri, Zoungrana‘s son, and an important figure in Burkina Faso‘s history, led his tribe to victory. He then renamed the area from “Kombemtinga” or “Kumbee-Tenga“, as the Ninsi had called it, to “Wogdgo” which meant “Come honor me“.
It is this appellation which has evolved to “Woghodogo,” then Ouagadougou from the French. Others say that the name was changed by Wubri from “Kombemtinga” to “Wage sabre soba koumbem tenga“, meaning “head war chief’s village“. The city then became the capital of the Mossi Empire in 1441 and the permanent residence of the Mossi emperors (Moro-Naba, Mogho Naaba) starting in 1681 with Naba Sanem. The Moro-Naba Ceremony is still performed every Friday by the Moro-Naba and his court to this day. The French made Ouagadougou the capital of the Upper Volta territory (basically the same area as contemporary independent Burkina Faso) in 1919.
The name was originally « Woogrtenga » and « Wogodogo » to mean « where we receive honors, respect». Ouagadougou grew around the imperial palace of the Mogho Naaba. Being an administrative center of colonial rule, it became an important urban center in the post-colonial era. First the capital of the Mossi Kingdoms and later of Upper Volta and then Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou became a veritable communal center in 1995. Affectionately called Ouaga by most, it is the center of the African film festival, FESPACO.
So if you visit Ouagadougou, remember that you are visiting the original land of the princes, and the place where we receive honors and respect. Isn’t it a name worthy of the capital of the land of the upright people (Burkina Faso)? Enjoy the video below about Ouagadougou.
Share this:
A TEDx Talk on the Griot Tradition of West Africa
Sibo Bangoura is a griot from Guinea, West Africa, now living in Australia. In this TEDx talk, he shares the traditions of his musical heritage with people from all over the world. While playing the Kora, a musical instrument from West Africa, Sibo sang a traditional West African song, Nan Fulie, about the importance of the Griot people – the West African musicians, storytellers, custodians and teachers of tradition through music and dance. Enjoy!
Share this:
Proverbe sur les tâches multiples / Proverb on Multi-tasking
L’hyène qui chasse deux gazelles en même temps ira au lit affamé (proverbe Malien).
The hyena chasing two gazelles at the same time will go to bed hungry (Malian proverb).
Share this:
The Griot, the Preserver of African Traditions
Africa has a strong, deep, and rich oral tradition. In many countries across West Africa, this tradition is often preserved by the griots, who are historians, storytellers, praise singers, poets, and/or musicians. Often, the griot is the preserver of the history of a family, a clan, and sometimes of the nation. This is done by narrating how the family/clan/tribe/nation was founded and its outstanding achievements. In essence, the griot is a repository of the oral tradition, and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as advisor to kings and leaders. The griot’s praises centers around the leader of the clan, of the tribe, and of the nation. Thus, great kings throughout history had griots: Sundiata Keita, Kankan Musa, and many others.
The Mali Empire (Malinke Empire), at its height in the middle of the 14th century, extended from central Africa (today’s Chad and Niger) to West Africa (today’s Mali and Senegal). The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita, whose exploits remain celebrated in Mali today. In the Epic of Sundiata, King Naré Maghann Konaté offered his son Sundiata a griot, Balla Fasséké, to advise him in his reign. Balla Fasséké is considered the founder of the Kouyaté line of griots that exists to this day.
Each aristocratic family of griots accompanied a higher-ranked family of warrior-kings or emperors, called jatigi. Moreover, most villages and prominent clans also had their own griot, who told tales of births, deaths, marriages, battles, hunts, affairs, and hundreds of other things.
The Cameroonian author Francis Bebey writes about the griot in his book African Music, A People’s Art (Lawrence Hill Books): “The West African griot … knows everything that is going on… He is a living archive of the people’s traditions… The virtuoso talents of the griots command universal admiration. This virtuosity is the culmination of long years of study and hard work under the tuition of a teacher who is often a father or uncle. The profession is by no means a male prerogative. There are many women griots whose talents as singers and musicians are equally remarkable.”
In Mande society, the jeli was an historian, advisor, arbitrator, praise singer (patronage), and storyteller. Essentially, these musicians were walking history books, preserving their ancient stories and traditions through song. Their inherited tradition was passed down through generations. Their name, jeli, means “blood” in Mandinka language. They were said to have deep connections to spiritual, social, or political powers as music is associated as such. Speech is said to have power as it can recreate history and relationships.
In addition to being singers and social commentators, griots are often skilled musicians. Their instruments include the kora, the khalam (also spelled xalam), the goje (called n’ko in the Mandinka language), the balafon and the ngoni.
Griots can be found throughout Africa and bear different names from country to country. A world-renowned singer and grammy award winner descending from a family of griots is Senegalese singer, Youssou N’Dour. Below is the trailer to the movie Griot. Enjoy!
Share this:
The Bad Friends
Crocodile and Dog are good friends. They meet and help each other. On a party day, Dog invites Crocodile to share a good meal of beans.
- Beans! I will gladly accept to share them with you, says the crocodile.
The female Dog, the spouse of Dog, presents the host with a good plate well garnished. But before eating the dog says:
- It is a custom where I come from: to eat, the guest must sit down.
But Crocodile cannot sit down. He tries, but unfortunately, tired, and humiliated, he goes home to his place, leaving Dog and his wife, very happy, eating the beans without him.
Crocodile, then, prepares a good couscous for his birthday and invites his friend Dog. Dog arrives early with his wife. The smell of the sauce fills the entire household.
- It smells good, says the dog.
- Yes, very soon we will sit down, but start by drying your noses, because to eat this birthday meal, you must be clean!
Unfortunately, Dog always has a wet nose. Dog and female Dog go outside to dry their noses under the sun. But nothing changes. In the evening, they still have a wet nose. Then Crocodile enjoys his delicious meal alone.
Angry, Dog leaves his friend swearing: « Beware if I ever find you outside the water! »
Crocodile answers Dog: « Beware if I ever meet you near my waters! »
« Are we friends, or are we enemies? »
The French original can be found on Ouologuem Blog. Translated to English by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com
Share this:
Proverbe Africain sur la non-Interférence et la place de chacun/ African Proverb on Non-Interference and Everyone’s Place
La barbe ne raconte pas de vieilles histoires au cils (Proverbe Ehwe – Ghana, Togo).
The beard does not tell old stories to the eyelashes (Ewe proverb – Ghana, Togo).
African Heritage 