I wrote a two-part essay titled “What has not been noticed before; On the African village and the secrets of modernity” for the transfluid platform, YPPÉ. I also recorded an audio version of the essay. And two brilliant minds, Itzel Esquivel and Ro Averin, discussed the essay on the You Better Say Our Names podcast. Links to all three are available below.
https://www.yppe.no/home/minnasalami1
Graham Askey says
As someone who has spent a fair amount of time in West African villages I very much enjoyed reading your ideas. What I found fascinating about visiting these villages was how diverse they could be. I’ve heard up to five different languages spoken, including people from other parts of West Africa entirely. Their motivations for the move were just as broad as you find in the urban environment:- economic, familial, marriage and historical. It is common to find Christians, Muslims and traditional religions living side by side, even in the same family at times. Some villages appeared as if almost unchanged for centuries, were it not for a few modern utensils. Others bristle with signs of modernity, like satellite dishes, smart phones and 4x4s. Everything I’ve seen demolishes simplistic notions of what an African village is. The one thing they have all shared however was an incredible hospitality. As a white Englishman I could hardly have stood out as any more different but I’ve never been treated with anything less than complete respect and kindness.
Minna Salami says
And I very much enjoyed reading your comment, Graham. Thank you!