Page 21 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 26
P. 21
Community
being part of the human of human emotions? We you, listen to the lyrical
family is reason enough both shiver at the feet of prowess that retraces the
to celebrate and not to loss and ululate at the passages of our shared
persecute each other. announcement of good history, reminding us that
news. Therefore, no blood we are all one.
Maybe tempers have flared must be spilled between us
and emotions have erupted to water the seeds of our Remember that painting
like a raging volcano as political interests, no graves by a colleague alluded to
we defend our different must array the yards of our earlier, where the wild
belief systems. Maybe elevated ambitions, and no animals were portrayed,
one prays facing the east toxic word must be said that enjoying the festivities
while the other offers will eternally pollute our in peace and harmony?
supplications facing the bonds. Though we stand on It was titled ‘My wish’.
west and doctrines on different sides of the river When I asked the reclusive
which our faiths were built and our destinations are colleague to unpack its
diverge. As we scramble now different, my happiness meaning, he just chuckled
to prove ourselves worthy does not derive from seeing and hid his face behind
of the mantle that points to you drown. I hope you one of the paintings he
the ‘truth’, our differences will make it home and find was working on. I guess
should never degenerate to sweet repose in the arms of his response meant to
the point where we fight. your wife and kids. In like suggest that, “Figure it
Let’s unwind beneath the manner, please also wish me out.” The interpretation
shades of the African trees well as I take this road. was seemingly obvious,
and listen to the beautiful but a second look at the
melodies of nature. In Perhaps the last river of painting unraveled another
appreciating the towering reconciliation is about to question. Here the animals
mountains whose summits run dry as both my words were frozen in a moment
give view to the glory of and actions continuously of peaceful co-existence
other distant mountains, we trod on the eggshells of and if by some magical
might find ourselves and your revered beliefs. Let’s power, the scene was to be
learn to be tolerant of each drop the conversation, join fast-forwarded, would the
other’s views. me on the dancefloor as we symbolic animals return to
bury our differences to the their old ways of predator
Perhaps the iron curtains soothing African sounds chasing prey? Well, that’s
of political affiliations of Oliver Mtukudzi, Mama a matter to reflect upon,
have dropped between Miriam Makeba, Angelique but if you are to ask for my
us and have marked a Kidjo, Fela Kuti, and all the individual opinion I would
separation. Might it dawn continent’s great melody say, after the great banquet,
upon us that we are still makers, both past and things were probably
brothers and sisters who present. Sway to the beat, handled differently in the
are still prone to the waves feel the breeze drifting past animal kingdom.
ISSUE 26 | APRIL 2024 21
