Hey,
Welcome to this issue of the Lughayangu newsletter.
Good luck to all the athletes participating in the Olympics, more so to the Kenyan athletes. Thank you for always putting our country on the map.
Miriam Makeba - Mama Africa
The Grammy award winner celebrated singer, actress and civil rights activist Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008) was born in Johannesburg to Swazi and Xhosa parents.
At the age of 17, Makeba got married to James Kubay, with whom she had her only child, Bongi Makeba, in 1950. In the same year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her husband left her immediately after.
She began her professional musical career in the 1950s. First with the Cuban brothers with whom she sang covers of popular American songs. At the age of 21, she joined a jazz group, the Manhattan Brothers as the only female and soon afterwards recorded her first hit, "Laku Tshoni Ilanga".
In 1959, Makeba acted in the anti-apartheid film Come Back Africa, which brought her international attention. She would later move to Newyork, where her career flourished, and she released many songs and albums. In 1965, her collaboration with Harry Belafonte won a Grammy Award, making her the first African recording artist to win this award.
Makeba was also an activist and a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. She testified against the South African government at the United Nations and became involved in the civil rights movement.
My African Clichés have done a must-listen-to biography on their podcast of the great Makeba. May she continue resting in power. Click here if you are interested in reminiscing some of her world-class performances.
The Battle of Adwa: How Ethiopia defeated Italy
It is no surprise that Ethiopia is one of the two counties in Africa (together with Liberia) that were never colonized and the only indigenous nation for that matter. The military strength of the Ethiopian empire cannot be overstated. They were well organized and well equipped at a time when Africa was considered a "dark continent" by the colonizers.
On Sunday, 1 March 1896, the Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian army near the town of Adwa in the first Italo-Ethiopian war. The decisive battle stamped Ethiopian independence as a nation and became a symbol of freedom for black people, and many icons like Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley drew inspiration from it. Contrarily, it impeded Italy's ambition to expand its colonial empire in Africa and led to the change of government in Italy.
When the emperor of Ethiopia, Yohannes IV died in 1889, Menelik II, who supported the Italians, claimed the throne. Italy signed a treaty with Menelik that promised him continued rule, financial assistance and military supplies. In return, the emperor ceded territories previously part of Ethiopia to Italy.
However, there were two versions of the treaty, one in Italian and the other in Amharic, each with different terms. The Italian version of the treaty, which would eventually lead to the outbreak of war, stated that Ethiopia was, in essence, an Italian protectorate, a clause that was intentionally omitted in the Amharic version.
The Ethiopians celebrate their victory at the Battle of Adwa every year in March. The great general, Ras Alula, who played a great role in the war of Adwa, has his statue erected at the airport in Makelle, Ethiopia.
Special Mentions
Learn Akan/Twi Languages plus a dictionary.
Enjoy Swahili crossword puzzles
Do you have a story we should feature? Let us know by replying to this email.
Wangu wa Makeri (The fearless Agikuyu Chieftess)
Wangũ Wa Makeri was born around 1856 in Gitie village, Kangema division, Murang'a. She was the daughter of Gatuika Macharia and Wakeru of Ndorobo descent from the Ethaga clan. Due to the lack of formal education, she worked as a labourer at her parents' farm.
PROVERB OF THE WEEK
Obi nnim obrempon ahyease(Akan)
Translation: Nobody knows the beginning of a great man.
Meaning: The beginnings of greatness are unpredictable. Hence, we should not despise small beginnings or condemn people when they are starting and seem to be struggling.
WORD OF THE WEEK
Paa (Swahili)
Meaning: Roof
Example: Paa lilianguka jana.
Translation: The roof fell yesterday.
By: Brenda
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Special thanks to Stephanie for editing this issue.
Have a great week, and thanks for reading. - Mike
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