African Kings photoset
August 17, 2008 7:57 PM Subscribe
These are excellent. Great post.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 8:34 PM on August 17, 2008
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 8:34 PM on August 17, 2008
Why didn't you link to the original source of the images+text that 'designyoutrust' ripped off?
posted by blasdelf at 9:05 PM on August 17, 2008
posted by blasdelf at 9:05 PM on August 17, 2008
Okay so I went for the laugh, but I too agree GREAT post, stbalbach!
posted by humannaire at 10:40 PM on August 17, 2008
posted by humannaire at 10:40 PM on August 17, 2008
wow. Daniel Laine's photographs are marvelous.
Thanks for the post stbalbach.
posted by nickyskye at 11:15 PM on August 17, 2008
Thanks for the post stbalbach.
posted by nickyskye at 11:15 PM on August 17, 2008
See the second guy from the top of the page, reclining in his opulent blue robe? I witnessed his coronation! Yup, I was there, on the sacred grounds in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in the year 1980, and saw the crowning of this man, the Yoruba Oni of Ife! It was just luck: me and my buddy were traveling through Nigeria, we'd just arrived in Ile-Ife, and, wow, what a scene we happened onto! Every chief and bigwig from Yorubaland (and, I believe, beyond) was there. Chiefs from all over, with their processions, consisting of fabulously attired court attendants, wives and whatnot. And, most importantly for yours truly (African music freak), they each had their bands. Ensembles of traditional drummers and other instrumentalists of all sorts, each heralding the arrival of their chief as they entered the grounds and took their places. I heard so much amazing drumming and music that day. Really a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience.
Of course, not just any Joe could walk into the ceremony, but me and my pal were waved into the gate, no questions asked, even as scruffy and dusty as we were. You see, aside from a small handful of foreign ambassadors and dignitaries (including someone introduced as a US consular official) there were no other white people there, so they just assumed we were somebody. We were very, very fortunate to have witnessed that amazing and historical event, close and up front! Something I'll never forget.
This is a great find, stbalbach. Thanks so much.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:08 AM on August 18, 2008 [6 favorites]
Of course, not just any Joe could walk into the ceremony, but me and my pal were waved into the gate, no questions asked, even as scruffy and dusty as we were. You see, aside from a small handful of foreign ambassadors and dignitaries (including someone introduced as a US consular official) there were no other white people there, so they just assumed we were somebody. We were very, very fortunate to have witnessed that amazing and historical event, close and up front! Something I'll never forget.
This is a great find, stbalbach. Thanks so much.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:08 AM on August 18, 2008 [6 favorites]
Awesome post! It's interesting to see some of these kings still carrying the weight of history going back four, five, and more centuries.
Especially this guy: EL HADJ MAMADOU KABIR USMAN. El Hadjj is of course stating that he's made the hadjj (or hajj) to Mecca, but Mamadou and Usman are both super-historically important names in that area.
A nice flashback and current-ish update to an interesting history class I once took, so much thanks!
posted by librarylis at 1:34 AM on August 18, 2008
Especially this guy: EL HADJ MAMADOU KABIR USMAN. El Hadjj is of course stating that he's made the hadjj (or hajj) to Mecca, but Mamadou and Usman are both super-historically important names in that area.
A nice flashback and current-ish update to an interesting history class I once took, so much thanks!
posted by librarylis at 1:34 AM on August 18, 2008
God damn I wants me one of those white hooded turban things.
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 4:55 AM on August 18, 2008
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 4:55 AM on August 18, 2008
Very neat post, you can feel the culture clash reaching out from the screen, grabbing you by the throat, and saying "There is so much you do not know."
posted by Vindaloo at 5:27 AM on August 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by Vindaloo at 5:27 AM on August 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
Terrific post, and you can learn a lot of African history and culture from reading the captions. This quote struck me:
According to “news watch”, a large daily Nigerian newspaper, the power of the Sultan of Sokoto is such, that most of the Nigerians questioned would rather be Sultan than President of Nigeria.
posted by languagehat at 8:40 AM on August 18, 2008
According to “news watch”, a large daily Nigerian newspaper, the power of the Sultan of Sokoto is such, that most of the Nigerians questioned would rather be Sultan than President of Nigeria.
posted by languagehat at 8:40 AM on August 18, 2008
I want Flapjax at my coronation! I haven't had one yet and I'm KING of Key West.
posted by humannaire at 10:36 PM on August 19, 2008
posted by humannaire at 10:36 PM on August 19, 2008
I'll be honored to attend your coronation, humannaire, and I'll even sing a song for you and your court.
Then some key lime pie for everyone?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:29 PM on August 19, 2008
Then some key lime pie for everyone?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:29 PM on August 19, 2008
Key lime pie? I'm there!
posted by languagehat at 11:22 AM on August 20, 2008
posted by languagehat at 11:22 AM on August 20, 2008
Key lime pie for everyone...handmade from Blue Heaven, of course!
Wow, Flapjax and Languagehat are playing at my house, at my house!
posted by humannaire at 7:12 PM on August 24, 2008
Wow, Flapjax and Languagehat are playing at my house, at my house!
posted by humannaire at 7:12 PM on August 24, 2008
« Older pye dogs in India | Félix Fénéon's "Novels in Three... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by stbalbach at 7:59 PM on August 17, 2008 [1 favorite]