Suzanne's Note..
Central Africans are proud to say this or that is Central African. Let's look at this in detail. The most visible thing is the loincloth, with the legendary Wax print. More generally, is that African? Not at all, it's Dutch, always copied, never equaled. Cassava, gounja, coconut—Central African? Not at all, they're South American, like bananas, by the way. And to top it all off, polygamy, championed by Toudéra—Central African too? Well, no, it comes from the colonizers, to better control the people. Here are some misconceptions about the origins of Central African products and practices. And by the way, MOCAF is French, from Lille. The Central African contribution is zero, apart from alcohol. The PKs (priority zones) still in effect were colonial measures concerning the center of Bangui. As for the road barriers, they too are a colonial invention, called "rain barriers," intended to block roads flooded by rainwater. What is Central African? Not much. Even coups and election rigging are South American. So, what is Central African? For example, double first names: Faustin Archange Touadéra, Anicet Georges Dologulélé, Simplice Mathieu Sarandji, when it would have been simpler to say Faustn Touadéra or Anicet Dologulélé. Or the invention of first names: Samanta instead of Samantha, or Bienvnu instead of Bienvenue. Also, a certain penchant for pompous titles: Professor So-and-so, or Doctor What's-his-name, plus domestic violence. Central African men may claim that women are equal, but in reality, this isn't true. Housework and childcare fall to women. Furthermore, since Bokassa's coronation over 50 years ago, the country hasn't changed. The arches in Bangui date back to Bokassa's coronation, and Avenue Boganda, which leads to the city center, is a garbage dump. The Lakouanga neighborhood, which once had a sewage system and a large commercial area, has become a dumping ground. And with all this, we're surprised that exiled Central Africans don't want to return!
By Susan CARTER-JONES | LNC
Date: May 25, 2026
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