ktravula – a travelogue!

teaching. lanugage. travel

A Guest Post by Omotunde Kasali

16 November, 2012

Today I was at a book festival at the Freedom Park: The Lagos Book and Arts Festival. The morning was sunny and happy but the view from my bus, as it approached the Lagos Island from the Third Mainland Bridge, was curious: the sun was under the clouds, the Island was invisible behind a thick fog and the clouds intercepted ground at the edge of the Island.

At Marina Road I alighted and went to breakfast at a restaurant on Kakawa Street. As I came out the burly figure of Eghosa Imasuen coming up the opposite walkway was what I saw: his chest pushed out, his legs kicking the air and his arms swinging to his back. The thought that he was going to where I had just left came to me and I smiled as I turned into Broad Street and walked the long way down to Freedom Park.

I went into the Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery to see an arts exhibition. Of all the works on display I am most captivated by a photograph by Uche James-Iroha. In the photo a middle-aged man behind a chalkboard knits his brows and fixes his eyes at the camera. The rest of the picture – the shanty the man is in and the carpentry measurements on the chalkboard – is difficult to piece together to form a complete image. The photo is a puzzle and as one tries to discern the anger on the man’s face, what he is doing in the shanty and what the measurements on the board are for, one is slowly absorbed into the photo.

When I came out of the gallery the events were ready to begin. There were schoolchildren from many schools, there was a book fair, there was an arts fair and there was an audience that rounded the stage. I walked into the fair and I met people I know. I bought Fagunwa’s Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmole and found myself a seat.

In a few minute the opening event began. Bishop Mathew Kukah spoke to the schoolchildren about books, played with them, danced with them and answered questions from them; a troupe of kids in adire came on stage and delighted the audience; the poet Oyinkansola, a girl of 10, came on stage and read her poem; Tolu Ogunlesi and Bishop Mathew Kukah discussed the bishop’s new book and its concerns with the theme of the festival The Narratives of Conflict.

When it was afternoon I walked into the gallery and went up the first floor where a discussion about books was taking place. I left a few minutes later when sleep began to sneer at me. I came back down into a most enthralling discussion about a book My Life Has a Priceby Tina Okpara, a young lady who in the book tells her story of child abuse in France.

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Omotunde Kasali is a writer, photographer and biochemist. He lives in Lagos.

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A Guest Post by Omotunde Kasali was published on November 28th, 2012, with the tags , , , , , under the Uncategorized category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.

The Ten Peaceful Protests Commandments (Nigeria)

by Adeleke Adesanya

Dear Friend,

A season of discontent is upon us again. You have heard of government’s recent decision and you want to join in the protests. We have argued about it all before. You are aware that you and I at least agree on one thing and that is your right to freely protest. These are uncertain times however. And I see in your fervour a certain hope for this country. I want to see you come back in peace, healthy enough to argue with me again. That is why I write this precise manual on best practise procedures to ensure a peaceful protest and your safe return.

Do not bother querying my credentials. I will be frank and admit that I have never taken part in any public protest in Nigeria or elsewhere. I can write protest letters, sign petitions, and even place a phone call or two. But I don’t do Sit-Ins, Million Men March or Occupy Wherever. I value my physical security and have always been cynical of all leadership including that of every opposition body. As a student, I noticed that Student Union President’s do the talking while their followers receive the hard side of police baton during protests. I know that those who died during violent protests of 1993 never got to receive political appointments. I know that many who were apparently ready to die for that cause turned coat and made it into a source of livelihood. I know that many people do not want peaceful protests. Some nouveau leaders want to climb the corpse of martyrs to renown. Thieves want a little rowdiness so they can steal. And then, there are fifth columnists, SSS officers and paid agent provocateurs. You will learn to identify them while reading this piece.

One, you must plan for the protest properly. Revolutions do not happen by accident. Know when it will start and when you will leave. There is nothing called indefinite protests, everything must have a beginning and an end. Know what you will do and what you will not have a part in. There are many ways to make your voice heard. The people who write articles, who protest on twitter, who telephone radio stations do not have two heads. You don’t have to be the foot soldier in the march, that confronts the mobile policeman.

Two, if you must go out, err on the path of caution. Consider writing you local police DPO for approval first. I know you have a right to protest but it is his duty to maintain law and order. If you do not have permission, it is common sense that he will not guarantee your safety. He might refuse but if you receive approval, it is guaranteed that you will have police officers to secure your procession. They will not tear gas you if you received approval. They will even protect you from touts who may want to hijack your protest. You may belittle this point but asking for permission earns you respect. You are advertising that you are really a leader.

Three, in case of public protests, choose the locations carefully. Choose play areas and parks in suburban areas. Do not protest along main roads. Never ever burn tyres. Do not hold sticks, tree branches or anything that may be misconstrued as a weapon. Do not burn explosives aka banger. Do not harass motorists.  You must be unarmed and appear to be harmless. You are a well bred gentleman afterall.

Four, dress like a responsible person. You may be tempted to wear jeans and a tee shirt but I will suggest a suit or blazer. If you wear native attire, don a cap. Dress as you will like to appear before a judge for bail and in all likelihood you will not need to. With your smart dressing, the police will assume you are a lawyer or a representative of some foreign NGO.  You want them to make that kind of mistake. Never ever show your naked chest or wear a bandanna no matter the heat.

Five, before going for a protest, take care to telephone each media organisation in your vicinity and inform them of your protest. Or better still, request to visit them and make your visit to their office your protest. If you can get foreign press too, then fate has favoured you. If you cannot get the media to cover your protest, postpone it. In this day and age, a revolution that is not televised did not happen.

Six, part of your planning is the preparation of handbills and banners. Use your wits to come up with catchy, even funny choice of words. Design your handbills like you are selling a church retreat. Smile when you go out to evangelise. You may not agree with me your attempt to mould public opinion has made you a politician and you must learn to act the role appropriately.

Seven, do not march to the Governor’s office, the Senate or Representatives building unless you have previously secured an appointment. The security men that guard these places are bored and have been looking for action, any action. Your attempts to break protocol may be repelled with the direst deterrents.  If on the other hand, you are able to secure an appointment, try not to smile too happily when you get the customary photo opportunity.

Eight, there will be many who are not of similar persuasion as yourself. They are not necessarily against you, sometimes they just don’t care. If in a democracy you have a right of dissent, accept that they too have the right to be aloof. As for those who do not agree with you, do not get into any argument. Flee from them the way Born Again Christians are told to flee from Jehovah Witnesses. Public arguments too easily turn violent and are not subject to our customarily civil rules of debating.

Nine, it is one thing to have a plan; it is another to actualise it. If you plan to walk a mile and common sense tells you to stop at half, it is not cowardice. He who protests and runs away will live to protest another day. But be wary of those that push you to go a mile and a half. I am speaking metaphorically. Anyone who tells you he is ready to die or throws a missile at a policeman is the enemy. Ditto those who carry concealed weapons or argue with a man with a gun.   Ditto arsonists. Ditto the bearer of fantastic tales about grave casualties in other scenes of protest.  Anyone who calls a civil demonstration a call to revolution. Watch these ones. They are either fools or fifth columnists.

Ten, you must remember the practical issues on the D-day. Take some water with you. Eat a good breakfast; you don’t know for sure where or when the next one will be. Avoid any form of intoxication. Do not rub your eyes with kerosene; rather leave if the police start shooting tear gas. After tear gas, things generally go from bad to worse, I am not even sure the Nigerian Police have any stock of plastic bullets. Carry a small camera and a cell phone and make a call at the first sign of trouble. Have a lawyer on speed dial. Take your doctor’s prescription along if any, as well as your hospital card showing your blood type. Carry a valid national I D card. Be alert and prepared to flee to safety, when necessary.

I have written this because of my awareness of the attendant risks in the society we live in and the fragility of human life. Don’t be a dead hero, martyrdom is generally overrated. Someday, you will read this again and laugh at me for being so worried about you. When that day comes, I will be happy to buy us both a drink, relieved that this epistle has served its purpose.

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The Ten Peaceful Protests Commandments (Nigeria) was published on January 6th, 2012, with the tags , , , , , , under the Observations category. There are currently 2 comments on this article so far.

How to be a Culture Tourist

Being a culture tourist is a fabulous way to see the sights and discover more about the country you’re visiting. Language learning trips offer traditional holiday experiences with the added benefit of gaining cultural insights. By immersing yourself in another culture you will find it easier to pick up the lingo. This guide suggests how you can make the most of your time abroad.

Learn new vocabulary at galleries

One of the best things about learning a language in the country itself is that you’re surrounded by it! Everywhere you look you’ll see words you don’t recognise. Although this may seem daunting, it is actually a fantastic opportunity to expand your vocabulary. You will learn new phrases at every turn, but you can also focus your studies by visiting cultural centres like galleries.

Paintings usually have notes next to them, explaining what is being shown. Even if there isn’t an English translation, you will have the picture itself to refer to. As art includes representations of so many things, you can pick up all kinds of new words. Jot down those that are of particular interest, then research them in your dictionary or online.

 Eat with the locals

Local restaurants allow you to sample great food whilst extending your language skills. Eateries in tourist traps tend to cater to those who can’t speak the language. The staff will speak English to you, and there will be English translations on the menu. This can be handy for a beginner, but to really immerse yourself in the culture you’d be better off in an out-of-the-way eatery.

The staff will usually speak in their native tongue and the menu might only be presented in the local lingo. This will test your abilities in comprehension and communication. You can also practise your skills by chatting with other diners and asking for recommendations. Unusual local specialities might be served in these hidden gems, so you will also discover more about the real cuisine of a region.

Pick up slang at a sports match

Learning a language from a book is great for giving you the basics. To really get under the skin of a culture, however, you need to get amongst the locals and hear how they use their language. Pick up slang words and you’ll get a deeper understanding of how local people communicate informally with one another.

Sports matches are great for this. The informal atmosphere and passionate crowds encourage all sorts of words you wouldn’t read in a textbook! Their chants of repeated phrases will help you get familiar with new vocabulary. You will also understand more about how ordinary people express themselves. 

Take advantage of technology

When you’re learning a language in another country you can take advantage of being immersed in the culture by tuning in to technology. Watch TV shows, listen to the radio and visit the cinema. You will be able to ask your teacher about words or phrases you don’t understand. The great thing about learning from a native speaker in their own country is that they’ll be familiar with all the cultural nuances. You can also take advantage of podcasts and other language technology aids.

Keep up the good work at home

Once you’ve been on a language learning holiday it is a good idea to keep using your new skills. The best way to do this is to enrol in language courses locally. Whether you’re interested in Russian, Chinese or Italian courses London in particular has a huge range of options, but other UK towns do too. If you’re after German, Spanish or French lessons London, Manchester, Bristol and many more cities offer courses to help you keep improving.

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How to be a Culture Tourist was published on January 4th, 2012, with the tags , , , under the Uncategorized category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.

Traveling Guest Posts

Visiting Port Harcourt by Funmi

I was in Port Harcourt city twice this summer. If you were born in Port Harcourt or have lived there at all, you understand that there is only one way we eat bole (roasted plantain). This food originated in the West amongst the Yorubas but is eaten there with ekpa (groundnuts). In the south, however, fish is first coated with palm oil and pepper, and  roasted alongside the plantains. Then a special sauce is prepared and the entire meal is covered in this sauce. In PH city, bole is a meal. I had missed bole and fish (as well as isi-ewu, ekpang kukwo, native soup and isam (periwinkles)) and I enjoyed all these while I was there. (More here).

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Cheesy Berlin by Temitayo

It is important to mention that Germany has adopted many meals from its settlers. Many of the dishes were brought by the Russians, the Arabs, Asians and of course Africans. There were restaurants that specialised in this. I ate Spaghetti, prawns, soup and nuts at Asian Cosiate. I came home with the sticks I could not use. I had chicken and chips at McDonalds. Not much different from what you would get at KFC. I ate falafel, vegetarian food at an Arab food spot, where I met an Arab who had stayed in Berlin for less than two years but spoke fluent German. Food was loads cheaper, with 10 euros, I was well fed. Food was a way to celebrate difference. It created that cultural potpourri; each meal, an encounter with a culture. Different smells, unique tastes, different people. (Read more here)

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The Festival of Nations in St. Louis

On Saturday there were 40 different nationalities grilling, stewing and stirring ethnic treasures in booths that lined a promenade through the eastern end of the park. The choices ranged from bratwurst to Turkish borek, a pillowy pastry stuffed with spinach and feta.

The Paces had already sampled several sweet Malaysian drinks including rose milk; tried a thick slice of himbasha bread; indulged in Bosnian food; and had heard buzz about Eritrean food, piled high on thin, spongy rounds of injera bread.

Under a shady tree, Kyle and Jean Schenkewitz of St. Louis must have heard the buzz. They were already sampling several Eritrean delicacies, including stewed spinach, spiced lentils and a hearty tomato beef stew. The couple were aware that St. Louis has had an influx of immigrants resettling from Eritrea, a country in the horn of Africa. Both said they are fascinated by how other cultures get their protein from beans, noting that America is one of the few countries that primarily depends on meat. (Read more: here)

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Traveling Guest Posts was published on August 28th, 2011, with the tags , , , , , , under the Uncategorized category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.

After the Cup: Post 2010 Perceptions of South Africa

A guest post by Jeff Norman who also writes for onlineuniversities.net and onlinecollegedegrees.net

Spain garnered the majority of press headlines from the FIFA World Cup tournament that took place last year. And for good reason — the Spaniards’ victory in the championship round was the country’s first ever World Cup win. Spain’s great finish also unfortunately marked a metaphorical dimmimg of the spotlight on the country that hosted their success, South Africa. Johannesburg, diamonds, apartheid, and Nelson Mandela being South Africa’s primary keywords, some might feel that the country’s decision to host this massive event did little to alter the world’s perception of the nation.

The fact that this was the first WC ever to take place in S.A., in all of Africa for that matter, remains the most salient detail of South Africa’s 2010. This article looks to shine a light on what is new and what is of import in South Africa, nearly a twelvemonth after its inaugural World Cup hosting. Let’s commence with that beautiful sounding instrument that melodicized its way into millions of international hearts, the vuvuzela (note sarcasm). Any adoration of this loud and obnoxious horn-like sounder seems to have remained in South Africa. Still, the fans of many countries took to the vuvuzela as a way of making it known that their team loyalty was, well, loud. Vuvuzelas stateside successfully made their way into the zeitgeist, landing appearances on nearly every nightly news broadcast and even a comic stint on Saturday Night Live.

It might not be the most glamorous way for Johannesburg to slip into Americana, but it’s for sure an indelible one. The people of South Africa took full advantage of exposure the World Cup inevitably brought on. Superstar siren Shakira composed one of YouTube’s biggest sensations in its history, with her effervescent tournament theme “Waka Waka.” The song’s styling and video made an attractive vehicle for traditional South African rhythms and dance to export themselves en masse to millions of viewers. But despite the increased attention to S.A.’s culture externally, it also seems that the country’s populace saw the World Cup as an occasion to turn inward as well. Throughout the matches, the post-apartheid flag could be seen waving with more pride than ever before. All indications seemed to depict a South Africa that had successfully turned its back on the senseless bigotry brought on by apartheid decades prior.

Word has it that before this tournament, only black South Africans participated in football with any real verve. Now, after the WC has concluded, citizens of all colors have taken to the patch and made the game their own. This societal shift and sense of freedom can be summarized in one elusive but always popular idea: democracy. Long before the World Cup, Oprah brought South Africa into American popular media, as the country was the location for the uber-powerful figure’s first-ever school. Now it looks as if South Africa, after the games, is schooling the world on what toughness, and togetherness, really mean.

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After the Cup: Post 2010 Perceptions of South Africa was published on March 19th, 2011, with the tags , , , , under the Opinion, Travelling category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.

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