Happy New Year !

Children & Youths Cry for Educational rights in West Africa

Almighty sun has the right to shine by day, but it gives way to the moon at Night, Little birds has the right to sing the songs of their life, and fishes own the oceans, but here in West Africa, the basic educational rights of youths and children has been denied. The average and poor ones will never feel the four walls of a class room, their dreams die with them, and their world roasts in agony.
We are crying aloud from West Africa, and we want the world to hear our voices...
The education system  in West Africa is facing monumental challenges. Reflecting resource inefficiencies and misallocations in the composition of public spending across educational levels, and poor quality of schooling from elementary to higher education, gross enrollment rates both at the primary and secondary levels are
low, even when compared with the averages for Sub Saharan Africa. Grade repetition and dropping out of primary school before completion are serious problems. Few children proceed to lower secondary school. For those who do make it to secondary school, repetition continues to be a problem. Girls are at a particular disadvantage. Across all grades, repetition and dropout rates are systematically higher for girls than for boys.
What do we do to control all these, without sound education, our people shall remain in abject poverty. we must not let them ruin us..yes...yes...my bakery is sober...i shall bake this story for the world to read
When the issue of West Africa educational system today is raised, the first sets of thoughts that comes to my mind are: decline in standard, deterioration of facilities, examination malpractices, mass promotion syndrome and the like before any other thing else. This calls for an in-depth study and analysis aimed at tutoring each and every stakeholders in the education system on how their actions and inactions have individually and collectively contributed to the collapsing state of education in West Africa
Among children that do progress through schools, there is considerable concern about the extent of learning and cognitive outcomes. Issues of quality of teachers, characteristics of school infrastructure, supplies and equipment, the home environment and parental background, all represent concerns over the value added of going to school, and may depress demand among parents
Going by these explanation as to what education is, in relation to the state of education and its process in our region today as well as the attitude of its providers-Government at all levels and private investors; one with interest will be compelled to ask such questions as what has actually gone wrong considering the enormity of its effect on the output. We shall wait no more, i call upon my fellow youths, children and those parents that has our love in their heart, let us arise and let the world hear our tears....Arise my people, let us embrace our Educational rights...Join Our Cry for Educational reforms in West Africa.

Rhythms in Africa

I am just coming out from the studio, everywhere is  hot, wondering if my car Aircondition can be as good as this studio's. are you wondering if i'm doing a  song?..oh..no you are wrong, i'm just having a private guiter training which i hope to use for leisure, maybe with my wife and children, later in life when i have one.

An idea struck me when i was tapping the last strings, to tell you little about Tunes in Africa...from my bakery..ofcourse from my bakery, the documentary of not just the origin of genres but the significance of the rhythms....the moods of ancient composers and offcourse alot of culture.  Georgeostories has solid documentary production mindset and would like to collaborate with funding agencies worldwide to produce this documentary for the pleasure of a curious Cinema family...they all want to see it.

In Africa, Egypt has long been a cultural focus of the Arab world, while remembrance of the rhythms of sub Saharan Africa, in Particular, West Africa, was transmitted through the Atlantic slave trade to modern samba, blues, Jazz, Reggae, Hip hop, and rock. The 1950s through the 1970s saw a conglomeration of these various styles with popularization of Afrobeat and Highlife music. Modern music of the continent includes the highly complex choral singing of southern Africa and the dance rhythms of the musical genre of soukous, dominated by the music of the democratic republic of Congo. Indigenous musical and dance styles are of the North Africa and Southern Africa. Arab influences are visible in North African Music and dance and, in Southern Africa, Western influences are apparent due to colonization. there are lots of footages and lots more to be esterblished using our latest HD production equipments. for further enquiries on this, call Ugwuja George Odinakachi +2348038843041

Sports in Africa

It's been a while now....though i received Six mails yesterday night, asking me to talk about sports in Africa.. i apologize to all my readers that i replied with the saying that i don't like much of sports...it's actually for you readers that i write, without you, it will be hopeless of me to write. Ok my last Reader from Napel said at least conclusively.. and now i accept to do as she said

 Conclusively, Filthy-three African Countries have football(soccer) teams in the confederation of African Football, while Cameroon, Nigeria,Senegal, and Ghana have Advanced to the knockout stage of recent FIFA World Cups. South Africa Hosted the 2010 World Cup tournament and is actually the first African country to do so.
  Cricket is popular in some African nations. South Africa and Zimbabwe have Test status while Kenya is the leading non-test team in one Day international cricket and has attained permanent One day international Status. the three countries jointly hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Namibia is the other African Country to have played in a world cup, but the national team has never qualified for major tournament.
My bakery is loaded within the coming week, hoping to use the Holiday periods to unleash my latest short stories. for my readers that wants more of my short stories, get very close to my spot and you shall be fed with an unending stories from Africa and for my readers that wants to do some sports research about Africa, i will give you highlights and references. i hope it will quench your test...yes

Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, ANOCA

"Created in Lome, Togo, on 28 June 1981, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) is an association constituted among the National Olympic Committees of Africa (NOCs)." Directory of African National Olympic Committees. Directory of African Sport Confederations. One of the organizers of the 9th All Africa Games, July 11-23, 2007 Algiers, Algeria. Has a Women and Sport Commission. Based in Abuja, Nigeria. http://www.anoca.info/

AthleticsAfrica.Com

"provides up-to-date news and information about African athletes, administrators and officials nationally and internationally throughout the day as close to real-time as possible 24 hours a day, seven days a week." African sports news, features articles, videos of noted athletic events and people, slide show. Maintained by Yomi Omogbeja of Yomog Sports Media Company, Lagos, Nigeria. [KF] http://www.athleticsafrica.com

Comité International des Jeux de la Francophonie (C. I. J. F.)

In French. "Tous les 4 ans, ces Jeux regroupent 3000 jeunes des pays francophones dans des concours sportifs et culturels, représentatifs des pratiques de la jeunesse francophone." Has held international games in Maroc 1989, France 1994, Madagascar 1997. Niamey, Has a directory of Ministries of Sport, words to the official CIJF hymn, a newsletter. Based in Paris, France. [KF] http://jeux.francophonie.org/

Conférence des ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports des pays ayant le français en partage (CONFEJES)

In French and English. "The Conference is composed of 38 ministers or representatives of member countries or governments in charge of Youth and Sports. It meets every two years..." "The CONFEJES came into being in Paris, on December 1969, following the initiative of the African Presidents Habib Bourghiba (Tunisia), Leopold Sedar Senghor (Senegal) and Hamani Diori (Niger)." Has full text conference documents, a directory of African Ministers of sport from French-speaking countries, related web sites. Based in Dakar, Senegal. http://www.confejes.org/

Dakar Rally

Offroad race from Granada, Spain to Dakar, Senegal 1997 involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles. History of the past races from 1979 to 1996. Graphics, maps of the routes. Air Afrique was a sponsor. http://www.dakar.com/

Impumelelo - Interdisciplinary Electronic Journal of African Sport (Athens, Ohio)

"a fully refereed online journal that is published semiannually. The Interdisciplinary Journal of African Sport seeks papers that analyze African sport from political, communication, sociological, anthropological, historical, and sports science perspectives." Based at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. [KF] http://www.ohiou.edu/sportsafrica/

Journal of Sport History

"published by the North American Society for Sport History since 1974." Has full text articles, in Adobe pdf. Use the Search to find articles such as - "Capturing 'The African' Body? Visual Images and 'Imaginative Sports' " by John Bale, 1998, Vol. 25, No. 2, 18 p. "Wrestling in Ancient Nubia" by Scott T. Carroll, 1988, Vol. 15, No. 2, p. 121-137. and Book Reviews by Floris J.G. van der Merwe on the books Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Culture, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africa and The Race Game: Sport and Politics in South Africa. http://www.aafla.com/5va/history_frmst.htm

KIMbia Athletics

"KIMbia is the Swahili word meaning "to run". The selection of this name is both an acknowledgement of the impact Kenyan runnershave had on international athletics, as well as serving to continue the legacy of the late Kim McDonald, who was one of the world’s finest athlete managers until his untimely death in 2001." Includes Athlete profiles. http://www.kimbia.net/

Nigeria World - Sports

http://www.nigeriaworld.com/news/sports/

Ohio University - Sports in Africa

"a partnership of programs and departments at Ohio University," Publishes Impumelelo, The Interdisciplinary Electronic Journal of African Sports (full text articles online), has lists of books, journals, films, web sites, conferences, an e-discussion list, the 2004 Symposium "Sports, Youth and Africa," etc. http://www.ohiou.edu/sportsafrica/

Pan-African Glossary of Sports

Find the Hausa, Lingala, Mandenkan and Swahili equivalents for words used in Track and Field, Boxing, and Football (soccer). From the Canadian Government Translation Bureau. http://www.translationbureau.gc.ca/index.php?lang=english&cont=456

Population Council

Its sub-Saharan Africa regional office, in Accra, Ghana which opened 2002. Use the Search to locate full text reports such as "Letting Girls Play: The Mathare Youth Sports Association's Football Program for Girls." 38 p. In Adobe pdf. The Council is based in New York city. http://www.popcouncil.org/

Right to Play

"an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play as a tool for the development of children and youth" in Liberia, Chad, Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and other countries. The President is Johann Olav Koss (Olympic Gold Medalist speed skater from Norway) . Joey Cheek donated the funds from his speed skating gold medal (500 m) at the 2006 Winter Olympics to Right to Play for children in Darfur, Sudan. Based in Toronto, Canada. [KF] http://www.righttoplay.com/

Sensports

In French. Senegal-related sports news from online Senegalese newspapers. http://www.sensports.com/

Sliding Liberia: a Story of War, Peace, and Surfing

Four young surfers and present day Liberia. See also the article in Stanford Alumni Association Magazine, July/August 2008. Film site has many photographs of Liberia, video clips, background of the film. http://www.slidingliberia.com/

Supreme Council for Sports in Africa

Information from the web site of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs. "The Supreme Council for Sports in Africa was established in July 1965 in Brazzaville as the Comite Permanent du Sport Africain (CPSA). Its present title was adopted in Bamako on 14 December 1966. Since 3 July 1977, the SCSA has been functioning as a specialised agency of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The SCSA has its headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon." http://196.33.120.80/foreign/multilateral/scsa.asp

Team Shosholoza

South Africa's America's Cup Challenger 2007. The first African team to challenge for the America's Cup, part of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Headed by Captain Salvatore Sarno (CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company South Africa). They upset Luna Rossa Challenge of Italy. See International Herald Tribune article. New York Times article, May 6, 2007 "South African Team Gains Respect of the Top Crews." See also South Africa the Good News. The Team won the Golden Sail Award from the yacht club of the Republic of San Marino. http://www.teamshosholoza.com/

Topix.net - South Africa Sports News

South African soccer news aggregated from other web sites. RSS Feed: http://rss.topix.net/rss/world-soccer/south-africa.xml  http://www.topix.net/world-soccer/south-africa

Track

International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). Official Records Track and field world records, world rankings for events. Many records are held by African athletes. http://www.iaaf.org/Results/Records/Index.html

IAAF World Track & Field Championships, Edmonton, Canada, 2001

Sportserver - Track and Field News. http://www.sportserver.com/track_field/

USA Track and Field (USATF)

Follow African athletes in U.S. events. http://www.usatf.org/

See also AllAfrica.com - Athletics

Uhuru Open Golf Tour - Educating One Child at a Time

"The Uhuru Open Golf Tour is an effort by Kenyans resident in the United States to help address the needs of underprivileged Children." "The organization's goal is to provide over 100 educational scholarships annually to children in the slums of Africa and to expose hundreds of underprivileged children in urban America to golf." Schedule, photographs, has a mailing list. The Executive Director is Kaburi Kariuki. http://uhuruopen.org

Once Upon a Time in Africa: Healing Power of Apple

Once Upon a Time in Africa: Healing Power of Apple: "The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rosefamily&..."

Healing Power of Apple

The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rosefamily (Rosaceae), and is a perennial. It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans.

The tree originated in Western Asia, where its wild ancestor is still found today. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics.

An apple a day keeps the doctors away. the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans loved apples and developed dozens of varieties.
Apple is used for diarrhea, diabetes, constipation heart disease, cancer-pectin binds certain cancer causing compounds speeding their elimination from the body
Pectin also helps eliminate lead, mercury and other toxic metals from the body.
Eat all the fresh apple you want but stay away from the seeds

Rwanda 1994 genocide(Caused by Caste Discrimination)

Why i cry is not that LionKings do cry, why i cry is not that tears of joy were pushed down my ways...our lives were broken, memories full of sorrows, and the sleeping lion could not dream peace...the killings that occur between our selves here are caused by our inability to understand that we need each other....yes, we need each other. but we Africans have not come to understand. we discriminate, we kill and we ruin the bright future of our uprisings
Between April and June 1994, an estimated
 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days.

Most of the dead were Tutsis - and most of those who perpetrated the violence were Hutus.

Even for a country with such a turbulent history as Rwanda, the scale and speed of the slaughter left its people reeling.

The genocide was sparked by the death of the Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, when his plane was shot down above Kigali airport on 6 April 1994.

A French judge has blamed current Rwandan President, Paul Kagame - at the time the leader of a Tutsi rebel group - and some of his close associates for carrying out the rocket attack.

Mr Kagame vehemently denies this and says it was the work of Hutu extremists, in order to provide a pretext to carry out their well-laid plans to exterminate the Tutsi community.

Whoever was responsible, within hours a campaign of violence spread from the capital throughout the country, and did not subside until three months later.

But the death of the president was by no means the only cause of Africa's largest genocide in modern times.

History of violence

Ethnic tension in Rwanda is nothing new. There have  always been disagreements between the majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, but the animosity between them has grown substantially since the colonial period.

However, Tutsis are often taller and thinner than Hutus, with some saying their origins lie in Ethiopia.
The two ethnic groups are actually very similar - they speak the same language, inhabit the same areas and follow the same traditions.

During the genocide, the bodies of Tutsis were thrown into rivers, with their killers saying they were being sent back to Ethiopia.

When the Belgian colonists arrived in 1916, they produced identity cards classifying people according to their ethnicity.

The Belgians considered the Tutsis to be superior to the Hutus. Not surprisingly, the Tutsis welcomed this idea, and for the next 20 years they enjoyed better jobs and educational opportunities than their neighbours.

Resentment among the Hutus gradually built up, culminating in a series of riots in 1959. More than 20,000 Tutsis were killed, and many more fled to the neighbouring countries of Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.

When Belgium relinquished power and granted Rwanda independence in 1962, the Hutus took their place. Over subsequent decades, the Tutsis were portrayed as the scapegoats for every crisis.

Building up to genocide

This was still the case in the years before the genocide. The economic situation worsened and the incumbent president, Juvenal Habyarimana, began losing popularity.

At the same time, Tutsi refugees in Uganda - supported by some moderate Hutus - were forming the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), led by Mr Kagame. Their aim was to overthrow Habyarimana and secure their right to return to their homeland.

Habyarimana chose to exploit this threat as a way to bring dissident Hutus back to his side, and Tutsis inside Rwanda were accused of being RPF collaborators.

In August 1993, after several attacks and months of negotiation, a peace accord was signed between Habyarimana and the RPF, but it did little to stop the continued unrest.

When Habyarimana's plane was shot down at the beginning of April 1994, it was the final nail in the coffin.

Exactly who killed the president - and with him the president of Burundi and many chief members of staff - has not been established.

Whoever was behind the killing its effect was both instantaneous and catastrophic.

Mass murder

In Kigali, the presidential guard immediately initiated a campaign of retribution. Leaders of the political opposition were murdered, and almost immediately, the slaughter of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.

Within hours, recruits were dispatched all over the country to carry out a wave of slaughter.

The early organisers included military officials, politicians and businessmen, but soon many others joined in the mayhem.

Encouraged by the presidential guard and radio propaganda, an unofficial militia group called the Interahamwe (meaning those who attack together) was mobilised. At its peak, this group was 30,000-strong.

Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part. In some cases, Hutu civilians were forced to murder their Tutsi neighbours by military personnel.

Participants were often given incentives, such as money or food, and some were even told they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.

On the ground at least, the Rwandans were largely left alone by the international community. UN troops withdrew after the murder of 10 soldiers.

The day after Habyarimana's death, the RPF renewed their assault on government forces, and numerous attempts by the UN to negotiate a ceasefire came to nothing.

Aftermath

Finally, in July, the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a ceasefire.

As soon as it became apparent that the RPF was victorious, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).

These refugees include many who have since been implicated in the massacres.

At first, a multi-ethnic government was set up, with a Hutu, Pasteur Bizimungu as president and Mr Kagame as his deputy.

But the pair later fell out and Bizimungu was jailed on charges of inciting ethnic violence, while Mr Kagame became president.

Although the killing in Rwanda was over, the presence of Hutu militias in DR Congo has led to years of conflict there, causing up to five million deaths.

Rwanda's now Tutsi-led government has twice invaded its much larger neighbour, saying it wants to wipe out the Hutu forces.

And a Congolese Tutsi rebel group remains active, refusing to lay down arms, saying otherwise its community would be at risk of genocide.

The world's largest peacekeeping force has been unable to end the fighting. 

Tears of Sorrow, still dripping down my eyes, because my people are yet to understand,i need people to rise up once more and partner with me, we must fight against caste and religious discrimination in Africa. this is where we belong, we must stop this yes...yes. let our hearts speak to us the basic truths in unity..let us dream the dreams of LionKing George, let us embrace Love and peace and let the stories of these killings fade away into the papers of History.

Christmass Africana

I keep recieving mails from all over the world, asking me to tell them the story of Christmass in africa...my bakery had plenty of stuffs rising but i just had to squeeze out a little time to tell you about Cristmass Africana. you should start by learning how to Say Merry Christmas in Africa


In Akan (Ghana) Afishapa
In Zimbabwe Merry Kisimusi
In Afrikaans (South Africa) Geseënde Kersfees
In Zulu (South Africa) Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle
In Swazi (Swaziland) Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle
In Sotho (Lesthoto) Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse
In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya) Kuwa na Krismasi njema
In Amharic (Ethiopia) Melkam Yelidet Beaal
In Egyptian (Egypt) Colo sana wintom tiebeen
In Yoruba (Nigeria) E ku odun, e hu iye' dun!
There are approximately 350 million Christians in Africa. Christmas is celebrated throughout the continent by Christian communities large and small.  Meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and family visits made. The Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January (rather than the 25th of December) because they follow a different calendar. Kwanzaa is not celebrated in Africa, as it's an African-American holiday.

African people and groups of carolers walk around the village and sing Christmas carols. They then go to home to wear festive clothes and take love offerings for Jesus to the special service that is held at the house of worship. In the church, the birthday of Jesus is celebrated and people keep their gifts upon the raised platform near the Communion table. After the service, people invite friends to Christmas dinners arranged in front of their homes.

26th of December is known as the Boxing Day and is a proclaimed public holiday. It is the day to relax. In Ghana, on the west coast of Africa, churches and homes are decorated with the first week of Advent, four weeks before Christmas. Christmas time is the time for cocoa harvest and hence people have prosperous and money to spare. Everybody return to homes on Christmas Eve including farmers and miners. Children sing Christmas carols and march down the streets shouting, "Christ is coming!". In the evening, a special service is held in the churches, which are decorated with evergreen and palm trees and lighted candles. Nativity plays are conducted and people sing hymns. Everybody dresses up as Christmas angels on the main day and sing Christmas carols at home and dress up in native or Western attire for the church service.

If you are thinking of coming into Africa for Christmass, please do because we have that season celebrated in a way i called the Christmass Africana.
If you want to come over to where i am, write me and i will get our programs fixed, and believe me, i'm going to make you love Christmass. see you when you come.

Birds are here in Africa

Screenplay Marketplace in Africa
Type:     Documentary
Title:     Birds are here in Africa
Lenght:  Feature
 
We are looking for sponsorship from Documentary Funding Agencies, Production Companies, Individuals to fund the first ever documentary about African Birds and their relationship with their environment and Men.
for further enqiries, contact georgeostories@gmail.com  +2348038843041

we want to look out for the Southern black tit in the trees, and the brightly coloured Crested barbet. Groundscraper thrushes criss-cross the ground looking for insects, and listen for the song of the White-browed robin-chat and the noisy clattering call of the Crested francolin.

The crater, the result of a huge meteor impact millions of years ago, lies in the middle of the nature reserve and is easily accessible. But we are here with our 5D MARK 11 just for the birds, not the geology, so get your Telephoto ready and get exploring.

Always keep your eyes open for raptors, because African birds are known for that. There's a breeding pair of African Hawk-eagles, while Gabar goshawks and Little sparrowhawks dart between the trees. As owls are nocturnal, you probably won't see the Barn owl and the Southern White-faced Scops-owl, but you may well hear the tiny Pearl-spotted owlet screeching during the day.

we will begin our birding around the offices and museum, and look out for the Southern black tit in the trees, and the brightly coloured Crested barbet. Groundscraper thrushes criss-cross the ground looking for insects, and listen for the song of the White-browed robin-chat and the noisy clattering call of the Crested francolin.

Off to the river now, and, if we're lucky today, we may see one of South Africa's most brilliantly coloured and striking birds – the Crimson-breasted shrike. You may also hear the 'victor, victor' call of the Greater honeyguide. Look out too for an assortment of waxbills – the Blue, Common and Violet-eared.

On the river banks also look out for bird parties – you could spot anything from a Long-billed crombec or Striped cuckoo, to a Spotted flycatcher. Remember though that cuckoos are here only in the summer.

On the river itself you can find herons, crakes and, in the swampy areas, that most elusive and sought-after avian of all birders – the Red-chested flufftail.. if you love adventure so much, then you could join me for the shoots .when you come to Africa,  i will take you down the jungle forests where wild birds roar like the male hungry Kenyan lion...see you when you come.

Origin of the name “AFRICA”

The passion to know more about Africa is a great passion for History, I owe you no apology if I decide not to tell you my story, but just like dozens of my international readers will always say, they need something direct from my Bakery…ok, today I will tell you the origin of that name AFRICA.

Afri was the name of several people who dwelt in North Africa near Carthage. Their name is usually connected with Phoenician afar, “dust”, but a 1981 theory has asserted that it stems from a berber word ifri or ifran meaning “cave”, in reference to cave dwellers, AFRICA or Ifri or Afer is a name of Banu Ifran from Algeria and Tripolitania (Berber Tribe of Yafran)

Under Roman rule, cathage became the capital of Africa Province, which also includes the coastal part of modern Libya. The roman suffix “ca” denotes “country or land”. The later Muslim Kingdom of Ifriqiya, modern-day Tunisia, also preserved a form of the name.

Nevertheless, the job of my story bakery is to get the ingredients of nothing, putting it together under my candle light, I get something for you…no doubt…

Other etymologies that have been postulated for the ancient “Africa” have something you may need to know

The 1^st century Jewish historian flavius Josephus (ant. 1.15) asserted that it was named for Epher, grandson of Abraham according to Gen 25:4, whose descendants, he claimed had invaded Lybia.

Latin word aprica meaning  "sunny" as mentioned by isidore of seville in Etymologiae XIV.5.2.

The greek word aphrike, meaning "without cold" this was proposed by historian Leo Africanus (14881554), who suggested the greek word Phrike (meaning "cold and horror") combined with the primitive prefix "a" thus indicating a land free of cold and horror.

 i'm really giving you hot stories from my bakery and it's a gift from my kind heart. i believe Africa is History itself... yes...yes..

massey, in 1981, derived an etymology from the egyptian af-rui-ka, "to turn toward the opening of the Ka". the Ka is the energetic double of every person and the opening of the Ka" refers to a womb or birthplace. Africa would be, for the Egyptians "the birthplace"

Yes, i support that philosophy, it a birth place for heroes like the Lion king George, that's me.. what do you think of Africa as a birthplace?

Another hypothesis was proposed by michele fruyt in revue de philologie, i came across this one recently..50.1976:221-238, linking the latin word with africus "south wind", which would be umbrian origin and mean originally "rainy wind"
Hei, i'm going back to my Den to rule over my empire, just keep coming around here for subsequent packages of my African stories..

AFRICA

Hunters are Killers, yes we know that. writers are their stories, each word they write, reveals a golden history in their heart. i was glad when i receive recommendations  on GURU GUANO. writing a screenplay has been a business to me but since i started writing GURU GUANO early 2009, i became dracula. always flinged around in the spirit of my story. this story was not just the issues of Amalgamation of the European empire, or cultural diversities in Africa. the emergence of eastern and northern protactoriate or the arrows of internal slavery, though caring such issues along, GURU GUANO is a fight against religious and caste discrimination in Africa. thats the source of our crises and thank God i have written it....Using a setting which is based on a boarder between two states under two rival religous groups. the valley of okutu, using histories of the star of magi to link a common relationship between Christianity and Islam. it's such stories that i keep celebrating...I have written Africa. I have revealed History, Hidden and bartered, the ego of my Fatherland. the victory of the Lion empire... the success of generations.....

Final Stage of GURU GUANO

Starting from the conception of GURU GUANO, the plot was one of the major challenges i had. but just as a little boy will tell his father, i needed all ... and yes, God gave me all.
GURU GUANOS as minorities that did survive international Slavery, but locally, they were regarded as war slaves and treated as thus. restricted from interacting with the freeborn. tied down in the valley of Okutu.
I just had to go back to historical research, carrying along issues from the amalgamation of European Empire, to the Issues of African Tribal trade and migration. the origin of some outstanding cultures and even those that should be dropped in order to embrace the arrival of modern religion.


Just as i would always say, when i sit to write, i become the master and the slave. putting my spirit into the issues that really affect tribal minorities like the igbos in Nigeria and Fulanies in Mali. i had to reveal these issues through my GURU GUANO screenplay.
Issues of Religous and Caste discrimination...yes..yes.. for how long will we keep hiding the truth?.  i addressed it because it's our major problems here, people are dying and there are high level humanright violations just because such cultural vices has refused to fade away.

when i met some TV specialists in AIT, they looked at the story and pleaded to get involved. it's a piece that i keep celebrating... why won't i celebrate?. it took me fifteen months to write the first season and now that is done.
i need capable hands to integrate with me as we shoot the story. geting intouch with me is simple.. you can call my mobile +2348038843041 or write me on georgeodinaka@gmail.com. and i assure you, i'm just right here.


Aiming at over 200 television stations across Africa and some are already waiting to have the first quarter.
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Fulani Culture, with elements of caste Discrimination

 The Fulani, or Peulhs, are traditionally cow herders. Before the creation of Mali, the Fulani had a strict caste system within their own tribes with nobles owning and caring for the prized cows and slaves handling the menial work in the fields. Cows are of utmost importance to Fulani and the number of heads in a Fulani man's herd represents his wealth. Peulhs are easily recognizable by their slight frames, lighter skin tone, and hook noses. Women usually wear large, heavy gold earrings that rip wide holes in their earlobes. Tattoos above the lip and on the gums of women are considered fashionable.

A typical fulani man and woman



Social Groups Work Functions Titles

Social Groups	Work Functions	Titles
Rimbhe-Ardiibhe	Can hold leadership in village, serve as Iman, etc.	Fulbhe, Toorodbhe
Rimbhe-Huunbhe	Free born, noble in class but generally in service to a leader	Sebhbhe, Jaawambhe, Subhalbhe
Neenbhe-Fecciram-Golle	Artisans, Product	Maabubhe-Sanoobhe, Waylubhe, Sakkaebhe, Lawbhe
Neenbhe-Naagotoobhe-Naalankoobhe	performers, historians	Wammbhaabhe, Maabhubhe Suudu Paate
Jeyaabhe/Jiyaabhe	Captives of war laborers	Maccubhe

The Traditional occupation within the Cast System in Futa Tooro
Tooroodo (sing), Toorodoe (Pl) leaders, Iman, Farmers
Cuballo (sing), Subalbhe (pl) The Subalbhe. Specialized in fishing and river matters.
Jaawando (sing), Jaawambhe (pl) Courtesans, diplomat intermediaries

Tooroodo (sing), Toorodoe (Pl)	leaders, Iman, Farmers
Cuballo (sing), Subalbhe (pl)	The Subalbhe. Specialized in fishing and river matters.
Jaawando (sing), Jaawambhe (pl)	Courtesans, diplomat intermediaries
Ceddo (sing)	leaders, courtesans, support position to leaders
Baylo (sing), Sebhbhe (pl)	leaders, courtesans, support position to leaders
Mabe (sing) Maaabubhe (pl)	Weavers and Pottery makers
Labbo (sing) Lawbhe (pl)	Woodworkers
Sakke (sing) Sakkebhe (pl)	Leathers Workers
Gawlo (sing) Awlubhe (pl)	Singers, genealogist Griots
Bammbaado (sing) Wammbaabhe (pl)	Griots, Guitarists
Maccudo (sing) Maccubhe (pl)	Servants, entertainers

Explication of major social groups below

Wodaabe (see below) have their own form of Pulaaku called Mbodangaaku that unites them or 'holds their hands together'. A sense of responsibility to their fellow Wodaabe involving hospitality and generosity binds them together

Divisions of Fulbe

Fulbe Waalo and Fuuta Tooro. The waalo is the floodplain on the south bank of the Senegal River where crops can be grown as the floods recede each year during October - November. This is distinguished from the Jeeri or Ferlo, which is the slightly higher ground south of the Senegal River that stretches south to include the course of the Ferlo river. In its centre is the town of Lingeer (Linguere). On the Jeeri crops can grown only in the rainy season.
The Fulbe of the Futa Tooro live mostly in La Region du Fleuve of the Department of Podor, that is a region 250 km. long, south of the Senegal River between just south-west of Podor and Matam to the east. The Fuuta Tooro group of the Ururbe travel the furthest from near Njum to between Mbede and Haare Law.
The Fulbe have attempted to maintain both their pastoralism and also engage in cultivation, for keeping one's herd is security against poor harvests. They have tended to divide the family with the father cultivating the field and the children looking after the cattle. But neither can be done successfully, and many Fulbe farmers and sedentary herders are being forced to move into the Ferlo, the area of the Fulbe Jeeri, so that there is a degree of conflict between these two groups of Fulbe.
Fulbe Jeeri: in the centre of northern Senegal and a large number of diverse lineages still follow a semi-nomadic life, but this total possibly includes the Fulbe of the Waalo. They are named for the Jeeri or central region of dry higher ground south of the Senegal Valley, where most have lived since the 15th century. The Fulbe Jeeri can be divided between those groups who live in the areas of the old pre-colonial kingdoms nearer the coast, and those on the Jeeri further into the centre of Senegal. There are Fulbe Jeeri in Mali and probably others in the west of Gambia.
The Jeeri is a wind-swept, semi-arid area receiving sparse rainfall, crossed by the Valley of the Ferlo River and numerous dry valleys and river-beds which have pasture only during the rainy season. The town of Lingeer (Linguere) forms the centre around which the various groups of the Fulbe to be found. The Fulbe on the Jeeri are divided into two major groups called Laccenaabe, or Fulbe of the Lacce area and the Jeenglebe or Jengeloobe. The former has twelve clans. Some of these are related to those among the Waalwaalbe and with whom they have contact when they migrate northwards in the dry season. The Jeenglebe consists of three groups located south of the railway between Louga and Lingeer and southwards to the Saalum Valley.
The Fulbe Jeeri living on the Jeeri are family groups linked together by descent, who are still nomadic, or semi-nomadic as cattle raisers and with flocks of sheep and goats. During April the Fulbe Jeeri plant crops of millet, peanuts and beans on the Jeeri. In the following months during the rains they care for their animals and maintain their camps. After the harvest in October, when the rains are over, they move out of the Jeeri because in the dry season the watering holes dry up. They move either to the north towards the Waalo or south to the peanut basin, to return to the Jeeri in the following April.
This movement was modified in the 1950s when artisan wells were drilled at 30 km. intervals on the Jeeri. The constant supply of water is making it possible to cultivate fields where the ground was previously too dry. Sedentary Fulbe and Wolof farmers have been encouraged to settle on the Jeeri and graze their herds close to the wells, so that the wells near the Ferlo valley are becoming surrounded. The pastoralists are finding it increasingly difficult to move their herds close to the water. The water from the wells does not guarantee pasture close to the villages, as the pastoralists once found out to their cost. In the drought of 1972-73 many Jeerinkoobe decided to stay by the wells to have water, however they soon ran out of pasture and lost many animals.
Having learned this hard lesson, the Fulbe Jeeri have continued to be highly mobile, owning large herds of cattle and, more importantly, sheep and goats of which they have flocks of 500 to a 1,000 animals. Since the drought, the rainfall has been better, so that in most years, the majority of the Fulbe Jeeri are able to stay some 15 to 20 km. distant from the wells in the dry season and get better pasture than the farmers close to the wells. This has enabled them to adopt a semi-nomadic life style with semi-permanent camps for the families in reach of the boreholes, while the men travel with the herds looking for pasture. In this way the herds get the best of the pasture before the herds of the sedentary peoples, and they only need to go to the wells every second day. This means they move camp several times in the year to 'rotate' the herds over the pastures. But other Fulbe Jeeri continue to be truly nomadic with the whole families travelling outside the Jeeri in the dry season for pasture using straw huts, which that take apart to carry with them.
In the past the Fulbe Jeeri have found dry season pasture in forest reserves established by the French to the south, where agriculture was banned. There is no pastoral alternative to these reserves because the surrounding country is heavily populated and cultivated by Serer and Wolof peoples
West and south of the Jeeri region there is the area once occupied by the ancient kingdoms of Njambur, Kajoor, Bawol, Siin and Saalum. Here are other groups of Fulbe Jeeri. They are in the region of Njambur, Kajoor, Baol, Siin and Saalum in Senegal. These have had greater contact with the farming communities and so have more incentives to settle.

The Fulbe in western Mali are located in Nioro and Kayes. Many of these originated from around Podor, in the Fouta Toro area of Senegal, but there are other villages of Fulbe that have a different origin. They spend the rainy season in some thirty villages in a 30 km. radius, mostly south-west of Nioro around Govmanwe. In the dry season they migrate some 200 km. south-westwards to the area north of Bafoulabe. Others are based around Segala and migrate southwards to the Senegal River Valley north-west of Bafoulabe. migration of fulanis

Others are found 50 km. north-east of Kayes close to Kontela. They speak Pulaar.
Maasina (Macina) and Nampala Fulbe, Mali: These Fulbe are the central part of a number of interrelated areas of Fulbe, from Dilly and Nara through to northern Burkina Faso. They use, or have used in the past, the flooding of the Niger in its delta in central Mali as part of their migratory pastoralism. of the Fulbe in the Maasina region. The Fulbe live among many other peoples, including thousands of Bella, Moors, Tuareq, Bozo, Songhai and Dogon, and the estimate of their population may be affected by the fact that their social organisation, called the wuro, or a residential community, often includes more than the Fulbe.
Each wuro (Fr. Ouro) is under the leadership of an Ardo, jooro or dioro who negotiates the use of the pastures with his opposite numbers. The wuro may have several thousand heads of cattle, so reciprocal renting of pasture between the wuros is often necessary in the dry season, during May to July. At this time the Fulbe get permission at 'gates' such as near J'Afarabe and Yuwaru to move into the flood plain of the Niger River to use the fresh pasture until July.

When the river floods in the months from August to December the Fulbe migrate north-westwards into the Sahel, to avoid the mud and flies during August to October, going as far as to the south of ema in Mauritania, a distance of over 300 km. In the 1990s many have turned to the south into farming areas, because of the threat of attack by the Kel Tamasheq. They return to the Niger flood plain in November, and so start the cycle again. Nomadic groups include the Cookinkoobe, Naasaadinkoobe and Sonnaabe migrate from the north. Others have abandoned going into the Delta, pasturing their cattle in localised areas. The Fulbe live in semi-permanent villages, which also have one or two families of a craftsman caste,

probably Lawbe or Inadan, working in work, leather, and gold and silver and also ex-slaves called maccube, who nowadays have to be paid to do menial work, such as cultivation, sweeping and carrying.
Jallube herders (sing. Jallo) in the Douentza or Hayre region of Mali live in camps a few miles from villages of the Riimayde, the former slaves of the Fulbe, who are sedentary cultivators of millet. The Riimayde were either slaves of individual Jallube or of clans; but these arrangements were abolished in 1945. The Jallube themselves grow millet during the rainy season and trade milk with the Riimayde for millet, spices and other goods. The Jallube also cultivate as the Riimayde do it for them, and also herd the animals of some of the latter.
The Jullube migrate for the dry season, north towards the Delta or southwards. Some move the short distance to the fields of the Riimayde, the rest travel some 30 to 100 km. to the fields of Dogon farmers. They return before the rainy season in July to September to plant again. The men are responsible for both the herding and the cultivation of the millet. The women are responsible for the milking. According to pulaaku Jallube fathers neither eat with, or speak to their sons, even though the sons do all the cultivation and herding for them, Instructions have to be passed by intermediaries.
Burkina Faso has quite a few Fulani in the north-east. Jelgoobe, Djibo, northern Burkina Faso. The Jelgoobe claim to be descended from two chiefdoms who migrated from Haire region of Mali by 1750. According to their oral traditions, they arrived from Maasina in Mali, driving the cattle of the Jullube in the 17th century, because of famine and the political struggles of that region. But they did not escape these entirely, for they became in 1824 the eastern edge of the Islamic Diina kingdom of Aamadu Seeku, based in the Maasina, but rebelled and had their leaders killed. They appealed to the Mossi king of Yatenga, who attempted to impose Mossi rule. The Jelgoobe threw off both until the French arrived in 1864.
They continue a very independent group. Many Fulbe have migrated eastwards to Oudalan, Liptako, Yagha and into Niger who continue to call themselves Jelgoobe. These and other Fulbe of different origins and varied dates of arrival are called Fulbe Jelgooji, like the Fulbe Kelli, who became subject to the Jelgoobe. But some of the Riimaybe, ex-captives, who possibly gaining their freedom in the conflict with the Mossi around 1834, live in the town of Djibo and speak the language of the Mossi. The town is about 25% Mossi, a further 18% are also Riimaybe speaking Fulfulde.
In this region 72% of the population are of Fulfulde speaking and culture, but only 44% are Fulbe, the rest being Riimaybe former slaves, who now have independent farming communities. The Fulbe living in the surrounding hamlets speak Fulfulde and insist on keeping cattle to have status as cattle owners in the Fulbe tradition. Many migrated south during the droughts of the 1980s. But since then those that remained have prospered better than the farming population. This has been helped by new water holes and a cattle market in Djibo. They have a Inadan craft community, maabube - griots, living with them.
Queguedo Fulbe, to the west of Tenkodogo in south-east Burkina Faso, are an example of small groups of Fulani who are settling among other ethnic groups to have a specialised pastoral role. They came from Maasina in Mali and work as herders for the Mossi, as well as having cattle of their own. While both sides profit from the arrangement, they tend to mistrust each other, the Mossi claiming that the Fulani tend to 'lose' only Mossi cattle. The advantages to the Mossi include keeping their cattle separate from their crops. Another reason used to be, keeping the cattle hidden from the tax inspector! But this tax had been abolished. These Fulbe migrate with the cattle herds, going north out of the area during the growing season. The Fulbe also do some cultivation, but have portable houses that can be moved.
Niger has close to a million Fulbe, including the Bororo, right across the southern part of the country and west and north of Agadez. There has been a response of a few dozen.


In mali:

DOGON:
One of the most interesting ethnic groups of Mali is the Dogons. Legend says that the Dogon fled to the rocky hills of Mali's Bangiagara region to escape invading tribes. Living in the cliffs, Dogon devised brilliant methods to grow crops and transport water. They are well known for their agricultural skills and commitment to hard work. When not tending to their fields, the Dogons are handy woodworkers and carve intricate designs over blocks of wood used as doors - many of which are prized by leading museums.

Dogons

 Many Dogon have resisted converting to Islam like much of the rest of the country, and continue to believe in the animistic gods. Many religious ceremonies are held in absolute secrecy and any foreigner witnessing them is cursed to die. The Dogons have their own very complicated language. French and German missionaries over the years have succeeded in creating dictionaries of Dogon words, but the dialects are as numerous as the villages.

BOZO/BOBO:
 Bozos and Bobos are some of less prominent ethnic groups within Mali's borders. Bozo's are known for their fishing skills and tend to have their villages near the Niger and Bani rivers. Bozos do speak their own language, but knowledge of the language is nearly unknown by non-Bozos, so Bambara is frequently used.

Bozos

 Bobos are not held in the highest prestige by other ethnic groups and are frequently disregarded, and left to their own villages. Bobos do carve beautiful ritual masks, and are also renown for their love of dog meat. They fill the role of animal control for villages and Bobo men can be seen roaming the streets looking for villagers to hand over any spare strays.

TUAREG:
The men in blue of the desert are the infamous Tuareg. These legendary fighters -- known for their skill with the sword -- live mostly in the Northern reaches of Mali near Timbuktu and Kidal. Tuaregs originally controlled the caravan routes that brought salt to the south from the desert salt mines, but air transport has made the business less profitable in recent years. Tuareg's are very proud people with an ancient written language and traditions of poetry. Their nomadic roots have made it difficult for them to accept Malian borders, and they fiercely resisted statehood of their desert home.

TUAREG FIGHTERS

Only recently have the Tuaregs and the Malian government reached an agreement, and now many Tuaregs are employed in government services. Traditional Tuareg men are 'veiled' to mark their transition from adolescence. The thick helmet of cloth around their heads is never removed in the presence of anyone, and is worn even while sleeping and eating. The indigo with which they dye their robes rubs off of their skin, giving them the title 'blue men of the desert'. The sword is a Tuareg's most valued possession. Many are passed from generation to generation and said to be protected by the victories of its past owners.

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