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East African Newsletter.Pub (Read-Only) The Global Education Committee at SCC presents: Tracy Murphy, editor [email protected] Vol. 1/issue 1 Spring 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: East Africa: the “Quintessential Africa” When you close your eyes scape and wildlife. Mt. Kili- manjaro, the Serengeti, and 2 and envision the continent of Swahili: the Lan- Africa (yes, continent—not Lake Victoria are the destina- genocide or war, neighboring guage of Connec- country) what is the scenery tions of tourists from every- countries have helped the dis- tion like? How about the people? where on the planet. One’s placed find refuge within their Whether you’ve traveled to safari wouldn’t be complete boarders. This is such a saving without spotting Africa’s “big grace amidst East Africa’s share Weep Not, Child 2 Africa yourself or if your knowledge of Africa is thanks five’: elephants, buffalo, lion, of historical conflicts. book review by to National Geographic, it is leopard, and the black rhino. Last, East Africa has its own Deborah Selbach likely we share a vision of the East Africa is famous for its version of the “Silk Road” or place in our mind’s eye. Why claims to being the origin of group of trade networks focus on the region of East humankind. Tanzania is across Africa and beyond. East African 3 Africa? As one source I read home to the oldest set of Besides the obvious goods like stated, East Africa represents Refugees hominid remains—a “mere” 2 spices and resources, the trade for many the “quintessential million years old. networks were also a source Africa.” of the region’s exposure to 3 Tanzania is famous for Did Someone say What about East Africa Islam. Samosa? hosting Jane Goodall’s thirty- symbolizes our concept of the five year long research pro- There are of course thou- continent? First, we should ject studying chimpan- sands of reasons to celebrate East African Cui- 4 highlight what most youngsters zees. the countries and cultures sine in the US learn first about making up Eastern Africa. We Africa: the beautiful land- What you may not realize might consider this an appe- is Eastern Africa is known for tizer to stir the taste buds and Malaria is a Real- 4 being the friend of the begin our journey.—Tracy ity for East Afri- refugee. As an escape from Murphy The Kanga 4 Upcoming events: College-wide book read One finger cannot kill a louse (Kenyan proverb) March 1 12-1 E125 NM & B106 FB I love studying a culture’s proverbs to better understand their values. Reader’s Theater From this proverb we learn Ken- yans are collectivist—where the April 19 2-3:30 goals of the group surpass those of the individual. In order to accom- Presentation of film plish our goals, we must cooperate TBA and collaborate. The proverb may also speak of ridding ourselves of Guest Speaker the enemy. We can learn from history just how important an ally April 21 noon hour is. Swahili: The Language of Connection When East Africa was selected as but the majority of the speakers have line “Hakuna Matata” (Swahili for “No the 2010-11 school year global high- adopted it as their second, third, and troubles”)? There are certainly many light, I must admit I was skeptical. even fourth language. Having a com- reasons to learn Swahili beyond Dis- Would the cultures who make up the mon language provides many East Af- ney vocabulary including furthering region care to be clumped together? rica cultures to communicate and de- connection with the people who Hadn’t the area experienced its share velop bonds between ethnic groups. speak it. —Tracy Murphy of war and genocide with and toward Having a common language allows peo- one another? ple to conduct business and politics with greater ease. While the lan- As I looked further, however, I guage is Bantu in origin, the num- began to see quite a bit of connection ber of words borrowed from Ara- between the cultures of this region. As bic and Farsi languages demon- a communication instructor, I found the strates the importance of Islam and Swahili language to be the most inter- the reading of the Koran. Due to esting and impressive. One function of European colonization, Swahili also language is to create and maintain social contains Portuguese, English, and bonds. But, the continent has over 1,000 languages used within its bounda- German influences. (Ali & Juma). ries. How on earth might they connect The extent of Swahili most between countries and even ethnic Americans know comes from their groups? run-in with Disney’s Lion King. Do you remember the characters Swahili is the first (native) language Simba (lion in Swahili) and Rafki for a relatively small group of people, (friend in Swahili) or the famous Book Review: Weep Not, Child by Ngugi (James) wa Thiong’o By Deborah Selbach, SCC reading instructor Like many famous authors, from eyes of a young boy, Njoroge. Editor’s note: hosted by the Global Education commit- Emerson to Sherman Alexie, Kenyan tee Weep Not, Child was selected as the college read Njoroge is excited to be attending a for fall 2010. The book was read and discussed by a author Ngugi wa Thiongo honors poet European school, which he sees as group of students, staff, and faculty from both Fari- Walt Whitman, deriving the title of his empowering. He dreams of a better bault and North Mankato campuses. 1963 novel, Weep Not, Child, from one future, of personal success, but soon, of Whitman’s poems, called “On the the British settlers’ violent response to Beach at Night.” The poem describes Kenya’s fight for independence destroy the scene of a girl who holds her fa- his dream. One of his older brothers, ther’s hand while both look up at enraged over British rule, leads a unit “burial clouds / in black masses / of guerilla-fighters called the MauMau. spreading.” She despairs at the sight of They use violence as their means, at- these omens, but Father comforts her. tacking the British and all who profit “Weep not,” he says. The “ravening from British association, including the clouds shall not long be victorious.” father of the girl Njoroge loves. Unfortunately for the children of Weep Not, Child illuminates the dev- Kenya, no Kenyan father can promise astating effects of British imperialism on the metaphorical clouds hanging over the lives of innocent Kenyan families. their country will soon dissipate. Their And the prose, both sparse and poetic, clouds are those of British rule, and creates a hypnotic reading experience I blanket the country for well over half a fully enjoyed and didn’t want to end. century. British imperialists steal Author Ngugi offers neither parental Kenya’s ancestral land and resources, comfort nor hope, but instead, he of- and exploit the people, destroying fers something more valuable–beautiful Kenyan tribal life, while England is seen prose which envelopes truth. — as the source of all things valuable, Deborah Selbach including Western education. The devastating effects of British rule are seen primarily through the Page 2 TRACY MURPHY, EDITOR Page 3 East Africa and the Refugee By Tracy Murphy, South Central College communication instructor Most immigrants who seek a new for meager amounts of essentials— with the host culture can be incredibly homeland in the US have left unappeal- food and shelter. difficult. Language, religion, culture, ing conditions. Yet, the refugee is a Step 3: Getting processed for reset- disease, and even post traumatic stress particularly type of immigrant—one tlement can take years or even dec- create additional barriers for the refu- who was forced to leave his/her home ades. Refugees enter camps realizing gee as they try to settle in their new or suffer death to self or family. Many their stay is indefinite. If refugees home—Tracy Murphy refugees have experienced or wit- aren’t “lucky” enough to receive space nessed bodily injury, starvation, rape, in the compounds, they camp outside or torture. The refugee doesn’t just the refugee camps. Minnesota currently estimates the Somali refu- magically appear in the safe haven of Step 4: Getting resettled into a third gee population at 15 thousand. Minnesota, rather, the refugee lives a country (most common for the Somali bumpy journey. and Sudanese are the US, Canada, Aus- tralia, Denmark, Netherlands, New Step 1: Sneak from your home and Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the country by foot, sometimes travelling UK) is certainly not guaranteed. for days. Expect to pay a bribe upon From the pool of the earliest arri- gaining entry into neighboring country vals (1991-92) a lottery is drawn. or be sent back where you started. (East Africa in focus). While refu- Step 2: Seek asylum by registering gees wait in camps, they struggle with the host government. After suc- with starvation, violence, and cessfully registering, prepare for an women turning to prostitution to interview to determine whether you survive. are truly a refugee or merely suffering Entering the third country isn’t starvation from drought or poverty. If exactly easy; in fact, assimilation you pass, you’ll be given a ration card Did someone say Somosa? http://www.binternet.com/~kenya.vacations/ The first samosa I ever had the the samosa is served as pleasure of knowing was a Somali ven- an appetizer or an ac- dor’s recipe . It was “love at first bite” companiment to the for me. Most somosas I’ve eaten since main attraction. Try the have been East Indian recipes, but I am two varieties at the web not discriminatory.
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