Comments on: Public and Private Spaces http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/ All that flavorful brownness in one savory packet Sat, 30 Nov 2013 11:11:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: hairy_d http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110309 hairy_d Sat, 06 Jan 2007 06:08:35 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110309 <p>ok. it's midnight on friday and i'm typing away. not good. here's the reason. i made the mistake of sitting down with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-New-Land-M-G-Vassanji/dp/0771087225/sr=8-7/qid=1168059539/ref=sr_1_7/002-2737371-7748821?ie=UTF8&s=books">mg vassanji's "no new land"</a> and it was quite unputdownable. The first few chapters trace the history of a nurdin lalani in tanzania from the time the germans brought indians to run and manage business houses at the turn of the 20th century. there is a reference to indians 'buying' african women and having children with them. - this was new to me- and a reference to the rising discomfort with the afrocentric policies that left the indians behind. i finally put the book down with a chuckle at the line that starts chapter 4 where the lalanis begin a life in canada.</p> <blockquote>What would immigrants in in Toronto do without Honest Ed's...</blockquote> <p>I am of course loving the Toronto references - but this is definitely shaping out well - and I thought of recommending it to y'all as a window into afro-indian history. small book and easy reading...</p> <p>but.. it IS midnight on Friday. Night's still young and queen st beckons.</p> ok. it’s midnight on friday and i’m typing away. not good. here’s the reason. i made the mistake of sitting down with mg vassanji’s “no new land” and it was quite unputdownable. The first few chapters trace the history of a nurdin lalani in tanzania from the time the germans brought indians to run and manage business houses at the turn of the 20th century. there is a reference to indians ‘buying’ african women and having children with them. – this was new to me- and a reference to the rising discomfort with the afrocentric policies that left the indians behind. i finally put the book down with a chuckle at the line that starts chapter 4 where the lalanis begin a life in canada.

What would immigrants in in Toronto do without Honest Ed’s…

I am of course loving the Toronto references – but this is definitely shaping out well – and I thought of recommending it to y’all as a window into afro-indian history. small book and easy reading…

but.. it IS midnight on Friday. Night’s still young and queen st beckons.

]]> By: Karim http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110232 Karim Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:32:43 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110232 <p>Preston Part of my family that moved from India at the start of the century still lives in Nairobi and my mother is currently visiting for a few weeks. I could put you in touch with them if you like. Regards Karim</p> Preston Part of my family that moved from India at the start of the century still lives in Nairobi and my mother is currently visiting for a few weeks. I could put you in touch with them if you like. Regards Karim

]]> By: Tushar http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110223 Tushar Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:16:28 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110223 <p>Very interesting observation Preston. Indian cultural expressions tend to be played out in the public sphere and have the quality of including everyone regardless of whether they want to participate or not. Just go to a noisy north Indian wedding baarat or diwali or holi celebrations. Abuout Nairobi, I don't know what the relations between the Indians and the Africans are, maybe that has something to do with it and the fact that they are so miniscule.</p> Very interesting observation Preston. Indian cultural expressions tend to be played out in the public sphere and have the quality of including everyone regardless of whether they want to participate or not. Just go to a noisy north Indian wedding baarat or diwali or holi celebrations. Abuout Nairobi, I don’t know what the relations between the Indians and the Africans are, maybe that has something to do with it and the fact that they are so miniscule.

]]> By: UberMetroMallu http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110193 UberMetroMallu Fri, 05 Jan 2007 07:25:54 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110193 <p>Been to <i>Carnivore</i> yet?</p> Been to Carnivore yet?

]]> By: Amitabh http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110160 Amitabh Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:19:26 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110160 <p>I have to say...I had a vague idea about a multi-generational Gujju/Punjabi/Muslim presence in eastern Africa (as well as a lively party scene among the younger gen), but this series of threads has been a real eye-opener. I didn't realise the size and extent of this community or the cultural dynamism at work...as well as the obvious pride and love for Africa AND the desi heritage. Excellent stuff.</p> I have to say…I had a vague idea about a multi-generational Gujju/Punjabi/Muslim presence in eastern Africa (as well as a lively party scene among the younger gen), but this series of threads has been a real eye-opener. I didn’t realise the size and extent of this community or the cultural dynamism at work…as well as the obvious pride and love for Africa AND the desi heritage. Excellent stuff.

]]> By: cirdan http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110107 cirdan Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:15:17 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110107 <p>hairy_d, it's a small world: I was once a pupil of Mrs. Mbogo's too.</p> <p>Re South Asians in the public eye: Prof. Ghai was in the news non-stop for a year or two, as someone has pointed out. The BBC once <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1387043.stm">called</a>him as Kenya's 'most important man'. Also, during the 90's, <a href="http://www.icj-kenya.org/pheroze_nowrejee_profile.asp">Pheroze Nowrojee</a> stood out as one of the most visible pro-reformists, both in the media and in the courts. Examples could be multiplied. There's definitely a strong, <i>positive </i>South Asian public presence in Kenya.</p> hairy_d, it’s a small world: I was once a pupil of Mrs. Mbogo’s too.

Re South Asians in the public eye: Prof. Ghai was in the news non-stop for a year or two, as someone has pointed out. The BBC once calledhim as Kenya’s ‘most important man’. Also, during the 90′s, Pheroze Nowrojee stood out as one of the most visible pro-reformists, both in the media and in the courts. Examples could be multiplied. There’s definitely a strong, positive South Asian public presence in Kenya.

]]> By: hairy_d http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110057 hairy_d Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:05:27 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110057 <blockquote>N`gara still boasts grocery shops opened by first generation indians. Try and see if you can get there. Some of them are old time chaps who love to chat. </blockquote> <p>ah-ha-ha... my mind is driving up the hill, turning to the left passing by the desi newsstands on the right going into the vegetable market right now... but then turning around and going down those desi restaurants, what's that i see... the stinky public choo's - vyoos... woohoos.</p> <p>seriously tho' go into the desi religious spots - major mingling there. but yes... be careful walking around in kenya - i was mugged at the end of a switchblade - and i heard of a guy whose testicle was gored by a waterbuffalo and he was trampled over into an assmunch. he died of gangrene to the balls. the critters will get you, one way or the other.</p> N`gara still boasts grocery shops opened by first generation indians. Try and see if you can get there. Some of them are old time chaps who love to chat.

ah-ha-ha… my mind is driving up the hill, turning to the left passing by the desi newsstands on the right going into the vegetable market right now… but then turning around and going down those desi restaurants, what’s that i see… the stinky public choo’s – vyoos… woohoos.

seriously tho’ go into the desi religious spots – major mingling there. but yes… be careful walking around in kenya – i was mugged at the end of a switchblade – and i heard of a guy whose testicle was gored by a waterbuffalo and he was trampled over into an assmunch. he died of gangrene to the balls. the critters will get you, one way or the other.

]]> By: hairy_d http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110045 hairy_d Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:45:18 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110045 <blockquote>Perhaps the issue of "public space" is more of an issue of where you are. Perhaps you should check out bhangra nights at the clubs, also? Desi youth culture is so fascinating in Nairobi. </blockquote> <p>yea i'm sure... i kind of hit puberty late... - but my peers were shagging around and i had no clue what the big deal was. never had <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/329509/im_trimming_my_pubes/">kumar's problem </a> (sort of nsfw). chalk this up among the things you didnt know before today, and probably dont want to remember after today.</p> Perhaps the issue of “public space” is more of an issue of where you are. Perhaps you should check out bhangra nights at the clubs, also? Desi youth culture is so fascinating in Nairobi.

yea i’m sure… i kind of hit puberty late… – but my peers were shagging around and i had no clue what the big deal was. never had kumar’s problem (sort of nsfw). chalk this up among the things you didnt know before today, and probably dont want to remember after today.

]]> By: Msichana http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110042 Msichana Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:40:03 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110042 <blockquote>is globe still around btw? i'm sure the flea market's survived)</blockquote> <p>Globe is still around but it's a church now. The flea market is now the famous 'Maasai Market' that is held ever Tuesday there and on Fridays at The Village Market.</p> is globe still around btw? i’m sure the flea market’s survived)

Globe is still around but it’s a church now. The flea market is now the famous ‘Maasai Market’ that is held ever Tuesday there and on Fridays at The Village Market.

]]> By: Msichana http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2007/01/04/public_and_priv/comment-page-1/#comment-110040 Msichana Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:38:22 +0000 http://sepiamutiny.com?p=4071#comment-110040 <p>Preston,</p> <p>I don't know if you've had a chance to speak to my brother yet but he might suggest Nairobi Gymkhana to you. If you get the chance, go check it out on sunday afternoon with him. You will find a lot there. Village Market in Gigiri is another place where Indians congregate, hand in hand with black and white people. It's quite cool there.</p> <p>And yes, security is an issue but people get around it. Hence the numerous shopping venues that many have mentioned above.</p> <p>N`gara still boasts grocery shops opened by first generation indians. Try and see if you can get there. Some of them are old time chaps who love to chat.</p> Preston,

I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to speak to my brother yet but he might suggest Nairobi Gymkhana to you. If you get the chance, go check it out on sunday afternoon with him. You will find a lot there. Village Market in Gigiri is another place where Indians congregate, hand in hand with black and white people. It’s quite cool there.

And yes, security is an issue but people get around it. Hence the numerous shopping venues that many have mentioned above.

N`gara still boasts grocery shops opened by first generation indians. Try and see if you can get there. Some of them are old time chaps who love to chat.

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