I wanted to also share with my friends and family that today in Cultural Anthropology I was very excited to learn a bit about a West African country, Mali. We had to quickly learn a greeting in Bambara and perform it on each other; of course, luck would have it that I had to attempt to continually hold hands, and greet the best-looking guy in the entire class (face palm.) I learned how the Malians hold greetings very important. When greeted by a Malian, sometimes it may take fifteen minutes, or so-- unlike Western Culture that is often rushed. Whilst greeting, instead of focusing solely on the individual they focus on the individual and their family as a whole unit. After greeting they offer a Benediction, a blessing. Heres how it went: I ni ce (Hello) -Male response: N ba (said with vigor and masculinity, Hi) - Female response: N sa (Hi) Ika Kenne wa? (Are you in good health?) -Response: N Ka Kenne (I am in good health.) I togo? (What is your name?) -My response: (My name is) N togo, Valerie I bora min? (Where are you from?) -My response: Milwaukee, WI Benediction: Aw bisimila; Alah ka tile nogoya (Welcome, and may God be with you.)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:17:20 +0000