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VOICES FROM AFRICA

Poetry | 10 Chapters

Author: Adanu Michaels

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The book African child anthology is a collection of poems and short stories circling around the cultures, traditions and ethics of the African Nation. It attracts writers from various African countries with the common idea of unifying Africa and teaching the African cultures and traditions not just to the young generation of Africans but also beyond Africa to the wider world            Some writers in this antholog....

Dedication

DEDICATION

The African child anthology is dedicated to all children in Africa and those who believe in building a better generation across the Globe.

Foreword

FORWARD

The book African Child Anthology is a collection of poems and short stories from around the African Continent. It is a book where several writers write to bring out the beautiful cultures and traditions of the African Nation and it extends beyond this objective to also teach the young generation the true ways of Mother Africa, to revive the fading traditions of our people and to show the whole universe the beauty and pride of the African people. Away from the cultures and traditions, some writers also dived into addressing the ill fate of structures and circumstances in some of the African countries, emphasizing on the disheartening state of the Nation and therefore pointing out possible solutions to curbing the situation.

However, aside from a few notable distinguished personalities who contributed to this anthology, majority of the contributing Authors are young African writers most of whom are students at the secondary school level and tertiary institutions. This anthology is also projected in showing to the world the potentials hidden in these young generation of African writers who have little or no opportunity to drive this big writing dream of theirs . it is no longer News that the educational standard in this new age is gradually dilapidating in most part of Africa as a result of student’s poor attitude to study and learn but here, we have proof to show that we can still boast of a new age Shakespeare, new age Alexander Pope and new age Wole Soyinka. African child anthology is not just a book; it is a hope for a united Nation and a better generation

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Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge the relentless efforts of Notion Press, who have given great opportunities to new and young writers in pursuit of their big dreams regardless of their statutes.

I also appreciate my great mentors; Author Tamikio L. Dooley, Barr. William Warigon and Mr. Aliu Ibrahim for their encouragement, motivations and inspirations to me.

This dream wouldn’t have come to light if I had worked alone. I must appreciate my noble team of mental blinkers and all contributing Authors for this project. You have all been wonderful and great. May God bless us all to achieve more.

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES, TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES IN AFRICA By Adanu Michaels

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES, TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES IN AFRICA

African Tradition is expressed through many different art forms, such as music, dance, art, sculpture and beadwork. These traditions are deeply ingrained into the whole African culture. Many African languages are "tone languages," meaning that pitch level determines meaning.

Oral Tradition

Oral tradition is very important in African culture, as it insures the passage of cultural practices from one generation to another.

LISTENING TRADITION

Listening is an equally important skill, which has been perfected by the traditional oral practices. Numerous songs and dances have been transmitted by word of mouth.

Music and Poetry in African Traditions

Naturally, singing is very important to the African society because the melody and rhythm follow the intonation of the song text. The songs are often sung in call-and-response form. In West Africa, a griot is a praise singer or poet who possesses a repository of oral tradition passed down from generation to generation. They must know the traditional songs and must also be able to improvise songs about current events and chance incidents.

Music is a form of communication and it plays a functional role in African society. Songs accompany marriage, birth, rites of passage, hunting and even political activities. Music is often used in different African cultures to ward off evil spirits and to pay respects to good spirits, the dead and ancestors. Although the musical styles and instruments vary from region to region, there are some common forms of musical expression. The most significant instrument in African music is the African drum. It expresses the mood of the people and evokes emotion. The beat of the African drum is the "heartbeat of the community" and its rhythm is what holds the dancers together.

Dance is an integral part of the African culture, and it utilizes symbolic gestures, masks, costumes, body painting and props to communicate. The dance movements can be simple or complex with intricate actions including fast rotation, ripples of the body and contraction and release. Dance is used to express emotion, whether joyful or sorrowful and it is not limited to just the dancers. Often spectators will be encouraged to join in.

Traditional African Masks

The African masks that are used in dances have religious, ceremonial and functional origins. The artist who carves the mask will ceremonially purify himself and offer prayers to his ancestors for guidance before he begins the actual carving of the mask. The African mask represents a spirit and it is believed that the spirit possesses the dancer as they wear the mask. The chosen dancer goes into a trance-like state in order to receive guidance and wisdom from the ancestors. The dancer will utter and moan the messages received and a wise man who accompanies the dancer, will translate the message.

Art

Although music and dance are extremely important African traditions and are very common forms of communication, many African people express themselves in other art forms as well.

Zulu woman wearing intricate bead work only her husband would understand. The Zulu people are well known for their intricate beadwork. The colour of each bead carries a specific meaning. The beads have been used to carry messages known as "ucu," a Zulu term loosely translated as "love letters". It is an African tradition for young girls to send a boy a beaded bracelet of different colours. The boy will court her for a while and at the appropriate time; he will ask her the meaning of the beads.

Art and sculpture are prevalent in African culture, and the most common themes depict a couple, a woman and child, a male with a weapon or animal, or a "stranger." Couples are usually freestanding figures of the same size, representing the importance of "two as one." A male and female couple in African art usually depicts strength and honour rather than love and intimacy, as it is uncommon for African men and women to publicly display their affection.

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Poetry | 10 Chapters

Author: Adanu Michaels

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VOICES FROM AFRICA

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