Minutes of 1 September, 2012 African Proverbs Meeting.
The Minutes
The opening prayer was based on peace and reconciliation following the conflict in Mombasa. The prayer was based on Proverb # 52 on page 19 from the Collection of 100 Oromo proverbs by Angelica and Chelo Katabarwa. Jan 2012.
Oromo: Tokbasitetokamoitokonilalin.
English: Do not favor when you are serving people
Swahili: Usiwe naupendeleo unapo amua kesi
Moral lesson: Treat each other equally
Participants Present:
1.Fr Joe Healey (Director/ Moderator) +254-572-522-977; jghealey@aol.com
2.CephasAgbemenu (Chairing); +254-723-307-992; cyagbemenu@yahoo.com
3. Dr. Gerald Joseph Wanjohi; +254-717-012-207; gwanjohi33@gmail.com
4. Str. Grace Njau ( Recording ) +254-722-260-078; anngracenj@gmail.com
5. Simon Rurinjah; +254-722-441-248; ………………………………………………………..
6. George Pirwoth Atido;+254-732-789-712; george.atido@gmail.com
7. Ricardo Benon Benjamin; +254-701-606-346; ricardo.benon@gmail.com
8. Angelica CheloCyamanzi; +254-712-066-589; angelcheylo@yahoo.com
9. Martin Kamande- CORO FM; +254-721-603-791;kamande19@yahoo.ca
Martinkamande@kbc.co.ke
10. Tyty Mukendi-Wa-Mulumba;+254-722-885-013; mukendiwamulumba@yahoo.fr
11. David Ndungu Kamau; +254-722-690-002;…………………………………………
12. Francis Njuguna; +254-720-434-819; osnjuguna@yahoo.com
13. Jeremiah Wamukota Sudi; +254-722-405-690; sudiwamukota@yahoo.com
14. Cyprian Ntambara ( new member) +254-734-513-665; ntambaracyprien@gmail.com
Apology
1. Roger Tessier
2. Naomi Glock
3.SeithWakesa
4. Rita Ishengoma
5. AllanBabunga
Introduction of new members:
1. CyprienNtambara.. DRC
2. Martin Kamande KBC CORO FM
3. David NduguKamau
The moderator and the whole gathering acknowledged the presence of Dr. Gerard Joseph Wanjohi, one of the foremost writer and scholar on Kikuyu Proverbs. Dr, Wanjohi was given a chance to talk briefly about one of his books.
Dr. Wanjohi talked about his book “Under one Roof”, Gikuyu proverb that was sponsored by Maryknoll through Fr Healey.
Members were informed that the book was reviewed by Fr Healey.
He said that he is writing a Kikuyu Grammar not minding whether the book will sell or not. He encouraged others to write regardless of whether the book sells or not.
Writing involves team work to be able to accomplish the proverbs writing goal.
He is still writing and is interested in collecting new proverbs, since he had targeted 2,000 in his 2nd edition. He is in the process of researching for new proverbs which should stand on their own without having same meaning or wording.
He says that proverbs should be very brief, although some have long explanatory
Matters arising.
The moderator reported that 15 members joined the meeting on line live on Facebook page. They asked questions which were responded to immediately.
The moderator reported that the Calendar for 2013, is being designed by the executive committee;Allan,Cephas and Joe Healey.
Angelica Chelo submitted 10 copies of “Collection of 100 Borana Proverbs” .
The board accepted the reports with applause paving way to the next recipient of the research grant, JeremiahWamukota Sudi.
The moderator reminded members about the new guidelines for receiving research grants
Only those who have registered as paid members of African proverbs will receive grants.The membership fee is Ksh1000/=
The member has to provide the African proverb for the month which is posted on line.
The full guidelines will be posted on line later for the benefit of the members.
Future African proverbs update reports
The September 2012 African proverb was presented by Sr Grace Njau on the following team: It is ready with the illustrations for posting on the internet.
Simon Rurinja helped in translation, Dr. Wanjohi researched to find out whether crocodiles live in central province rivers and Mr David Ndugu gave its real meaning and gave an example.
Joe Healey did the research and communications between the team for the proverbs update.
The team was informed that crocodiles are not in Nyeri but in Muranga there are crocodiles because the waters there are warm and crocodiles live in warm waters. (SaganaRiver)
Members were informed that the radio station CORO FM has a program known as
“NYITA ONYITEREIRE” presented by chief Kanyonga …… and Guuka Ambrose Wakaria mobile No. 0720 675 863
The title stresses that Africans have to hold on to their culture.
Members were informed that October 2012 proverb of the month will be ready by Sept 15th 2012. To be provided Angelica Chelo.
Jeremiah Sudi will provide the November 2012 proverb and it should be ready by Oct 15th2012
December 2012 proverb will be provided by Atemu Isiabwe; but since no one knew his where about other proverbs will be replaced by Mboni
They will be given to Cephas for illustration.
Jan 2013, proverb of the month will be provided by Simon Rurinjah, “mucie ne wamothurinamotumia”
Members were informed that Rurinjah proverb is another new one and Dr. Wanjohi agreed to add it to the collections in his book.
New proposals
Ricardo presented his proposal as an introduction of songs and music that express proverbs.
To expose African proverbs to society
To appreciate and present the proverbs among the youth.
Provide entertainment and come up with proverbs festivals
Members felt that the proposal was good, but it was suggested that the writer can source for other funding sources since it was not in line with the proposal requirements of this committee.
The group was informed that 15 people were online following the meeting.
Members were requested to send their membership fees directly to the treasurer through the mobile number+254722 891 866 which has an MPESA.
The 2nd proposal was presented by Cyprian N. Ntambara. He was requested to check on the procedures on how to write the 100 proverbs on Kinyaruanda
He was also asked to present his proposal formally in writing to the board thru the moderator for discussion in the next meeting.
He was requested to prepare his African proverb for the month; he gave his proverb title as “Every hill is a burial site”.
The board was informed by Angelica that she would write on Kinyarwanda, but the group felt the need of a research on Kirundi instead, since there was someone else doing on Kinyarwanda.
Finally it was agreed that Angelica will work on Kirundi and Cyprien will work on Kinyarwanda.
Promoting our African proverbs, Sayings and Stories.
It was reported that the total number of members on Facebook amount to 15,513 fans as of Sept. 1ST 2012.Today’s meeting on line saw 5 fans interact live from Ghana, Nigeria Zambia and Rome.
It was reported by the moderator that 7,000 people visit the Africa Proverbs Website every day.
Creative Opportunity on Internet
Use our websites to promote African proverbs
Small Christian community website can be used to promote African proverbs online.
Next meeting
It was decided that the next meeting will be held at Kenyatta University Catholic Chapel on the 3rdof November at 10 am.
Lunch will be provided.
There will be a book launch of “Small Christian Community” organized by Rev Fr Joe Healey, Maryknoll at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, CUEA at 3 pm on Monday the 3rd of Sept 2012. All are welcome.
AOB
One member expressed that he has composed more than 30 new proverbs that he would like to share with the other members in the next meeting.
The members were encouraged to formulate and compose new proverbs to expand on the existing reservoir of proverbs.
With no further matters the meeting came to an end at 4 pm with a word of prayer from one of the members.