Monday, July 20, 2009

The Brilliance of Africa--Not Just the Sun


In the 1920s, African Americans clung to Egypt as THE benchmark of African intellectual heritage, because they, like every other American, bought into public perceptions of the so-called “Dark Continent”—a place of savagery where people grunted like animals, hoping for a Tarzan to swing through and rescue them. Today people know more, but still fairly little. Teachers don’t know too much, so who can expect their students (who may become teachers themselves) will match that low bar? Of course, if you have African friends, take classes or read on your own, or have been lucky enough to travel, more information comes forth. Still, it seems as if the interested might like to have a little more info readily available, even right here in Second Life.


With that in mind, Saminaka built its library/bookstore. Slate, Scroll & Stick (a name that alludes to Muslim, Christian, and traditional modes of education) is now sitting pretty on the sim, and this Wednesday night will host an opening of a slideshow about Timbuktu while launching an in-world hippo book The African Intellectual Tradition, and a second little volume, Nigerian Authors.


Putting these things together, I decided to ask a few friends some questions—market research after the fact. The Timbuktu slideshow is all about ancient universities—but the mere mention of “Timbuktu” had some residents ask “Is it a real place?” It still has a back-of-beyond sound to it, and my guess is relatively few Saminaka visitors know that it’s in Mali, much less that it housed a university older than any in Europe except Bologna—though the universities in Morocco’s Fez and Egypt’s Cairo are older yet. In fact, as Oliha Yiwama underlined, the university was invented in Africa. (China has even older higher educational traditions, but they were organized in a different way, without degrees).


I asked BlackMink Toshi, owner of "Someplace Else," which includes a concert stage area and tropical lounge, as well as an African Village, open for group and personal use free of charge, what she knew about Timbuktu. “Only what I have read,” she said, betraying a skeptic’s (correct) view of scholarship. “And you know what? I did not like some things I have read, that may or may not be true. Seems to me that African people were engaged in some things that may have set the stage for being taken advantage of. Whenever you find a system of "royalty" you can bet that someone is being mistreated—everyone cannot be kings and queens, and I suspect that some persons were mistreated for the sake of this ‘royalty’ and/or ‘intellectual’ tradition. In any case, whatever they were doing ‘intellectually’ was not enough to prevent being mistreated on the basis of color or factors related to it. Bragging...and showboating gold to ‘visitors.’ and offering them gifts of ‘slaves’ may not have been in the best interest of the culture.”


This hardly seemed the time to wax enthusiastically about ancient manuscripts on optics and astrology, linguistics and history—for I could not deny that a manuscript considering slave-taking in Islamic jihads by no means condemned it. Indeed, BlackMink kept this from being an “Isn’t Africa great?” feature with her independent thoughts. “Great,” she said, ‘but guilty at times of ‘Inappropriate behavior.” It’s worth remembering; intellectuals everywhere have distorted findings and misdirected people, and some have become heads of state, enthusiastically misleading their followers.

I moved quickly to a new topic, familiarity with modern African universities. When I inquired how many there were, Feretian String hesitated and said, “I would guess...oh....10?” She pointed out her education had been very Eurocentric, and that since becoming a Saminaka resident. she had “started reading the folktales and other bits from [the] library and the welcome area exhibits. And I'm fascinated by the photographs of Nigeria and the art! I am hooked.”


She wasn’t alone in her unfamiliarity, by any means. Several citizens hazarded the guess that there might be “one or two.” Linda Sautereau, a university professor by trade, knew differently. “Universities in Africa...lord...must be hundreds.” Likewise, Sentwali Gabilondo guessed 150, and PHaTTSaMM Fizz said, “I am sure hundreds...having visited Kenya and Zimbabwe. They are not strangers to higher education.” I don’t have the exact count myself—unwilling to wade through Wikipedia to get it—but it is indeed in the hundreds. Nigeria alone has scads of universities, polytechnics and other higher degree-granting institutions. And many African professors have landed teaching positions in American schools, lest anyone think their education is in any way behindhand.


African authors? Only a few had had a taste, which seems a pity—nothing can convey a real feel for a place and culture faster than a good novel. Sentwali named Wole Soyinka, Diop, Kagame, Mongo Bete. Chinua Achebe (who shares a birthday with this author) was the first name on his lips, and was also mentioned by two other readers, BlackMink Toshi and Linda Sautereau. Achebe, who authored (among many other books) the excellent Things Fall Apart (probably the most frequently assigned African novel in U.S. classrooms), is now 78 and teaching at New York’s Bard College. After a car accident in 1990, he was confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down.

His vigorous prose uses traditional Igbo proverbs to explore the impact of Western culture on Igbo life. BlackMink commented, “He has pointed out the inability of some African cultures to recover from devastation to the point of being capable of preserving themselves thus are still ‘helpless,’ as things fall apart.” Linda heard Achebe speak at Princeton last year and counted herself lucky.


“I can say one thing,” she said. “His body may be ailing, but his mind is keen and he has the most wonderful view of life of life. He didn't see his life as extraordinary. He did what had to be done in the time he lived. It was inspiring to see someone who was so comfortable with himself, his life and the world, despite the hardships he had suffered. His spirit shown, through his voice and his demeanor. He didn't seem like a man who was ailing at all--still vibrant...involved...active...it was awesome! From my perspective, as a black woman ‘of a certain age,’ I felt like my best days are ahead of me.”

Asked about other great minds of Africa, PHaTTSaMM Fizz brought up Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Shaka Zulu, while Sentwali named Cheikh Anta Diop. The ever-provocative and always quotable BlackMink named Robert Mugabe. She expanded, “Robert Mugabe has visibly done more towards the effort of producing justice than any African leader. He has proven himself to be quite ‘smart.’ ‘Smart’ meaning the ability to get things done. He reminds me of the Jews in Israel, as he is taking the same direct action to reclaim the land of his ancestors, and I think he should receive the same support as Israel.”

Miles Barbasz, in SL a creative photographer (his interpretive self-portrait shown here) and also the developer of Nago Wes Estates, is an academic and an Africanist in RL. He admired a different set of Africans, quickly reeling off a list that included Okot p'Bitek, Kwame Gyekye, Wande Abimbola, V. Y. Mudimbe and Kofi Asare Opoku.


Unsurprised at a general unfamiliarity with African intellectual history, he commented. “One of the most prevalent misconceptions about precolonial African cultures is that they were lacking in intellectual sophistication or substance because their modes of knowing by and large were not encoded textually, as was and is the case in the West. However, such a notion is grossly misguided, because what the ancient African world teaches us is that intricate religio-intellectual traditions can be encoded and transmitted non-textually via proverbial knowledge and ritual practice, to name only a few methods. Moreover, indigenous Africa is also highly instructive in that it forces us to realize that intellectual activity is meaningful only to the extent that it can be effectively manifested in everyday life for the betterment of individuals and humankind.”


Indeed, the oral traditions of Africa passed along much knowledge over the centuries, both esoteric and practical. Bases other than the familiar base ten system were used to calculate currency in West Africa for centuries, and the Kuba culture of the Democratic Republic of Congo is said to have one of the highest proportions of geometric design combinations in the world—a mix of mathematics and art, as is polyrhythmic drumming. West Africa’s Fulani cattle herders knew cowpox rubbed in an incision would prevent smallpox long before Jenner made his “discovery” in England.


But knowledge did not remain only oral. Besides the early importation of Arabic literacy in parts of East and West Africa, and of European literacy of various stripes—not only in colonial times, for numerous royal children studied in Portugal in the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries—indigenous writing systems are also known. AbaBrukh Aabye’s early Eritrean/Ethiopian builds (see Saminaka Compass 6/28) includes an inscription that dates from the fifth century B.C.E. The region’s ancient Ge’ez script was employed in everything from stories of the Christian saints to histories to works of literature. Ge’ez and its descendent, Amharic, use only two African alphabets. Nubian, Bamum and Vai cultures created their own writing systems, and some other ethnic groups, like those of Nigeria’s Cross River region, employed pictographs in communication.


PHaTTSaMM noted, “Africa is the 'cradle of civilization'--most of European descent have forgotten or are ignorant of that fact.” But they are not alone; many with that blood watered by the Senegal, the Niger, the mighty Congo and the Benue are equally unfamiliar with Africa’s great gifts. Take the opportunity to learn more on Saminaka, and join us for Wednesday’s opening (see Events, below) or at any convenient time.

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These lovely heeled sandals, made from pearlized ivory leather, bear a cascading profusion of sculpted roses. Your toes will enjoy this garden--all thorns have been removed! We call them Jos roses, after Tamsin's first Nigerian home. Why? When a neighbor trimmed her roses and handed Tam the cut canes, she just stuck them in the ground. Not only did they root, they bloomed within three months! Get them on Saminaka at Cinnamon Brigade: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/121/177/31/31

UNDER THE MANGO TREE--Tamsin Barzane

It's been a busy week, with another one ahead. I have the summers off, I have no children to look after, you'd think all would be relaxing, but it isn't. There's still fallout in the form of a barrage of emails to be answered, calls I don't want to take, requests that are interesting but not what I want to do right now, bills to take care of, and all the things you know all too well.

When I think back to my time in Nigeria, I realize few of these things applied--or at least not on a regular basis. Nobody took credit cards--so you only bought things you could afford and thought you needed. Bills were for utilities, but those who couldn't afford could tip the electricity men something and their lines were safe for another month or so. Hungry? A friend would always be willing to share. Anxieties and pressures still existed, but at a different weight and pressure.

Maybe that's one reason I enjoy Saminaka so much. I like to go out dancing, but when people use their spammy gestures and words cover the screen, it's almost as if shouting is going on. A frantic pace is a sort of artificial excitement, like restaurants with intentional bad acoustics meant to foster the noise of a thousand happy, frenzied customers.

Slow down with me. Saminaka has two "off" islands, one with a hammock, the other with a beach blanket or a tree pose. There's the Wikki Warm Springs, where you can float in the water. Sit on the pier by the waterfall and swing your legs, or splash in the pool it spills into. Relax with a cup of palmwine at the Manatee Lookout, or read a book in the library. You'll feel your pulse slow, your muscles relax. It may be virtual, but it can have real physical effects! C'mon over! We've even moved the giant video screen over to Apapa port, so the view of the sunsets is unimpeded. Your free trip to anxiety free paradise could begin right now!

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Middle Experience on Treet.TV


Treet.TV's Second Life show, Designing Worlds, featured Saminaka's Middle Passage Experience and Indea Vaher's Safe Haven Landing on their show last week.


Saffia Widdershins and Elrik Merlin travel as Ronke and Boubacar, leaving Africa through the tragic Middle Passage, arriving in the Low Country of the United States.

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Our massive grid-wide 40% sale is winding down! You know what that means? New sim! New make up! Fabulous new shopping experience. Once we move, all our make ups go back to full price, so be sure to get in on it. Last call ya'll!

FIRST SAMINAKA PHOTO CONTEST--ALL WINNERS!


Saminaka's first contest drew some gorgeous shots of the sim and its visitors and residents. The Grand Prize winner was popular Charity Richez (above), a skilled photographer who waltzed off with 2000L, a voucher for five skins from Kiko Life, a photo shoot with spirit Wingtips, and a raft of prizes from Saminaka's shops!
Other participants whose pictures are shown here are Keno Beardmore, two pics by PHaTTSaMM Fizz, Puff Klang, and Insenara Siamendes.The others' photos will be published next week.
Every participant is a winner, though, gaining a prize that sells for over 200L. Another contest will come in about a month; each Grand Prize winner must wait out the next contest so all have a good chance!

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FereSight Tarot Readings


by Feretian String


Tarot is more than a game to simply tell you when you'll come into a million dollars or that a mysterious stranger will find their way into your life.

Tarot is a tool for self discovery, helping us to acknowledge the power of choice in our lives and the self awareness that is neccessary to realizing our dreams and confronting our fears. The Tarot reveals what we already know deep down in our subconscious and spreads that knowledge onto our surface awareness.

Fere reads RL Tarot cards. If you are not satisfied with your reading, you simply do not pay. Your privacy is guaranteed. Inquiries by IM.

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Ads! We have an initial special offer for you, whether you are shopkeepers or classified customers! Remember you can advertise your shop, feature an item, or try to sell a transferable item. If your ad has a photo, it costs more. There are discounts for extended runs of the same ad, and lesser discounts if you have constant ads, but they vary from week to week. YOU CAN ALSO USE THIS VENUE TO ADVERTISE RL OBJECTS AND SERVICES; LIST YOUR EBAY OR OTHER SITE AND REACH OUR CUSTOMERS (Tamsin Barzane will never reveal your rl identity to readers). All ad payments are in-world and in lindens. Ads for the coming week should be submitted by noon SLT Sunday.

Single ad, no photo, one week. maximum 5 Blogger lines: 50L
Single ad, photo, one week. Text maximum 5 Blogger lines: 100L
Single ad recurring, no photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines: 175L
Single ad recurring, photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines: 325L
Single ad changing week-to-week, no photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines. 180L
Single ad changing week-to-week, photo, one month (4 issues). Text maximum 5 Blogger lines. 425L

If you want longer text, more than one photo, or a longer ad run, prices will be adjusted. Contact Tamsin Barzane through inworld notecard or at tbarzane@gmail.com

These are introductory prices--no telling if they'll last more than a month! Get em while you can! As of the morning of July 12, our circulation was 358--now, a week later, we're at 464!! That's a big jump, and our readers come from all over the world. WE GROW DAILY!!

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You've discovered Second Life's Premiere source of great quality African Art . We offer a variety of African Art Images, vases, rugs, fire bowls and a whole lot More! Unique new pieces created by "CocoCurious" to complete your African Art Collection. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Meissa%20Isle/181/185/25

FROM THE SUITCASE--Oliha Yiwama

Hooray! After a few weeks of cyber woes, Oliha was able to send this missive from Nigeria. I had asked him about how the Michael Jackson news was met--for Michael was a big star there, too, impersonated in stage shows and played on the radio. I also remembered how when, years ago, the U.S. was baffled about Michael's Caucasianization, Nigeria was puzzling instead over his feminization. But, as everywhere, things change when a legend finally departs. Also, Oliha had been the one to inform me of Marlon Jackson's involvement in a proposed resort at Badagry--hotel, golf course, slavery theme park (umm, not a celebration of it), and a sited Jackson Family Museum, active as of this past spring (see concept drawing above). Here's Oliha's report:

Nigeria, the unofficial home of Michael Jackson (at least in the minds of Nigerians!), continues to mourn the loss of its unoffical national hero. Ever since the news of MJ's passing, Nigerians have been glued to their TV sets watching every detail and commenting on the tragedy.

Nigerians watched MJ's wake and commented on each family member by name, as well as the other multitude of stars that attended. I happened to be on the laptop at the time, but was asked to forgo that and to solemnly join the others to watch the funeral proceedings. It was a time of deep thought.

I was so glad that I did. Michael was quite a star, who passed too soon. It was absorbing to roll back the years and think of his impact at home, and to see it here as well. Nigeria follows R&B, blues, soul, hip-hop, and even country music avidly. One of the most popular musical forms is reggae, and Bob Marley is still remembered annually, his face painted on the back of countless trucks.

My curiosity aroused, I decided to inquie who was bigger, Bob Marley or MJ? I got an overwelming responce in the household--MJ! I took my poll to the streets of Benin City, in the cyber cafes, restaurants and to anybody I could ask. The overwelming response remained MJ, in Nigeria and in the world. MJ, I don't know if you are aware, but you continue to live in Nigeria. May you find peace and consolation. --Oliha Yiwama

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OCHL ENTERPRISE--CLICK FOR A LARGER IMAGE!


Read the blog, get an introductory copy of OCHL's GUIDE TO MUSIC AND DANCE IN SL

HAWKING IN THE MARKET--SAMINAKA COMMERCIAL NEWS



***Slate, Scroll & Stick, Saminaka's library, also has a bookstore! Walk in and turn to your left, and you'll see books to buy and read inworld, as well as Amazon links to great books from and about Nigeria. These will be added to regularly, so come back!


***Kiko Life's new mainstore and sim will soon be ready, and it's an exciting venture! By next weekend.... Well, it's still in the planning stages, but Tamsin Barzane will be opening a posh new boutique there with a completely new line of clothes for men and women, full of prim detailing, sculpty accents, and African textures with contemporary styles!

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These fashionable men's shoes bear a tiny crocodile charm and are available at

WETIN BE DAT? Pidgin English phrase of the week

"O Boy, come make we wash this your Okada with some cold beer!"
"Wash" means to celebrate a new purchase with a drink, while "Okada" is the name of an Edo town that has come to mean "motorcycle," especially motorcycles used as mini-"taxis."

MY PEOPLE SAY--NIGERIAN PROVERB OF THE WEEK

"When the hyena drinks, the dog can only watch."

Sunday, July 19, 2009

THIS WEEK IN SAMINAKA--JULY 20 to 26

Tues., June 21, 6 pm SLT. Weekly meeting of Egbe Akowe Writers Group at the new Slates, Scrolls & Sticks, Saminaka's library cum bookstore. Join the group and receive its missives by hitting the Subscribe-o-Matic (doesn't add to group count) at the meeting location http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/174/194/30 or the Manatee Lookout Palm Wine Joint on Tarkwa Beach. Critique/sharing the first hour, then writing fun afterwards for the lingerers. Prepare to use BenGay--Acu Watanabe will split your sides with her wisecracking!

We had a great first meeting--come even if you haven't written this week and join the discussion and in-place exercises!

Wed., June 22. 6 pm SLT. Opening of the "Timbuktu's Ancient African Universities" slideshow and launching of the African Intellectual Traditions hippobook at Slates, Scrolls & Sticks at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saminaka/174/194/30


Ongoing for unspecified period. Visit Saminaka's booth at the "Show Me the Green" Expo on the
rooftop of the Museum of the African-American


Ongoing for 3 more weeks. The Middle Passage Experience has been relocated outside Treet.TV's studios. With more prims, it is more powerful than ever! Foliage surrounds the paths you take from freedom to slavery, and evocative sounds reinforce the move from everyday contentment to horror. Make history come alive! At http://slurl.com/secondlife/Northpoint/71/68/23