Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Milandu ya kale-- History

I am Manena, daughter of Matete, son of Lefted...etc
Resolved: History is dictated by the historian
I was watching Congo: White King, Red Rubber, Black Death, and for many reasons I feel cheated out of my history, and feel the need to trace my roots--which in itself is close to impossible as those that know my history are deceased, and hence I must start where I can. Any way...

If you haven't seen that movie or read King Leopold's ghosts, I would suggest you do at your earliest convenience.

I do not know about you, but I do not recall learning anything about king Leopold II in my history classes, unless I was up to no good when they taught. I also do not remember learning anything about Liberia (the first black governed country in Africa), nor do I recall being taught anything about the revolution in Algeria! Yet, i remember the 'splendid isolation', 'treaty of Versailles', china's revolution...and vaguely--the Shaka wars. Oh and the brief history of the Bemba's and other Zambian tribes...of course!

Over the last few years, I have developed a major interest in history because it gives a better understanding of why things are the way they are. E.G.-- After watching Tubman, I see why Mugabe is the way he is...as was a lot of leaders that came in post Tubman of Liberia.

Two names I remember from the movie that I had never heard of were:-
and
Those that aided in exposing Leopold and his hand cutting cronies....

Lawd have mercy!!! You know the world is coming to an end when people of other races actually want to be classified as black!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7461099.stm This story made my day fo sho!

okay...I just got distracted and forgot what else i was going to write:-) aaahhh old age! Oh and it's my birthday in 4 months!!!!:-)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Szechuan Tembo? lol!!!

African girl, American world said...

Matete & Lefted...LOL. I luv it! The husband watches the History Channel all day long so sadlt I know things I have no interest in knowing :)