NASAHA KWA WATANZANIA WANAOULIZIA WAFADHILI NJE- 2

Lipo tangazo linalorudiwa takriban kila kituo cha runinga huku Uzunguni, siku za karibuni. Tangazo humwonyesha mtoto mdogo wa kike, mweusi kama mpingo; mzuri ajabu, macho maangavu na uso uliotulia. Mwafrika. Watoto ni malaika, wahenga walisema. Na kweli wajihi wa msichana huyu wa Kimatumbi ni mkono wa Mungu. Namkisia ana miaka miwili au mitatu.

NASAHA KWA WATANZANIA WANAOULIZIA SANA WAFADHILI NJE - 1

“Mafanikio maishani yahitaji mawili; kutojua  na kujiamini,” aliandika mtunzi maarufu wa riwaya, Mark Twain. Zamani shuleni tulisoma vitabu vya Mark Twain vinavyofundishia Kiingereza ulimwengu mzima. Kati ya riwaya ya sifa na sambusa ni The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mashuhuri sana. Kisa chenye kejeli na utani kuhusu ubaguzi wa rangi. Nukuu, elimu na hekima za Mmarekani huyu aliyezaliwa mwaka 1835 akafariki 1910, (akatajirika kutokana na fasihi)  hunyofolewa sana na wengi. Wanadamu tunapenda kujifunza kwa wenzetu waliofanikiwa kitaaluma na kimasilahi. 

Mtunzi wa riwaya Mark Twain, mwaka 1871. Kitabu chake , Huckleberry Finn, hutumiwa mashuleni kujifunza Kiingereza ulimwengu mzima. Picha ya Wikipedia

Hebu tuikague nukuu hii kusaidia maongezi ya leo. Kutojua kwaweza kuwa ujinga na Mwalimu Nyerere aliwahi kufafanua ifuatavyo...

THE LANGUAGE ISSUE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA

Whenever our political leaders fly overseas there are those very keen to meet and hear them.  Earnestly.  A second group prefers keeping grievances secret and carry on “boxing” as the Swahili slang goes. Boxing (kupiga Boksi) is a decade long jargon that means sweating it out in foreign lands. They might read and watch the news but keep on working. The third type has detached itself. Totally.  Suspicious, cynical and distrustful, for this lot, political visitors resemble aliens from another planet. These, would only turn to embassies when there is an urgency e.g. death,  visa issues, etc.  They are like those citizens who never vote, read newspapers or watch television.  

Flanked by High Commissioner, His Excellency Peter Kallaghe,  Deputy High Commissioner, Msafiri Marwa and UK- Tanzania Business Group chairman, Mr Kam Khaki, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industries, Ms Janet Mbene...speaks in London. Pic by Rashid Dilunga

PASSING OF MKWAWA’S BLOOD LINE AND REMEMBERING OUR HEROES

President Jakaya Kikwete with Mkwawa's recent 14 year old Mkwawa heir to the Hehe throne. A family tie with strong links to Tanzania's history. Pic by  Michuzi.

Remembering our ancestors by performing regular rituals was common practise in many world traditions. Some of these rituals were later “dismissed” or forgotten as Middle East religions took over.  Non Christians were called Pagans or Infidels (un baptised sinners); while non Muslims were Heretics or Kafirs; and non Jewish, Gentiles. These rituals were the core of family, tribe, values and customs.

WHITE FEATHERS OF A BIRD KILLED AT DAWN

 Scattered feathers in my garden bothered me.

 They had not been around when I went to bed the night before; which was late. Three o’clock. Puzzling.  Through the kitchen window I noticed fresh blood; still clear like when you accidentally spill any red liquid. Wine. Ink. Juice.   I opened the door to explore. Perhaps there might be a wounded creature. Staggering. Many smaller, fresh feathers, white and grey, laid by the door step.  Soft like cotton wool.  A wing with a slightly broken bone laid by the corner, close to the wooden wall separating my neighbour’s house.   It was troubling. I was curious. How did the pigeon get killed?  Foxes? But how would a fox kill a pigeon? Surely the bird could have flown off.  No. This was a bigger bird.  Big birds of prey: pelicans and seagulls that attack pigeons across London.

It brought childhood memories, growing on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro; witnessing hawks and falcons diving in to catch terrified chicken. My mother used to dislike falcons. Mwewe. Chickens would shriek and warn each other.  Warning, worrying and terror is the life of birds.

 On this very same day as I sat, sipping tea, I observed a man with a determined expression on TV speaking to journalists in French. I had not seen him since 2007. His son had been found dead in a Paris hotel.  Allegedly, asphyxiated to death. Death. King of all horrible deeds. 

 Brahim Deby, 27 year old son of Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno (pictured above) was allegedly murdered by a fire extinguisher. I recall watching the news on the French channel seven years ago.  Now President Idriss Deby was on the news again, nonetheless, with a different message. Chad is rarely on the news.

“We shall show that Africa is capable...” President Idriss was saying. Fresh hope for what is going on in Northern Nigeria. No other leader has recently spoken with such confidence since Boko Haram began murdering citizens in September 2010. 

THE RISE AND RISE OF BOWEL PROBLEMS, BAD WIND AND GLUTEN

When I was a kid there was a funny, dirty popular jingle.  A naughty song about bad wind, or in impolite, raw English, farting. Allegedly composed on the East African coast where Swahili lullabies developed and creativity blossomed. Swahili of Taarab, fun, coconuts, mischief, music and fish. 

Coconuts - part of Swahili coasts image and mood...- pic taken in Dar es Salaam, 2009- by author... 

Today we take Kiswahili for granted, but 45 to 60 years ago, non fluent Swahili speakers, from upper regions and highlands were often teased. The bad wind song was an example of such inter-territorial arrogance and brilliance. Please look closely at the lyrics.  Aren’t they meaningless except for the last Swahili word...?

“Ana ana do

Kachanika basto

Iziplingi matingo

Kajaamba!”

 As time moved, folks added more lines. Normally, the tune was chanted after a smell of bad wind had been detected. In their innocent fashion, children are allowed to be silly and playful. So while everyone waved hands close to their noses, someone would start singing and wagging a finger at everyone present. Each word will go to the next person until Kajamba was finalised. If you happened to be the one at that end of the round, laughter and jeer would wash your face, even if you were not the culprit.  Such unfair embarrassment contributed to folks adding more lines to extend the playful ordeal.

“Ushuzi unanuka! Atatandikwa!  Tena Saana...”

SAIDI KANDA PROVES AFRICAN MUSIC IS THE NEEDED PLEASURE

 “His music makes you feel pure joy,” the English lady reflects with sparkling teeth and a smile bright enough to light the semi darkness of Rich Mix, East London. This beautiful club always showcases excellent music from across the globe.... As we speak, couples and singles are close to the stage, gyrating hips and clapping. Men and women dancing further left are trying a Maasai jump, recreation. Minutes later, everyone is waving and dancing and swinging to the Mandela dance, yet another Saidi Kanda creation. Young and old cheer ecstatically while filming on their phones.  Electric atmosphere. That English dame with a sparkle was right. Africa is not just misery, guns and Ebola...

Saidi Kanda, Tanzanian musician, is on fire. 

Saidi Jumanne Kanda  (with Swahili singer, Fab Moses) in action last Sunday, at  Rich Mix.