there is a deeper meaning - that's the art of language -it portrays culture/belief/insight that is simply hard to capture. For example, the zulu term for a white person is "mlungu".. a very common phrase these days (and not all too complimentary ) its meaning actually represents the white foam of the ocean waves. It is more difficult to translate a non european language into eurospeak simply because it's entire foundation has it's focus elsewhere. While the basic translation can be captured, much is lost as words encompass so much "more" internal imagery and thus concept. "here comes the lion" sounds kinda meek - whereas "Nants ingonyama bagithi baba" relays someone talking to their father in awe about a power arriving in the body of a lion. As the song was written by euro folk.. the translation is what it is. "Here comes a lion" (<--- Simba enters stage left) Let's not forget this is a stolen fable twisted into a eurocentric tale.
Thank you Bro Rich and Sister Zulile, I am humbled by your contributions and am the more educated. I like the way this thread is going and hopefully others are learning just as much as I am. Sister Zulile, I know you are at a loss trying to translate concepts and thoughts of one culture into the words of another; it is an daunting task and I appreciate you rising up to challenge as much as possible. Many times it has been suggested to learn an African language for communication and cultural-centering purposes. I think it is all the more relevant now so we can perhaps experience a shifting of orientation and fully awaken with rebel music playing behind in the true language of liberation. May we continue to explore this African based story, the Lion King, that has been twisted to suit Eurocentric tastes, mores and attitudes for mass consumption - as Sister Zulile reminds us. Y'all let's get into us. Thank you all. Blackbird
In the spirit of exploring this further. I have a question. Which aspect of the Lion King can be attributed to those Africans who were not affected by the Slave trade be it their Ancestors or their descendants? could it be Simba's mother Sarabi or his childhood playmate Nana? I suppose what I am asking is where do we, the Africans who were left behind, fit into the bigger picture?. Thank you all A.
You know that's interesting question. I take this one personally. Hopefully, this doesn't come off rude or crude, but I love African women. In the past, I've dated sisters from Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the Cameroon, and Sierra Leone. Each one has had a seminal impact on me and my development. Presently, my wife is from Ghana and it is through her that I am returning home. We have three beautiful daughters. My wife has represented the completion to my resurrection. The role Africans play is the role of recognition and acceptance. We are One as the song goes in Lion King. Blackbird
Blackbird, it is good to hear that you have a good African woman who has acceptaed you enough to bear your children. It is rare to hear of a man who is considered African American, to be succesfully involoved with an African woman. It is usually the other way around, African men get involved with African American women a whole lot and in some cases the relationships are succesful but not largely. My aunt was married to a Nigerian who was Benin, she had 3 children for him and he was not good to her at all. I too, has had my share of African men, I dated two different men from Mali, two from Nigeria and one from South Africa. I personally felt at home with one of the guys from Mali and the South African. It is a long story as to why I am single at this time in my life but my point for brining this up is, it is rare that an African from the continent will accept African Americans but of course it goes both ways. African Americans don't trust each other and it seems like to me that on a whole, Africans and African Americans, don't trust each other as well and they use each other for what ever benfits they can get. When a relationship such as yours happens, that means a break through has occured and that means that you are one of the lucky ones. I am very happy for you Blackbird. Astrologer4U