"More than words" from Confessions... of a faithful woman

If for one brief moment while reading “Confessions of a faithful woman” you lose all sense of time and space and become surrounded and absorbed by the words I have done my job. As a writer it is my responsibility to capture you fully and allow you to see and feel the situation from the characters perspective while creating a scenario that you can connect to on a very personal level.  I am your tour guide on this journey of complete arousal directing you where to look, while letting you enjoy at your own pace.  Without losing in ecstasy I spark those deep ancient feelings and emotions that we often are forced to hide in this westernized society. In awakening those deeper aspects you will experience the symphony of words as they vibrate and stimulate your spirit.  “Confessions…” will push you past your previous limits of arousal while creating new sexual understandings, desires and possibilities.  

With all of this in mind I created the “More than words” portion which allows you to more deeply understand the spirit of the characters with the meaning of their names which provides a deeper more personal connection between reader and character. The section also translates Swahili terms, gives the history of some events and teaches about some of the items in the story. I have also added some bonus information (highlighted) not found in the book version based on conversations and questions since publishing the book

More than words….

• Kemet Documented Ancient name for what is now know as Egypt. Kemet (KMT) means “Land of the Black or Black Land” speaking to the color of the people.  After several centuries of invasions, perimeter changes, war and reorganization the upper and lower lands were united to form Kemet more than 6200 Hundred years ago.  
• Kemetic: Of or pertaining to the beliefs, practices and customs of this area
• Asante: Thank you
• Sana: Much, a lot,
• Badiliwa: To be changed
• All hallow eve: Commonly know or celebrated as Halloween. Pope Boniface IV
• designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and therefore hallow (sacred). That made the day before October 31 Hallow eves. Even older celebrations date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) which marked the end of summer and the harvest season.
• Kenya and Tanzania Maasai tribes of have endured a long history of colonization by the British. The value of the natural resources in these areas became apparent from the very beginning, when the British perceived the pastoralist Maasai and other tribes to be incompatible with the wildlife that inhabited the area. With this separation of people and nature, national parks in Kenya were created without any consideration for the local communities…” Over the course of their existence, Maasai land has been taken away from them repeatedly, and after many broken promises of compensation and participation, the Maasai have started to fight for their land rights.  It is we Maasai who have preserved this priceless heritage in our land. We were sharing it with the wild animals long before the arrival of those who use game only as a means of making money. So please do not tell us that we must be pushed off our land for the financial convenience of commercial hunters and hotel-keepers. Nor tell us that we must live only by the rules and regulations of zoologists…If Uhuru (independence/Freedom) means anything at all, it means that we are to be treated like humans, not animals.” Edward ole Mbarnoti, a Maasai leader,
• Njaa: famine; appetite; hunger (This speaks to the state of sexuality and central focus of Badiliwa)
• Mshongo: passionate person (usually in a sexual sense); erotic person
• Pinduli: revolutionary spark, something which produces a change of direction cause (of change)
• Hudumu: wait on; serve; take care of
• Kamau: Quiet warrior
• Mwanke: Full grown woman
• Kakawana: Strong, well built man
• Afrikan: African: K is used to show Kujichagulia (Self determination) and because many traditional Afrikan languages do not contain a “C”.  Afrikan speaks to those things uniquely and collectively found in all Afrikan cultures.  Worldwide Afrikans have a distinct worldview and lifestyle that is collective, connective and holistic.  It is the most ancient and human way of being. 
• Ashe: So be it. Used during prayers, libations or salutes to give power to the words spoken
• Yebo: Yes
• Baba: Father; uncle (from an Afrikan perspective there is little to no separation between the role of father or uncle)
• Mama: Mother; aunt (from an Afrikan perspective there is little to no separation between the role of mother or aunt)
• Hodari: Stable, smart, skillful, earnest
• Habari? What’s the news? What’s up? (Greeting)
• Nzuri or Njema: Responses to Habari Gani which mean Beautiful or Good respectively. From the Afrikan perspectives things always have a positive aspect.
• La: No
• Hodi? Hodi?: Literally means “Knock Knock” and is used as “ May I enter?”
• Karibu: Welcome
• Shrine: a place designated for a certain energy or reason. It helps to focus that energy
• and has items in it specific to that. For example if I was trying to save money or increase my wealth I may set up a shrine of abundance and put things like coins, money or positive affirmations on it. I could meditate there or do prayers or offerings (food, water, liquor thing I want to give in order for my wishes (prayers) to work.
• *GyeNyame "Except for God" Adrinkra Symbol of the Omnipotence and immortality of
• God. *Adinkra Visual symbols, originally created by the Akan of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d'Ivoirein West Africa that represent concepts or original thoughts
• Lewis Place: Located is St Louis MO is a three block street with a center parkway which is lined on both sides with beautiful homes built between 1890 and 1928. LP is defined by Martin Luther King Drive on the North, Delmar Boulevard on the South, Newstead Avenue on the East, and Walton on the West. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks on September 15, 1980. Find out more info and see pictures http://www.stlouiscitytalk.com/2010/06/lewis-place-neighborhood.html