Aim of the Book

May this book inspire a generation of young Africans to be keen

observers. One of the most powerful African symbols is the Oudjat or
Eye of Heru because knowledge comes from observation first. Early we
need to encourage them to observe nature and perceive the underlying
intelligence behind all things and phenomena. Bantu is the plural form of
the word “Muntu”. Mu for “inside” and Ntu for “head”. A muntu, a human
being is someone who has something in his head, someone intelligent.

The Question

Has anyone ever wondered what makes us different from the animals in
the savanna and forest?

Muntu, the intelligent one

Page 1

In the African village of Bayangam, live twins, a girl named Anansi and a
boy named Simo. Every night, after a day of work on the farms, they will
go visit their grandmother, happy to listen to her stories.

- Grandma, can you please tell us a story?

- Yes, children come and sit close to me by the fire. Today, I will tell
you the story of Muntu and her children.
- Are we the children of muntu? The children asked
- Yes, we are, so are your parents and all who came before you”
replied their grandmother.
Page 2

Once upon a time, far far away there was a beautiful place, with a big
nice lake. Our ancestors, the children of muntu, lived near this lake, they
called it Nyanza. It provided our people with everything they needed, lots
of fish to eat, lots of reeds to build their houses, and lots of water to
bathe and play in during the long and hot dry season.

Page 3

Our ancestors rested on trees and whenever they felt hungry, they would
look for some fruits, some roots, and some vegetables from the nearby
forests.

Their only worry was not to be eaten by lions, cheetahs, or any other big
hungry predators.

Page 4
Our ancestors lived close to animals in nature, they observed and
studied them. They wanted to know everything about the animals and
plants in the forest. When there was work to be done they gathered
food, built shelters, and attended to their flock.

When they completed their work they would spend their spare time
daydreaming, gazing at the sky, taking a walk in the beautiful forest, and
admiring mother nature.

Page 5

Our ancestors depended on mother nature. During the dry season, they
could find water from secret hidden places by spying on the sneaky
monkeys. They knew which medicinal plants to use whenever they were
sick by looking at what other animals ate when they were ill.
Page 6

As our ancestors kept learning from the animals in the forest, they
realized that the animals were much better than them at many things.

What kind of things you may ask?

They ran and ran but they could not run faster than the cheetah,

They ate and ate but they could not grow bigger than the elephant.

They swam and swam but they could not swim faster than the tilapia.

Page 7

They sang and sang but they could not sing as beautifuly as the birds in
the sky

They were brave and strong but not as powerful as the king of the
jungle, the mighty lion.

They climbed and climbed but they could not climb as high as the
monkey.

Page 8

For a while, our ancestors felt sad,

“Everyone in the forest kingdom is good at something.

We can't run faster than the cheetah.

We can't climb higher than the monkey.

We are not big and strong like the elephant.

We can't sing more beautifully than the birds.

We can't swim faster than the tilapia.

We are not as brave as the lion” they sadly said.

“What are we good at?” They wondered.

Page 9

They felt sad and became lazy, sitting all day doing nothing. So they
thought they could be the best in laziness; They climbed trees full of ripe
fruits and stayed there for weeks. That’s when they saw the sloth, an
animal so lazy they could not compete.

Page 10

“Why are we here in this beautiful world, everyone seems to be better

than us. What are we good at?” our ancestors pondered for many days.

Page 11

Then one day when our ancestors went to sleep, the moon visited them
in their dreams and told them they were indeed smarter than all the
animals in the kingdom.

“How are we smarter than the other animals ?” they asked the moon

“Well, you are the only one who asked such a question. I also see you
can trick the animals into knowing the places where they find salt” said
the moon.

Page 12

Our ancestors realized that they could never be as good at doing many
things as the animals in the forest.

“We could copy them and build the most beautiful things but we have to
take care of animals and nature. Oh yes, we can be good stewards. Yes,
we shall take care of everyone and everything in the forest.” They said
happily.
From that moment onwards our ancestors decided they were going to
learn from all animals and from all plants to become as intelligent as they
could possibly be.

Page 13

Finally, our ancestors had found something that they were good at. They
became stewards of the forest and all living and nonliving things.

By Moraa Ngare and Bang’o Lu

Ping La’a SangSang Panafrican collective