THE REAL AFRICA
Toris Okotie
6/29/2003
Newsletter #1

In a continent populated by approximately 797,148,044 (2000 estimate) people, Africa has been known to the west as a poor, dependant continent, relying on western sympathy as a means of daily bread. Truly, Africa is indeed a continent, crowed with weary souls, striving to survive the next day and corrupted by its own people, but the outline facts never proof that without its surrounding continents, Africa cannot survive. For centuries, history has recorded down the people of Africa, from great Egypt to the enslaved Africans in the early 1800’s. Through this years, history or should I say recorded history has never pointed out the importance of Africa to the world, other than the fact that it helped the westerners to produce more cottons. We the readers and the ones made to believe only what our history tells us, are blinded so as not to see the deleted pages on our history. As you walk through the land of Africa, form the stemming Sahara to the never ending rain forest, you see a people divided by languages, ways of dressing and by their faith, but despite all these differences, In one continent, united by its name, Africa; the people, south or west, east or north are connected by the same affliction imposed on them by their neighboring continent’s who came as a stranger and left with their young ones as slaves. If Africa, who is ones known as the greatest continent and the land of civilization could suddenly be referred to as the “poor and dependent continent”, then we need to ask ourselves, how did it happen?


AFRICAN TRIBES

The Itsekiris
Among the hundreds of tribes located in the region of Africa are the Itsekiris, generally known for their flashy way of dressing, the Itsekiris take pride in their culture, celebrating every day as if there will be no tomorrow. Among their delicious meals served which attracts tourist, the Itsekiris are known for their distinctive way of cooking the “Banga Soup”. They are located in West Africa, in the most populated Black Country, Nigeria. Not too many in population, they work hand in hand to better the lives of fellow tribe members, their king known as “Olu of Warri” is the traditional ruler and is accompanied by other elders.

Itsekiri Names

(1) Omawumi (Meaning: I love Children) (Mainly Girls)
(2) Toritsemotse (Meaning: I’ll do God’s will) (Boys & Girls)
(3) Jeminuye (Meaning: Let me have wealth) (Mostly Boys)

QUESTIONS

(1) Who makes up the African people?

Answer: Africa is known generally as the black continent, but in reality, neither the blacks nor any other specific race is the sole owner of Africa. Before we lived, She already was and not even history could provide a proof, showing that the blacks were the first to live in Africa. But as we know, history is only what we can remember and for all our knowledge worth, Blacks have lived in Africa since the day the first page of history was written (not the Bible). In answer to this question, the African people are any group of people, who have been known to lived and are currently living in the land of Africa.

PROVERBS

(1) "Everybody loves a fool, but nobody wants him for a son." Malinke proverb
(2) "When the brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father's estate." Ibo proverb
(3) "When the mouse laughs at the car, there is a hole nearby." Benin proverb
(4) "The rain does not recognize anyone as a friend; it drenches all equally." Ibo proverb
(5) "When an elephant combats, it is the grass that suffers."- (Kikuyu proverb)

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