Because too much of our history lives in memory, not on paper.

Why This Matters

In many parts of Africa, colonisation didn’t just take land. It took names, languages, rituals, and stories. It interrupted oral traditions, erased family lines, and replaced indigenous memory with foreign narratives.

Today, a lot of our history isn’t written down. Our elders carry knowledge that won’t survive unless we ask for it. Ask for it.

This list is for anyone who wants to recover their family or community heritage while there’s still time. You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. Start asking. Start recording.

10 Questions to Ask

1. What clan or lineage do we come from? And what do our clan praises or totems mean?

2. What were our traditional roles or responsibilities within the community? Were we farmers? Healers? Rainmakers? Cattle keepers? This can also be learned from clan names.

3. What language or dialect did we speak at home before school or church changed it? And are there any words or sayings I should learn and preserve?

4. What rituals or ceremonies were practiced when someone was born, married, or buried? They usually have specific names.

5. What did we believe about ancestors, spirits, and the land?

6. Do you remember any songs, stories, or proverbs from your parents or grandparents?

7. Where did our family or people originally come from before this village, town, or city?

8. What changed when the missionaries or colonial government arrived?

9. What do you think we’ve forgotten and should bring back?

10. What do you want the next generation to know that’s not in school books?

How to Keep the Answers Safe

– Use a notebook or create a digital document

– Record voice notes (if they allow it)

– Ask gently, return often, listen deeply

If we don’t ask, we may lose this knowledge forever. This isn’t just about “family history.” It’s about healing, identity, and honouring what colonisation tried to erase.

Start the conversation now. These questions could change how you see yourself and your people.

Lulama Njapa