A European Christian Missionary.
The first European nationals with whom e-Mokpwe was familiar with are the Portuguese, the Spaniards, the Germans, the British, and the French. More than 100 years after the advent of Europeans in Bakweri land the behaviour of the first Europeans in Bakweri land has left indelible impressions in the minds of the Bakweri up till today.
e-Mokpwe attaches specific meaning to the name of each European nation. Address some one as “Mokala Potoki, Mokala Panya, Mokala Jamini, Mokala Englisi, or Mokala Flenji”, a listening Bakweri audience will understand clearly the point you are driving to.
Early Christian European Missionaries in Bakweri land have also left permanent impressions. “Mokala Misoli” is a reference to a peaceful, non controversial person, someone who is not interested to be embroiled in disputes and intrigues and who shows no wish to take revenge.
A phrase with a meaning similar to the expression “Mokala Misoli” is “mbo esa fanga fao” = banana does not cause damage to a cutlass.
Lexicon:
Mokala = a Whiteman; a European.
e-Mokala = the White man.
Potoki = Portugal
Panya = Spain .
Jamani = Germany .
Engilisi = England ; Great Britain .
Flenji = France .
Misoli = a distortion of the word “mission/missionary”.
Misoli = missionary.
Mokala Misoli = a European Christian Missionary.
Oma Nanu
Imba Thomas Mbua Ndoko
Dallas Tx, USA
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