h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hiya Memechi!

Welcome to hootoo (as we often refer to h2g2); i hope you are enjoying the site.

I was interested to see you are from Africa, since I lived there for several years, rather further south than you though: Malawi. I now live in France & have several African friends, mainly from Chad, Côte D'Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon etc; the Francophone countries basically.

We've just had the International Music festival "Music Metisse" here & i was most impressed with the Nigerian group "Seun Anikulapo Kuti" who supported Lee Scratch Perry. Are they very big over there? Is their music typical of what most people listen to?

I don't envy you being a lawyer there, the problem of "dash" must be enormous! How do you get around that one?

Terri

Hello Terri,

Was elated when I saw your letter. Sori, I have been away from my computer since Friday. I just checked in now. How is France? It's quite intriguing to think I now have a friend from France. I like the French language. I tried to learn it, but due to the nature of my work, I couldnt allocate time for it. So, I left it pending.

It's glad to hear that you have been to Africa. As you must have seen, Africa is such a big and blessed continent. The major problems we have are poor leadership and mismanagement. But, I know that things will only get better with time. It is really a place to be. Am sure you enjoyed your stay there.

So haw was the Music Festival you talked of? Again, I was thrilled to hear that a Nigerian Band featured there. Seun Anikulapo Kuti is a scion of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. a great Nigerian artist who passed on a few years back. His (Fela) music is great and loved by many Nigerians. The theme of most of his music is centered on bad governance and the yawning gap between the rich and the poor. I should also let you know that the eldest son of the late musician is Femi Kuti. He also has his own band, like his younger brother Seun. You might say music runs in their family.

But not just music, their family is well known in Nigeria, and highly influencial. Almost all the members of that family one time or the other literally fight the government of the day for perceived injustice against the masses. Did you say an activist family? Yes. That is what they also are. I hope I have given you enough insight on the Anikulapos?

I feel lonesome when you say you dont envy me and my profession in Nigeria. Well, as things are, we lawyers try hard to fight injustice and corruption. These two social vices are the bane of Nigeria's development. But, I know that once we have the right leadership, there certainly are going to changes. At any rate, I am not doing badly as a lawyer.

So, Terri, what do you do? Pray, let us share this:

Hi, Haven't heard from you since. What's up?

Oops, sorry, you got swallowed up in the backlog! You will find this may happen to you on this site if you end up with lots of friends.

What do i do? Well, mainly I suppose i teach English to private students, i make assemblage art stuff (it's basically creating a 3D scene using "found" objects)& do a bit of writing here & there.

Officially i am on disability benefits, i have a degenerative nerve condition, mainly affects my legs. But it's just one of those things, many people have much worse stuff, no point in moaning too much about it!

So, which part of Nigeria are you in? My friend Idy is a musician & has played various parts of Nigeria:

http://www.idyoulo.com

He's originally from Cameroon though, no idea about the language aspect, i think Hausa is widely used? But i believe there are loads of dialects, depending on the area. Idy speaks French now (& a bit of English), i shall have to ask him what his actual 1st language was, i f you listen to his music, maybe you will know. I did translate his songs into English, but he had transcribed it into French first.

zdt

Ooh dear, am so sorry abount your condition. But the most interesting thing is that you have life. I am glad you take things in your stride. I am from the Eastern part of Nigeria (Ibo). I am not so much into music except gospel songs. I like them a lot as a Christian.

So how is France? Are you still there? Work here is okay. Do have a wonderful time, till we talk next.

High regards.