Cumanana IX - ENG

DECEMBER 2021

NUMBER 9

Cumanana PERUVIAN CULTURE VIRTUAL BULLETIN FOR AFRICA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

ABDULRAZAK GURNAH

MEMORIES FROM EGYPT

RECIPE

Nobel Prize in Literature

An account from the oldest Embassy of Peru in Africa

Peruvian flavours with and African influence

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ABDULRAZAK GURNAH NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE 2021 ROMINA BIELICH AFRICA SPECIALIST "I thought it was a joke" was the response of recent Literature Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, upon learning of his award. Dubbed one of the greatest living exponents of African literature, he grew up in the Zanzibar archipelago, off the coast of present-day Tanzania, during the 1970s, never believing that he could be a writer.

"It never occurred to me," he said in an interview collected by different media. Wanting to be a writer "was not something you could say when you were little." So he hoped to become "something useful, like an engineer."

But fate, which is rarely what one expects, arrived in 1964.

Gurnah was turning 18 and, being of Arab origin, he was forced to flee to England when the revolution overthrew the exploitative regime that was exercised under the authority of an Arab minority. Facing the loneliness of those who migrate alone, at age 20 he began to write about his home in daily entries that grew longer as the months went by, and which later became stories with protagonists other than himself. . His first novel, Memory of Departure, describes the story of a young man seeking protection from a prosperous uncle residing in Nairobi after fleeing a failed uprising at home. The story was completed while he was writing his Ph.D. dissertation. After spending a couple of years as a teacher at Nigeria's Bayero University (BUK) during the 1980s, he returned to England, where he became a professor of English and post-colonial literature at the University of Kent in Canterbury, teaching the works of writers such as

Soyinka, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Salman Rushdie until the day he retired His work Despite not having resided in Zanzibar since his youth, the nation remains with him as a source of inspiration. Thus, he pointed out in an interview with Alex Marshall and Alexandra Alter of the New York Times, his homeland continues to be rooted in his imagination, even as he tries to place his stories in different settings. "You don't have to be there to write about a place," he said. "It is in the fiber of everything you are" In this sense, a very precious aspect for the author is Swahili, his mother tongue. Even though he chose English as his literary language, his prose is frequently modulated by notes of Swahili, Arabic and German, as a result of the presence of these languages ​throughout his life. An important part of his inspiration comes from cultural aspects from childhood, such as images and stories of the Koran, as well as Arabic and Persian poetry, especially The Thousand and One Nights. This he defended when rejecting the requests of the editors, who sought to italicize or anglicize the references and phrases in Swahili and Arabic he used in his books. According to Gurnah, the British publishing world, and perhaps even the American one, seek to show that, in a way, abroad as clearly different. “They want you to put the words in italics or even to include a glossary. And I think no, no, no, no". Following this position, he explained in an interview with Andrea Aguilar, later published in El País, that, for him, “reading and writing go together” , since both are as essential an ingredient for writers as life experiences. Then, time came to start writing, the question of language "did not cross my mind, I did it with the same language in which I was reading."

Author of a dozen novels, Gurnah's work has often touched on the themes of exile, identity and belonging, aspects clearly intertwined with the life journey that he went through as a

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migrant. Among them Pilgrims Way, Memory of Departure and Dottie, come to mind. These works narrate the experience of immigrants in the UK in different ways; Admiring Silence follows the story of a young man heading from Zanzibar to England, where he finds love and becomes a teacher; Paradise, shortlisted for 1994 Booker Prize, accounts the natural lushness of Central Africa, the tribal hostility and multiculturalism of the Great Lakes region in the years leading up to World War I; all through the eyes of Yusuf, a boy who will cross this journey with his "uncle", a rich merchant to whom he was given in exchange for an unpayable debt. Gurnah's most recent work, Afterlives, explores the generational effects of German colonialism in Tanzania and the following fragmentation of the social collective.

The award On November 7, 2021, Gurnah was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, for “uncompromising and compassionate insight into the effects of colonialism and the fate of refugees in the gap between cultures and continents.”

The fact that he has become the first Afro-descendant writer to receive the award since it was awarded to American novelist Toni Morrison in 1993, made some members of the literary community consider that the recognition to the Tanzanian writer was mostly due to the intention of “paying off an outstanding debt” with the candidates and authors of non-Western or Caucasian origin. It should be noted as well that he is the first African exponent to receive the award in more than a decade, being preceded by British-Zimbabwean novelist Doris Lessing in 2007, South Africans John Maxwell Coetzee in 2003 and Nadine Gordimer in 1991, Egyptian Naguib Mahfouz in 1988, and Nigerian Wole Soyinka in 1986.

Regarding this controversy, Anders Olsson, a member of the Swedish Academy, said at a press conference in early November that Gurnah" is recognized as one of the most prominent postcolonial writers in the world." That he "systematically and compassionately explored the effects of colonialism in East Africa and its effects on the lives of uprooted and migrant people." Gurnah himself pointed out in an interview that although there is a perception of an “African phenomenon” in which numerous African authors conquered important literary awards, “it doesn't mean that there's a worldwide decision that Africans must be honored. It'sm just that African writing deserved it”. He nevertheless understands that, due to the characteristics of their profession, journalists seek to create generalities and group people together, "but what this does is reducing the achievement of each awardwinning writers," he said.

Yet, despite being recognized as "one of the greatest living writers in Africa" ​according to author Giles Foden, Gurnah's stories still have not achieved the magnitude of commercial reception that some previous awardees have enjoyed.

Lola Shoneyin, Director of the Ake Arts and Book Festival in Nigeria, commented on her hope that this prize will captivate a larger audience on the African continent, where Gurnah's production is not widely known. Likewise, she expected that Gurnah's historical fiction would inspire new generations to a much deeper reflection regarding the broad history of their nations, since "if we do not assess more actively and deliberately what happened in the past, how can we forge a successful future on the continent?".

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MEMORIES FROM EGYPT AN ACCOUNT FROM THE OLDEST EMBASSY OF PERU IN AFRICA FOREWORD BY AMB. CARLOS ZAPATA LÓPEZ DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND GULF COUNTRIES While the year comes to an end, the Directorate General for Africa, the Middle East and Gulf Countries - under my charge - begins a moment of reflection. During the last days of 2021, we evaluate the activities we developed, and the new projects that are to come. I also believe that we can take a step further back to remember the genesis of our presence in Africa. Thus, in this and the following issues of Cumanana bulletin, it will be possible to appreciate the imprint of the first Peruvian embassies on African soil.

The December issue, reproduces a letter from Ambassador Augusto Morelli Pando, through which he reports on the ceremony for the presentation of his letters of credence to the President of the United Arab Republic, Abdel Gamal Nasser, in October 1963.

The years after World War II offered a special opportunity to the Arab countries: the great Western powers had lost influence in these territories, and the panning of their foreign policy was still adapting to recent scenarios.

In this context, Nasser found the opportunity to take advantage of the growing nationalism of his fellow compatriots to promote "positive neutralism"; that is, to maintain a good relationship with the great powers, making sure, however, that they would not retake those spaces already conquered by the Arabs, and in particular by the Egyptians.

To this, Syria's nationalist position was added. this was a a country that sought to strengthen its position in the midst of the international scene, where it faced a constant pressure to adopt a position in the context of the Cold War, making it even necessary to request Egyptian military support. In these circumstances, the Syrian government, in full, moved to Cairo, proposing to Nasser a union under Egyptian leadership. Thus, the United Arab Republic was born on January 31, 1958.

Three years later, Peru would open its embassy in the United Arab Republic, the first mission of our country in Africa and in the Arab world, focused on advancing common interests - at that time, related to the benefits of agrarian reform. - and in the commercial potential between both nations.

There is nothing left to say, but to read Ambassador Morelli's detailed report, and go back to a time of great changes and hopes in the international scene.

Ambassador Augusto Morelli Pando upon presenting his letters of credence to President Nasser (C) Morelli family

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Legation du Pérou

Cairo, October 9, 1963.

No. 5-44-A / 12.

Presentation letters of credence Minister of State in the Foreign Relations Office, Lime. Dear Sir: I am pleased to inform you, in accordance with my cablegram of October 7, that on that same date I delivered my Letters of Credence to the President of the United Arab Republic, Mr. Abdel Gamal Nasser. I should note that for two consecutive days the Head of State received the credentials of five Ambassadors and of the undersigned.

The ceremony was held at the Koubebeh Palace. After the corresponding military honours, I read the speech whose text I accompany and which, according to what is established by the protocol of this country, should be limited to a brief greeting. President Nasser replied in the terms of cordiality that you may find from the respective attached press clipping. Then, the President invited me to come to his office. The interview, which was also attended by the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sabri, lasted about forty minutes, during which I judged it appropriate, given the interest of the President, to make a short presentation on the work of social and economic transformation in which our Government is currently engaged.

Mr. Nasser wanted to know the scope of our agrarian reform. I was pleased to give a precise report on ti, based on the Message of President Belaunde, in the speech that you gave, Minister, in the United Nations Assembly, and in the text of the law sent to Parliament. In turn, the UAR leader mentioned the reforms that took place in Egypt and announced to me that he would order extensive documentation - which I have received today - on this and other central issues of his Administration. He suggested that I visit the field in order to verify the task carried out by the State in this regard.

He immediately addressed the commercial aspects of our relationships. I allowed myself to state that the exchange was actually restricted until now,

He then addresses the commercial aspects of our relationships. I allowed myself to assess that the exchange had been limited until now, but that I was confident that direct and personal contact between leaders or those responsible for these activities in both countries would ease to obtain positive results in the future. I expressed my intentions of studying the development of the country's cotton production and its current marketing system based on cooperatives. The President also offered me the support of competent authorities in this issue. Other matters, such as our cultural ties and the more frequent and adequate transmition of information about Peru in the UAR also deserved the deferential attention of the President. He finally confirmed to me that the Egyptian Mission in Lima would be organized with two Secretaries who are due to leave within a month and that the Ambassador would probably be appointed by the end of the year.

I can assure you, Minister, that due to the frank reception of President Nasser, the conversation departed from the formal rigidity that usually characterises these interviews. Mr. Nasser not only persuades and attracts with his clear intelligence. He promotes a feeling of sympathy. There is in his personality a certain mixture of firmness and kindness that at first may be surprising, since it does not coincide with the image so widespread in official portraits. The expression on his face offers a serenity, perhaps typical of truly determined and energetic characters. His affability is a far cry from the unctuous oriental courtesy of yore. Evidently he represents and embodies in himself the ideal of a new man in these Egyptian lands of submission and fatalism.

Finally, I made known to the Chief of the UAR the essential objectives of Peruvian international politics and the concrete motives of our diplomacy, within the new channels established by President Belaunde's political ideals .

In a few days, Minister, encouraged by this first interview with the Head of State, I will begin visitting the main political leaders of the Regime, authorities and high officials.

I will endeavor by all means at my disposal that these contacts are effective for the efficient performance of the functions that I have just officially assumed before the Government of the United Arab Republic.

Yours sincerely,

Augusto Morelli Pando

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RECIPE: BUTTER BEAN MORUSA AND ROASTED BEEF Morusa is the name given to a butter bean puree traditional in Ica. It is quite possible that the word is a black African contribution. Researcher Fernando Romero considers that the term could derive from inmolowa or morowa, words from the Kikongo language, which are used to name a creeping plant, such as the pallar plant.

For its part, the Moorish influence is represented in the barbecue since it was the Moors and Moors who arrived from Spain who brought the different food preservation techniques that we apply until today, such as pickled, stews, roasts and stews.

INGREDIENTS MORUSA 600 gr butter beans 1/2 onion 100 gr pork bacon 1/2 teaspoon rosemary 600 ml water 4 tbsp olive oil Salt to taste

ROASTED BEEF 750 gr beef 1 tbsp aji panca (dried ají or chilli) 1 tbsp yellow aji (or chilli) 1 tomato finely chopped 1 onion finely chopped 1 tbsp minced garlic 1/2 cup tomato paste Salt, pepper, oregano and cumin

PREPARATION MORUSA Soak the butter beans the night before, peel and cook with rosemary, half the onion and the pork bacon.

Stir the beans until they dissolve. Aadd salt and olive oil. Reserve.

ROAST Brown the seasoned meat. Reserve, Fry the chopped onion in the pan and add the yellow aji, aji panca, ground garlic, tomato paste, chopped tomato, salt, pepper, cumin and oregano. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring .

Add the meat and a cup of water. Let the meat cook until soft and serve over the morusa, accompanied with rice and sarza.