The Poverty of Wealth

Oil! One of today's most sought after natural resources in the world. It would be believed that whom ever had control or access to such a rich resource would gain immense wealth through it's many pathways to "success."Yet Nigeria, being not only one of Africa's but one of the world's most oil rich countries suffers greatly from this most profitable resource. Tom O'Neill says it best in his essay Curse of the Black Gold: Hope and Betrayal on the Niger Delta, stating that "Everything looked possible--but everything went wrong."

Once all the oil companies, factories, rigs, pipelines, and businesses had built up, everything else seem to have fallen apart. The gap between wealth and poverty extended to a level that couldn't be bridged. Due to this new way of making money, other jobs and business in Nigeria became obsolete either because it was no longer need, or the effects from the oil mining destroyed any means of continuing such business. Jobs were lost, other natural resources were destroyed, and the desperation of poverty had began to take effect.

Throughout the reading of Tom O'Neill's essay, I discovered several heartbreaking things that have gone on, and continue even to this day because of this "rich" natural resource. I barely made it past the first page without reading shocking yet valid truths about Nigeria's situation. One statement goes as follows...

"Dense, garbage-heaped slums stretch for miles. Choking black smoke from open-air slaughterhouse rolls over housetops. Vicious gangs roam school grounds. Peddlers and beggars rush up to vehicles stalled in the gas lines....Port Harcourt should gleam; instead, it rots....There is no electricity, no clean water, no medicine, no schools. Fishing nets hang dry...Decades of oil spills, acid rain from gas flares, and the stripping away of mangroves for pipelines have killed of fish."

It deepens into worse things as it continues, talking about armed rebels and the steady depletion of a nation.

Everything that was expected to go good for Nigeria once receiving such wealth in such a short amount of time went completely wrong. Now there is no true gain from these actions besides the ones of greed which bring no profit to a nation in severe need. So what "wealth" was really earned from these occurrences? More importantly, what lies ahead for these people in the midst of greedy hands, covered in the residue of "black gold?"

Religion in Africa (Whose "GOD" won!?)

Religion in Africa has been a true struggle which gives an immense attribution to the test and hardships suffered by Africa as a whole. During the period of European Colonization, as well as after that period has left the natives of this continent in a state I'd like to believe to be pure confusion. Three main topics arrive from this thought.

• To start, religion in Africa before European colonization was (for fear of saying "is") based on the traditional beliefs of the African natives. African traditional religion was derived from several different aspects, making each one compatible to the village it was practiced in. Yet many of them shared similarities such as...


• A distant "all god" with intermediaries acting between us and it


• Spirit or god possession


• The gift of offering and sacrifices to the gods


• The use of altars


• Ancestor veneration/worship


• Community leadership by a devine or semi-devine king or queen


• (All cited from wikipedia)

Once European colonization took place, Christianity was set as a "main" religion throughout Africa. Yet, Christianity in Africa wasn't really installed by the Europeans considering the fact that this religion was originated from Egypt at the end of the first century by Mark the Evangelist with the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Still, the arrival of European Christianity caused several issues not only between Africans and Europeans, but between the natives of Africa as well. Now the struggle of those who wanted to maintain their traditional beliefs was evident, but Little could be done to keep it alive as strong as it once was.

After the "depletion" (for lack of a better term) of European colonization, Africa was still in battle within itself concerning this topic of religion. Christianity had taken a strong position, and traditional African religion was basically left to wither away. Although there was still a tight grip on these actions, the Europeans had eventually left, making it believable that these traditional religions had a chance to recover, but that was most certainly not the case. In order to fight what last bit of true authority Europeans still had in Africa concerning religion, natives did not turn back to their customary ways, but instead adopted a new culture and belief system...Islam.

Islam in African swept the continent at an alarming rate, soon taking over the entire northern countries of Africa, including Egypt which was previously stated as the "birth place" of Christianity from the African heritage. It was almost as if African natives tried so hard to return to their traditional customs, that when they felt they were too far gone from it, they created another culture for themselves with a clean slate based on restoring African pride, and resisting any European authority.

So in the midst of all these things occurring, whose religion really came out on top? Should Africa be proud of the fact that they were able to find something to resist European culture, or should they be somewhat dismayed at the fact that their true heritage is far behind them? Whose "GOD" really won!?

Ancestor Stones pt. 3

Aminatta Forna's novel Ancestor Stones is an excellent display of numerous serious topics revolving around the status of Africa through the eyes of strong African women.

Topics such as politics, military use, education (rather it be African or European), neo-colonialism (as well as revolt and resistance against colonialism as a whole in Africa), religion, natural resources (mainly gold and diamonds), and sexuality (through sterilization and mutilation of women) all play a crucial part in the theme of Forna's novel.

Over all I really enjoyed this novel because it gave a new light to the events that took place, and continue to happen within the countries of Africa. From our past readings, we have either read items that a loosely based non fiction or somewhat of a historical read, but Ancestor Stones brought new ideas and understandings to the journeys of Africa.

Super Women (Ancestor Stones pt. 2)

Before I have to catch myself staring at this lovely picture of the Ethiopian Hip Hop model Angel Melaku (better known as "Angel Lola Luv"), I have to point out the "pure"(fellas, please don't let your mind wonder from reading what I have to say!) beauty and description given to define the work and power of women not only in Aminatta Fonra's novel Ancestor Stones, but the strength and beauty of women everywhere.

I can honestly admit (though it may seem hard to do) that women pretty much RULE the universe. It's even been said that behind every great man...stands a very great woman. In addition, who can say it better than James Brown when he sung It's A Man's World, going as..."This is a man's world, this is a man's world. But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl."

The women displayed throughout Forna's novel show a collage of grace, intelligence, strength, courage, power, diligence. Yet at they very same time within the limits at which a man "thought" he gave her, they were in the midst of nothing short of humility, obedience, and honor. They work tirelessly to do what they have to in order to uphold their household which even today can be found within many homes today (being as the statistics for fatherless households are at an alarming rate, which concerns me as a young man considering these are our fathers, uncles, and brothers who have created this world.) It's amazing to see that while being the head of things even a controlling as money, they were still in line with everything their husband instilled.

So far through out my reading, these women have had their share of truly captivating stories which exhibit their every attribute which describes their very beauty as women. I can only hope that their work does not go unnoticed, nor untraditionalized into the acts of women today.

What's In A Name!? (Ancestor Stones pt 1)

What's in a name some would ask. many would reply with a definition formatted to best describe it. A noun, something used to distinguish it from other things. The discussion would even go as far as a world famous quote written by William Shakespeare in his classic play, Romeo and Juliet, which follows as..."'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet;"

Well, according to the character Asana in Aminatta Forna's 2006 novel Ancestor Stones, it means the difference between the just and unjust. Being born as a twin, which pertaining to Achebe's Things Fall Apart would be considered an abomination and evil in all aspects, was actually accepted and thought of as great luck in Ancestor Stones. Yet Asana runs into the complete opposite of what being a twin is supposed to bring once her rights as a first born child (which clearly can't be reversed) was given away to her slightly younger brother, Alusani.

This section of the novel amazes me in the aspect of a family believing they can simply change the actual order of things as plan as birth. Given that the mother had some what of a just reasoning for doing so, considering she thought Alusani was going to die, but lying to yourself and everyone else saying that he is the first born is a little ridiculous to me. As far as terms between Asana and her brother go, that's NOT how you get things off to a good start. From that moment on her brother as been given the best of everything, while she is forced to accept sloppy seconds that were handed to her from scorning hands.

So, what's really in a name!? Clearly a lot more than what I, and I'm sure you as well would have imagined. I feel kind of sorry for Asana, to be placed in such a shadow while she shines without notice. Wow, and I thought my name was bad...oh well!

XALA

I believe that Sembène Ousmane made a distinct connection to the ever active decay of European culture amongst places such as Africa in his novel, Xala (meaning "The Curse"). I give such a statement so surely because I feel as though African culture has been deprived of itself due to the ironic savage mindset inflicted by the Europeans. The greatest example of this would be none other than the main character within the novel, El Hadji.

El Hadji's thoughts and actions give a shocking truth to what European society (or what they deem to be civilization) has done and continues to do to African culture. Through actions of greed, deceit, self hatred, and cruelty, European culture has left it's imprint on Africa in a way unimaginable. Examples throughout Xala would be El Hadji's greed and sense of self hatred (in my eyes) towards the beggar. Greed that he wouldn't give to the less fortunate, and that sense of self hatred that he wouldn't give to his own people.

If you take a few minutes to yourself and think of what the Europeans did to bring down a once vast and rich culture, and think further into how it lives on in Africa even without their presence. Every thought or action that El Hadji took part in, I feel as though any European (such as the French in which El Hadji learned from) would have done just as he did, if not worse to any degree.

In any case Xala, to me, was a nice read that kept my attention. Ousmane displays some great use of allusions (thanks Peter) throughout the novel that catch my eye in a way I'm not even sure he had intended. I still wonder if the Xala still has a hold on any of us today.

Leopold Senghor

Leopold Senghor will forever be known and regarded as one of the most important African intellectuals of the 20th century for his strides in poetry, politics, cultural theorems, and his attributions to his homeland of Senegal. Not only serving as the first president of Senegal from 1960 to 1980, Senghor was the first African to sit as a member of the Académie française (French Academy). He was also the founder of the political party called the Senegalese Democratic Bloc to name just a few of his major accomplishments.

Throughout his successful and full career within Africa and France, Senghor has made quite a name for himself.(Wikipedia further explains.) He was made Grand-Croix of the Légion d'honneur, Grand-Croix of the l'Ordre national du Mérite, commander of arts and letters. He also received academic palms and the Grand-Croix of the l'Ordre du lion du Sénégal. His war exploits earned him the medal of Reconnaissance franco-alliée 1939-1945 and the combattant cross 1939-1945. He was named honorary doctor of thirty-seven universities.

What stuck with me most about his career was his passion for creative writing in poetry. Although it's in french here's a snippet of his work (luckily I have the translated version aswell.)

(French) - "Quand je serai mort, mes amis, couchez-moi sous Joal-l'Ombreuse.
Sur la colline au bord du Mamanguedy, près l'oreille du sanctuaire des Serpents.
Mais entre le Lion couchez-moi et l'aïeule Tening-Ndyae.
Quand je serai mort mes amis, couchez-moi sous Joal-la-Portugaise.
Des pierres du Fort vous ferez ma tombe, et les canons garderont le silence.
Deux lauriers roses-blanc et rose-embaumeront la Signare."

(English) - "When I'm dead, my friends, place me below Shadowy Joal,
On the hill, by the bank of the Mamanguedy, near the ear of Serpents' Sanctuary.
But place me between the Lion and ancestral Tening-Ndyae.
When I'm dead, my friends, place me beneath Portuguese Joal.
Of stones from the Fort build my tomb, and cannons will keep quiet.
Two laurier roses -- white and pink -- will perfume the Signare."

Underdeveloped Africa (The Rape of the Motherland)

It has been said that Africa is the motherland of all nations, giving birth to every race and creed that walks the earth today. It was so rich and full of life, culture, and promise. That is until the untimely colonization (or what I would like to call the rape of the motherland.) Throughout Walter Rodney's book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa the term rape is all that came to mind as an idea of what really happened to Africa's history (and more importantly her future.)

Generally those who are the victims of rape, abuse, or any sort of harassment become oppressed, depressed, and lose the fertility of their normal attributes. That description alone sounds like Africa in a summary. As European colonist continued to come in unexpected and take what they wanted, Africa began to diminish and lose her fertility. African lost its natural resources used to feed her children, the strength to prosper, and once bright future she held.

Now after suffering centuries of abuse and anguish, Africa is left hurt and depleted of her power and fertility to recover from such events. It is truly sad to see how much pain and mistreatment that was given by her own children, the product of her own labor. This is what I took from Rodney's book, that the motherland was ravaged by her own seed.

A Light in the Heart of Darkness

Although it still seems to me to be an unnecessarily difficult reading, I've come towards an understanding behind Joseph Conrad's methods in writing the Heart of Darkness. After an enlightening discussion amongst my peers it made me think deeper into the meanings in the book. The storyline, although still difficult to interpret, becomes more acceptable and makes an effort to value the detail of the author.

Yet again, the character of Marlow was highlighted in my mind throughout the reading. His thoughts and actions made a possible distinguishable personification of how Conrad may have really felt. There are moments in the story where it seems as if his talking in a way that feels harsh and inhumane, but after a second glance of the situation and rereading his thoughts, the true meanings in his words become a bit more apparent.

My most recognizable quote thoughout the book goes as follows.

"...but these men could by no stretch of imagination be called enemies. They were called criminals, and the outraged law, like the bursting shells, had come to them, an insoluble mystery from the sea....This was simple prudence, white men being so much alike at a distance that he could not tell who I might be. He was speedily reassured, and with a large, white, rascally grin, and a glance at his charge, seemed to take me into partnership in his exalted trust. After all, I also was a part of the great cause of these high and just proceedings."