Ra'man's Dunya

A blog on my thoughts on poetry, politics and writing. Thoughts on Nigeria and the world from out my window.

[richardalijos]

This is a view of Mombasa, of the bay as seen from the fish market. The joy of travel lies in the intangible and the ineluctable. For example, this Indian Ocean will never be the same as it was the moment I saw to take this photo two years ago. .. and, some may say, sadly, neither will I.

But this undoing too, in its irreplaceable past tense, is present in my memory and this image. As is, now, life.

- Richard Ali.

[richardalijos]

’A Kanuri man from Beni Sheikh heard that the motto of our hometown is ‘Ko da me ka zo, an fi ka (Kano surpasses all)’.

Wanting to test out this bold claim, our man heads to the city and decides: What better profession than to be a kolanut seller?

Placing his pallet on his head in the hot Kano sun, he makes his way through the various wards and markets, aided by a huge, burning kerosene lantern.

You know those old men who sit in front of compounds and watch the world pass by? Well, one of them spies our fellow and says to his peers, “Here’s a madman.” He yells out:

“Stop! Kolanut seller. Come here.”

Our man draws near and, with the aid of his lantern, carefully sets his pallet to the ground.

Old man: “Have you got good kolanuts?”

Kanuri man: “The very best.”

Old man: “Wait here…”

The old man soon returns with an extra large torchlight (the sort policemen used to carry) and proceeds to examine the kolanuts before making a selection. They haggle for a while, the old man pays, and the Kanuri man is on his way.

Just then, the muezzin calls the Asr prayer. The Kanuri man stop, looks to mosque and says to himself, “Indeed, in Kano, bring what you have, there is someone to surpass you!”

as told by Alisabatu Garba, recorded by Richard Ali (26/10/21)

[nayyirahwaheed-deactivated20180]

i am mine. before i am ever anyone else’s.

in, nayyirah waheed  (via andcombust)

[richardalijos]

Key Performance indicators: National Productivity

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I really like this photo. Taken @Kabafest some weeks ago. God alone knows what I was saying. 😀

[richardalijos]

Rainbow today. Just got home. My oga the MoI MSG Coordinator, Brig. Saleh Bala, held a sallah barbecue. I gave a toast, to health and friendship. I don't always feel optimistic all the time, about my country and continent, even when I go about my dealings and agenda with hope for the best. But today, in the light of the Kenyan Supreme Court's setting aside the last election returns, I feel as sense of African possibility. Of, yes, hope. May this not be a false Spring. Eid mubarak to the sons and daughters of Africa. - Ra.

[richardalijos]

A powerful image, taken during the Spanish civil war. His rifle is quite perfectly useless at this moment. There is no glory in war. But will the kids listen?

[richardalijos]

Are you in #Jos? Join homeboy Abubakar Adam Ibrahim at 2pm at Old Airport for his book reading! All your questions about Hajiya Binta and Fa'iza, bring them along! Ask him about how Jos shaped his stories and more! - Ra. @parresiapublishers @bagusmutendi @konya.shamsrumi

[richardalijos]

"You, perp. Me, nasty!" 😀

[richardalijos]

Got a huge gift today from Hajiya Hafsat Abdulwahid, an autographed copy of her first book "So Aljannar Duniya", published in 1980. She'd won a British Council competition the year before or so. It's one of the earliest Hausa books by a female writer. She's bilingual, writes and speaks in Hausa and English excellently. Her newest book is a collection of poems, Ancient Dance, published last year. Looking forward to reading it. *drops mic* #famz - Ra.

[richardalijos]

Press play...

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Baby of the house, Agefu, turned 17 today. She's studying for her CISCO certification and (now) hoping to be a medical doctor. Happy birthday, Madam. 😀

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Got a book package this week from Chapter One, a new bookstore at Kofar Ruwa #Kano run by my pal Ado Abubakar Bala.

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My friend @Saamira_s has a new book coming out. Well done, Samira Sanusi.

[richardalijos]

HOT! I have a review of Kenyan novelist Peter Kimani’s powerful debut, Dance of the Jakaranda, published in the fourth issue of @joburgreview just out. # You can read it here 👇, be sure to share, share and #share 😀 https://johannesburgreviewofbooks.com/2017/08/07/a-love-story-for-modern-africa-richard-ali-reviews-dance-of-the-jakaranda-by-peter-kimani/ #AfricaLit #AfricanLiterature #Kenya #Nigeria #NationalHistories

[richardalijos]

Girls, no matter what, do not enter your purse head-first. #Science #BlackHoles #ParrallelUniverses 😀

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After Fiston Mujilla's Tram 83, it's off to Istanbul and Delhi to keep company with Mr. Pamuk and Ms. Roy.