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Through the Dark Continent
hardwood
#21 Posted : Saturday, July 21, 2018 5:59:27 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.
hardwood
#22 Posted : Saturday, July 21, 2018 7:39:14 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.
tycho
#23 Posted : Saturday, July 21, 2018 7:55:08 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.
hardwood
#24 Posted : Saturday, July 21, 2018 9:01:24 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.


@Tycho you are an idiot that needs to be schooled. BTW that quote is from Boyes' book, the first white man to visit okuyopean land in the 1800s. He lived with okuyopeans for over a decade and even married 3 okuyopean wives in the 1800s, before colonisation. And interacted with okuyopean rulers of the time - Chief Karuri wa Gakure and Chief Wang'ombe wa Ihura. I bet that he was definitely more knowledgeable on okuyopean culture and traditions in the 1800s than you are in 2018.
kawi254
#25 Posted : Saturday, July 21, 2018 9:11:06 PM
Rank: Member


Joined: 2/20/2015
Posts: 467
Location: Nairobi
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.


This used to be true but something is happening to the 2nd/3rd generation of a successful Kikuyu similar to that of 2nd/3rd generation of Asian immigrant families in America getting too comfy and becoming like the rest the population.
tycho
#26 Posted : Saturday, July 21, 2018 9:59:02 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
hardwood wrote:
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.


@Tycho you are an idiot that needs to be schooled. BTW that quote is from Boyes' book, the first white man to visit okuyopean land in the 1800s. He lived with okuyopeans for over a decade and even married 3 okuyopean wives in the 1800s, before colonisation. And interacted with okuyopean rulers of the time - Chief Karuri wa Gakure and Chief Wang'ombe wa Ihura. I bet that he was definitely more knowledgeable on okuyopean culture and traditions in the 1800s than you are in 2018.


@Hardwood, you're quite wrong about mzungu knowing more about the Gikuyu at any one time. As for me being an idiot needing some schooling you're probably right.

Because, I know that had the mzungu known about us to any reasonable degree, then there'd be no need for colonization and even Christianization.

You can take this to that bank of yours.

Most knowledge about the African by the mzungu has been inherited with very little variation, so in 2018 mzungu doesn't still understand the African.
harrydre
#27 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 4:42:42 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/10/2008
Posts: 9,131
Location: Kanjo
hardwood wrote:
gk wrote:
hardwood wrote:
I am currently reading this book by Henry Morton Stanley after whom the Stanley hotel in Nairobi is named. He was one of the greatest explorers of 'equatorial Africa" in the 1800s. The book has very interesting perspectives on how Africa was before colonisation. I am currently reading volume 1 where he documents his travels from zanzibar to bagamoyo (mainland) to dodoma then to shores of lake victoria then to Kabaka Mtesas kingdom in Uganda.

Am just surprised that before colonisation East Africa was in turmoil with tribes againt each other....and arab slave traders....before colonisation brought order to the region.


Read "King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild to get a better understanding of who Stanley really was.


I am more interested in how africa was before colonisation, how he found it as he moved for over 2000km from zanzibar to bagamoyo, dodoma to lake victoria. My interest is on how african societies were, their governance, traditions that he observed, warfare etc which are well recorded as a day to day journal. Note that his caravan included 300 porters and 4 europeans. And he had to bring a boat from europe and carry it overland from bagamoyo to lake victoria where he used it to circumnavigate the lake and the islands.

Of course the information he collected regarding the geography and the peoples was later used by colonialists. Infact the king of belgium hired him to found and run the congo territory.


i wonder how this was done there being no roads/rail. Slaves?
i.am.back!!!!
Lolest!
#28 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 4:55:32 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 3/18/2011
Posts: 12,069
Location: Kianjokoma
harrydre wrote:
hardwood wrote:
gk wrote:
hardwood wrote:
I am currently reading this book by Henry Morton Stanley after whom the Stanley hotel in Nairobi is named. He was one of the greatest explorers of 'equatorial Africa" in the 1800s. The book has very interesting perspectives on how Africa was before colonisation. I am currently reading volume 1 where he documents his travels from zanzibar to bagamoyo (mainland) to dodoma then to shores of lake victoria then to Kabaka Mtesas kingdom in Uganda.

Am just surprised that before colonisation East Africa was in turmoil with tribes againt each other....and arab slave traders....before colonisation brought order to the region.


Read "King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild to get a better understanding of who Stanley really was.


I am more interested in how africa was before colonisation, how he found it as he moved for over 2000km from zanzibar to bagamoyo, dodoma to lake victoria. My interest is on how african societies were, their governance, traditions that he observed, warfare etc which are well recorded as a day to day journal. Note that his caravan included 300 porters and 4 europeans. And he had to bring a boat from europe and carry it overland from bagamoyo to lake victoria where he used it to circumnavigate the lake and the islands.

Of course the information he collected regarding the geography and the peoples was later used by colonialists. Infact the king of belgium hired him to found and run the congo territory.


i wonder how this was done there being no roads/rail. Slaves?

Porters, mostly paid
Laughing out loudly smile Applause d'oh! Sad Drool Liar Shame on you Pray
hardwood
#29 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 5:37:45 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
Lolest! wrote:
harrydre wrote:
hardwood wrote:
gk wrote:
hardwood wrote:
I am currently reading this book by Henry Morton Stanley after whom the Stanley hotel in Nairobi is named. He was one of the greatest explorers of 'equatorial Africa" in the 1800s. The book has very interesting perspectives on how Africa was before colonisation. I am currently reading volume 1 where he documents his travels from zanzibar to bagamoyo (mainland) to dodoma then to shores of lake victoria then to Kabaka Mtesas kingdom in Uganda.

Am just surprised that before colonisation East Africa was in turmoil with tribes againt each other....and arab slave traders....before colonisation brought order to the region.


Read "King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild to get a better understanding of who Stanley really was.


I am more interested in how africa was before colonisation, how he found it as he moved for over 2000km from zanzibar to bagamoyo, dodoma to lake victoria. My interest is on how african societies were, their governance, traditions that he observed, warfare etc which are well recorded as a day to day journal. Note that his caravan included 300 porters and 4 europeans. And he had to bring a boat from europe and carry it overland from bagamoyo to lake victoria where he used it to circumnavigate the lake and the islands.

Of course the information he collected regarding the geography and the peoples was later used by colonialists. Infact the king of belgium hired him to found and run the congo territory.


i wonder how this was done there being no roads/rail. Slaves?

Porters, mostly paid


The boat was in 8 parts and the sections were carried by porters and later assembled at the shores of lake victoria.
hardwood
#30 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 6:00:47 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
hardwood wrote:
Lolest! wrote:
harrydre wrote:
hardwood wrote:
gk wrote:
hardwood wrote:
I am currently reading this book by Henry Morton Stanley after whom the Stanley hotel in Nairobi is named. He was one of the greatest explorers of 'equatorial Africa" in the 1800s. The book has very interesting perspectives on how Africa was before colonisation. I am currently reading volume 1 where he documents his travels from zanzibar to bagamoyo (mainland) to dodoma then to shores of lake victoria then to Kabaka Mtesas kingdom in Uganda.

Am just surprised that before colonisation East Africa was in turmoil with tribes againt each other....and arab slave traders....before colonisation brought order to the region.


Read "King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild to get a better understanding of who Stanley really was.


I am more interested in how africa was before colonisation, how he found it as he moved for over 2000km from zanzibar to bagamoyo, dodoma to lake victoria. My interest is on how african societies were, their governance, traditions that he observed, warfare etc which are well recorded as a day to day journal. Note that his caravan included 300 porters and 4 europeans. And he had to bring a boat from europe and carry it overland from bagamoyo to lake victoria where he used it to circumnavigate the lake and the islands.

Of course the information he collected regarding the geography and the peoples was later used by colonialists. Infact the king of belgium hired him to found and run the congo territory.


i wonder how this was done there being no roads/rail. Slaves?

Porters, mostly paid


The boat was in 8 parts and the sections were carried by porters and later assembled at the shores of lake victoria.


hardwood
#31 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 8:36:37 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.


@Tycho you are an idiot that needs to be schooled. BTW that quote is from Boyes' book, the first white man to visit okuyopean land in the 1800s. He lived with okuyopeans for over a decade and even married 3 okuyopean wives in the 1800s, before colonisation. And interacted with okuyopean rulers of the time - Chief Karuri wa Gakure and Chief Wang'ombe wa Ihura. I bet that he was definitely more knowledgeable on okuyopean culture and traditions in the 1800s than you are in 2018.


@Hardwood, you're quite wrong about mzungu knowing more about the Gikuyu at any one time. As for me being an idiot needing some schooling you're probably right.

Because, I know that had the mzungu known about us to any reasonable degree, then there'd be no need for colonization and even Christianization.

You can take this to that bank of yours.

Most knowledge about the African by the mzungu has been inherited with very little variation, so in 2018 mzungu doesn't still understand the African.

I apologize for my premature verbal ejaculation. It's true that a visitor to your home cannot know the secrets of your home. That said the 'explorer' had very kind words regarding the agikuyu. He termed them the happiest people he had ever met. He also said that the community was very well organised with regard to security, food, culture, ethics, governance etc. That is why he concluded that they were the most important 'race' in this part of the continent.
harrydre
#32 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 8:52:01 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/10/2008
Posts: 9,131
Location: Kanjo
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Lolest! wrote:
harrydre wrote:
hardwood wrote:
gk wrote:
hardwood wrote:
I am currently reading this book by Henry Morton Stanley after whom the Stanley hotel in Nairobi is named. He was one of the greatest explorers of 'equatorial Africa" in the 1800s. The book has very interesting perspectives on how Africa was before colonisation. I am currently reading volume 1 where he documents his travels from zanzibar to bagamoyo (mainland) to dodoma then to shores of lake victoria then to Kabaka Mtesas kingdom in Uganda.

Am just surprised that before colonisation East Africa was in turmoil with tribes againt each other....and arab slave traders....before colonisation brought order to the region.


Read "King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild to get a better understanding of who Stanley really was.


I am more interested in how africa was before colonisation, how he found it as he moved for over 2000km from zanzibar to bagamoyo, dodoma to lake victoria. My interest is on how african societies were, their governance, traditions that he observed, warfare etc which are well recorded as a day to day journal. Note that his caravan included 300 porters and 4 europeans. And he had to bring a boat from europe and carry it overland from bagamoyo to lake victoria where he used it to circumnavigate the lake and the islands.

Of course the information he collected regarding the geography and the peoples was later used by colonialists. Infact the king of belgium hired him to found and run the congo territory.


i wonder how this was done there being no roads/rail. Slaves?

Porters, mostly paid


The boat was in 8 parts and the sections were carried by porters and later assembled at the shores of lake victoria.





these look like slaves. Why do they need to be escorted with guns if they are being paid? Why are they all black?
i.am.back!!!!
hardwood
#33 Posted : Monday, July 23, 2018 9:49:57 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
harrydre wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Lolest! wrote:
harrydre wrote:
hardwood wrote:
gk wrote:
hardwood wrote:
I am currently reading this book by Henry Morton Stanley after whom the Stanley hotel in Nairobi is named. He was one of the greatest explorers of 'equatorial Africa" in the 1800s. The book has very interesting perspectives on how Africa was before colonisation. I am currently reading volume 1 where he documents his travels from zanzibar to bagamoyo (mainland) to dodoma then to shores of lake victoria then to Kabaka Mtesas kingdom in Uganda.

Am just surprised that before colonisation East Africa was in turmoil with tribes againt each other....and arab slave traders....before colonisation brought order to the region.


Read "King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild to get a better understanding of who Stanley really was.


I am more interested in how africa was before colonisation, how he found it as he moved for over 2000km from zanzibar to bagamoyo, dodoma to lake victoria. My interest is on how african societies were, their governance, traditions that he observed, warfare etc which are well recorded as a day to day journal. Note that his caravan included 300 porters and 4 europeans. And he had to bring a boat from europe and carry it overland from bagamoyo to lake victoria where he used it to circumnavigate the lake and the islands.

Of course the information he collected regarding the geography and the peoples was later used by colonialists. Infact the king of belgium hired him to found and run the congo territory.


i wonder how this was done there being no roads/rail. Slaves?

Porters, mostly paid


The boat was in 8 parts and the sections were carried by porters and later assembled at the shores of lake victoria.





these look like slaves. Why do they need to be escorted with guns if they are being paid? Why are they all black?


Nope. They were paid porters. Mainly coastal people or zanzibaris. Desertion of duty was common and so were lions and hostile tribes thus need for guns to maintain order and security. As for the blackness of the porters it's because this is Africa and if you advertised jobs for porters in the year 1890, and even today, 100% of applicants would be black.
Taurrus
#34 Posted : Tuesday, July 24, 2018 9:18:55 AM
Rank: Member


Joined: 8/25/2015
Posts: 839
Location: Kite
hardwood wrote:
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.


@Tycho you are an idiot that needs to be schooled. BTW that quote is from Boyes' book, the first white man to visit okuyopean land in the 1800s. He lived with okuyopeans for over a decade and even married 3 okuyopean wives in the 1800s, before colonisation. And interacted with okuyopean rulers of the time - Chief Karuri wa Gakure and Chief Wang'ombe wa Ihura. I bet that he was definitely more knowledgeable on okuyopean culture and traditions in the 1800s than you are in 2018.


@Hardwood, you're quite wrong about mzungu knowing more about the Gikuyu at any one time. As for me being an idiot needing some schooling you're probably right.

Because, I know that had the mzungu known about us to any reasonable degree, then there'd be no need for colonization and even Christianization.

You can take this to that bank of yours.

Most knowledge about the African by the mzungu has been inherited with very little variation, so in 2018 mzungu doesn't still understand the African.

I apologize for my premature verbal ejaculation. It's true that a visitor to your home cannot know the secrets of your home. That said the 'explorer' had very kind words regarding the agikuyu. He termed them the happiest people he had ever met. He also said that the community was very well organised with regard to security, food, culture, ethics, governance etc. That is why he concluded that they were the most important 'race' in this part of the continent.

Applause Applause Applause
tycho
#35 Posted : Tuesday, July 24, 2018 12:21:05 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
hardwood wrote:
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
tycho wrote:
hardwood wrote:
hardwood wrote:
Pg 310

Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.


The prediction that was made over 100 years ago turned out to be 110% correct. Hata back then Europeans waliona that okuyopeans sio mchezo.


The Mukuyu and specifically the Gikuyu tradition is very noble and strong. But it is neither unique nor exclusive.

Your 'great explorer' missed some very interesting views of traditional culture.

And you're probably going the same route.


@Tycho you are an idiot that needs to be schooled. BTW that quote is from Boyes' book, the first white man to visit okuyopean land in the 1800s. He lived with okuyopeans for over a decade and even married 3 okuyopean wives in the 1800s, before colonisation. And interacted with okuyopean rulers of the time - Chief Karuri wa Gakure and Chief Wang'ombe wa Ihura. I bet that he was definitely more knowledgeable on okuyopean culture and traditions in the 1800s than you are in 2018.


@Hardwood, you're quite wrong about mzungu knowing more about the Gikuyu at any one time. As for me being an idiot needing some schooling you're probably right.

Because, I know that had the mzungu known about us to any reasonable degree, then there'd be no need for colonization and even Christianization.

You can take this to that bank of yours.

Most knowledge about the African by the mzungu has been inherited with very little variation, so in 2018 mzungu doesn't still understand the African.

I apologize for my premature verbal ejaculation. It's true that a visitor to your home cannot know the secrets of your home. That said the 'explorer' had very kind words regarding the agikuyu. He termed them the happiest people he had ever met. He also said that the community was very well organised with regard to security, food, culture, ethics, governance etc. That is why he concluded that they were the most important 'race' in this part of the continent.


Apology accepted.

I also believe that the Agikuyu tradition has much to offer us even now. Not just as a model culture but as an entry point into other cultures like those of the Masaai and the Akamba who shared so much, yet expressed their ideas with great diversity and creativity.

BTW, when we look at these cultures we find that even the Luos have very little difference from the Gikuyu or Masaai!

And the pattern goes over most of Africa...
tycho
#36 Posted : Tuesday, July 24, 2018 8:22:58 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
Is it possible that history and anthropology has been deliberately written against the African?

If possible we could also try to read Cheikh Anta Diop's 'Civilization or Barbarism'.

In it, and in conjunction with some of the material presented by the 'Wazungu' we can imagine the causes of transformation or rather decline of African culture and civilization.

For example, Lindbolm illustrates the highest initiation rites of the Akamba men. When one compares and contrasts the mythos of the act with Christ's injunction for rebirth by water, or of contemporary psychiatry, the Akamba emerge as a group of advanced thinkers!

Could African decline be due to how the indigenous education systems of the past were structured? For example, the schools for the highest initiates also created the ruling class. What would happen if the schools were either destroyed or collapsed due to lack of political patronage due to foreign invasions?
masukuma
#37 Posted : Wednesday, July 25, 2018 4:55:22 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 10/4/2006
Posts: 13,821
Location: Nairobi
A tiger does not proclaim his tigritude, he pounces! some of these things are self evident! the very fact that we have to rely on the words of a random white dude and not have our own well kept and documented narratives points to this very lack. Of course the Stanley Morton wrote based on his biases... I don't think he had the total entirety of African history to play with as he wrote his stories based on his experiences.
So don't take quotes like
Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.

to be too damning or too comforting. It really doesn't matter - the fact that we didn't tell stories points to a deficiency or an immaturity of culture. In the same way you go visting your relatives and see a shrewd 5 year old boy... possibly a good reader or can play board games. The 5 year old is clearly different from his lot but while you are impressed...he impresses you FOR A 5 YEAR OLD! you don't really think he is the greatest polymath that ever existed... only that you did not expect him to do whatever he/she is doing. Thus was the Kikuyu - the bar was too low and that should not be props on them but damning on the rest.
All Mushrooms are edible! Some Mushroom are only edible ONCE!
hardwood
#38 Posted : Wednesday, July 25, 2018 11:40:16 AM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/28/2015
Posts: 9,562
Location: Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay
masukuma wrote:
A tiger does not proclaim his tigritude, he pounces! some of these things are self evident! the very fact that we have to rely on the words of a random white dude and not have our own well kept and documented narratives points to this very lack. Of course the Stanley Morton wrote based on his biases... I don't think he had the total entirety of African history to play with as he wrote his stories based on his experiences.
So don't take quotes like
Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.

to be too damning or too comforting. It really doesn't matter - the fact that we didn't tell stories points to a deficiency or an immaturity of culture. In the same way you go visting your relatives and see a shrewd 5 year old boy... possibly a good reader or can play board games. The 5 year old is clearly different from his lot but while you are impressed...he impresses you FOR A 5 YEAR OLD! you don't really think he is the greatest polymath that ever existed... only that you did not expect him to do whatever he/she is doing. Thus was the Kikuyu - the bar was too low and that should not be props on them but damning on the rest.


So should we rewrite those history books and expunge such statements to make the books politically correct?
wukan
#39 Posted : Wednesday, July 25, 2018 12:44:47 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 11/13/2015
Posts: 1,596
hardwood wrote:
masukuma wrote:
A tiger does not proclaim his tigritude, he pounces! some of these things are self evident! the very fact that we have to rely on the words of a random white dude and not have our own well kept and documented narratives points to this very lack. Of course the Stanley Morton wrote based on his biases... I don't think he had the total entirety of African history to play with as he wrote his stories based on his experiences.
So don't take quotes like
Quote:
The Kikuyu are excellent workers, and
are now to be met with in every part of the
dependency.
In my opinion the Kikuyu will ultimately become
the most important among the native races of
this part of the continent, owing to their greater
intelligence, industry, and adaptability.

to be too damning or too comforting. It really doesn't matter - the fact that we didn't tell stories points to a deficiency or an immaturity of culture. In the same way you go visting your relatives and see a shrewd 5 year old boy... possibly a good reader or can play board games. The 5 year old is clearly different from his lot but while you are impressed...he impresses you FOR A 5 YEAR OLD! you don't really think he is the greatest polymath that ever existed... only that you did not expect him to do whatever he/she is doing. Thus was the Kikuyu - the bar was too low and that should not be props on them but damning on the rest.


So should we rewrite those history books and expunge such statements to make the books politically correct?


@masukuma has weird world views. He would rather praise the Japs for valor rather than see the bravery of the Nandi warriors. He will see the Nandi having an immaturity of culture for opposing the British expedition forces for 9 years but Japs as brave for doing the same.
tycho
#40 Posted : Wednesday, July 25, 2018 1:30:15 PM
Rank: Elder


Joined: 7/1/2011
Posts: 8,804
Location: Nairobi
The analogy of a mzungu and a mwafrika being the same as of an educated adult and a five year old is quite telling.

Whose bar is being set low, and why is it being set low?
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