Africa most definitely has it! I believe even more so for
African Americans that are connected to their African Heritage. It may surprise
some of you to know that we all don’t share in that vibe. Many of us long to
touch Mother Africa before we die; to know our African Roots, but others could
care less. Many even totally disassociate themselves with Africa. My Mother
once told me that she didn’t have anything to do with Kunta Kente or any parts
of Africa that she was from Louisville! Huh, what?! Thank GOD that she did a
360 before she left this Earth.
From the moment you step off the plane in Africa that “Wow
Factor” slaps you in the face! You can smell it, Africa; the smell of it is
quite unique. I’m not talking about bad smells, but earthy aromas almost like
you’re smelling colors. It is so vibrant, so alive that at times you will find
yourself listening for the silence, Wow!
Looking around you find not quite what you expected; not
quite what many picture as Africa. High-rise office and apartment buildings,
not huts. Most taxi cabs are Mercedes Benzes, not Chevrolets. Beautiful people
of all complexions with varied facial features and hair textures, not all jet
black with wide noses and kinky hair. Fashion and more fashion whether it be
western or ethnic garb, not people running around naked or partially clothed,
Wow!
Listening to the differently dialects being spoken is like
listening to some crazy Miles Davis piece while trying to decipher what
instruments are being played. Mixtures of music in the air, *Ndaga, Salsa,
Reggae, R&B, drumming and other West African sounds. There is often the
humming of sewing machines near by, hammering, children laughing, playing and
crying. The birds, the birds sing ever so sweetly, Wow!
Taste treat sensations abound that are so familiar that you
know where your grandmother got that variation of her recipe, Wow!
It never ceases to amaze you this Africa, because there is
so much of it and it is in continual development. I can travel the same route
daily and along that same route each time I will see something that makes me
say or feel Wow!
I commented before about the healthcare system, well
dentistry is a whole nother thing! My dentist office is state of the art. He
just got back from Hong Kong from doing a refresher course and vacationing
there for a short time before he moved on to Australia where his Alma Mater is,
Wow! Root canal only the equivalent of $100, Wow!
If you have taken time to see and experience the colors of
purple, smell the roses and soak in life you will be in awe! The strength, fortitude,
creativity of some of the people, especially Africa’s Women is absolutely
amazing! I get tired watching my domestic assistant clean my house, cook and do
the laundry. When I come back to the states I kind at a lost for a couple of
weeks trying to orient myself to doing those tedious task that have been done
for me here.
It’s far from Utopia and the problems with the
infrastructure will get on your last nerve, but there’s something about Africa.
If you’re vacationing you may not notice the problems with the infrastructure
cause hotels have stand by facilities, but visiting and residing are surely two
different lifestyles, unless you’re among the rich and famous.
Wow, Africa is like a magnet to something deep inside of me,
but so is Chicago. Home is where the heart is and I miss my family, but Africa
has claimed or always has owned a piece of me! Wow!
WOW! |
*The Ndaga
(Ndagga) music style also known as Mbalax was created in Dakar in the 1970s and
its early proponents were Etoile de Dakar from which the likes of Youssou
N'dour broke off and went solo.
It evolved
from the Senegalese liking for Latin music combined with the Congo rumba beat
which musicians
from the Wolof tribe took and blended with the 'Tama' (talking drum), Sabarr (Djembe Drum) and electric guitar and lyrics to
create the Ndagga musical style.
The dancing that accompanies the musical genre is uniquely African and incorporates gyrating dance with sensual overtones.
The dancing that accompanies the musical genre is uniquely African and incorporates gyrating dance with sensual overtones.
In Gambia the new genre was played and promoted by the "Super Eagles" band who were big in the 1970s and early 80s.
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