The three children are on the island of Zanzibar in the third century CE. They visit the thriving Indian Ocean port. They see the fisherpeople in their boats. They see the Asian and Arab traders on the dhows.
The children take another bite of pineapple and suddenly they are in the Webi Shebelle region of Somalia in 500 AD. They watch the people trade and migrate along the coast.
Another bite of pineapple allows them to see the Portuguese arrive in the late fifteenth century on the Swahili Coast. The children meet the imam of Oman. He teaches them some Swahili words.
Another bite of the shrinking pineapple takes them to seventeenth century Dahomey. They see King Gezu parade through Abomey, his capital. They watch traders export palm oil.
Back to the pineapple, and the children are standing on Ethiopian highlands looking toward the Red Sea and Arabia.
“This is why invasion and colonization was so difficult here!” Dingo Pingo understands.
Soon, the children are in north Africa looking at the Roman aqueducts before the arrival of the Arabian Islamic Caliphate. Suddenly, the children stand before the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, on Muqattan hill. From there they can see great views of the city. They see the fortifications protecting the city from the Crusaders.
Suddenly, the children are on the coast of Dahomey, watching ships leave packed with people. The ships head across the Atlantic.
The three children sit in a circle of Berber nomads in 2000 B.C.E. Their hosts show them their alphabet and written script. Their hosts give them a tour of Timbuktu.
In so many places, the children hear Bantu words. These words remind them of Luganda and Runyoro and Rutoro.
On camels, they cross the Sahara along the trade routes. They see people of many different colours. They witness acts of respect. People bow.
Children kneel. Men offer a shoulder to an elder to touch. They see quiet and respectful children. Isabella is young, so women do not expect her to cover her legs and head.
What a journey! All over Africa! All throughout time!
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