Mambo vipi👋,
Karibu kwenye chapisho letu la kumi na moja( for those who don't understand, welcome to the 11th issue of the Lughayangu newsletter)💃🏿🕺🏿
Learn to speak Swahili. The language is taking over the African continent.
The Legend of Ngong Hills
Do you know the story behind the name Ng'ong hills? From the summit, the beautiful hills offer panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi city.
Award-winning Kenyan author, producer and director Kwame Nyong'o did an animation illustration based on a Maasai folktale, the story of a giant ogre who frequently raids a nearby village, carrying away its livestock for food. However, one day he falls in love with a beautiful girl who leads to his downfall.
He has also done a short film of an almost similar story, the Luo folklore of Lwanda Magere, where a beautiful Kalenjin girl led to the death of the Luo legend, and the Wonderful Story of Aisha, Ali and Flipflopi the Multicoloured Dhow Boat.
Les Mangelepa the trendsetters
Les Mangelepa music group have been entertaining the East African scene for almost 50 years now and are considered one of the golden eras of Lingala music.
The group, whose members are originally from Lubumbashi in DRC, was formed in 1976 after a splinter from Baba National. The band would quickly become the trendsetters of the 1970s and 1980s with their trademark bell-bottom trousers and tight shirts.
The Mangelepa had a way of touching people's hearts. Although most East Africans did not understand the lyrics to their songs, mostly written in Lingala, the beats and melodies were danceable and memorable.
Some of the memorable songs produced by the group include Emabakasi, Aoko, Nyako Konya, Mimba, Maindusa e.t.c
CGTN Africa did a very educative documentary that distils the illustrious career of the band.
You can support the group by buying their music available on Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify.
Sadly, these heroes are still living in poverty after producing some of the greatest hits ever made.
Snippets
A plug for all things African comic books, animation, video games, and funky digital art. - Squid Mag
Mother-tongue books for authentic children advancement - African Child Press
History of Kenya: as told one pic or story at a time. - @historyke
FESPACO, The longest running Africa's film festival (Exclusive content)
Did you know that Burkina Faso hosts Africa’s most important film festival, the Fespaco (Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou) which translates to Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou.
PROVERB OF THE WEEK
Kidi podi,kikwenda kolanga(kiluba)
Translation: It is ugly when close, but you miss it when it is away.
Meaning: The proverb encourages people to be understanding and accepting of each other despite their differences.
WORD OF THE WEEK
Meaning: Mother
Example: Mokoro ameniadisia brown mbili.
Translation: Mamangu amenisaidia na elfu mbili.
By: Mbudaa
Special thanks to Stephanie for editing this issue.
Wiki njema. 💪. Mike
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