Hey,
I recently bumped into a kid by the name of Scarmishes Roberts. It got me thinking about what had inspired his parents to give him such a name.
Digging deeper into this topic, I found out that it was not an exception but the norm. In Zimbabwe, it is common to find people named Very Important person, Backstroke Typewriter, Threemedals Sibanda, Candidate Pote e.t.c
Why are Africans shunning away from African names and giving their kids the first foreign names they come across?
I have encountered a few fellows who argued that they gave their kids foreign names to fight tribalism. Which begs the question, why should you fight tribalism? Tribalism makes us who we are. Every human being has to belong.
Tribalism doesn't have to be negative unless when used to harm, exclude or discriminate against others.
Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti, the Queen Mother and British Slayer
Yaa Asantewaa, the queen mother and custodian of the golden stool of the Ashanti kingdom, is agitated. The Golden Stool is at stake, and King Agyeman Prempeh I, his family and the top chiefs of the kingdom have been arrested and taken to Seychelles by the British. But nobody is retaliating. Nana Yaa decides to rise to the occasion. She forms a troop of over 5,000 soldiers, both men and women and starts preparation for war.
The life of Oscar Salathiel Kambona and his bitter rivalry with Nyerere
The story of Oscar Kambona is full of controversies, and there is a little write-up about him. In Tanzania, his story is always shunned upon as if it is taboo. The little texts that exist paint him as an unpatriotic, a collaborator of the west and a traitor who wanted to sell his country for money. But was he?
How did the once second most influential and popular leader in Tanzania, a close ally of Julius Nyerere, the person who helped form TANU, who fought tirelessly for Tanzanyika to get its independence and the first minister of Foreign affairs, become the enemy and fall from grace?
Depending on who you ask, you will get very varied answers. A more simplistic answer is that there was a difference in ideologies between him and first president Nyerere.
When Tanzania became a one-party state under president Nyerere, Kambona opposed this decision as he believed it did not allow for constitutional changes, thus could lead to dictatorship.
The two also differed when the Arusha Declaration was adopted. It focused on transforming Tanzania into a socialist/ujamaa kind of governance. Kambona supported the capitalist type of governance, which he believed was best for his people.
I feel like I have not done justice to this topic and will continue to research it. Nevertheless, I strongly felt the need to start this conversation so that those with information could help us fill the blanks.
What do you know about Oscar Kambona?
Night running, an evil practice or just a harmless sport?
Night running is an indigenous practice that has been active in Western Kenya, especially among the Luo for generations. However, it has been shrewd in mystery and those who practise it stigmatised.
According to a research paper by Tom Kwanya, night running is a harmless practice of some individuals to perform strange, mischievous, and frightening acts in their neighbourhoods at night to frighten and poke fun at the victims.
But why the stigma?
✅ Its association with witchcraft. A lot of people mistakenly associate night runners with evil persons like witches who not only scare but can also harm their victims.
✅ Instituonalised culture: Colonial officials characterised night-running as a nuisance that needed squashing. At no point did they take the opinion of the natives into account.
✅ Christianity Influence: Missionaries condemned the practice as a barbarian handcuff, from which converts should break loose.
In 2015, Jack Songo, the self-proclaimed president of night runners in Kenya, hit the headlines when he demanded that the practice be recognised as a sport, and their association registered.
Night runners are compelled by a kind of inherited power or force that is beyond their control. Although, in some cases, it can be learned by association. (As is the case of women who marry into the home of night runners).
What are your thoughts on night running? Should it be condemned or embraced?
Special Mentions
📌 Squid Game Analysis: Capitalism is a Squid Game - Miyamoto Muswali
📌 The elderly are living in fear of being lynched on allegations of being witches. - Odhiambo Levin Opiyo
📌 Saving Culture: Don't go broke trying to look rich- Strive Masiyiwa
RIDDLE🧠
What disappears as soon as you say its name?
TONGUE TWISTER
Katibu Kata wa Kata ya Mkata amekataa katakata kukata miti katika kata ya Mkata.(Swahili)
Translation 😊: The head of Mkata ward has forbidden the cutting of trees in the Mkapa ward.
DID YOU KNOW 🚀
Ghana was the first African country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957.
I have been jamming to this playlist of Afrobeats hits that I think you'll enjoy.
Special thanks to Stephanie for editing this issue.
Thanks for reading. Until next time - Mike.
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