Africa
Dear IF readers, there is no way we can cover the magic of Africa, North and South in one issue. We will dedicate April and May to Africa. Please check our daily blog as we go through various parts of Africa in discussions on family life, cuisine, art, health, travel, education and much more.
Also, please click our Global Families, "African Families" and read from our wonderful family writers from Africa.
Finally as there are so many things in the country of Africa to highlight, we chose to start off with the image of a great man, an article on the wonders of the languages of Africa, a song, and a recipe. May you be inspired, in awe, soothed and fed. There will be much more in the next weeks. Please check in daily to our blog for more....
Language of Africa
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_languages
The languages of Africa are a diverse set of languages, many of which bear little relation to one another.
European languages, especially French and English and, to a lesser degree, Portuguese and Dutch influenced the African languages due to colonization of Africa since the nineteenth century.
There are an estimated 2000 languages spoken in Africa. About a hundred of these have been estimated to be major languages, and usually a visitor to a linguistic area can find someone who speaks the area's major language . African languages such as Swahili, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, Ibibio language of the Ibibio/Annang/Efik people Ibibio, Annang and Efik are spoken by millions of people. In Zimbabwe, most people speak Shona followed by those who speak Ndebele, However English is the official language and is spoken by both the Shonas and the Ndebele. Nigeria has over 250 languages, these include, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Urhobo and others, such as Laal, Shabo, and Dahalo, are spoken by a few hundred or fewer. In addition, Africa has a wide variety of sign languages, many of whose genetic classification has yet to be worked out. Several African languages are also whistled for special purposes.
The abundant linguistic diversity of many African countries has made language policy an extremely important issue in the neo-colonial era. In recent years, African countries have become increasingly aware of the value of their linguistic inheritance. Language policies that are being developed nowadays are mostly aimed at multilingualism. For example, all African languages are considered official languages of the African Union (AU). 2006 was declared by AU as the "Year of African Languages".
(Source: www.wikipedia.com)
(born 18 July 1918) is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative democratic elections. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress and its armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. He spent 27 years in prison, much of it on Robben Island, on convictions for crimes that included sabotage committed while he spearheaded the struggle against apartheid.
Among opponents of apartheid in South Africa and internationally, he became a symbol of freedom and equality, while the apartheid government and nations sympathetic to it condemned him and the ANC as communists and terrorists.
Following his release from prison in February 11, 1990, his switch to a policy of reconciliation and negotiation helped lead the transition to multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, he has been widely praised, even by former opponents.
Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He is currently a celebrated elder statesman who continues to voice his opinion on topical issues. In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson beMandela.
Mandela has frequently credicated Mahatma Gandhi for being a major source of inspiration in his life, both for the philosophy of non-violence and for facing adversity with dignity.
European languages, especially French and English and, to a lesser degree, Portuguese and Dutch influenced the African languages due to colonization of Africa since the nineteenth century.
There are an estimated 2000 languages spoken in Africa. About a hundred of these have been estimated to be major languages, and usually a visitor to a linguistic area can find someone who speaks the area's major language . African languages such as Swahili, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, Ibibio language of the Ibibio/Annang/Efik people Ibibio, Annang and Efik are spoken by millions of people. In Zimbabwe, most people speak Shona followed by those who speak Ndebele, However English is the official language and is spoken by both the Shonas and the Ndebele. Nigeria has over 250 languages, these include, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Urhobo and others, such as Laal, Shabo, and Dahalo, are spoken by a few hundred or fewer. In addition, Africa has a wide variety of sign languages, many of whose genetic classification has yet to be worked out. Several African languages are also whistled for special purposes.
The abundant linguistic diversity of many African countries has made language policy an extremely important issue in the neo-colonial era. In recent years, African countries have become increasingly aware of the value of their linguistic inheritance. Language policies that are being developed nowadays are mostly aimed at multilingualism. For example, all African languages are considered official languages of the African Union (AU). 2006 was declared by AU as the "Year of African Languages".
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
(Source: www.wikipedia.com)(born 18 July 1918) is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative democratic elections. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress and its armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. He spent 27 years in prison, much of it on Robben Island, on convictions for crimes that included sabotage committed while he spearheaded the struggle against apartheid.
Among opponents of apartheid in South Africa and internationally, he became a symbol of freedom and equality, while the apartheid government and nations sympathetic to it condemned him and the ANC as communists and terrorists.
Following his release from prison in February 11, 1990, his switch to a policy of reconciliation and negotiation helped lead the transition to multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, he has been widely praised, even by former opponents.
Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He is currently a celebrated elder statesman who continues to voice his opinion on topical issues. In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson beMandela.
Mandela has frequently credicated Mahatma Gandhi for being a major source of inspiration in his life, both for the philosophy of non-violence and for facing adversity with dignity.
Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
By Enoch Mankayi Sontonga
Source: http://zar.co.za/sontonga.htm
Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.
God bless Africa,
Lift her horn on high,
Hear our prayers.
God bless us
Who are Your people.
God save our nation,
End wars and strife.
South Africa, South Africa.
African Recipe
Ugali
Source: http://funkymunky.co.za/bread.htmlUgali is a stiff, steamed porridge usually made from maize meal and is a staple part of the diet of 90 per cent of the population of African countries. Since Ugali is inexpensive, poorer people can afford to combine it with mchicha (a variety of spinach or silver beet) sauce and be sure of one good meal a day. Ugali can be served hot or, after it has cooled, it can be fried, giving it a different texture. Ugali is eaten all over eastern and southern Africa and is known by different names in different regions. Mealie-meal in southern Africa; Sadza in Zimbabwe; and Banku in West Africa. Ugali may occasionally be made from gari (coarse cassava powder), millet or sorghum flour. We call it putu porridge and enjoy it with chakalaka as a side dish with our braais or bbq's.
1 L (1¾ cups) water or water and milk combined.
60 g (2 oz) butter
Salt to taste (optional)
500 mg (1 lb) corn (maize), millet, gari (coarse cassava powder) or sorghum flour (we use maize meal)
Bring three-quarters of the water to the boil in a heavy-based saucepan which has a long handle for easier handling. Add the butter and salt. Put half the flour into a bowl, and add the remaining quarter of water. Using a wooden spoon, stir together to form a smooth, thick paste. Set aside. When the water in the saucepan has boiled, pour in the thick paste and stir quickly and firmly for about a minute. Bring the mixture to the boil. Gradually add the remaining flour and mix, stirring all the time, until it thickens sufficiently to form a stiff dough. Caution - this stage requires a lot of wrist power and firm stirring.
The consistency can be varied according to taste by adding more or less flour and/or water, When cooked, the Ugali should not stick to the side of the pan. Serve hot with meat stew and/or vegetables. Ugali can be shaped into balls with an ice-cream scoop and served surrounded by the meat and vegetables. Serves 4
