Some of my fondest memories are from my early childhood. I remember the scent of the sea and the prayers coming from the mosque nearby. Our house help taught me Wolof and French at the same time during my formative years. I remember appreciating melanin magic in its fullness as I came across the beautiful people of Dakar. This was my first home. I still call it home.
My first encounter with Africa was the West African country of Senegal. This large French speaking country introduced me to other West Africans. My father had several friends and acquaintances from Ghana, Nigeria and Mali as I recall. Even at the time that I returned to Zimbabwe, I had that distinct West African accent. But West Africa isn't just a fond memory. It is the beginning of an untold story of the continent known as the motherland.
I remember sitting in my uncle's internet cafe and listening to a young missionary from the USA. He shared how surprised he was that Zimbabweans had 'first world' problems like Americans. This statement came after a young man was debating on how he would spend his birthday. He made sure that everyone in the cafe knew that it was his birthday. The young man was already drunk and kept on sipping his liquor from a Sprite bottle. Funny enough the American missionary nicknamed him 'Sprite boy'.
The missionary went on to state that this isn't the Africa he knows. The Africa sold to him via media doesn't include internet cafes and Sprite boy trying to get wasted and laid on his birthday. The Africa that the young missionary has watched and read about is filled with war and poverty. There are emaciated women and children. There are so many diseases due to famine, poor sanitation and poor health care. The missionary flew across the Atlantic ocean to come aide the suffering African.
This is the Africa that many perceive. It's true that Africa has its fair share of problems. The people are impoverished due to corrupt governments. War and weather conditions have affected many nations especially in West, Central and East Africa. There is dire need for equal opportunities for the girl child in patriarchal societies. Many areas need clean water, access to commerce and general development.
Now, I am taking you back to my childhood. I am giving you the young American missionary's revised perception of Africa. If there's one thing that Africans do well is make food interesting. Not just through preparation but your taste buds. Ever tried fish with okra? Maybe blackjack seeds? No matter which part of the continent you come from, chicken is the staple in almost every meal. We clearly need an African recipe book for a thousand ways to cook chicken.
Has anybody ever told you about the beautiful beach of Vilanculos? That's in Mozambique. Yes the same Mozambique that was recently hit by the devastating cyclone Idai. The view of Lake Malawi is breathtaking. Goree in Senegal remains a place rich in history of the birth of all our diaspora cousins. There's a reason for the link from Cape to Cairo. Sitting at the foot of the continent is Cape Town. You need to visit Cape Town at least once in your lifetime. Cairo is one of those cities that connect to civilisations of the past. If you love plush green scenery then escape to Zimbabwe's most talked about Inyanga.
But Africa isn't just about the big five and tourist attractions. If you want an experience of night life then mark your map. Go south to Johannesburg where you will be welcomed by the sounds of Afro house, kwaito throwbacks and various sounds of the rainbow nation. Go East to Mombasa and shake your waist to bongo flavour and even soukouss. Go west to Lagos and enjoy the sound of what the world has come to know as Afro beats. Do you know how to dance the Kwangaru? Or Shaku shaku? Or kizomba? How about Eskista, or Adumu or Sabar or even Makossa? Africans are flexible from head to toe with every dance telling the story of a people who celebrate, love and are even resilient.
We are content creators and entertainers. We exported Iman, Alek Wek, Djimoun Honsou, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and Trevor Noah. Those are just of the few but we have our very own on the motherland. Proudly african and homegrown we have Genevieve Nnaji who gave the world 'Lionheart'. We have king David Tlale, fashion designer extraordinaire. Tsitsi Dangarembga has continued to intrigue you with the riveting 'Nervous Conditions'.
Nigeria and Ghana built a multi million dollar film industry that we proudly termAfrican movies. We crowned our own standards of beauty with Miss Malaika. Malaika is Swahili for angel so clearly Africa is divine. We have celebrated our musicians with the Kora awards. More recently there was the introduction of the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA). These are part of the many honours given to our own creatives.
With every celebration there is fashion. From red carpets to traditional weddings Africans dazzle in fine prints and designs. Each part of Africa has its own representation of traditional wear. At times we borrow from each other because like our stews, we are mixed well. You can never draw the map of Africa without adding Ankara fabrics, coloured beads, metal jewellery or wool used for our braids.
We pay homage to the empires of past. To the rich history of inventors, builders and warriors. To the great kings and queens who once reigned over African civilisations. Yes, we are a civilised people. Today we are building new empires.
This Africa exists. It is the one that I and many others tell stories about.
What is the Africa you are reading about?
P.S. Always write your own love story!
Ciao!
Lady E
My first encounter with Africa was the West African country of Senegal. This large French speaking country introduced me to other West Africans. My father had several friends and acquaintances from Ghana, Nigeria and Mali as I recall. Even at the time that I returned to Zimbabwe, I had that distinct West African accent. But West Africa isn't just a fond memory. It is the beginning of an untold story of the continent known as the motherland.
I remember sitting in my uncle's internet cafe and listening to a young missionary from the USA. He shared how surprised he was that Zimbabweans had 'first world' problems like Americans. This statement came after a young man was debating on how he would spend his birthday. He made sure that everyone in the cafe knew that it was his birthday. The young man was already drunk and kept on sipping his liquor from a Sprite bottle. Funny enough the American missionary nicknamed him 'Sprite boy'.
The missionary went on to state that this isn't the Africa he knows. The Africa sold to him via media doesn't include internet cafes and Sprite boy trying to get wasted and laid on his birthday. The Africa that the young missionary has watched and read about is filled with war and poverty. There are emaciated women and children. There are so many diseases due to famine, poor sanitation and poor health care. The missionary flew across the Atlantic ocean to come aide the suffering African.
This is the Africa that many perceive. It's true that Africa has its fair share of problems. The people are impoverished due to corrupt governments. War and weather conditions have affected many nations especially in West, Central and East Africa. There is dire need for equal opportunities for the girl child in patriarchal societies. Many areas need clean water, access to commerce and general development.
Now, I am taking you back to my childhood. I am giving you the young American missionary's revised perception of Africa. If there's one thing that Africans do well is make food interesting. Not just through preparation but your taste buds. Ever tried fish with okra? Maybe blackjack seeds? No matter which part of the continent you come from, chicken is the staple in almost every meal. We clearly need an African recipe book for a thousand ways to cook chicken.
Has anybody ever told you about the beautiful beach of Vilanculos? That's in Mozambique. Yes the same Mozambique that was recently hit by the devastating cyclone Idai. The view of Lake Malawi is breathtaking. Goree in Senegal remains a place rich in history of the birth of all our diaspora cousins. There's a reason for the link from Cape to Cairo. Sitting at the foot of the continent is Cape Town. You need to visit Cape Town at least once in your lifetime. Cairo is one of those cities that connect to civilisations of the past. If you love plush green scenery then escape to Zimbabwe's most talked about Inyanga.
But Africa isn't just about the big five and tourist attractions. If you want an experience of night life then mark your map. Go south to Johannesburg where you will be welcomed by the sounds of Afro house, kwaito throwbacks and various sounds of the rainbow nation. Go East to Mombasa and shake your waist to bongo flavour and even soukouss. Go west to Lagos and enjoy the sound of what the world has come to know as Afro beats. Do you know how to dance the Kwangaru? Or Shaku shaku? Or kizomba? How about Eskista, or Adumu or Sabar or even Makossa? Africans are flexible from head to toe with every dance telling the story of a people who celebrate, love and are even resilient.
We are content creators and entertainers. We exported Iman, Alek Wek, Djimoun Honsou, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and Trevor Noah. Those are just of the few but we have our very own on the motherland. Proudly african and homegrown we have Genevieve Nnaji who gave the world 'Lionheart'. We have king David Tlale, fashion designer extraordinaire. Tsitsi Dangarembga has continued to intrigue you with the riveting 'Nervous Conditions'.
Nigeria and Ghana built a multi million dollar film industry that we proudly termAfrican movies. We crowned our own standards of beauty with Miss Malaika. Malaika is Swahili for angel so clearly Africa is divine. We have celebrated our musicians with the Kora awards. More recently there was the introduction of the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA). These are part of the many honours given to our own creatives.
With every celebration there is fashion. From red carpets to traditional weddings Africans dazzle in fine prints and designs. Each part of Africa has its own representation of traditional wear. At times we borrow from each other because like our stews, we are mixed well. You can never draw the map of Africa without adding Ankara fabrics, coloured beads, metal jewellery or wool used for our braids.
We pay homage to the empires of past. To the rich history of inventors, builders and warriors. To the great kings and queens who once reigned over African civilisations. Yes, we are a civilised people. Today we are building new empires.
This Africa exists. It is the one that I and many others tell stories about.
What is the Africa you are reading about?
P.S. Always write your own love story!
Ciao!
Lady E
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