"I write what I like," like Steve Biko
These past couple of days, I have been reflecting on the power of a name. Specifically, the meaning to which we attach to our name; the meaning that others attach to our name; and what reactions our name elicits. Does our name keep us rooted within the culture of our ancestors or does it render… Continue reading Makerere fire is ancestors’ warning: decolonize
In our African societies, it used to be that braid patterns and hairstyles indicated a person’s community, age, marital status, wealth, power, social position, and religion. Our hairstyles for both men and women, it follows, therefore, were a powerful identification code system. For example, among the Iteso, my people, currently the fifth largest first nation… Continue reading African Hairstyles for Beauty & Liberation
The media as been abuzz with commentary that was ignited by photos of Matthew Kanyamunyu, while he was at the ancestral home of Kenneth Watmon Akena (RIP), the man he is accused of killing, showing him seemingly going through rituals that are part of Acholi reconciliation justice. Kenneth Watom Akena (RIP) It is fascinating how… Continue reading Acholi Reconciliation Justice
Mato Oput, which in the Acholi language literally means "to drink a bitter potion made from the leaves of the ‘oput’ tree" is one of the mechanisms for forgiveness and reconciliation among the Acholi people in Northern Uganda. The drinking of this bitter herb means that the two conflicting parties accept the bitterness of the… Continue reading Mato Oput – Acholi Justice System
Akosah-Sarpong, simply and aptly described PHD – ‘pull her down’ or ‘pull him down’ syndrome - as a moral disorder which makes people see things in negative realms. Chihota, expounds further and asserts that the syndrome is particularly wide spread among Africans, to the extent that some consider it the most dangerous disease afflicting Africans,… Continue reading PHD, a Dangerous Disease Afflicting Africans
