One aspect of King Leopold's Ghost that really intrigued me was regarding the passing down of history through oral tradition. Personally, I prefer to relate information orally. Moreover it sparks my interest in those individuals who enjoy relating to others the traditions and preferences of their people, however large or small their affiliations may be.
In the narrative I was most afflicted by the fact that there is only one account written from the viewpoint of an African. Mukunzo Kioko a part of the Pende people, a twentieth century oral historian gives a heartbreaking account of what he saw happening to his people upon the voyage to europe. Vumbi, as they were called, known as spirits returned from the dead were seen by the africans as the whites. This put an added amount of fear into the hearts, spirits, and minds of the enslaved Africans.
">Islam in Africa
11-18 Million Killed over slavery
350 years of industry
International corporations come from THIS
African traditional religion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_traditional_religion
The Bleeding of the Stone
15 years ago
1 comment:
There are several points where oral stories from Africans are shared in this history. I agree with you that they are some of the most powerful parts of the book!
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