Report of the Meeting of the African Proverbs Working Group, Nairobi, Kenya, 13 June 2009

Maryknoll Society House, Nairobi, Kenya

Present:

1. Prof. Cephas Agbemenu, Kenyatta University
2. Allan Babunga – Maurice Otunga High School
3. Rev. Joseph Healey, M.M. – Moderator, African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories Website
4. Prof. Sim Kilosho Kabale – Kenyatta University
5. Rev. Thomas Komakech, A.J. — Apostles of Jesus General Council
6. Francis Njuguna — Freelance Journalist
7. John Siyumbu — Kenyatta University
8. Rev. Donald Sybertz, M.M. – Shinyanga, Tanzania
9. Dr. Gerald Wanjohi — Publisher, Wajibu

Absent with apologies

1. Deacon Chijioke Azuawusiefe, S.J. — Hekima College
2. Sister Maria Decarli, D.S.P. – Audio-Visuals, Paulines Publications Africa
3. Evans Nyakundi (Acting Secretary) — Assistant Librarian at Hekima College

The meeting started at 10:30  a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. Lunch was generously provided by the Maryknoll Society House.

1. Each member described his or her research on proverbs and stories from various African languages. Some new books, booklets, plays and lists of proverbs were displayed.
2. Plans for the “African Proverb of the Month” from July to November, 2009 were discussed and finalized.
3. Sim Kilosho Kabale was awarded a grant of $500 to compile a Booklet of 100 Lega Proverbs (Democratic Republic of the Congo —  DRC). 10 copies (photocopied) will be distributed in the normal way. It will include the biblical parallels added by others.
4. We discussed how to improve, and make more use of, the African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories Website (http://www.afriprov.org) including the POLL on “African Proverbs on African Animals.” The October to December, 2009 POLL will include six African Proverbs on “Peacebuilding.”
5. Allan Babunga reported on his work on a Book of African Stories in French to be published in Kinshasa, DRC. The working title is Une Fois dans L’histoire en Afrique.
6. We discussed how to get more young people involved in our African Proverbs Project.
7. We discussed how to widen the membership in our group such as inviting UNESCO and APELA (French-speaking organization).
8. We discussed and supported Rev, John Mbiti’s request for African names for God. Don Sybertz will send him additional Sukuma names.

The next meeting will be at Kenyatta University on a Saturday in October to be decided later.

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