The Twenty Most Viewed Pancocojams Posts On July 22, 2026 (with astrology notes about Mercury Retrograde & Barbault's Basket)

Edited by Azizi Powell

I noticed at 9:28 PM on July 22, 2026 that pancocojams had 18,888,885 * total views since I launched it on August 29, 2011. As I noted in my July 11, 2026 post in this series, my favorite number is 17. And, since 1+7=8, that means 8 is also my lucky number. Therefore, I feel compelled to commemorate in some way the achievement of that number of pancocojams views with so many eights. The way that I've decided commemorate this achievement (on this last night of Mercury retrograde* during this astrologically significant Barbault's Basket time *) is to  publish another post in my periodic series on the twenty most viewed pancocojams posts for a certain day. 

*Read an explanation for these astrological references in the comment section for this post.

My intention isn't to publish posts in this series so close together, but it just feels right to do do right now. 

*By the time I finished editing this post 10:59 PM , that total viewed number was 18,889,164.

This post is part of a periodic series that highlights the top twenty pancocojams posts that were viewed on a particular date.

Google blogspot automatically publishes a list that the blog's editor can view of the top twenty posts in a blog that have been visited within a certain time period. Statistics for every post that has been published in this blog that I haven't deleted for one reason or another could be included in this daily top twenty list.

Here's the link for the last post that I published in this series prior to this one: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-twenty-most-viewed-pancocojams_01333152588.html [published on July 11, 2026.].

As is the case with the other posts in this series, this post is presented to document meta information about this blog. This list is also presented as a way of highlighting these showcased posts.

Thanks for supporting pancocojams!

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
The mission of pancocojams is to showcases the music, dances, language practices, & customs of African Americans and of other people of Black descent throughout the world.

At the time of this post's publication  on July 22, 2026 at 10:59 PM, pancocojams has had a total of 18,889,164.views since this blog was launched on August 29, 2011. That number doesn't include my views.

A total number of 5960 posts are available on this pancocojams blog as of July 22, 2026-including this one. 

*This list that is presented in this post presents the title for each of the top twenty posts that were viewed during July 22, 2026. in addition to the post's title, these entries include the hyperlink, and that post's publishing date.

All of the top twenty lists (such as this one on July 22, 2026 document the eclectic nature and the wide range of socio-cultural and/or folkloric topics that are featured in this blog.

I determine the subject of each pancocojams post as the Spirit (or my spirit) moves me to do so.

Publishing this list can help visitors to this blog find posts that they may be interested in visiting again or visiting for the first time. 
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/12/links-to-twenty-five-pancocojams-posts.html for the post entitled "Links To The Twenty-Five Pancocojams Posts With The Highest Number Of Views (From 2011-2024)."

Last year I decided not to publish an annual "most viewed" post from this blog's launching  because the list of posts with the most views has remained very similar for a number of years. 

****
A LIST OF THE TWENTY MOST VIEWED PANCOCOJAMS POST (July 1, 2026)

[The post with the highest number of views on that day is given first, and all the other posts are given in descending order.]

1.Tanzanian Singer Nandy - "Kivuruge" (information, video, lyrics, & comments)

 https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/03/tanzanian-singer-nandy-kivuruge.html

 March 19, 2018

**
2. Examples Of The Children's Hand Clap Rhyme "I'm A Nut In A Hut", Part III

 https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/examples-of-childrens-rhymes-im-nut-in.html

March 5, 2021

**
3. Why “Brick House” Didn’t Become A Widely Accepted Slang Term

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/why-brick-house-didnt-become-widely.html

January 25, 2013

**
4. What "Ah Sookie Sookie Now" Means

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-ah-sookie-sookie-now-means.html

May 14, 2013

**
5. What The Words "Darktown Strutters Ball" REALLY Mean

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/10/what-words-darktown-and-strutters.html

 October 24, 2014

**
6. Dread Drama - Did Celts And/Or Other White People Historically Wear Their Hair In Dreadlocks?

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/dread-drama-did-celts-andor-other-white.html

September 28, 2016

**
7. Lists Of Most Common Bajan (Barbados) Last Names

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/07/lists-of-most-common-bajan-barbados.html

July 6, 2016

**
8. Examples Of The Children's Rhyme "Two Lips" Or "Tulips Together" (also known as "The Spades Go")

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/10/examples-of-childrens-rhyme-two-lips.html

October 25, 2020

**
9. The Meanings Of The Arabic & Traditional African Language First & Middle Names Of Hakeem Sekou Jeffries & His Brother Hasan Kwame Jeffries

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-meanings-of-arabic-traditional.html

January 8, 2023

 **
10. What The Children's Rhyme "Don't Make Me Snap My Fingers In A Z Formation" Means & What Is Its Origin?

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/03/what-childrens-rhyme-dont-make-me-snap.html

March 15, 2024

**
11. The REAL History Of The Song "Pick A Bale Of Cotton" (Partial Time Line From the 1930s to 1979)

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-real-history-of-song-pick-bale-of.html

November 18, 2013

**
12. Some Folk Processed Versions Of The Children's Rhyme "Miss Sue From Alabama"

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/folk-processing-childrens-rhyme-miss.html

November 8, 2013

**
13. The REAL Origin Of The Word "Ungawa" & Various Ways That Word Has Been Used In The USA

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-real-origins-of-word-ungawa-various.html

August 13, 2015

**
14. Che Che Kule - Origin, Lyrics, & Videos

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/che-che-kule-origin-lyrics-videos.html

March 12, 2012

**
15. Part II of Some "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" Rhymes" With Geographic Locations (K - Z)

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/part-ii-of-some-down-by-banks-of-hanky.html

March 22, 2021

**
16. Children's Parodies Of "I Believe I Can Fly" (text & video examples)

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/10/childrens-parodies-of-i-believe-i-can_2.html

October 2, 2013

**
17.The Racist Roots Of The "Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed" Chant

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-racist-roots-of-five-little-monkeys.html

July 22, 2014

**
18. African American & Jamaican Examples Of The Gospel Song "Won't It Be Grand" (with lyrics)

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/african-american-jamaican-examples-of.html

March 8, 2015

**
19. Debunking The Urban Myth About "Hooka Tooka Soda Cracka

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/debunking-urban-myth-about-hooka-tooka.html

May 4, 2013

**
20. "Pa Gen Moun Pou Ou Bondye" - Help Translate This Haitian Creole Gospel Song To English!

Update: November 21, 2017- a blog visitor's English translation is added

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/04/pa-gen-moun-pou-ou-bondye-help.html

April 9, 2017

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Does Lamine Yamal "Look" Like A Spaniard?" & What Does That Question Even Mean? (YouTube video & comments)

Lamine Yamal is NOT A Typical Spaniard

@DNAUncovered, July 20, 2026

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video short about Lamine Yamal's DNA test results.

This post also presents selected comments from that video's discussion thread that explore what makes a person a Spaniard and what a Spaniard looks like.  The narrator of that video postulates that Lamine Yamal's DNA results mean that he is different than the typical Spaniard.  Some commenters wrote that anyone growing up in Spain is a Spaniard and to say that Lamine Yamal doesn't "look like a Spaniard" is just as foolish as the statement that a person doesn't "look like American". Other commenters disagreed with this position.

It should be noted that commenters who indicated that they had the same or similar DNA as Lamine Yamal (i.e. Moroccan. West African, and Northern African DNA) didn't agree with each other about whether a person with this DNA was a Spaniard if they were born or raised in Spain. 

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and educational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Lamine Yamal for his accomplishments and his positive role modeling. Thanks also to all those who produces and published this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-meanings-of-names-lamine-yamal-with.html for the pancocojams post entitled "The Meanings Of The Names "Lamine" & "Yamal" (with two YouTube videos & information about Spanish Footballer Lamine Yamal)."

****
INFORMATION ABOUT LAMINE YAMAL
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamine_Yamal
"Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana[α] (born 13 July 2007) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for the La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Regarded as one of the best players in the world, he is known for his dribbling and playmaking ability.[β]

[…]

Yamal has represented Spain internationally at various youth levels, and made his debut for the senior team in 2023, becoming the youngest player to represent and score for the country at age 16. He helped Spain win their fourth UEFA European Championship in 2024, becoming the youngest player to score in the tournament (age 16),[11] and was awarded the tournament's Young Player Award. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Yamal scored Spain's opening goal of the tournament and played a key role as they won their second World Cup title.

Early life

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana was born on 13 July 2007, in Esplugues de Llobregat in the Barcelona metropolitan area in Catalonia.[12][13] Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, is from a village between Larache and Ksar el-Kebir, Morocco[14] and his mother, Sheila Ebana, is from Bata, Equatorial Guinea.[15] He has a compound given name to honour two family friends, Lamine and Yamal, who helped his parents financially shortly before Yamal was born.[16] As a baby he was featured in a 2007 UNICEF charity photo shoot with his future club Barcelona, during which he was bathed by a 20-year-old Lionel Messi. The photos went viral online nineteen years later as the players were set to face each other as their nations' star players in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.[17][18][19]

An important figure in Yamal's upbringing was his paternal grandmother, Fatima, who migrated from Tangier, Morocco, to Spain in 1990.[20] Facing immense financial hardship, she worked to anchor the family in Rocafonda, a neighbourhood in the city of Mataró in Catalonia. When Yamal's parents separated during his early childhood, Fatima took on a pivotal role in raising him, managing his daily routine and ensuring he could attend training sessions.[21] Yamal started playing football at local club La Torreta in Granollers at the age of four.[22][23] His goal celebrations include a hand gesture indicating the number 304, the last three digits of the Rocafonda postcode 08304. Following his success, his popularisation of the number has been credited with bringing pride and recognition to the working class community of Rocafonda.[24][25]

At six years old, Yamal was scouted by Barcelona and was invited to training sessions at La Masia. He signed for the club in 2014 and moved to Barcelona to live and train at the academy.[26][27]”…

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

These comments are given in no particular order.

All these comments are from July 20, 2026 and July 21, 2026.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/lAdYjI7ibwU?si=LC9XCvGSFDncEyW5

1. @mikespearwood3914
"How did you get his DNA??"

**
Reply
2. @DogofRaw
"That's a scary thought"

**
Reply
3. @kooshaghazisaeed-wn9vo
"you can estimate with enough knowledge you don't need a test"

**
4. @marialawson75
"So tired of people automatically assuming people are suppose to look a certain way.  What makes a person look American."

**
5. @StellaStar-i5b
"And your point is?...he grew up in Spain...educated lived!...he's a Spanish!..🎉"

**
Reply
6. @M0EMimouni
"🎯👌👌🇪🇸. I'm of Moroccan Origin Living In Canada 🇨🇦 for 55 Years. I Consider MYSELF Pure Canadian ✨️.  If Ur Born In A Contry & Getting AN Educated n Earns Ur Living In That Contry, HWO Cares About The Origin 0f You're Great Grandparents. WELCOME to 2026 & WORLD 🏆 🎉🎉

Congrats T0 Everyone In SPAIN 🇪🇸 ❤️."

**
reply
7. @maramra393
"@M0EMimouni that's nuts. I'm Moroccan born and raised in Spain, I'm still Moroccan and will never be a Spaniard nor accepted by them. If you're a Moroccan Muslim, you have no business claiming a western country as your own. We're Amazigh people no matter where we're born our blood won't stop being Amazigh"
-snip-
Here's some information about the meaning of the word "Amazigh":
From https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/berbers
"The Berbers, also known as Amazigh or Imazighen, are the Indigenous peoples of North Africa with a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. They inhabit a vast region stretching from Egypt to Morocco, Algeria, and parts of West Africa. The term "Berber" originates from Arabic and historically referred to foreign-language speakers, while the Berbers themselves identify as Imazighen, meaning "free people." Over centuries, they have maintained their distinct culture despite numerous invasions, including those by the Romans and Arabs."...

**
8. @r.s.m.burke1
"Looking at him, I don’t think anybody would mistake him for being fully Spaniard."

**
Reply
9. @juandiegovalverde1982
"He's fully Spaniard."

**
Reply
10. @FYCH45
" "Spaniard" is not a "race", it's a nationality. He is "fully Spaniard". "

**
11. @keithwilliams744
"Everyone originated in Africa he’s Spanish now based on the current borders and rules of nationality. Spain is just an example of a nation that has refused to limit its path to greatness. Viva España."

**
12. @jeffersonwright6249
"A BIG HOT SHOUTOUT TO THE DIMWITTED NARRATOR AND EDITOR OF THIS CLIP: SPAIN ATTRACTS AS MANY IF NOT MORE FOREIGNERS TO ITS SHORES AND ECONOMY AS THE REST OF THE INDUSTRIALISED 1ST WORLD!"

**
13. @savioblanc
"Lol...typical? He ain't a Spaniard, proper.

He's a citizen of Spain and of Moroccan and Black African heritage."

**
14. @GeckAqua
"He don't even look Spanish lol."

**
Reply
15. @SharonY.2023-bf8mq
"What does Spanish look like  ?"

**
Reply
16. @Brother_Dre1900
"He can be Spanish. There are Black Latinos."

**
Reply
17. @Lubna-v3d
"@Brother_Dre1900 He is supposed to be from Spain. He is not "Latino." Latinos are mixed because they don't really have the land. They mixed with people who came from Spain, with the indigenous women (Europeans killed most of the men), with Africans, some Asians, etc..."

**
Reply
18. @Tiago-d8o7n
" @Lubna-v3d  “latinos are mixed” what?!? Portugal and Spain the OG latinos. America Latina/ Latin America comes from being colonized by Latinos ake the Portuguese and Spanish..."

**
Reply
19. @Brother_Dre1900
"@Lubna-v3d

I know this. That doesn't compromise what I've said about Black Latinos. Furthermore, he looks indistinguishable from Black Latinos; therefore, I can understand if he's confused for one.

Thirdly, the player in question is not a Spaniard, but because he is a citizen of Spain, he is Spanish."

**
Reply
20. @juandiegovalverde1982
"@Brother_Dre1900  from the Oxford Dictionary: Spaniard: a person from Spain."

**
21. @angelletsgetit
"Have U ever been 2any Spanish(Latin) countries🤔 He actually does look Spanish & Black 😂😂"

 **
22. @panamafelix8681
"Who cares.  He was born in Spain, raised in Spain, he plays for Spain.  He is Spanish."

**
23. @judithgrace9850
"❤️❤️"

**
Reply
24, @reppo2010
"Yeesss"

**
25. @jonatanestevezlopez966
"guinea ecuatorial was part of spain, and they speak spanish there even today"

**
26. @dianahahnacuna1227
"No será típico en la genética pero si en la forma de entender el fútbol, con deportividad, sacrificio y valores. Orgullosa de un joven excelente que pueda ser ejemplo para muchos otros jóvenes…❤️"
-snip-
Google translate from Spanish to English:
"It might not be typical in his genes, but it is in his understanding of football, with sportsmanship, sacrifice, and values. I'm so proud of such an excellent young man who can be an example for many other young people…❤️"

**
26. @eduzulu494
"What matters is that he is African, An Amazing Human Being and We are proud of him.🇨🇻🤲🏿💪🏿✊🏿"

**
27. @fejitedesloges9314
"Don't forget 800 years morse"
-snip-
"Morse" here probably means "Moors".

**
28. @ChidozieArinze-o4q6i
"Lol playing for country doesn't mean you must genetically come from there like the whole world has gone through series of migration and mixing especially the south America( Latin America) and The Americas itself self. More the half of their population always trace to Europe and west Africa with some minority local admixture of the indigenous people of that continent. Messi would most definitely trace his ancestry back to Europe specifically Spain or Italy. Donald trump himself Has Scottish and German parental lineages.

DNA uncovered

Mbappe: Cameroonian Father, Algeria mother born in France (Central/West African DNA with North African DNA

Michael Olise : Nigerian father, Algerian Mother, born in England but plays for France (West African DNA probably the Igbo tribe of Nigeria with North Africa DNA)

Jude Bellingham: English Father from England and Kenyan mother ( European DNA "don't know the specific category" and East African DNA)"

**
29. @equilibriumrebelado4893
"Is Mbappe a typical French? I need to know 😂"

**
Reply
30. @sydo171
"Depends on where you are in France. Have a look to French History, Guadeloupe,  Martinique etc. - They are French. Tiring this chromia  obsession"

**
31. @M0EMimouni
"The Entire Team Deserves Praise.

Football Is A Team Sport & Most Importantly Spain 🇪🇸 Won 🏆 & Everything Else is Just HOT AIR."

**
32. @teetanaji4114
"He is moroccan"

**
Reply
33. @Rrzu-u4h
"And what is his citizenship? Morrocan or Guinean?"

**
34. @antiquityqueen9702
"Properganda WAR, 😅Sorry One DROP, 😮YOU  LOOSE ha, ha,😅ha, ha,😂  He's 😅BLACKs!"

**
35. @Perspectivity-gy6yp
"WHO GIVES A TOSS. This is pathetic."

**
Reply
36. @Emmanuel-ws3qo
"People educated about genetics"

**
Reply
37. @kooshaghazisaeed-wn9vo
"if your not interested leave"

**
38. @reppo2010
"Why are you so obsessed with race? Why define people by it when it doesn't matter what human beings are the way they are?"

**
39. @AnthonyJefferies-qd5cb
"He did not mention that Arabs ruled part of Spain for 500 years"

**
Reply
40. @rashrick3109
"so what !!"

**
41. @MotoKang
"whats the point of this stupid video? Now do the same video about a super star in the NBA or Nfl in the United States...hear what that sounds like."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

"Walk Together Children" Spiritual Sung By Choir Wearing Kente Cloth Stoles (video, lyrics, information) 2026 reprint

Walk Together Children

MetroSingers, Uploaded on Jun 15, 2009

MetroSingers, Hyattsville, MD
http://www.metrosingers.com

Song recorded and produced by Hope Channel
-snip-
Here's a comment exchange from this video's discussion thread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv5NaxKOVlI

"Awsome performance. Who's arrangement is this."
-jimmyj09, 2010

**
Reply
"Dr. Raymond Wise - an AMAZING gospel performer/arranger/composer. i had the blessing of singing in his gospel choir at Ohio State University while he was there. so great!"
-allisonpepple, 2010

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams  post showcases a performance of the African American Spiritual "Walk Together Children" (also known as "There's A Great Camp Meeting In The Promised Land"). Information about an early arranger of that Spiritual and the lyrics to a contemporary arrangement of that song are also included in this post.

This post also includes information about the custom of African American choirs & other African American people wearing Ghanaian kente cloth stoles, as shown in the featured video.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composer/s of "Walk Together Children". Thanks also to the arrangers of that song, particularly to Moses John Rosamond Johnson. Thanks to the choir that is featured in this video & to the arranger of that rendition of that Spiritual. Thanks also to those who are quoted in this post & to the publisher of that featured video.
-snip-
This is a reprint of a 2013 pancocojams post with the same title. That post has four comments and is still available on this blog. https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/10/walk-together-children-lyrics-examples.html

****
ARRANGEMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUALS (FORMERLY KNOWN AS "NEGRO SPIRITUALS"
From http://www.negrospirituals.com/composers.htm
"Composers:

The authors of the first Negro spirituals are not known: these were spontaneous, unwritten songs.

After the Civil War, African American musicians arranged Negro spirituals, then composed the first Gospel songs. Here are short biographies of some composers...

John Rosamond JOHNSON (1873-1954)

His father was born free in Virginia. His mother taught school and had knowledge on the European tradition in music.

He obtained his musical education in the New England Conservatory, then in London, England. With his brother James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938), a poet writer, he collected and arranged old Negro spirituals.

Together with his brother and Bob Cole, he sang secular songs.

His best known choral work is "Walk Together, Children" (1915) but he also composed the anthem « Lift Every Voice and Sing ».
He served as the director of the Music School Settlement for Colored, New York."

**
Click http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/there_s_a_great_camp_meeting.htm for an arrangement of "There's A Great Camp Meeting In The Promised Land" that was included in the 1940 book American Negro Songs edited by John W. Work

**
A commonly found arrangement of "Walk Together Children", particularly for children & youth, is to substitute the verb in each verse of that song. In so doing, "Walk Together Children" serves as a great example of a "zipper song":

Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.

Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
There's a great camp meeting in the Promised Land.

Talk together children etc.

Sing together children etc.

Shout together children etc.

Pray together children etc.

Work together children etc.

[Add other action words & end with "Walk together" verse.]

****
LYRICS WALK TOGETHER CHILDREN
(as arranged by Dr. Raymond Wise)

Chorus:
O, Walk together children
Don’t you get weary
Walk together children
Don’t you get weary
Walk together children
Don’t you get weary
There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land

Talk together children
Don’t you get weary
Talk together children
Don’t you get weary
Talk together children
Don’t you get weary
There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land

Soloist: One of these days and it won’t be long
Group: Walk together children don’t you get weary
Soloist: You gonna look for me and I’ll be gone
Group: There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land
Soloist: When I get to heav’n gonna sing and shout
Group: Walk together children don’t you get weary
Soloist: There’ll be nobody there to put me out
Group: There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land

Chorus
[So] Walk together children etc.

Part of Group: We gonna walk
Remainder of Group: Yes we gonna walk
We gonna talk
Yes we gonna talk
We gonna shout
Yes we gonna talk
We gonna sing
Yes we gonna sing

We gonna walk
We gonna walk
We gonna talk
We gonna talk
We gonna shout
We gonna shout
We gonna sing
We gonna sing
We gonna walk
Walk
We gonna talk
Talk
We gonna shout
Shout
Sing
Sing all the glory to Jesus
We gonna walk
Yes we gonna walk
We gonna talk
Yes we gonna talk
We gonna shout
Yes we gonna talk
We gonna sing
Yes we gonna sing
We gonna walk
We gonna walk
We gonna talk
We gonna talk
We gonna shout
We gonna shout
We gonna sing
We gonna sing
We gonna walk
walk
Talk
talk
Shout
Shout
Sing
Sing
Sing hallelujah to Jesus
Because there’s a great camp meeting
A great camp meeting
A great camp meeting
In the Promised Land.
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell from the video. Additions & corrections are welcome.

Term Explanations:
Camp meeting - an outdoor worship gathering of Christians

Promised Land - Heaven

****
ADDENDUM - AFRICAN AMERICANS WEARING KENTE CLOTH STOLES
Beginning around 1960s and increasingly since the 1980s, African Americans ministers and choirs have worn kente cloth stoles as a fashion accessory to their church robes. Kente cloth stoles symbolize these ministers' & choir members' identification with their African heritage.

By far the most commonly found example of kente cloth that is worn in the USA is the red & orange colored kente cloth stole with the pattern shown in the "Walk Together Children" video that is featured in this post. This color combination & pattern of kente cloth is so widespread among African Americans who wear kente cloth that many African Americans think that this is the only traditional color combinations and patterns of that cloth. However, one popular custom among African Americans who are members of a historically Black fraternity or sorority is to wear a kente cloth stole over their robes during their graduation ceremony commencement. Those Greek letter stoles are made in the two colors that are association with those fraternities or sororities and include the initials of the graduates' fraternity’s or sorority’s Greek letter name.

This custom of Black graduates accessorizing their graduation robes with a kente cloth stole expresses those graduates' identification with and pride in their African heritage and their Black Greek lettered organization, as well as their pride in their accomplishment of graduating from that university or college.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth and http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/kente/top.htm for information about kente cloth.

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/wearing-kente-cloth-stoles-during.html for the 2014 pancocojams post entitled "Wearing Kente Cloth Stoles During American Graduation Ceremonies".

Kente Graduation Stole Meanings and Symbolism

Sankofa Edition, Oct. 21, 2021

Find out what the symbols of kente cloth mean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_mIEhFUcAY
-snnip-

This video shows the red. yellow, and green color combination that is used in the version of kente cloth stoles that is frequently worn by African Americans over their black robes during their university graduation ceremonies. I refer to kente cloth with this color combination as "pan African kente cloth, because it is the same color combination with the color black as pan-African flags.

This particular version of kente cloth became the customary color combination for African American university graduation stoles since around 2015. From around 2000 to 2014, the most common color combinations for kente cloth stoles in the United States-including graduation stoles-was an orange-red combination. That color stole is worn by choir members in the 2009 YouTube video that is shown at the top of this post.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

****
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Meanings Of The Names "Lamine" & "Yamal" (with two YouTube videos & information about Spanish Footballer Lamine Yamal)

Lamine Yamal: The 60 Minutes Interview

60 Minutes, Nov 30, 2025  #barcelona #sports #soccer

At age 18, Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal is regarded as one of the world’s best soccer players, just a few years after bursting onto the pro scene. He reflects on his roots and his rise to the top

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of Lamine Yamal and presents information about that Spanish football player with particular focus on the meanings of the names "Lamine" and "Yamal".

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and onomastics* purposes.

*from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onomastics
"Onomastics the study of proper names, including their etymology, history, and use.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/07/does-lamine-yamal-look-like-spaniard.html for another pancocojams post about Lamine Yamal entitled "Does Lamine Yamal "Look" Like A Spaniard?" & What That Question Even Means (YouTube video & comments)."

****
THE MEANINGS OF THE NAME "LAMINE" ("LAMIN")

From https://www.wisdomlib.org/names/lamin 
"Meaning of the name Lamin

Background, origin and meaning of Lamin:

The name Lamin is a prominent masculine given name of Mandinka and West African origin, frequently used among Muslim populations in countries such as The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, and Mali. It serves as a regional variation of the Arabic name Al-Amin, which translates literally to "the trustworthy," "the faithful," or "the honest," derived from the Arabic root a-m-n, signifying safety, reliability, and security. Historically, this name is deeply revered in Islamic tradition as it was one of the primary epithets (al-Amīn) bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad, reflecting his reputation for integrity and moral uprightness before he began his prophetic mission. Due to its cultural significance and phonetic adaptation into local West African languages, it has become a staple name signifying virtue and dependability, often given to boys with the expectation that they will embody these honorable traits throughout their lives. Derivable or associated names include Amin, Al-Amin, Amadou, and Lamine.

[...]

Lamin is most popular in the following countries: Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Tunisia, Libya"

****
THE MEANINGS OF THE NAME "YAMAL"
From https://www.ancestry.com/first-name-meaning/yamal
"The name "Yamal" has its origins in various cultural contexts, primarily associated with Middle Eastern and South Asian traditions. In Arabic, the name is derived from the root "y-m-l," which conveys meanings related to beauty and excellence. It is often interpreted as "beautiful" or "handsome," reflecting positive attributes. In some interpretations, particularly within Islamic culture, names that denote beauty or virtue are considered auspicious and desirable."...

****
EXCERPT OF JULY 14, 2026 NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT LAMINE YAMAL
From https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7442585/2026/07/14/lamine-yamal-spain-world-cup-name-france/ "The story behind Lamine Yamal’s full name – and who he is named after"
By Dermot Corrigan, July 14, 2026
"Millions around the globe will watch Lamine Yamal and Spain play France in the World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.

Among that number might be two figures who played an important part in the Barcelona superstar’s story — even if their exact role remains something of a mystery to the public.

Like most Spanish people, Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, has two surnames — one inherited from his father, another from his mother. These are Nasraoui and Ebana.

However, like many Spanish footballers — including his former Barca coach Xavi and Barca team-mate Pedri — Spain’s No 19 goes by his first name professionally.

In this case, that first name has two parts, similar to Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique, another ex-Barca figure.

For both Spain and Barcelona, the name on the back of Yamal’s shirt reads: Lamine Yamal. On his passport and national ID card, his full name reads: Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana.

Lamine is a popular name in Arabic, which can be translated as honest or trustworthy — it derives from Al Amin, which is also an honorary title once given to the prophet Muhammad.

Yamal is a variant of the widely used Arabic name Jamal — which can be translated as beauty, grace or charm. Most who have seen him play football would likely agree that they are fitting names.

Both names would also not be uncommon for children born in July 2007 to immigrants to Catalonia. Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraoui was born in Morocco, while his mother Sheila Ebana was born in Equatorial Guinea.

However, the twist in this story, widely reported in Spanish media, is that both names were chosen by this particular baby’s parents out of gratitude to two friends.

Ebana was 16 when their child was born, and she and Nasraoui would not have been the first (or the last) new parents to need financial assistance from those around them to deal with changed circumstances and extra responsibilities.

In this story, among those to really step up when they were required were two male family friends. One called Lamine, the other Yamal.

Out of appreciation for such support, the new parents decided to name their baby Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana.

A lot has happened to that little boy since, and it wasn’t just being photographed with Lionel Messi at five months old.

Aged 12, he left his home farther up the Catalan coast to join Barcelona’s La Masia academy. He has won La Liga titles with Barca and the 2024 European Championship with Spain. His Barca contract, agreed in 2025, is worth up to €40million (£33.5m; $45.3m) a year before tax, while he also has endorsement deals with global brands such as Adidas, American Eagle, Visa, Coca-Cola and Beats by Dre.

Along the way, Yamal has often spoken about how difficult his early years were, especially for his parents, and other family and friends in the majority-immigrant Rocafonda neighbourhood of Catalan city Mataro, which has one of the highest poverty rates in Spain.

“Look, my mum had me when she was 16,” Yamal said in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena SER earlier in July. “My dad also had to go out and look for a life, sometimes picking up stuff in the streets to try to come back home with food for us. To me, this is real pressure, not what I have.”

His trademark ‘304’ goal celebration proudly recalls the final three digits of Rocafonda’s postcode, while in many media interviews he has recalled the sacrifices made by his parents to help him pursue his football.”…

****
BONUS VIDEO-The Viral Messi & Baby Lamine Yamal Photo Explained A Football Story Like No Other

The Financial Express, Jul 16, 2026  #messi #lamineyamal #worldcup2026

Before Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal met on football's biggest stage, they had already crossed paths nearly two decades earlier. In 2007, a UNICEF charity raffle paired a young Messi with six-month-old Lamine Yamal for a photoshoot at Camp Nou.

Nobody could have imagined that the baby in Messi's arms would one day become Spain's brightest football star and face the Argentine legend in a FIFA World Cup Final.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tpItqCFfHo

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.