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Welcome to the second issue of the Lughayangu newsletter. If you do enjoy the content, please do not forget to share it with your friends.
An Honest Explanation of the Nigerian Civil War | The Biafran Story
The Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran war, was between the federal state of Nigeria led by Yakubu Gowon and the Biafra state led by Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu from 6 July 1967 to 15 January 1970.
The 3-year conflict led to the death of an estimated 2 million civilians and 100000 soldiers. It has the second-highest death toll of all African conflicts.
Like most African countries, the formation of the Nigerian states was more of a project based on colonial interest than the wish of the Nigerian tribes who lived on the land.
The three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Hausa- Fulani (majority in the north), the Yoruba (majority in the West) and the Igbo(majority in the south-east) were so different in their political, economic, ethnic, cultural and religious views. It did not make sense to force them to form a country.
A NewAfrica documentary currently available on Youtube has attempted to give an honest explanation of the cause and enablers of this conflict. They even go a step further and try to offer solutions to the still ongoing problem.
You should watch the documentary if you want to understand the problem of tribalism in Nigeria.
Yasuke the Legendary African Samurai
The much anticipated animated series loosely based on the life of Yasuke is now available on Netflix.
Yasuke (not his original name) was the first African to achieve the status of a Samurai after serving under the leadership of Oda Nobunaga - a very powerful Japanese daimyo regarded as the first Great Unifier of Japan.
There is a belief that he was East African. Some say he was of the Makua people of Mozambique, a Bantu tribe. Others also say he was from Ethiopia and belonged to the Habshi people. Professor Thomas Lockley, co-author of African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan, thinks that he might have been from South Sudan majorly because of his height and skin colour.
He was taken to Kyoto, Japan in 1579 by Alessandro Valignano: An Italian Jesuit missionary.
LeSean Thomas, the director and creator of the series, has tried to highlight the value system of most Africans, such as the need to protect children.
You can check out the trailer here.
DHEBI A TUGOIN (The Mursi lip-plate)
In the secluded Omo Valley in the southwestern part of Ethiopia lives an indigenous tribe known as the Mursi. They are one of the last tribes that still wear traditional clothing and accessories such as the colourfully painted clay plates worn in the lower lip by women. The lip-plate is known as dhebi a tugoin and has become the chief visible distinguishing characteristic of the Mursi.
CHIEF MWANGEKA WA MALOWA (The magnificent Taita warrior)
In the 1840s, in the beautiful hilly land of the Taita at Mwanda Kwa Weni Ngasu, a hero, soldier and Chief known as Mwangeka Wa Malowa was born. A wealthy man, he had three wives; Zighe Mshote, Mfwa Mwaghowa and Mfwa Ndaghina, from Msudu, Kashinyi and Mwanda Njawuli villages, respectively. He was able to sire four sons and two daughters from the marriages.
PROVERB OF THE WEEK
Okisa buluale khuliulila bililo. (Bukusu)
Translation: When a person hides sickness, we will hear cries of distress.
Meaning: It is a warning to those who want to hide an enemy, evil or sickness, that it could eventually cause them greater harm than good. The evil/enemy is likened to an illness, that if not dealt with, could eventually lead to death.
WORD OF THE WEEK
Hererwa (Kidigo)
Meaning: To be happy
Example: Mwana achikala na afya nono avyazi nkuhererwa.
Translation: If a child has good health, the parents are happy.
By: Smiley
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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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