Firstly, I can understand the fear that's gripping 'me' as an 'African'. The things I have heard and read, seen done, about Africa. But then the question of what one must make for himself is and has always been open. Regardless of lessons.

Freedom entails choice. To do or not to do. If you look at the history of Man you'll find a balance of goodness in all cultures.

I got a clearer view of the African by reading H.M Stanley's 'Through the dark continent'. Clash of values, and similarity in essence.

Vasco da Gama used a Ptolemaic Atlas. Was/is Ptolemy an African?

What's fear? How do humans become fearful? Can one learn not to fear? Can an African love life, himself, 'others', equally? That, ironically, is all that matters. It's the greatest one can do. Has the African done this?

Stanley says it over and over, the Africans were mostly so eager for brotherhood. Even when they marveled at the 'white Man'.

He(Livingstone) narrates an encounter with the people of 'Uhyeya' "a tribe who are decidedly lower in humanity than their 'ingenious' neighbors." People who ate all flesh except that of dogs. People who were rumored to be cannibals. Yet these people "were admirable for their readiness with which they supplied all our wants, voluntarily offering themselves, as guides to Uvinza, the next country we had to traverse."

Africans had all they needed. Even the most 'primitive'.

The Mayan Calender is still alive, it's going deep into the 'future'. Or the wisdom of the 'Aborigines'. So much Afrikana!

I agreed with you first time!

Which of these requires courage; to gain the trust of lions, or to kill them? What makes an act fearless?

wewe wacha excuses... panda boat!