[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Here are some interesting facts about Ghanaian customs are etiquette; [/dropcap]
The Making Of African Clay-Pot
Pottery has a long history in Africa and is one of the oldest arts. Pots are usually made by women. Though cheap and functional, African pots combine utility with great beauty. The procedure for making pots vary within the different communities that span the continent. The process of pottery making in Africa begins with the mining and preparation of the clay and mixing it with water.
Women Mining Clay
Women mining clay
Photos by Prof. Christopher Roy
Clay Preparation
Temper or inert matter is then added to the clay mixture so as to reduce plasticity and to decrease shrinkage of pottery by replacing clay molecules, which contain water that shrink during drying and firing.
Temper includes finely chopped straw, dried animal dung pounded into a powder, and the chaff left when rice or millet is winnowed to prepare it for cooking, sand, river pebbles, shards of old pottery which have been reduced to a find powder. Tempers are kneaded into the fresh clay in amounts that vary. Generally, the result is a clay body with thirty to fifty percent temper material.
Starting with a mass of clay, most potters work by punching a hole in the center, and pulling the clay apart to give a vessel shape. Some flatten a clay shape over a convex mold and build up a vessel with coils. The potter’s wheel is uncommon in Africa. When they are ready for firing, a few large pots and many small ones are stacked together. Then they are wood fired for about three hours at relatively low temperatures. Some communities use pits and kilns.
Pre-firing decoration is generally permanent and will survive handling and extensive use of the pot. In contrast, post-firing decoration, such as painting or colored washes, never becomes an integral part of the pot and will eventually wear off the surface.
Pre-firing decoration is applied at different stages in the drying process, after the completion of the basic shape of the pot and before the firing. Simple decorations include ones incised into the damp clay with a sharp blade or comb-like tool, impressed with a stamp made for example from split seed pods or shells, or rolled with a roulette made from a dried corn cob from which the kernels have been removed. Pre-firing also helps to drive the last molecules of absorbed water between the clay particles.
Here a potter of the Konate family in the village of Ouri in Burkina Faso prepares to fire large jars that will be used for brewing millet beer.
To pre-fire larger pots, they are turned rim downward on three large stones which keep them off the ground. A small fire is built beneath each pot to complete the drying process. When the pots are sufficiently dry, they are stacked with others for the final firing. The final firing must be begun before the pots have cooled from the pre-firing. If pottery is allowed to cool after the pre-firing, it will re-absorb moisture from the atmosphere and will crack during the final firing. Pre- firing is usually not necessary in the dry savanna where the lack of humidity permits more complete drying of the pottery before firing.
FIRING IN A KILN
The kiln consists of a low, circular, mud brick wall, with pierced small holes on the base of the which provides air for the firing. Some kilns also have one or more larger holes that permit the addition of fuel during the course of the firing.
A thick layer of fuel is laid over the bottom of the kiln. Then, the dry pottery, interspersed with additional fuel, is piled on top which is then covered with large pieces of broken pottery that helps retain some heat and protect the pottery from direct contact with cool air. The kiln is lit from the bottom.
The duration of African firings is very short when compared to the technically complex and lengthy firings of European, American, and Oriental potters.
Once pottery has been fired its basic shape cannot be altered.
Source: saharanvibe.blogspot.com
Arise, O Compatriots Lyrics | Nigeria’s National Anthem
Arise, O Compatriots (1978–present)
Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith.
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
O God of all creation
Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign.
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” (1960-1978)
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honoured,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
“Biafra National Anthem” (1967-1970)
Land of the rising sun, we love and cherish,
Beloved homeland of our brave heroes;
We must defend our lives or we shall perish,
We shall protect our hearts from all our foes;
But if the price is death for all we hold dear,
Then let us die without a shred of fear.
Hail to Biafra consecrated nation,
Oh, fatherland, this be our solemn pledge:
Defending thee shall be a dedication,
Spilling our blood we’ll count a privilege;
The waving standard which emboldens the free
Shall always be our flag of liberty.
We shall emerge triumphant from this ordeal,
And through the crucible unscathed we’ll pass;
When we are poised the wounds of battle to heal,
We shall remember those who died in mass;
Then shall our trumpets peal the glorious song
Of victory, we scored o’er might and wrong.
Oh God, protect us from the hidden pitfall,
Guide all our movements lest we go astray;
Give us the strength to heed the humanist call:
‘To give and not to count the cost” each day;
Bless those who rule to serve with resoluteness,
To make this clime a land of righteousness.
National Pledge
The Pledge is recited immediately after the National Anthem;
I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity, and uphold her honour and glory
So, help me, God.
Source: wakeupnigeria.4t.com
Song of Abidjan: Côte d'Ivoire's National Anthem Lyrics
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]Song of Abidjan is Côte d’Ivoire’s national anthem. it was adopted at the country’s independence in 1960. The anthem is strongly influenced by religion and tinged with patriotism. The lyrics are from ministers Mathieu Vangah Ekraand Joachim Bony.[/dropcap]Continue reading
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana: Ghana's National Anthem Lyrics
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] God bless our homeland was composed and penned by Philip Gbeho in 1957. Upon independence, the original words to this anthem were changed in 1960 when Ghana became a republic. Six years later, the government was overthrown and a new lyrics was sourced for through a contest in 1966 after the coup in Ghana. Michael Kwame Gbordzoe lyrics was chosen and it replaced Philip Gbeho’s lyrics in the 1970s. [/dropcap]Continue reading
South Africa’s National Anthem Lyrics
South Africa’s national anthem is a combined version of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” and “The Call of South Africa” composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1897 and CJ Langenhoven in 1918. The combined version became South Africa’s official national anthem in 1997.
It is the only national anthem that starts in one key and ends in another. The lyrics are written South Africa’s most populous official languages – isiXhosa, isiZulu, seSotho, Afrikaans and English. The first stanza of the anthem is written in Xhosa and Zulu, the second stanza is written in Sesotho while the last two stanza are written in Afrikaans and English.
South Africa’s national anthem lyrics
Lord bless Africa
May her glory be lifted high
Hear our petitions
Lord bless us, your children
Lord we ask You to protect our nation
Intervene and end all conflicts
Protect us, protect our nation
Protect South Africa, South Africa
Out of the blue of our heavens
Out of the depths of our seas
Over our everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
Source: http://www.southafrica.info/
Official National Anthem Lyrics Of Republic Of Togo
- Land of our forefathers is the national anthem of Togo. Alex Casimir-Dosseh wrote the words and it was used as Togo national anthem from independence in 1960 till 1979. It was replaced in 1979 to 1992 by a different anthem composed by the party of the Rally of the Togolese People. It was readopted from 1992 onwards.
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Land of our forefathers
- Hail to thee, land of our forefathers’
- Thou who made them strong,
- Peaceful and happy,
- Men who for posterity,
- Cultivated virtue and bravery.
- Even if tyrants shall come,
- Thy heart yearns towards freedom.
- Togo arise! Let us struggle without faltering.
- Victory or death, but dignity.
- God almighty, Thou alone,
- Hast made Togo prosper.
- People of Togo arise! Let us build the nation.
- To serve thee in unity
- Is the most burning desire of our hearts.
- Let us shout aloud our motto
- That nothing can tarnish.
- We the only builders of thy happiness and of thy future,
- Everywhere let us break chains and treachery,
- And we swear to thee for ever faith,
- Love, service, untiring zeal,
- To make thee yet, beloved Togo,
- A golden example for humanity.
- Hail, hail to the entire Universe
- Let us unite our efforts on this immense building site
- Whence will be reborn anew
- Great Humanity.
- Everywhere, instead of misery, let us bring happiness.
- Let us chase from the world unruly hatred.
- It’s over with slavery and Captivity.
- At the star of liberty,
- Let us renew the solidarity
- Of the Nations in fraternity.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org
How To Pick Aso-Ebi Fabric
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]Picking aso-ebi for your event or party mostly depends on the personal prefence of the celebrant. The style, taste, age, and sometimes societal class of the celebrant determines the kind of fabric chosen.[/dropcap]Continue reading
Nigeria Memories: My First Visit by Brian Botts
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] I just can’t stop writing about Nigeria. It’s because I miss it. I haven’t been back in a while and I’m looking forward to 2015 when I go back. I find it therapeutic writing about my experiences and opinions from all the trips I made to the great Country of Nigeria. [/dropcap]
Lagos New Year Countdown
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] The concept was conceived by the Lagos State Governor His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN. The Lagos Countdown is not just about celebrating the end of one year and the coming of another, more importantly it celebrates culture, language and promotes commerce especially for more small scale businesses as well as providing job for locals and business opportunities for most. [/dropcap]