Which Kmtyw Languages have you learned/are you Interested in Learning and Why?
Even though I voted for West Kmtyw languages...i want to learn as many languages of the Motherland as possible!
I've studied Kiswahili and I want to study it with more intensity in the future. It's value lies in its large-scale acceptance by many in the Kmtyw world as a prospective Global Kmtyw language.
I've also studied Mdw Ntr. I beleive that we need to reclaim as much of our ancient traditions as possible.
I've also gotten an nice introduction to Twi. I definitely want to continue this.
Quoteolufemi_baina_ayo wrote: Even though I voted for West Kmtyw languages...i want to learn as many languages of the Motherland as possible!
I can dig that! Stay BlackNificent!!!
Obadele
QuoteIfajakuta Yao Densuvi wrote: I've studied Kiswahili and I want to study it with more intensity in the future. It's value lies in its large-scale acceptance by many in the Kmtyw world as a prospective Global Kmtyw language.
I've also studied Mdw Ntr. I beleive that we need to reclaim as much of our ancient traditions as possible.
I've also gotten an nice introduction to Twi. I definitely want to continue this since some of my ancestors were Akan and since I have a strong interest in Ghana. I would also like to study Yoruba too since I'm currently engaged with the Yoruba/Fon spiritual system.
Ultimately I also want to study the tongue of my root ancestors (Ewe).
IYD (Kamau)
I admire your vision in reclaiming our languages. This is the key to our worldview from which springs our political systems, our martial arts, our spiritual systems, economic systems, etc. More power to you in your journey! Stay BlackNificent!
Obadele
I hope to continue with Twi, Since I got a good intro due to various Akan Affiliations. I as well hope to learn Ki Swahili since I was at a meeting and I heard a Police Officer suggest that Bloods and Crips were speaking Swahili to disguise themselves as so he said. I thought that this was a high tactic to keep us from uniting and to distrust Kmtyw languages and keep us from Repatriating. This was told to a group of elderly persons that are scared of the police for the most part and do not know the criminal deeds that many of them are involved in.
my spirit is open to all traditional Kmtyw languages but more so to Twi, Yoruba, Kikongo and Mdw Ntr.
Twi because the push that I feel to the Akan is so powerful, so consistent, so relentless that I KNOW that I've walked this earth as an Akan before. I've never felt so deep a connection to any other group. I MUST have nananom who are Akan and they are pushing me with such strength that resistance is useless. I've begun the journey to reclaim that aspect of my culture....reclaiming the food, the people, the wisdom of the proverbs, the knowledge of nature's healing sources, the spirituality, everything, but I can't properly reclaim any of it without the language.
Yoruba because I'm learning more and more about Ifa and I need to have the cultural context in which to understand it. The language will give me that.
Kikongo because from baba Fu-Kiau's works I've come to realize that there is a massive amount of knowledge, wisdom and understanding within that aspect of Kmtyw culture and again, the language will help me acquire that knowledge.
Mdw Ntr because our ancient Kemetic ancestors took civilization to heights not easily matched. When we can stand in awe of the things they accomplished thounited snakesnds of years ago and scratch our heads confused as to how they did them, that tells me that there is much within that aspect of our culture to be reclaimed. Because they are our ancestors I recognize that we are them.... encoded in our genetic subconscious is their knowledge, wisdom and understanding and the language is critical to us unlocking that wisdom.
Wezolo!!
Im most definitely interested in Ewebe because i know that i have a strong genetic ancestral line thru the Ewe clan.
@Komla BlackTastic! Have you been to Togo or Ghana?
I have been Learning Twi, Want to learn Yoruba next, but i have to master Twi first. I just felt a pull and connection to Ghana. I think learning our original languages connects us all and helps to teach our culture and values. We can transmit Liberation info in our own languages and limit what kkkrakers and their negro allies know:Kmt: Abibifahodie
Well I have done Mdw Ntr. I am interested in learning Akan and the language of Bamileke people as those are part of my family tree.
Have you completed your studies of Mdw Ntr?
I've heard of a site that teaches Akan that has a great tagline: Conversational in 1 month. Fluency in 2 months. Mastery in 3 months! If I find the link for them I'll be sure to let you know ;)
I want to learn as many Kmtyw languages as I can to stay connected to my people and help us get free!
How's your Twi coming along?
Sent from my Ghana-made rlg L8 Smartphone using tapatalk 2
I would like to learn all that i kan, but i 1st would rather practice a West Kmtyw language since i was reported as last seen there. Abibifahodie! I got a problem with folks taking things from me
Sounds like a good course of action would be to take it back! Classes [Online] : [aK] abibitumiKasa.com, Conversational in 1 month. Fluency in 2 months. Mastery in 3 months. (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/classes.php)
I've been learning and i will be taking those classes soon from you. I recently recieved the Akan dictionary and Akan lessons.
It is good for me to want to learn a West Afrakan Language. Due to the majority of our people were taken from the west side of the Afrakan continent. They are very well our languages. But to get even more personal with it, I want specifics - not only home, but HOME. That is why I voted:
'"
n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '
- Whatever is the language of the place my Ancestors are from!
[/i]
Some people may want me to settle for any language from Afraka, but I am picky. I want to know where in Afraka I AM FROM. I am stubborn like that. Selfish. I want to know MY dialect.Some people may want me to settle for any of the
').'")."n[/list]"'
@donnabarlow, how goes the search?
I remember the talk I had with your dad. I haven't searched ever since. I have no ability to use monetary resources either. I guess I can start on the ourblackancestry.com website. Thank you for asking.
Quotedonnabarlow;85072 wrote: I remember the talk I had with your dad. I haven't searched ever since. I have no ability to use monetary resources either. I guess I can start on the ourblackancestry.com website. Thank you for asking.
Keep up the effort:reader:. I have been researching my genealogy off and on for 10+ years. I have not found my HOME yet. But I believe I will. As for the languages I am/will study, that's right plural, Twi, Kiswahili, & Yoruba. And since @ManiKongo is lighting up the Kikongo language forum with a wealth of information, I am seriously considering learning something from the Kongo/Angola region.
I've contacted my momma and she gave me a couple of names to start with.
In your opinion, which Afakan language is easiest to learn. I have learned too much English. The only other language I know is Spanish and I know more than a beginner, but less than intermediate. I don't want to know it anymore, but I do. I would love to learn the easiest Afrakan language.
Quotedonnabarlow;85072 wrote: I remember the talk I had with your dad. I haven't searched ever since. I have no ability to use monetary resources either. I guess I can start on the ourblackancestry.com website. Thank you for asking.
No problem. Have you checked archives? That was something I worked on for a project in undergrad tracing back to the early 1800s.
QuoteYaw Asare Aboagye;85145 wrote: Keep up the effort:reader:. I have been researching my genealogy off and on for 10+ years. I have not found my HOME yet. But I believe I will. As for the languages I am/will study, that's right plural, Twi, Kiswahili, & Yoruba. And since @ManiKongo (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/member.php?u=9684) is lighting up the Kikongo language forum with a wealth of information, I am seriously considering learning something from the Kongo/Angola region.
I feel you on the multiple languages. I've made some strides in this area as well. :D
Quotedonnabarlow;85150 wrote: I've contacted my momma and she gave me a couple of names to start with.
In your opinion, which Afakan language is easiest to learn. I have learned too much English. The only other language I know is Spanish and I know more than a beginner, but less than intermediate. I don't want to know it anymore, but I do. I would love to learn the easiest Afrakan language.
The language that you're most motivated to learn is the easiest.
Quotedonnabarlow;85150 wrote: I've contacted my momma and she gave me a couple of names to start with.
In your opinion, which Afakan language is easiest to learn. I have learned too much English. The only other language I know is Spanish and I know more than a beginner, but less than intermediate. I don't want to know it anymore, but I do. I would love to learn the easiest Afrakan language.
For genealogy research, if you do not know them, get as much of your grandparents information as you can (assuming you have all of your parents information already). Usually when I talk to people as they do their research they have a cousin or other family member that has a lot of family history waiting up for someone else in the family to further it. So start talking with other family members: cousins, aunts. uncles, even long time family friends. You never know who knows what until you have the conversation. Often speaking with family is better than just doing an internet search. It helps make the internet search more directed. I hope you are able to trace that road back HOME.
In terms of Kmtyw languages I have studied, with different degrees of seriousness, Twi, KiSwahili, Wolof, Yoruba and Mdw Ntr. I found Mdw Ntr the most challenging but the funniest since the characters/symbols used in the language tell a story of their own and are artistic. Of the other four, Twi I have studied the most and taken more seriously than all the others. I am currently focusing on Twi now. In terms of pronunciation KiSwahili was/is the easiest for me. I say just pick one where you have a wide variety of resources to help you (dictionaries, grammar guides, a teacher, natives speakers in your area and most importantly your level of interest). Since you are a member here you are in a perfect place and have more than one language to choose from.
QuoteObadele Kambon;85159 wrote: No problem. Have you checked archives? That was something I worked on for a project in undergrad tracing back to the early 1800s.
I feel you on the multiple languages. I've made some strides in this area as well. :D
The language that you're most motivated to learn is the easiest.
Yes Dr. you have made great stride and motivation is important!
A lot of new people are responding to the poll to indicate what language(s) they are interested in. Hopefully we'll see them in class soon.
Sent from my Ghana-made RLG FusionIgnite2 using Tapatalk Pro
I have always found English to be boring but its the only way I know how to express myself so I try to use it well. But as my spirit becomes more resistant to the western worldview I find myself leaning towards a lingua franca that would be easy for us all to use..or combining terms from different Kmtyw languages to form a new Kmtyw language while working to become fluent in specific tongues...idk
Sounds like you're well on your way @Sannu
Sent from my Ghana-made RLG FusionIgnite2 using Tapatalk Pro
I'm definitely interested, and intending on, learning Yoruba as I am a practitioner of Ifa
@Ekundayo, B'ó ṣe yẹ k'ó rí nìyẹn! That's how it should be. It's amazing to see the amount of Ifá practitioners and Òrìṣà devotees who can't speak a lick of Yorùbá and the little they do speak is nonsensical due to lack of knowledge of the tones. I'm glad to see that you will write a different history and join us in our collective work to move us forward.
Sent from my Ghana-made RLG FusionIgnite2 using Tapatalk Pro
Baba, it's an interesting conundrum. What I've found from observation and from my own personal practice is that you can only go so far in Ifa without being fluent. You will hit walls time and time again. Now, I don't take the position that the deities don't hear you in English, however I would say that they hear you better in Yoruba-the vibration is higher.
I also wouldn't say to Kmtyw people that you can't practice the tradition without knowing the language, because that just keeps us further away from our culture, which keeps us further away from truly knowing and being ourselves, my thing is start-with one or the other and continue to add each piece as you go. It is not an either or proposition, it is a both and proposition.
Lastly, what amazes me is the number of black folks that claim/rep Kmt, are down for the/their people and the/their culture but DON'T practice Kmtyw traditional culture. That boggles my mind. (Especially in the year 2014 where there is SOOOO much access to our traditions).
Peace to the family. Very strong points here. I totally agree that language is an extremely important aspect to reKmtywize ourselves but where to begin is the issue for me. @Obadele, how did you start and maintain your skills?
QuoteEkundayo;110252 wrote: Baba, it's an interesting conundrum. What I've found from observation and from my own personal practice is that you can only go so far in Ifa without being fluent. You will hit walls time and time again. Now, I don't take the position that the deities don't hear you in English, however I would say that they hear you better in Yoruba-the vibration is higher.
I also wouldn't say to Kmtyw people that you can't practice the tradition without knowing the language, because that just keeps us further away from our culture, which keeps us further away from truly knowing and being ourselves, my thing is start-with one or the other and continue to add each piece as you go. It is not an either or proposition, it is a both and proposition.
Lastly, what amazes me is the number of black folks that claim/rep Kmt, are down for the/their people and the/their culture but DON'T practice Kmtyw traditional culture. That boggles my mind. (Especially in the year 2014 where there is SOOOO much access to our traditions).
I like your concept of both/and with regard to this. I think the challenge is complacency in any aspect. In my own experience, though, I know comparatively very few Diaporan Kmtyws who are fluent or have attained mastery in an Kmtyw language who don't practice Kmtyw traditional culture. For most who study - and, again, this is from my own vantage point of interacting with learners regularly through aK here - practice of Kmtyw traditional culture is the reason why they take up learning in the first place. On the other hand I personally know hundreds of people who are initiated (or "initiated") without knowing anything in the language which is where the knowledge of Kmtyw traditional culture is contained.
Quotejthig;110346 wrote: Peace to the family. Very strong points here. I totally agree that language is an extremely important aspect to reKmtywize ourselves but where to begin is the issue for me. @Obadele, how did you start and maintain your skills?
I started in 1998 through my mother bringing me on the Sankɔfa Journey: http://www.sankofajourney.com (http://www.sankofajourney.com)
Kmtyw languages and linguistics are what I do for a living (economically) and what I do for a living (mission). In terms of the nuts and bolts of maintaining, becoming literate in indigenous languages is a major help so that when you're not around other speakers, you can maintain and even expand your base of knowledge.
I would say Twi and Yoruba. Twi first. I have a long feeling that Akan is my genealogy. Long story. But I do want to learn the language to start my journey into studying the spiritual system. (don't like the term religion). Ga is another. I recall Dr. Clarke as being enshrined by the Ga as he mentions in one of his lectures.
Bump
------------------------------------------
Power is the ability to define reality and to have other people respond to your definition as if it were their own. - Dr. Wade Nobles