In light of the successful hosting of the world cup I have been reflecting on South Africa, and what incredible strides they have made as a nation since apartheid. One particularly strong voice for the defense of human rights is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. This Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town has played a significant role in the ending of apartheid through his rigorous advocacy of non-violence and push for reconciliation between all parties involved.

A few months ago I purchased “An African Prayer Book” which is a collection–compiled by Desmond Tutu–of the spiritual riches of the vast and varied continent of Africa. I was moved by a simple piece that brings alive the Creator through an African context. Tutu attributes this to a “Traditional African” source:

AN AFRICAN CANTICLE

All you big things, bless the Lord.

Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria,

The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain,

Fat baobabs and shady mango trees,

All eucalyptus and tamarind trees,

Bless the Lord.

Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

All you tiny things, bless the Lord.

Busy black ants and hopping fleas,

Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae,

Flying locusts and water drops,

Pollen dust and tsetse flies,

Millet seeds and dried dagaa,

Bless the Lord.

Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

(Washing Disciples Feet)

As the temperature is heating up and I feel myself wanting to spend every moment of the day outside I’m reminded of my time in the balmy, beautiful, brilliant, beach-like, (ok no more “b” words….Bo-Jackson…sorry I couldn’t resist) country of Belize. Over the course of my time in Belize during 2007-2008 I met so many amazing people. One particular woman, that I think is one of the coolest people in the whole world, is named Myrna Manzanares. Miss Myrna is an energetic 64 year old with a penchant for always making you smile. Besides being the president of the National Kriol Council of Belize, a talented actress, lecturer at the Belize Teachers College and the University of Belize, and a counselor for at-risk youth, she also devotes any leftover time to writing. She has published several books of poetry, and fiction. However most recently she published a book titled “Traditional Games of Belize.” In this book “Myrna has filtered out in the selected games, through her own research, a treasure trove of precious and relevant nuggets in a friendly and playful way. They entertain the reader while simultaneously parents, teachers, youth workers, social and community activists with elements of cognitive and social-psychology and storytelling.”

You can find a FREE online copy of this fun book right here: Traditional Games of Belize. Now please gather a group of friends and enjoy these wonderful Belizean games together.

P.S. I recommend Lime and Spoon

During my first trip to Uganda in 2006 I was invited to author/professor Timothy Wangusa’s launch of his latest book Africa’s New Brood. Over the course of the presentation Professor Wangusa read selections of his favorite poems from the book, which combines African folklore and proverbs with Christian symbolism.  Its main theme is that of growing up in the Ugandan society and what challenges come with growing up in the traditional setting.  I was incredibly moved by the simplicity yet deep profoundness of Professor Wangusa’s shortest poem titled Trinity Tree. Before reading it he unveiled a little history behind the poem stating that it had taken him 20 years to write it, and that this poem best embodies his goal which is “to leave behind a body of inventive writing which communicates to my readers a sense of Christian values fictionalized and poeticized”:

Trinity Tree

By Timothy Wangusa

The Father in the root;
The Son in the shoot;
The Spirit in the fruit.

…seeing someone speeding towards you in the wrong lane seems completely normal

…You find yourself pointing with your lips and saying “yes” by raising both eyebrows.

…You start using the words “even” and “ever” in places you never would have (”Even me, I’m feeling hungry,” or “I have ever done that”)

…You know you’ve what? been in Uganda a long time….when you what? Start each sentence as a question and proceed to what? Answer it yourself!

…A car isn’t full unless it has at least 7 people in it

…you keep a jerry can full of water around, just in case.

…you feel exposed without bars on your windows.

…When you come back from being out of the country and conversations go as:
Them: “you have been lost!!” and your response: “I have been found!”
Them: “how is there?” and you: “there is fine!”
Them: “you have grown fat!!!” and you are lost for words because you are not used to be told so with such frankness!

…it’s 80 degrees outside and there are people wearing parkas and stocking caps.

…you stop using those little ‘off’ or ‘up’ bits of verbs. You pick people. And you drop them.

…at the end of a meeting, people say, “ok please” as opposed to good bye or have a nice one.

…walking by a uniformed officer carrying an assault rifle is completely normal.

…Clothes becomes a two-syllable word. Clo – thes.

…your handshakes last an entire conversation.

…being given a “push” has nothing to do with “push and shove”, but being escorted to your car after a visit.

…people walk into your house and you say “You are most welcome!”

…you think “eh” in a high pitch tone is the correct way to respond when a boda drivers price suggestion is too high.

Just yesterday I was at a used book sale when I stumbled upon a remarkable find titled “An African Prayer Book” by Desmond Tutu.  I was particularly touched by a simple and heartfelt prayer named “A Fisherman’s Song of Praise” by a Ghanaian fisherman.

“Lord, I sing your praise

the whole day through, until the night.

Dad’s nets are filled; I have helped him.

We have drawn them in, stamping the rhythm with our feet,

the muscles tense.

We have sung your praise.

On the beach there were our mammies,

who bought the blessings out of the nets,

out of the nets and into their basins.

They rushed to the market, returned and bought again.

Lord, what a blessing is the sea, with fish in plenty.

Lord, that is the story of your grace:

nets tear, and we succumb because we cannot hold them.

Lord, with your praise we drop off to sleep.

Carry us through the night.

Make us fresh for the morning.

Halleluiah for the day!

And blessing for the night! Amen.”

Ghana