While living in Kenya for eight years I traveled all over East and West Africa recording, in black and white, special and unique moments in African daily life showing metaphor, wisdom, happiness, misery, humor, instruction, disappointment, praise, affection, ethics, and human interaction. These are the same qualities found and described in African proverbial language: thus the idea of coupling the images with proverbs. Proverbs are very important in African society to express the wisdom and philosophy of the African people. They were used, and are still being used to instruct members of the society how to think, how to behave and how to lead a better life. Knowing proverbs could make a significant contribution to the understanding and appreciation of modern African culture and society.
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Africa in images and proverbs
by Betty Press
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"Verily, beauty is power….” African proverb
This picture was taken at the assembly program of the John F. Kennedy Lycée (High School). It was the 25 th anniversary of the late President’s death and the school had a special program to celebrate his ideals. The young women were dressed in traditional costumes. Senegal is known to have some of the most beautiful women in Africa.
Dakar , Senegal
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"Beauty attracts beautiful thoughts.” African proverb
When I arrived in Dakar , I was invited to attend an assembly program at the John F. Kennedy Lycée (High School), one of the top boarding schools for girls coming from many parts of Senegal . It was the 25 th anniversary of the late President’s death and the school had a special program to celebrate his ideals. The young women, dressed in their best traditional costumes, gave their full attention to the speeches, music and presentations.
Dakar , Senegal
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"The pillar of the world is hope.” Nigerian proverb
Northern Kenya is a semi-arid area where the nomadic tribes like the Turkana survive by herding goats and camels. Due to drought and severe living conditions some of the nomadic families have settled around the town of Isiolo trying to make a living from trading as well as herding their animals. They build very simple homes of mud and thatch for shade and shelter. They have few possessions besides cooking utensils and sleeping mats. This mother has started a small business selling kerosene for lamps so she can afford to send her daughter to school.
Isiolo , Kenya
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“Our children are living messages sent to a future we may never see.” Nigerian proverb
Each primary school offers its students diverse school activities. Music, dance, and drama are some of the most valued educational activities. This school had one of the best dance troupes in Kenya and they were invited to dance at many national events. Here the young dancers are making up their faces as they prepare to dance.
Nairobi, Kenya
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“Treat the earth well; it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children.” Kenyan proverb
While visiting Djenné we took a tour of the countryside where the Bozo people live. We found these unusual, compact villages surrounded by mud walls with a mosque towering over the homes. Inside we walked the narrow streets visiting families in their mud adobe homes. After we left the village these children decided to go fishing in a nearby lake.
Djenné, Mali
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“Too much fear creates slavery”. Swahili proverb
Gorée Island is probably the most well known former West African slave center. Most people go there to visit the Slave House, which was built by the Dutch in 1776 and renovated into a museum in 1990. The island is picturesque with old colonial houses and no cars. While I was walking around the town, I saw this mother and her child going into one of the old colonial homes. Gorée Island , Senegal
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“What you don’t get in youth you won’t get in old age.” Ugandan proverb
The streets of most African towns are lined with vendors doing business. Some of the more colorful shops are the barber shops. The young man who owned this shop let me take pictures of him cutting hair. Many of his street vendor friends stopped by to see what was going on. This is the portrait that they wanted me to make of them. Cotonou , Benin
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“A village without the elderly is like a well without water.” African proverb
One of the important festivals for the Peul people is called the Crossing of the Cattle. During the dry season the herders leave their families for several months and go north of the Niger river looking for grass. When the rains start the herders can return to their families. As they swim with the cattle back across the river, the whole town is there to greet and celebrate their safe return. After the day’s festivities these elders are returning to their homes. Diafarabé , Mali
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"Life is as you make it in the community.” African proverb
The Masai culture is still very active. One of the most important events for women, held only every 7-10 years, is called a blessing, or fertility, ceremony. All the women in the community come together for several days to discuss their problems and participate in rituals that will help solve their problems. These women, old and young, were participating in this ceremony.
Southern Kenya
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