Writing The Name Of Your Nation, or City, or University etc + "Approves" In Southern African Contemporary Music YouTube Discussion Threads

Edited by Azizi Powell

In this pancocojams post I hereby declare that the United States approves of the custom of commenters writing "the name of their nation, or city, or university etc. + the word "approves" in YouTube discussion threads of Southern African contemporary music videos (and in any other YouTube comment thread).

Here are a few examples of this custom: 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJFHhsbv3A

kwanele dładla, 2019
"South Africa approves"

**
and 

Zanzibarian Doll, 2019
"Still watching in 2019.....TANZANIAN APPROVED"

**
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Tct3AAre0&ab_channel=Tyla
Stephan Kalunga, 2021
"On behalf of all Zambians🇿🇲, we hereby approve"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EePAHhTcrHU&ab_channel=EzaseAfro
Mammy Sissoho, 2020
"Gambia approves to🇬🇲🇬🇲🇬🇲 and congo🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩 too🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

So, on behalf of every person in the United States, I hereby demand (okay "request") that this custom not only continue but spread throughout every YouTube contemporary music discussion thread in Africa and in every YouTube discussion thread-music or otherwise- for every nation of the whole wide world. This includes the United States

But maybe that trend of writing "insert the name of your nation, city, or university etc. approves" came from the USA originally as Africans and other people throughout the world have taken hold of our (mostly African American) "in" slang terms and widely use them on YouTube discussion threads. I'm referring to vernacular terms such something or someone being "fire/flames", and something or someone "killed it",  and something or someone  slaps" hard, and someone being a G.O.A.T. etc. etc. etc.

If we (meaning people from the United States did invent that trend of writing those "we approve" comments, since at least 2018 it looked like a lot of commenters posting on YouTube discussion threads for contemporary Southern African music were taking that custom and running with it.

As an interested and alert observer with time on my hands (partly because I'm retired and partly because of the Corona lockdown among other reasons) I've noticed that most of these "we approve" comments are not only written in YouTube comment threads for contemporary Southern African music, these types of comments are mostly written by people from South Africa and people from every other Southern African nation.

But, some of those contemporary Southern African YouTube discussion threads with a number of "we approve" comments have (or had) a considerable number of such comments from folks from East Africa and some discussion threads have (or had?) a number of comments from folks from West Africa. 

However, there are (were?) fewer comments from Central Africa and even fewer comments from North Africa in the YouTube discussion threads for contemporary southern African music that I've come across. But people from outside of Africa took up the slack, 'cause there are (were?) lots of "we approve"  comments in those YouTube discussion threads from Europe (particularly Germany and Italy) and Asia (particularly China) and from the USA (we reppin y'all), and some from Canada, and  Australia and the Middle East, and the Caribbean, and Micronesia and South America (and, hopefully I haven't left anybody out, but you get where I'm comin from. 

Here's something that I've noticed- Most of the "we approve" type comments from nations or cities outside of Africa are (were) posted by people who have one or more "traditional" African names. That just goes to show you that those folks are still reppin where they came from. Which is a good thing.

So okay. I'll say it before anyone else does - The South African megahit "Jerusalema" by Master KG featuring Nomcebo was published on Dec. 13, 2019 and that video has a really looooong discussion thread. But even though almost all of the "we approve" types of YouTube comments that I've come across are in discussion threads for non-religious contemporary southern African music, I can't find any "we approve" comments in Master KG's "Jerusalema" discussion thread. Instead, most of the comments in that discussion thread include the nation's name and the word "love" or hugs. For example: 

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZVL_8D048&ab_channel=OpenmicProductions
Abdul-Azeez Abu, 2020
"One of the best African Anthems I've ever heard, and I don't even understand the language. I'm madly in love with it. Love from Nigeria 🇳🇬"

**
Arevik Gevorgyan, 2021
"Love this music🔥 ,Love Jerusalema⭐ ❤🇦🇲from Armenia 😍🌞🌍"

**
ambessa shield, 2021
"Much love from ETHIOPIA 💚💛❤️🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹 ** From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPHb1i2CtSA&ab_channel=RethabileKhumaloOfficial Adilson Gonçalves, 2021
"Hug from Cape Verde 🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻"

**
and  
nation building, 2021
"Amazing voice! Showing love from USA."

It occurs to me that if the Jerusalema discussion thread really doesn't have any "we approve" type comments that might mean that when lots of people in the same discussion threads do post "we approve" types of comments they may be copying off of each other. And when only a few people writes comments in those YouTube discussion threads that follow "we approve" formulaic patterns (or if no one writes those types of comments in those dicussion threads) that might mean that they sense that other people wouldn't approve their use of that way of saying that they love that song.  

Getting back to "we approve" comments, I've seen less and less of these types of comments lately. While commenters in some recent southern African discussion threads continue to fly their nation's flag (or toot their other affiliations) while expressing their approval of  the video's showcased song, in other recent southern African discussion threads have only a few "we approve" comments.

So what's up with that?

Are you going to let such an esteemed custom fade away as though it was never there at all?

The United States (meaning  me) would disapprove of that.

And, by the way, are these "we approve" comments serious or a gag? Or both? Meaning, are people writing those types of comments really registering their approval of  that showcased song as a way of reppin (representing) their nation, and/or city, and/or university etc, while they let folks know that they rate that song as being me at song is hot, is killing it, is the bomb, slaps hard, is on point etc. 

Or (and) are these "we approve) comments a way of letting people know that that song has that commenter's vote in any award contest that is held in the nation of South Africa, or elsewhere or would have their vote if they could vote for a best song of the year, or a best song ever, regardless of where that song comes from and regardless of where they live?  

You might ask why does the United States (meaning I) care whether the custom of writing these "we approve" comments continues, and increases and multiplies. Well, I admit that it's no big deal, but- putting aside that some of these comments were funny-some of them pushed me to learn some geographical facts.

For instance, I learned that " Namibia Information: Namibia is located in southern Africa. Namibia is bordered by the Atlanitc Ocean, Angola to the north, Zambia and Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the south." https://geology.com/world/namibia-satellite-image.shtml#:~:text=Namibia%20is%20located%20in%20southern,South%20Africa%20to%20the%20south. 

I looked this up because so many "we approve" type comments in these YouTube discussion threads of contemporary Southern African music are from Namibia and (I confess) that we (I) should have known what nations are in which region of the continent of Africa, we (I) don't always know that elementary bit of knowledge. 

Furthermore, we folks in the United States (meaning I) want to see that "we approve" trend continue because it gives us (me) opportunities to learn the country abbreviations for various nations. Sometimes its very easy to correctly guess which nation is meant by a particular  abbreviation. But sometimes, I have to do a google search to find out the nation that is represented by those two letters. For instance, I didn't know which nation "ZA" stood for. Google search led me to Wikipedia .za and reading that article I learned that "None of the official names for South Africa can be abbreviated to ZA, which is an abbreviation of the Dutch Zuid-Afrika. Dutch was considered an official language in the Union of South Africa until 1961; it subsequently lost its synonymous status with Afrikaans in 1983. Suid-Afrika is the standard spelling in Afrikaans; however, the .sa domain is used by Saudi Arabia."...

Here's a "we approve" comment that includes that "Za" country abbreviation:

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWSBhp4FQH0&ab_channel=PrinceKaybee
tebogo senosi, 2018
"On behalf of bo mahlalela we approve this lit music video the collaboration awesome 🎶🎼🎵🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦💗💕"

Some people write "we approve" comments with the names of the city where they live instead of their nation's name. On behalf of us non-cosmopolitan folks in the United States, I approve of those comments that mention cities in southern Africa and in other regions of Africa. Those comments motivate me to google search info about those cities, including what nation they are in. (I know, I know. Most of that info I should know, but I confess that I (meaning lots of people in the United States) don't know.

But my point in bringing all of this up is that although there are a few "we approve" comments in discussion threads for 2020 and 2021 YouTube discussion threads for contemporary southern African music (that I've read), that custom appears to be a disappearing art. 

The United States (meaning me), would hate if that custom ended. So many trends are hot for a brief time and then disappear with hardly any trace, unless they are documented, like in some internet way back machine. 

So, for the folkloric record (since-among other things- I'm a community folklorist), here's a few examples of these "your nation, or city, or university etc approves" comments that mention the name of the commenter's nation or city.

Some other types of "we approve" comments will be given in two other pancocojams posts. 

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AN EXAMPLE THAT NAMES A CONTINENT
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faYiML2OVLI&ab_channel=TKMEXTRA

Paul Kimuyu, 2019
"Africa approves this message..

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EXAMPLES THAT NAME A NATION 

(These comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only)

From  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amB_rTcBqZ
1.  John L. Shio, 2019
"🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿 Approves"

**
2. Emma Patience, 2019
"🇿🇦🇿🇦approves... Who else?"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWSBhp4FQH0&ab_channel=PrinceKaybee
3. GivenS Kumlo, 2018
"On behalf of Ireland we approve 🔥🔥🔥"

**
4. mohamad kante, 2019
"Mali approves this song"

**
5. J. Boadi, 2019
"Canada approves!"

**
6. Mercy Waithaka, 2020
"Kenya approves!"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EePAHhTcrHU&ab_channel=EzaseAfro
7. Mncedisi Dlamini, 2020
"Eswatini approves"

**
8. Brown Fortunato, 2020
"中国🇨🇳通过纳米比亚🇳🇦批准 "
-snip-
Google translate from Chinese to English
China🇨🇳 approved by Namibia🇳🇦

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3UVw_SZbMs&ab_channel=MFRSoulsVEVO
9. iSANiTYX Rodax, 2021
"Angola approves and recommends. 🇦🇴

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svsy2reVIFc&ab_channel=JackBohloko
10. Fenias Macandja, 2019
"Approved from Mozambique..".

**
11. Lerato Korina Seutloali, 2020
"Lesotho approves 🤝"

**
12. TOaitse Mooketsi, 2019
"Approved and appreciated in United States."

**
13, Hope Muronga, 2021
"South Africans in the United States approve 👌🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤"

*️*
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJFHhsbv3A
14. Wyclef Mjali, 2019
"Dubai approves"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPHb1i2CtSA&ab_channel=RethabileKhumaloOfficial
15. Headman Linga, 2020
"Botswana approves😢❤🇧🇼"

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16. John Kalimbo Shipahu,2020
"Namibia🇳🇦🇳🇦 approves 🙏🏿🙏🏿"

**
17. lyndatarie, 2020
"Zimbabwe approves 🇿🇼"

**
From  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amB_rTcBqZ
18. Amaru GOD, 2019
"🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲.....Jamaica stamp of approval!!!!"

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EXAMPLES OF COMMENTS THAT REFER TO A PART OF A COUNTRY

(These comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only)

From  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJFHhsbv3A
1. Sizwe Ntuli, 2019
"KwaZulu Natal approves"
-snip-
This is a province in the nation of South Africa.

**
2. CHARLES CHITEURE, 2020
"Afghanistan Bamiyan Province approves"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPHb1i2CtSA&ab_channel=RethabileKhumaloOfficial
3. Fezekile Bamla, 2020
"December is just around the corner. Eastern Cape approves 🔥🔥🔥"
-snip-
-snip-
This is a province in the nation of South Africa.

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svsy2reVIFc&ab_channel=JackBohloko
4. jeyd makonese, 2020
"Africans in YUNNAN PROVINCE (China Kunming) approves😍😍✨"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPHb1i2CtSA&ab_channel=RethabileKhumaloOfficial
5. Masego Molepo, 2020
"Limpopo approves 👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"
-snip-
This is a province in the nation of South Africa.

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EXAMPLES OF COMMENTS THAT NAME A CITY 

(These comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only)

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWSBhp4FQH0&ab_channel=PrinceKaybee
1.Ledion Mathumo, 2018
"Francistown,Botswana Approves🔥💃"

**
2.  sinegugu gasa, 2018
"Cleveland Ohio approves 👌🏽"
-snip-
nation-USA

**
3. Rolando Aguirre, 2018
"NYC = USA approves"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3UVw_SZbMs&ab_channel=MFRSoulsVEVO

4. Macharia Wa karanja, 2021
"Nairobi Approves 🌞🇰🇪❤"
-snip-
nation- Kenya

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F️rom  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJFHhsbv3A
5. nana nana, 2019
"Soweto Approves"
-snip-
nation- South Africa

**
6. Sibusiso Gabuza, 2019
"Cape Town Approve👏👏🔥"
-snip-
nation- South Africa

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svsy2reVIFc&ab_channel=JackBohloko
7. Tawanda Chaibva, 2019
"HARARE has finally Approved and Stamped!!!! .ZW"
-snip-
nation- ZImbabwe

**
8. Vhafuwi Vho Temeli, 2019
"Victoria Falls Zimbabwe approves"

**
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPHb1i2CtSA&ab_channel=RethabileKhumaloOfficial
9. Malixole Hlemfu, Dec. 2020
"Bizana town the home of legends also approves🔥🔥🔥"
-snip-
nation- South Africa

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This concludes this pancocojams compilation of examples of "we approve" comments.

Let this be our rallying cry- Remember the "We approve" custom of showing your love for a particular song. We approve!!

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This concludes the first part of this pancocojams series.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/02/writing-name-of-your-nation-or-city-or.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents an overview of these types of YouTube comments as well as examples of these comment that mention names of nations and names of cities + the word "approve" .

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/02/examples-of-funny-tongue-in-cheek-we.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. Part III presents a small number of funny, tongue in cheek "we approve" comments from various discussion threads of Southern African contemporary YouTube music videos.

This post is presented for cultural purposes. 

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Examples Of YouTube Comments Expressing Homage To Mother Africa & Family Ties To All Other Black People

Edited by Azizi Powell

While reading a number of YouTube discussion threads for contemporary or traditional African music and dance I've noticed three distinct types of comment clusters from certain commenters:
1. comments that give homage too Mother Africa and/or declare family (brother/sister) ties to other Africans or to [other] Black people throughout Africa and/or [other] Black people throughout the world

2. comments that proclaim or promote one's own ethnic (tribal), regional, or national identity (with or without making comments described in cluster #1 or cluster #3)

3. comments that refer to rivalries or schisms between the commenter's ethnic group or nation and another Black ethnic group/s, regions, or nations

This pancocojams post provides a few examples of YouTube comments from cluster #1.

In addition, for entertainment and aesthetic purposes, this post also showcases one of the videos from which selected comments are presented.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: DJ Ganyani ft FB - Xigubu (Official Music Video)



GanyaniEntertainment, Published on Apr 26, 2013
-snip-
This song is from the nation of South Africa. Several commenters said that "xigubu" was a type of African drum and a commenter wrote that "Xigubu xiba ngopfu" means "The beat hits hard."

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COMMENT EXAMPLES
Pancocojams Editor's Comments:
This is a small samble of YouTube comments that express homage to Mother Africa and/or declare family ties to other Africans and/or [other] Africans and/or to [other] Black people throughout the world.

In this pancocojams post I'm broadly using "Black" as a referent for anyone who identified himself or herself as being Black in their comments, and/or a commenter from regions, ethnic groups, or nations that are predominately Black particularly from West African, Central African, East African, or South African nations, as well as people of [other] Black African descents worldwide.

These references may be considered to be "pan-African". Note the "pan African" sentiment/spirit is reflected by the fact that some of these videos/songs are collaborations between African artists from two nations from different regions of Africa or from two nations within the same region of Africa.

It's also important to note that some commenters that express homage to "mother Africa" and/or declare family (brother/sister) ties to other people in Africa or to Black people throughout the world may be from North Africa and/or may not consider themselves "Black" or may not be considered "Black" by other persons.

The comments are only selected comments from these featured video's discussion threads. These featured videos from which selected comments are lifted are given in no particular order except for the comments from this post's showcase video.

A hyperlink to the YouTube video or sound file to encourage watching/listening to these examples of music/dance.

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From DJ Ganyani ft FB - Xigubu (Official Music Video) Published on Apr 26, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npWF7kvyWc4&list=PLKpZ4fu7X-eqTqBZyw59zW4Nwndj0XjlM

1.Sarah A, 2014
"The beat, the dance, the African Traditional elements...everything is perfect about this video. I think I watched this video more than 15 times, very catchy. #TeamSomalia"

**
Reply
2. Scopps94. 2014
"Love your comment, I have the same reaction to this song. #teamNigeria"

**
Reply
3. Malusi Mqadi, 2014
"+Scopps94
the song is south african"

**
Reply
4. Scopps94, 2014
"+Malusi Mqadi i know it is, but im a nigerian listening to a south african song"

**
Reply
5. nonhlanhla precious Radebe, 2014
"+Scopps94 Borders were created by the colonialists; I think we should'nt have any of that in Africa. Africa is one. One love" [These words are followed by three internet heart symbols.]

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6. Yvonne Nontandokazikayiseomkhulu Mguni, 2015
MOTHER-LAND REPRESENTING AT IT'S BEST WENA MUNTU!!!!!!!!!!

**
7. Efua Amoaba, 2016
"I love this music .... being african american i didnt grow up hearing this music on the radio so happy im getting into african culture it awakens my african spirit most of the music in america doesnt have real spirit"

**
Reply
8. sambo ben, 2016
"+Efua Amoaba My sister even the Ocean cannot seperate us, we love you in the Motherland for us you represent also our power what we can go through and still be human. Greetings to my distant bro/sis

**
Reply
9. Efua Amoaba, 2016
"+sambo ben That really brought tears to my eyes, I use to feel like most Africans wouldn't except me because Im not from the homeland. plus their are some blacks in america that make of many us look bad and have people thinking we are violent and immoral."

**
Reply
10. sambo ben, 2016
"+Efua Amoaba You are a daughter of the Mother land as well as all Afro cubans, Jamaicans, Columbians etc etc.No people on earth have ever gone through such level of genocide humliation and rejection and still come out strong like my bro/sis the Afro Americans(both in North and South), today you are success story in all branches of life, from science to politics, music to arts etc etc Remember, before same people who call you voilent said you where strong and could work all day long, that is when our ancestors where oppressed and enslaved to build the nation you live in today, when you got your freedom same people started saying you are lazy or inshort you became lazy when you stopped working for free, its same narative here in the motherland, we are called Lazy and voilent especially when we fight off the imperialist."

**
Reply
11. yemi odejobi, 2016
"We love y'all, cherish n appreciate all u ve done to make us all welcome n safe in America. Always supporting all foreigners, minorities esp fellow Africans regardless of how much they(colonial/slave masters)'ve done n still doing to set us up against each-other. I live here seen all ur struggles. I'm certainly sure If not 4 my African; AA brodas n sistas it ll b so uncomfortable 4 me to visit not to mention living here. U guys ve gone/come a long way."

**
Reply
12. yemi odejobi, 2016
"sambo ben Completely appreciate ur input; seemed lyk u lifted a heavy load of my head, ve always told every1 I know this same true story. Thank u. God bless us all. God bless Africa."

**
13. Phillip, 2016
"I used to get mad when people told me I look like an African. They were tryn to insult me. But i take it as a compliment now. Blind no more. I blend in well with these people & hope they accept me with open arms. I'm a Black American."

**
Reply
14. Zama Dladla, 2016
"you are my real brother man lol"

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From Official MAFIKIZOLO ft Uhuru KHONA, Published on Apr 19, 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhk52GlkhVA

15. gerald hassan, 2013
"nice song beign looking for who sang it. one blood one africa. awwwww.."

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16. Anas Rafiq, 2014
"Mother Africa!!"

**
17. demario williams, 2014
"Jamaica is Feeling the mother Land....... Join us as the Time is now.... Reggae is Out of Many Nation...."

**
18. I'Nubiya Rhoden, 2014
"I get so emotional over these songs. I am way too sensitive, but I am so proud of MAMA AFRICA CHİLDREN"

**
19. manssour charik, 2015
"MAMA AFRICA [These words are followed by one internet heart symbol, meaning "love".] from morocco"

**
20. DSR Marrakech, 2015
"mama afarica world music"

**
21. lamnaouar mohamed, 2015
"la mama africa plizzzzzzzzzz"

**
22. OG YaHerd, 2016
"this is what i want to see from the motherland!
bammmmm!"

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From Uhuru ft. DJ Buckz, Oskido, Professor and Uri-Da-Cunha "Y-tjukutja", Published on Nov 29, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SESe7M9XtY&list=PLKpZ4fu7X-eqTqBZyw59zW4Nwndj0XjlM&index=58

23. portia mkhonza, 2015
"no matter what S.A says we luv our naija bros and sisters proudly south African married to east african brother 😉"
-snip-
"S. A." = South African; "naija" = Nigerian

**
24. Naomi lee, 2015
"THIS SONG IS FROM MY COUNTRY ANGOLA"

THE SINGER NAME`S yuri da cunha -'atchu tchu tcha' FROM ANGOLA

**
Reply
25. N-zey Célé, 2015
"+Noemia Virgilio there is no countrie in Africa, only people, Country is colonialist concept. A song can be plays by est people and be readapt/remix by south people vice versa....we are one people"

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Reply
26. Vesta, 2015
"+Noemia Virgilio It's collaboration between South Africa and Angola"

**
Reply
27. Naomi lee, 2015
"dude i know, what i mean to say it great to see that other african country love angola song,and i wish a could go there i love South Africa beat,dance love from angola"

**
Reply
28. Babalwa Mtamzeli, 2015
"Yeah man after all we are one,Africa unite"

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From Eddy Kenzo - Sitya Loss, Published on Sep 18, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex0NwMcf8iE

29. pearl thomola, 2016
"Ina Africa whereever you standing is a dance floor.......I love you mama Africa"

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30. David Youpa njeumeni, 2015
"thanks you my Africa brother"

**
31. Denise sheriff, 2016
"Ok so I'm an American woman I'm talking both parents born and raised in the USA but I feel African so deeply I can't explain it. This culture is absolutely where my heart is. I guess that's why I married an African man lol....LONG LIVE MAMA AFRICA❤️❤️❤️🇨🇺 my husbands country flag😉"

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Reply
32. Chris Jones, 2017
"It's because we all come from the motherland"

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33. Annicky Ndhazi, 2016
"I'm south Africa at Lompopo province viva Africaaa I love kenzo songs he number one all African be together"

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From iYANYA KUKERE, Published on Mar 24, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBoV1VSpKLo#t=45.168396

34.GingerBronze, 2014
"I love this song. It moves me every time. I am a proud, proud West AfRAkan descendant in North America who loves to dance.

AfRAkans UNITE!!"

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Reply
35. Omondi Agar, 2014
"Africa will Unite..."

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Reply
36. Sylvester Graham, 2015
"Right on sister black people from all over the world should unite I am a descendant from West Africa who lives in America to"

37. Karen, 2015
"O Brasil tem muito da África
Mama África"
-snip-
Google translate of the first sentence from Portuguese to English: "Brazil has lots of Africa"
My interpretation of that sentence: Brazil has lots of people of African descent.

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From Yemi Alade- "Johnny", Published on Mar 3, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_XkTKoDI18

38. Black Ivy, 2014
"I love Africa.....just wish African-Americans and Africans were as close as they used to be. We can take over this world....let's take back what's ours "

**
Reply
39. J.N A.W, 2014
"yes it's kind of sad. it seems that African Americans do not want anything to do with Africa . that they somehow just see themselves as Americans and know nothing about their roots. All Afro Europeans are very proud of their African roots. just like me."

**
Reply
40. kmj2000, 2014
"+pkhunder1 African-Americans have had hundreds of years of entrenched and systematic shaming about their backgrounds. It's not really a fair comparison. Afro-Europeans probably know what country their background is. Many African-Americans do not."

**
Reply
41. Black Ivy, 2014
"+kmj2000 We are still one. We were separated by the white man, and you're pretty much telling me that we are now too different to show love to each other? I'm confused on your statement. Clarify"

**
42. kmj2000, 2014
"+Asia Thomas I was definitely not saying we were too different to love each other. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

** 
Reply
43. YourBelovedPandora, 2014
"Oh no... I wasn't saying you said that. I was saying I think that is the reason why we as people haven't come together before. We have allowed the past to separate us. I guess it is better late than never that we are starting to realize the bond that we share. I totally agree that we should come together and unite... and I dream one day that will happen. Hope that makes sense.Sorry for the misunderstanding before. God bless"

**
Reply
44. sweetbabyboo5, 2014
"I'm African American and I definitely agree! I love my African Sistahs and Brothas."

**
Reply
45. JustForYou♥, 2014
"When were black Americans & Africans close?"

**
Reply
46. Black Ivy, 2014
"We were closer during the Pan-African movement when we were trying to reach our freedom and civil rights. The blacks they show u on the media causes Africans to stereotype all blacks which leads you to ignorantly hate Americans. You being an African should know that the media highlights whatever it wants to highlight; I used to think all Africans were poor and uneducated until my parents informed me and told me the truth. I also think there is animosity between our groups because of parenting; I have come to realize that many of you were told bad things about black Americans from your parents and those attitudes have developed into your adulthood. Some of the things that they told you may have been true; however, my parents never stereotyped any group and told me that there was good and bad in all countries. This is most likely why I have been making my influence on Africa today; I was taught to "act and do", not whine and complain. If I see my brothers and sisters from across the world in pain or see something wrong with them, I lend out my hand and pick up my brother or sister that I was separated from by the white man. I am blessed to be living in America where resources come to me EVERY SINLGE DAY. I am proud that my ancestors paved the way for this country, and to allow foreigners to visit, become educated, and live a better life than they would in their native land; I follow the likings of Nkrumah, MLK, Dubois, and etc. We change the world, not just complain about it. I've saved too many lives to stop now. God Bless."

**
Reply
47. chgosyndicate, 2015
"+Obeth Lalas I feel you. Im African American but I'm 30. I grew up with Africans and we just came up like brothers. No tension or anything. I've been to Senegambia, Namibia, Lagos and all over. Now, Younger African kids here in the US tell me that AA kids make fun of them. I've never witnessed it, but I have a ZERO tolerance for that In my mentorship program. Its self hate. How can you hate someone that comes from your homeland. These kids is f&&ked* up here in the US bro."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

**
Reply
48. LeRoi D, 2015
"I live in DC* for more than a decade now and have personally been discriminated several times by African Americans. Despite all these negative experiences, I never stop looking at African Americans as my brothers and sisters. I have good Black Americans friends who are not ignorant like that. Common sense will tell you that every society has good and bad people. So lets stop making excuses of hating each other. It makes no sense at all. Whether we like it or not, or whether we know our roots or not we are from the same heritage, period."
-snip-
"DC" = Washington, D.C. [USA]

**
Reply
49. Shante1019, 2015
"I'm african american and agree. Some can be so damn rude! especially when I was in high school. ughh! I love my people too: African's, Haitians, Brazilians, Puerto Ricans, Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian, Jamaicans, Barbadians, Dominican, Bahamas, Cubans and etc. My boyfriend is mixed with Jamaican."

****
From mata ku dau turame official video by nazir m Ahmad (sarkin Waka); Published on Sep 27, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpNluHOAJFA

50. Zuberimbega Toya, 2017
"who will accommodate me when i come to visit Nigeria?.all the way from Kenya to Nigeria.only to visit and see my african Brothers and sisters.i just feel the love for Africa.one africa one continent.my greetings to the new president honorable mommad buhary god bless you and protect you.god bless all the people of Nigeria and kenya my mama land.god bless africa"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome

Southeast African Dance With Arms Held Angularly

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a YouTube video of an unnamed dance by a Southeastern African ethnic group.

The content of this post is posted for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the featured dancers, musicians, and singers. Thanks to this video's publisher and thanks to the commenters who are quoted in this post.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Southeast African dance

)
thotsins, Published on Oct 8, 2009

Traditional dance. Cultural comparable. This ethnic group traces it's origins back to the early kingdoms of eastern africa/southern arabia, home of the Kami people, as all Africans do.
-snip-
I think that that publisher may have been talking about the Kemetic (Egyptian)culture. Those angular arm moves certainly look like what many people, including me (probably stereotypically) imagine when we think of Egyptian dancing.

However, the "Kami" people mentioned by the video publisher in his or her summary might be this ethnic group: "The Kami are an ethnic and linguistic group in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. In 2000 the Kami population was estimated to be 16,411".http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami_people
-snip-
Several people who wrote comments to this viewer comment thread wondered what African ethnic group this is. Here are three comments from that video's viewer comment thread:

Hamza Lixle, 2011
"I have never seen this dance, tribe or culture and I'm an African from East Africa. See how Western media blinded us from our own backyards? Tell me is this from Tanzania? I have a feeling it is. Woow something awesome, the girls r beautiful!"

**
DeeDee .Last, 2011
"they look alike ethiopian or Somalis:D"

**
flamezealous,2011
"The sound of their reed flutes and cadence of the accompanying percussion instruments is a bit like the tunes of the Ethiopian Highlands or someplace in the Horn of Africa. Beautiful piece!!"
-snip.
If you know which ethnic group nation these dancers are from, please add a comment to that video or to this post. Thanks!

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitors comments are welcome.

YouTube User Names That Refer To Race, Skin Color, Ethnicity, Or Nationality (On African Wedding Videos Comment Threads)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents selected user names from YouTube videos of four African weddings. Most of these made up user names refer to the blogger's race, skin color, ethnicity, or nationality. This sample also includes user names that refer to the continent of Africa.

As a bonus, I've added a video of a Nigerian themed African American wedding that was held in Maryland, USA.

Selected user names from that video's viewer comment thread can be found after that video.

This is a companion piece to a post on my Cocojams cultural website: http://cocojams.com/content/made-youtube-user-names-howlin-wolf-video-comment-thread "Made Up YouTube User Names In A Howlin Wolf Video Comment Thread". This is also a companion piece to the pancocojams post: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/made-up-youtube-user-names-in-two.html Made Up YouTube User Names In Two Olatunji Comment Threads

All of those posts focus on examples of made up user names that are found in the viewer comment threads of these featured video/s. By "made up names" I mean a name other than a person's first name & last name, or a person's first name, middle initial, and last name, or a person's first name & the initial of his or her last name. Those names are often referred to as a person's "full name" or a person's "real name". In this context, a person's first name could also be a nickname that is derived from that first name.

I'm interested in documenting types of made up user names on YouTube comment threads because I believe that a review of those types of names can be of folkloric & sociological value. That documentation is of particular urgency because, since June 2012, YouTube has tried to convince its commenters & its video uploaders to switch to the use of their "real names". And it appears that many people have done so.

The Cocojams post whose link is given above contains a larger list of the types of user names that I've found on YouTube comment threads. That post also includes more of my comments about made up user names.

With regard to this specific post, I believe that user names that reference race, skin color, ethnicity, or nationality as well as a person's continent can be indications of self-esteem & self-confidence, and/or an indication of the person's pride in his or her ethnic group and/or nation. All of these can be positive attributes.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, educational, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

FEATURED VIDEOS, SELECTED USER NAMES & COMMENTS
Note: Most but not all of the user names that fit this category from each video are presented here. My failure to include any user name in this post should not be construed to mean that I didn't like those names or didn't approve of those comments.

WARNING: YouTube comment threads often contain profanity, racist, homophobic, sexually explicit, sexist, violent language , and other language that may be NSFWOCV (not suitable for work or children's viewing).

These user name examples are placed in chronological order with the oldest comments posted first, except for any response to a comment. The date of the user names for a particular year are placed under that year.

Example #1: Mary and Emeka Nigerian Traditional Wedding - Procession



Ade Obadina Uploaded on Jul 27, 2011

Union of the Igbo and Yoruba cultures - Mary Temitope Obadina and her bridesmaids make an epic entrance during the traditional Nigerian wedding on 23rd July 2011. This is Mary's bridal procession with her beautiful eligible bridesmaids as she wow's Emeka Kenneth Okoroafor (Igwe - King) with a surprise dance in spectacular style!
-snip-
Notice how the wedding guest converge on the bride and "dash" (spray) her with money.

Here are selected user names from this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpAeeyoUn4o

[2010]
zimgal101
-snip-
Editor: "Zim" is a colloquial referent for the African nation of Zimababwe or a person from Zimbabwe.

[2012]
Naijagyal01
-snip-
Editor: "Naija" is a colloquial form of the word “Nigeria”. “Gyal” is a Caribbean patois form of the English word “girl”.

[2013]
QueenCoco Brown

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Example #2: Wedding entrance African style.mp4



beavadvideo, Uploaded on Apr 25, 2010

African wedding filmed by Beavad Video Productions (www.beavadvideo.com)
-snip-
Several commenters wrote that this is a Zimbabwean wedding.

Here are selected user names from that video's viewer comment thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcX9uNPJJho

[2012]
MsAfricanbeauty1
**
ghanaianbeauty90
**
noirrosa
-snip-
Editor: The English translation for the French word “noir” is “black”.

****
Update: July 11, 2015: This is another clip of the initial video (published by Shadreck Rukweza, Uploaded on Jul 29, 2010) that I initially embedded for this post. That video doesn't appear to be available any longer. The names listed below the video are from the initial video.

Example #3: Wedding Dance Moves in HD


Published on Jan 25, 2014


Extraordinaire dance très beau mouvement d'ensemble
-snip-
This is a wedding in Zimbabwe.

Here are selected user names from that video's viewer comment thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG2O7kRsdh8

Editor: I added the first two comments for informational purposes.

[2011]
congobk10
"this is wonderful!! where are you guys from?"
Reply
zulunatic1
"@ congobk...we are all from Zimbabwe but we based in the UK"

[2012]
missbenin91
**
lightskin003
**
africankween24
-snip-
Editor: "kween" is an alternative way of spelling "queen".
**
malawianbabe1
**
kenyagirl2009
**
MsAfricana1
**
MrShonaguy
**
hausasfinest

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Example #4: Wedding exit dance



Samuellyc, Uploaded on Oct 19, 2011

Bevis and Mutale's exit dance at their incredible wedding in Zambia. For all those asking the track is Grippe Aviaire by DJ Lewis.
-snip-
This is a wedding in Zambia.

Here are selected user names along with their comments from that video's viewer comment thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7XWnnEhuPc

[2012]
Boricua StayBlem
"Amazingly stunning Bride! anddddd You guys had FUN! thats a real wedding. Love the dance."
-snip-
Editor: “Boricua” is the Taíno term for Puerto Rico.
**
baby9ja
"this is cute :)"
-snip-
Editor: I believe that “9ja” is a texting way of writing “Naija”. “Naija” is the colloquial term for Nigeria; Nigerian.
**
MsAfricanbeauty1
"Grippe Aviaire by DJ Lewis. [response to the question “whats the name of this song?”]
**
indialove101
"dis is wassup :-) i love this"
**
africanpride69
"Ohhh les africaines. Love it. Bride looks soo lovely."
[2013]
ebonyladyy 3 weeks ago
"J adore!!!!"
**
datghanabeautyAfia
"awwww luv de dance wat country is that?"
-snip-
Editor: This user name is "dat (that) ghana beauty Afia". “Afia” is a Akan [Ghanaian]female name.

****
BONUS VIDEO
African Wedding/Sharon and Mike Pt 3



gospeltributes, Uploaded on Jan 7, 2010

Sharon and Mikes Wedding at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel in Maryland.
-snip-
A number of comments from Nigerians & other Africans pointed out that while the wedding parties' outfits were Nigerian, a masquerade (meaning a stilt walker) would never be included in a Nigerian wedding. Another difference that a commenter shared other differences between this ceremony and Nigerian wedding ceremonies is that the guests in Nigerian weddings don't remain standing separate from the official wedding party. Compare this bridal party entrance to the entrance that occurs in Example #1 of this post. That said, I sincerely commend Sharon & Mike for the obvious research that went into their conceptualization of their Nigerian themed wedding ceremony.

Here's a list of the user names from that video's viewer comment thread that referenced skin color, race, ethnicity, nationality, or a continent (i.e. "African")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICnYVrCKjPQ

[2012]
gold9ja
-snip-
Editor: gold9ja probably means gold naija ("Naija" is a colloquial way of saying "Nigeria"/"Nigerian"
**
blackbono lala
**
blaquecherry419
-snip-
Editor: "blaque" is an alternative contemporary way of spelling "black"
**
Africaunite2020
[2013]
blkghanaprincess
-snip-
Editor: blkghanaprincess= black ghana princess

****
ACKNOWLEGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all of those persons who are featured in these videos. Also, much respect and best wishes to each of the wedding couples. My thanks also to all of the commenters whose user names are featured in this post. Thanks also to the uploaders of these videos.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Ugandan Song "Wipolo Bot Lubanga" (Did You Find Them Dancing In The House Of The Lord)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two videos of and lyrics for "Wipolo Bot Lubanga"("Wii Polo"), a Christian song from Uganda, East Africa.*

The English words for one repeated line of that song "Did you find them dancing in the house of the Lord" is given as that may be how some English speakers recognize this song.

The content of this post is presented for religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.
-snip-
*Thanks to Joshua Kembero for his comment on August 18, 2018 which corrected my statement that the language for this song was KiSwahili. Instead, Joshua Kembero wrote that the language may be Acoli.

Here's information about Acoli [language] from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoli_dialect:

"Acoli ... is a Southern Luo dialect spoken by the Acoli people in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader (a region known as Acoliland) in northern Uganda. It is also spoken in southern Sudan in Magwi County Eastern Equatoria states."...
-snip-
Thanks for your correction, Joshua!

****
FEATURED VIDEOS & LYRICS
Example #1: Wipolo



Lomonye, Uploaded on Mar 10, 2007

Pastor George Okudi..great vid
-snip-
Here's my transcription of the English language words that are sung from 4:23-6:02 of this video:

WIPOLO (Partial transcription)
Soloist- Oh Did you find them dancing in the house of the Lord
Group- Yes I found them dancing in the house of the Lord
Soloist- Did you found them praising in the house of the Lord
Group- Yes I found them praising in the house of the Lord
Soloist- Did you found them shouting in the house of the Lord
Group- Yes I found them shouting in the house of the Lord
Soloist- Oh, Did you found them dancing in the house of the Lord
Group - Yes I found them dancing in the house of the Lord
Soloist - Now did you find them jumping in the house of the Lord
Group - Yes I found them jumping in the house of the Lord.
Soloist - Did you find some power in the house of the Lord.
Group- Yes I found some power in the house of the Lord.
Soloist- Did you find some anointing in the house of the Lord.
Group- Yes I found some anointing in the house of the Lord.
Soloist- There is anointing
Group- anointing
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king.
Soloist- There is power
Group- power
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king.
Soloist- There is dancing
Group- dancing
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king.
Soloist– (Come on), there is dancing
Group- dancing
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king.
Soloist- Oh, we are jumping
Group- jumping
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king
Soloist- Oh, we are jumping
Group- jumping
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king
Soloist- Oh, we are shouting
Group- shouting
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king.
Soloist- Oh, we are praising
Group- praising
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king
Soloist- Oh, there is power
Group- power
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king
Soloist- Oh, there’s anointing
Group- anointing
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king
Soloist- And, there’s anointing
Group- anointing
Soloist– in the house
Group- of the great king
-snip-
This song has a call & response (soloist/group) pattern with "zipper" words (dancing, jumping, praising, power, annoiting etc) that can be substituted for other words. Also, when this song is performed, the order of those "zipper" words are probably not fixed, and the song probably has no fixed length.

I don't know if Pastor George Okudi composed this song and its tune or not.

Also, "Wipolo" is a location in Northern Uganda. I don't know if this song has anything to do with that location.

****
Watoto Children's Choir | Wii Polo



WatotoUS, Uploaded on Jan 4, 2010

Watoto Children's Choir gives an energetic performance of "Wii Polo" -- Recorded Live at Springs Church in Canada
-snip-
The Watoto Children's Choir is an African Children's Choir that is based in Kampala, Uganda. "Watoto" is KiSwahili for "children".

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watoto_Children's_Choir for information about this choir.

One website about this choir indicated that the group sang a rendition of Pastor George Okudi's song "Wipolo" so this group got the song from Pastor Okudi.
-snip-
Lyrics: Wii Polo - Watoto Children's Choir


Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye
(Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye)
Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye
(Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye)

So did you find them dancing in the house of the Lord?
(Yes I found them dancing in the house of the Lord.)
Say did you find them dancing in the house of the Lord?
(Yes I found them dancing in the house of the Lord.)

Tye iye Lega (Lega)
Eh Wii polo (bot lubanga)
Tye iye Mara (mara)
Juo mu iye (bed iye)

Oh We are dancing (dancing)
In the house (of the Lord)
Watoto is dancing (dancing)
In the house (of the Lord)

Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye
(Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye)

So did you find them singing in the house of the Lord?
(Yes I found them singing in the house of the Lord.)

Tye iye pako Rwot (pako rwot)
Oh mulokole (bot lubanga)
Tye iye yom cwiny (yom cwiny)
Juo mu iye (bed iye)

Oh We are singing (singing)
In the house (of the Lord)
Come on now we're singing (singing)
In the house (of the Lord)

"Come on ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for Watoto."

Sing Hallelujah (Amen)
In the house (of the Lord)
Sing Hallelujah (Amen)
In the house (of the Lord)
Sing Hallelujah (Amen)
Yes In the house (of the Lord)
Sing Hallelujah (Amen)
In the house (of the great King)

Eh Ruka! Eh, eh Ruka!

Well Simba, Simba, Simba!
(Simba! Ruka!)
Simba, Simba, Simba!
(Simba! Ruka!)
Simba, Simba, Ya!
(Jouda! Ruka!)
Simba, Simba, Simba!
(Ehhhhhhhh!)

Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye
(Wii polo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye)

So did you find them praising in the house of the Lord?
(Yes I found them praising in the house of the Lord.)

Tye iye Lega (Lega)
Eh Wii polo (bot lubanga)
Tye iye Mara (mara)
Juo mu iye (bed iye)
Tye iye pako Rwot (pako rwot)
Oh mulokole (bot lubanga)
Tye iye yom cwiny (yom cwiny)
Juo mu iye (bed iye)

Oh we are dancing (dancing)
In the house (of the Lord)
Oh we are singing (singing)
In the house (of the Lord)
Come on now, we're praising (praising)
In the house (of the Lord)
Last time, we are dancing (dancing)
In the house (of the Lord)

From http://www.wowlyrics.com/w/watoto-children-s-choir_songs/29610_lyrics_1800998.php
[Thanks to Aimee]

****
ANOTHER VERSION OF THE WIPOLO LYRICS
From http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_show_lyrics/8999407

WIPOLO MEDLEY by Imani Milele Children's Choir/ Sam Straxy.

Wipolo bot lubanga mulokole bed iye
We are dancing, dancing in the house of the Lord
We are boogying, boogying as a family
We are shouting, shouting yea yea oh weh woh
We are boogying boogying as a family
Tompitangako Mulokozi
Nga okyalira
Nga bwo kyalira balara
Nange onkyalire
Yesu Yesu
Nga nkukabira
Nga bwo kyalira balara
Nange onkyalire
-snip-
Editor's note:
"Boogying" is probably based on the African American English word for "boogie" for dancing (as in "Come on, let's boogie").* But "boogying" as a form of the word "boogie" was rarely if ever used. Also, the word "boogie" is no longer used by African Americans and I don't know of any contemporary general term in African American English for "dancing". Read my comment below about Americans attitudes about dancing in the church.

*Another informal meaning for "boogie" is "to leave hurriedly", as in "I've got to boogie". But that use is also rare.
-snip-
Additional Editorial comment:
"Wipolo Bot Lubanga" and the featured videos, but particularly Pastor George Okudi's video of this song, demonstrate some cultural differences between the way that Africans and African Americans (and other Americans) worship in church.

As an African American, Wipolo's uptempo tune doesn't conform to my experiences of what religous songs are supposed to sound like. Also, I've noticed that Africans across the continent perform dance movements to religious songs that Americans only do for non-religious music. Americans who danced like this to Christian music inside or outside the church would be viewed very negatively.

These cultural differences take a while for me to get used to, but this is not to say that the way Africans or Americans worship is right or wrong. I'm just commenting on the cultural differences.

RELATED LINK
Christ the King Choir, Kampala, Uganda; Wipolo bot Lubanga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg1xwID_KAk&playnext=1&list=PL11ED96527F57142F&feature=results_video

[embedding disabled]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer/s of this song. Thanks also to the performers, transcribers of the song's lyrics, and uploaders of these featured videos.

Also, thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Videos Of The Wolaytigna Dance (Ethiopia)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post features four videos of traditional and adapted versions of the Wolaytigna dance of Southern Ethiopia.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, and aesthetic purposes.

My thanks to those persons featured in these videos Thanks also to the producers and uploaders of these videos.

FEATURED VIDEOS

Video #1: Wolayta



Uploaded by lekee on Oct 4, 2009

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Video #2: Aw Bade - Mamila And Kichini - Full Version



Uploaded by diretube10feb on Feb 15, 2010

http://diretube.com - Latest Ethiopian Videos

-snip-
From this video's viewer comments, it appears that this song quickly became a big dance hit in Ethiopia when it was released in 2011.

****
Video #3: Tejle Milkiase - Wolayta Enhede



Uploaded by NIN9ART on Sep 9, 2010

Wolayta music.

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Video #4: Awassa, Ethiopia, 2009 dance_0001.wmv


Uploaded by mathewsdita on Apr 3, 2010

Especial event in city of Awassa, Southern Ethiopia, August, 2009

-snip-

Here are two comments from this video's viewer comment thread that were written in response to a comment that these dances look like street dances: http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=pJ9tor8QsU4

**
"This dance is called "Wolaytigna dance". In this video, the daces were mixed with Wolytigna dances and modern daces. Only the girls here actually were dancing Wolytigna but others do mix Wolytigna with modern dances. Any dances danced on the street are street dances. On this video, dance was recorded during especial events on the street of Awassa in 2009. Thanks for visiting this video site. To see actual song and dance, search under “ AW Bade" by-Mamila And Kichini ” . Good luck
-mathewsdita; 2005

**
"This dance is called "Wolaytigna dance" came from Wolyta tribes in Southern Ethiopia about 400 km South of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Walaytigna dances were normally a type of dance that involves parts of your body below the waist twisting waistline and shaking butts. Also the dancers hold long stick and jump very high and pull their legs back and forth following the beat and the rhythm of the songs."
mathewsdita; 2012

-snip-
The video that mathewsdita recommended is Video #2 of this post. My thanks to that commenter for that recommendation.

I believe that the commenter who wrote that these dances look like street dances might have meant that they look like contemporary African American Rhythm & Blues/Hip Hop dances such as break dancing, Chicago footwork, and krumping. Click http://www.jambalayah.com/node/1147 for videos of various African American R&B/Hip Hop dances.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome

Videos Of Kenyan Catholic Choirs, Part II

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part II of a two part post on videos of Catholic choirs from Kenya, East Africa.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/videos-of-kenyan-catholic-choirs-part-i.html for Part I of this post.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, spiritual, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the composers of these songs, and the choir directors, vocalists, and musicians associated with this music. My thanks also to the producers and uploaders of these featured videos.

This post provides only a very small sample of this beautiful music. Additional examples can be found on YouTube.

Unfortunately, I only speak & read English. I believe that Swahili is the language used for all or most of the songs featured in this post. It would be great if some visitors to this page would confirm that, and also post in the comment section an English translation for these songs' titles. Thanks in advance!

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FEATURED VIDEOS
[These videos are presented in no particular order.]

Video #1: Ikutani Choir-Kuvow'a kwa kilalinda



Uploaded by rmbmb on Nov 29, 2008

Ikutani Catholic choir
Machakos, Kenya

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Video #2: Ningekuwa na mabawa



Uploaded by swaramimi on Jan 27, 2008

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Video #3: Mwimbine Bwana Wimbo Mpya



Uploaded by kyalopeter on Apr 7, 2010

KUCC-Kenyatta University

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Video #4: Nani kama mama



Uploaded by kwambengei on May 28, 2010

Migori

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Video #5: St. Vincent Ang'iya Migori - Ingekuwa Heri Leo



uploaded by Jasunamigori on Feb 20, 2011

St. Vincent Ang'iya Migori church choir, Migori, Kenya

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Video #6: Malindi Choir- Zungukazunguka



Uploaded by gathandara on Jan 26, 2010

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Video #7: Mt Kizito Choir - Nimeonja Pendo (OFFICIAL VIDEO)



Uploaded by joashstilltheman on Sep 25, 2010

From the album MUNGU YULE
"Nimeonja pendo lako"
(I have tasted of Your love)

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Viewer comments are welcome.

Videos Of Kenyan Catholic Choirs, Part I

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part I of a two part post on videos of Catholic choirs from Kenya, East Africa.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/videos-of-kenyan-catholic-choirs-part.html for Part II of this post.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, spiritual, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the composers of these songs, and the choir directors, vocalists, and musicians associated with this music. My thanks also to the producers and uploaders of these featured videos.

This post provides only a very small sample of this beautiful music. Additional examples can be found on YouTube.

Unfortunately, I only speak & read English. I believe that Swahili is the language used for all or most of the songs featured in this post. It would be great if some visitors to this page would confirm that, and also post in the comment section an English translation for these songs' titles. Thanks in advance!

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FEATURED VIDEOS
[These videos are presented in no particular order.]

Video #1: Kenyan Catholic Music



Uploaded by mbukukanyau on Sep 28, 2007

Kenyan Catholic choir Praising God. Distinctly African Music, Distinctly Catholic in Identity.

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Video #2: Nikupe nini by St Joseph's Migori



Uploaded by kagora1 on Jan 21, 2009

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Video #3: njooni tumwimbie



Uploaded by kwambengei on May 28, 2010

sauti za migori

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Video #4: Amkeni (kyenzenzelu) Kitui Cathedral Choir.flv



Uploaded by Bulsimon2 on May 22, 2011

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Video #5: Ilimpasa-Kenya Navy Catholic Choir.DAT



Uploaded by vastization on May 11, 2010

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Video #6: Nikiziangalia Mbingu



Uploaded by otisjalwedo on Sep 18, 2007

Kwaya Kuu ya Mt. Cecilia
Kanisa Kuu la Mt. Theresia Arusha

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Video #7: Njia ya Uzima -Makongoro Choir



Uploaded by Jaylove14 on Jun 6, 2009

-snip-
I'm not sure if this choir is Catholic or not. However, I wanted to include this video because the video uploader indicated that it was a Swahili old "Gold" Gospel song.

Also, I'm fascinated by how much the movements which accompany the singing looks like non-religious African American line dances. Are these movements that the Kenyan choirs do similar or the same as traditional Kenyan dances?

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Viewer comments are welcome.

Videos Of African Musical Productions, Part II

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part post which showcases African musical productions.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/videos-of-african-musical-productions.html for Part I of this post.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, educational, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the composers and performers of this music. My thanks also to the producers of these musicals, the videographers, and the uploaders of these featured videos.

By no means are these featured videos the only video clips of African musicals that are available on YouTube. As an aside - judging from the videos available on YouTube, it appears that for some reason most of African musical productions showcase the culture of the nation of South Africa and/or the region of South Africa.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are posted in no particular order.)

Video #1: Zambezi Express - The Amazing New African Dance Musical...



Uploaded by gypsiiboy on Oct 6, 2009

Highlights from this amazing new show. The story follows a boy named Zilli, born in the slums of a township in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe who dreams of becoming a top-flight footballer. His adventures on the Zambezi Express - the train that leaves Bulawayo for South Africa once a week - and his struggles in the big city have created this extraordinary, pulsating new show straight from the heart of Africa. Pounding, multi-layered African beats and powerful acapella vocals alongside jumping, jiving, and acrobatic dance numbers by a 30 strong company. A soccer-based musical for the approaching World Cup in South Africa 2010 - This is the beautiful game as its never been seen before! Appearing at: BRISTOL, THE DOWNS - In The Big Top Theatre - Wednesday 30th September Sunday 18th October. HACKNEY EMPIRE, HACKNEY, London, E8 1EJ - Tuesday 20th Wednesday 28th October. www.zambeziexpress.co.uk

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Video #2: AFRICAN CIRCUS PRODUCTION TWO part one



Uploaded by circusafrica on Dec 1, 2009

for bookings of any individual acts and dancers you see contact winston ruddle www.african-circus.tz.com

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Video #3: Mama Africa www.circoedintorni.it



Uploaded by circoedintorni on Apr 15, 2009

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MOTHER AFRICA GUMBOOT DANCERS 2010.m2ts



Uploaded by circusafrica on Apr 9, 2010

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Video #5: IZABOBO! - AN AFRICAN MUSICAL DRAMA (Celebrating Rhythms in the Circle of Life)



Uploaded by naytrader on Aug 25, 2009

A play by Comfort Ero.
Performance: 2006, Intrepid Theatre, Victoria BC

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Videos Of African Musical Productions, Part I

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part 1 of a two part post which showcases African musical productions.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/videos-of-african-musical-productions_23.html for Part II of this post.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, educational, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the composers and performers of this music. My thanks also to the producers of these musicals, the videographers, and the uploaders of these featured videos.

By no means are these featured videos the only video clips of African musicals that are available on YouTube. As an aside - judging from the videos available on YouTube, it appears that for some reason most of African musical productions showcase the culture of the nation of South Africa and/or the region of South Africa.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are posted in no particular order.)

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Video #1: SaRaFiNa



Uploaded by yazoshea on Mar 10, 2011

"Sarafina! is a South African musical by Mbongeni Ngema depicting students involved in the Soweto Riots, in opposition to apartheid. It was also adapted into a 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Leleti Khumalo. Sarafina! premiered on Broadway on January 28, 1988, at the Cort Theatre, and closed on July 2, 1989, after 597 performances and 11 previews. The musical was conceived and directed by Mbongeni Ngema, who also wrote the book, music, and lyrics. The play was first presented at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 1987.

The cast included Leleti Khumalo as Sarafina.
Leleti Khumalo received a Tony Award nomination, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as a NAACP Image Award for her Broadway theatre portrayal of the title character. The production was also nominated for the Tony Award for: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Direction of a Musical.

The show presents a school uprising similar to the Soweto uprising on June 16, 1976. A narrator introduces several characters among them the schoolgirl activist Sarafina. Things get out of control when a policeman shoots several pupils in a classroom. Nevertheless, the musical ends with a cheerful farewell show of pupils leaving school, which takes most of the second act."

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Video #2: FREEDOM IS COMING TOMORROW. [Sarafina]



Uploaded by yazoshea on Mar 10, 2011

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Video #3: Umoja- The Spirit Of Together



Uploaded by LConcert on Apr 6, 2010

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Video #3: Umoja- The Spirit Of Together 2



Uploaded by Mrbobodigital on Mar 23, 2011

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Video #4: gumboots dance story



Uploaded by crepusculeindien on Jul 11, 2007

artist : gumboots dancers, south africa
place : the playhouse theatre, london, uk
the show explained (eng.) : http://gumboot.dancers.users.btopenworld.com
history (fr. & eng.): http://www.gumbootsworldtour.com/fr/index.html

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Viewer comments are welcome.

Borborbor Performances - Ghana & Togo, West Africa

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Revised April 1, 2015]

This pancocojams post showcases eight selected videos of Borborbor dance & music performances from the Ewe ethnic group of the West African nations of Ghana and Togo. This dance is also called "Bobobo Akpesse", "Bobobo", and "Akpessee".

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, religious, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of these videos.

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INFORMATION ABOUT BORBORBOR
From http://www.bridgingdevelopment.org/culturepages/musicpages/borborbor.htm:
"Borborbor is the most popular style of recreational music in the Volta Region [of Ghana]. It links traditional drumming rhythms with proverbial lyrics that frequently include Christian themes. It is the ultimate blend of old and new. Borborbor is often played at celebrations and funerals. Borborbor drummers weave moderate beats while women dancers and singers revolve around them. Women singers carry two white handkerchiefs that they twirl in the air at the end of a drumming period. A bugle may be used to add spice to the music. There is usually one song leader who will sing the first line of a song and lead the people from one song to the next by combining the meanings of different songs in unique ways to evoke the spirit of the particular occasion. Everyone in the community may participate in these performances which usually begin at dusk and can continue well into the night and even until dawn. Borborbor dance is very suggestive and many boy-girl liaisons develop during these events."

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From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borborbor
"Borborbor is Ghanaian and Togolese traditional dance performed by the Ewes from mid Volta region of Ghana. The dance is specially performed during the festival of the chiefs and peoples of communities."
-Reference http://www.travel-to-discover-ghana.com/hogbetsotso-festival.html
-snip-
Here's that reference article [posted in full for folkloric purposes]
HOGBETSOTSO FESTIVAL
Hogbetsotso Festival is a festival of the people of Anlo in the Volta Region of Ghana. The theme behind this festival is to mark their journey from their former home in Togo, to their present settlement in Ghana.

The festival is a great time for the people, as this marks a great time in their history and is a time for settling disputes and getting to know each other.

ORIGIN:
History has it that before coming to their present settlement. The Anlo lived under a cruel and wicked ruler, King Agorkoli of Notsie, somewhere south of present day Sudan.

The Anlo people devised a way to escape from the town. They were led by a brave warrior known as the Red Hunter.

hogbetsotso-festival-celebration
The town [where] they were was fenced with a mud wall, so the Anlo women were told to pour water on one side of the wall anytime they had to dispose off any water.

This made the spot soft, and the people were able to break the wall and escape. To avoid being caught, they "walked backwards" so as to confuse their pursuers and even legend has it that “The Red Hunter” turned himself into a rat and walk over all their footprints to make them look old.

When they got to their present home, they created the festival Hogbetstso (Festival of Exodus) to mark this event.

CELEBRATION:
The festival has a host of other celebrations associated with it. There is a period of peace making. During this period, all outstanding disputes must be resolved. The aim is to bring the people together to live in harmony with each other.

There is also a general cleaning in the town. The whole town is swept, gutters cleaned, bushes are cleared and everywhere is kept clean. The cleaning which starts at the estuary of the Volta River, goes on until it reaches the Mono River in Benin.

This cleaning exercise is all inclusive and everyone in the town is supposed to take part. The people of Anlo believe that if they keep their surroundings clean, and they live in harmony with each other, no evil can befall.

They believe that their ancestors lived in harmony with each other all throughout their journey and that is what helped them to arrive at their destination. Therefore if they also want to be able to live in harmony, they must love one another. The cleaning continues for days until everywhere is well kept.

SUMMARY:
The highlight of the Hogbetsotso Festival celebration is a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the town. There is drumming and dancing and merry making. The dancing is the most intriguing part, with the very popular “BORBORBOR” dance which is very intense and fun filled."
-snip-
I'm not sure from this passage if the "borborbor" dance is integrally associated with the Hogbetsotso celebration or is just a popular dance that is performed at that celebration.

The examples given below attest to the fact that borborbor (and its other names) is danced to religious and non-religious music.

Additional comments about this dance are included in the summary statements of the videos found below and in comments after those videos.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in no particular order.

Video #1: Africana Bobobo Akpesse De Totsigan A Hedjranawoe Lome Togo Pourquoi Pas Sur



Uploaded by nestani365 on Oct 17, 2009
-snip-
Here are two viewer comments about this video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2bf_sriWTA&feature=related:

"i love this dannce soooooooooooooooooo much can some on tell me what the dance is called please????"
-gbb3b, 2011

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"the name is AKPESSE South of Togo dance"
-nestani365l, 2011
-snip-
In this discussion thread I asked if "Borborbor", "Bobobo Akpesse", & "Bobobo" were the same. Marquange wrote on 12/27/2012 to confirm this.

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Video #2: Akpesse Bobobo - Dunenyo Bobobo , a Agomé-Kpodzi Kloto part1



Uploaded by Mawuakpe on Aug 3, 2010

Le 20/06/10 a Agomé Kpodzi dans la préfecture de Kloto au Togo , par le groupe Dunenyo Bobobo.
Regardez par vous meme

-snip-
Here are two viewer comments about this video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH_Wj9rO1L8:
"Awesome!!!! I truly love this traditional African dancing, music, and unity of spirit the people show.
Can someone tell me what type of celebration it is. What is the topic of the song.
-ecmiddle1; 2011

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"@ecmiddle1 this is called bobobo. it is not a celebration.. this is what is done for fun in Togo"
loloremorem; 2012

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Video #3: Borborbor.AVI



Uploaded by LaurenLevine415 on Feb 22, 2010

I was very lucky to stumble upon this group of people in Ho, Ghana, who were dancing the Borborbor in their backyard-- which is a traditional Ewe cultural dance. It is usually performed after someone has died, and because many of the people are wearing black and red, the traditional funeral colors in Ghana, I suspect that this is the case.

The villagers were especially welcoming to me, even though I was by myself, and simply wandered into their yard uninvited. Many of them beckoned for me to join in, but I was shy and did not know the dance sequence. Instead, to chose to sit on the sidelines and film this video. I'm glad that I did, as it makes me smile each time I watch it.

-snip-

Here's an excerpt from a very informative post about borborbor in which the author takes the position that the color of the handkerchiefs used in this dance should always be white:
"A traditional Borborbor group consists of a pair of castanets, container rattles, small drums (vuvi), supporting drum (asivu), and a master drum (vuga) but many bands now use between two and four drums. The castanets go ”kor kor kor, kor kor kor”, in triple beat in almost all borborbor music. The smaller drums basically just keep the rhythm going. It is the bass drum that provides the distinctive borborbor sound. That is why the master drummer must be good. In a typical borborbor number, the lead singer may start alone or with the accompaniment of the castanets. The drums and the chorus follow after some singing. The interchange between lead singer and chorus go on for some time through different songs. Then the bugler blows his first two notes, usually drawing out the second one as long as possible (pa paaaaaa) whereupon the dancing girls will bend down (it is not called borborbor for nothing) adding some more styles to their movements. The master drummer will raise his act sometimes following the melody of the horn, at other times inter-lacing rhythmically with it. The bugler ends his long solo on a note that cues the lead singer to take up the singing again at the same time as the dancing girls will rise up, their white handkerchiefs fluttering in the air. I have seen a group use black and red handkerchiefs. That is ugly. It is an abomination that will be sternly frowned upon by the borborbor aficionados. Anything other than white handkerchiefs detracts from the purity of the dance..." Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=201101

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Video #4: Dela Delali -Amenuveve



Uploaded by BIGDAVOLK on Dec 11, 2007

Gospel togolais de la reine, la doyenne
-snip-
I particularly love the way Dela Delali includes children in her videos. As an African American, I’m not used to seeing this type of dancing with religious songs. In the USA dancing like that is only reserved for non-religious music and would be frowned upon as sacrilege. But I realize that USA attitudes shouldn’t determine how other people combine music & dance.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/videos-of-toga-west-african-gospel.html for more videos of this vocalist.

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Video #5: Borborbor Troupe - Tema, Ghana



Uploaded by Ghanapedia on Feb 21, 2010

This clip shows a borborbor troupe near Tema, in January 2007. This was the day before I left Ghana, and the taxi driver I had used a lot in my travels offered to take me to meet his friends to perform for me, so I obliged. They played for about half an hour, most of which I filmed, and afterwards I gave them a donation so they could buy themselves some drinks afterwards.

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Video #6:[Ghana]Efo Senyo - Akpesse Borborbor - Ghana Denyigba /Etsome manya



Uploaded by Mawuakpe on Aug 23, 2010

Interprété par Efo Senyo . Extrait de l'album "Etsome Manya "
Sur cet extrait les morceaux : "Mega Tsidzi O , Ghana Denyigba , Dukplolawo , Etsome Manya "

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Video #7: Borborbor



EweDanceEnsemble Uploaded on Aug 14, 2011

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Video #8: Peki Venononyo borborbor group.mp4



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Viewer comments are welcomed.