From Lebanon to Africa | Al Jazeera World
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Immigrants have been coming to Africa from what is now Lebanon for the past 150 years or so, becoming established, industrious communities, integral to several West African states.
In fact, the first president of Ivory Coast described them as a "bestowment from the sky" - a gift from God.
Over a century-and-a-half, a combination of political instability, economic forces, famine and conflict has brought successive waves of Lebanese to West Africa, from where they have fanned out across the continent. The influx continues today.
The first Lebanese arrived in the former French territories of Senegal and Ivory Coast in the 19th century, as France encouraged settlement to stimulate growth in the colonies.
They also came to Ghana, at the time named the Gold Coast by the British. Some of that first wave may well have been heading further west but their ships changed course.
"My grandfather's brother was originally going to America", says Nouhad Kalmoni. "They got on the ship and were dropped off at the Gold Coast. People here said to them, 'Welcome to America!'."
Zouheir Debs, editor-in-chief of Almughtareb magazine which serves the Lebanese community, says some simply forgot to get back on the boat: "The ship would sail, leaving everyone behind. Or people didn't realise they had to go back on board…and they'd stay in this country."
Hardship in Lebanon caused periodic waves of emigration - when the Lebanese silk trade failed and then when famine struck greater Syria during the First World War.
Families like Kalmoni's who settled in Ghana but originally came from Tripoli, were able to create business opportunities in their adopted countries. His ancestors started Kalmoni and Sons, dealing in food products and then vehicle parts when the automobile arrived in Africa. The business grew into Japan Motors by 1962.
The Civil War in Lebanon prompted further emigration.
In the later 20th century, some Lebanese began to question their role, particularly in West Africa.
In Ghana in 1979, many businesses were closed and bank accounts frozen after allegations of corruption; and some Lebanese got caught up in a series of violent clashes between the Ghanaian government and opposition, the last as recently as 2011.
According to Debs, an influx particularly of Shia immigrants from south Lebanon has now led to an element of sectarianism, slightly fragmenting a once homogenous community.
In From Lebanon to Africa, we follow the fascinating story of Lebanese emigrants - how their communities in Africa are now a microcosm of Lebanon today; and how Africans of Lebanese origin grapple with their roots, identity and their place in the world.
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Пікірлер: 76
The Programme has added more value to the work I am doing on Lebanese in Nigeria.
@sammyhamawi6407
2 жыл бұрын
A relatice of roda antar ate at marhaba on aruba. Roda antar was born in sierra leone
Lebanese is good ppl hope they are safe and happy 😆
Subhannallah, truly man doesn't know where his sustenance will come from.
that feeling, no place like home.
A lot of the comments on here do not acknowledge the Lebanese that have integrated into West Africa and do not hold or act out on prejudices. I'm glad they touched on the mixed relationship aspect. There are many various stories that have come out of that.
@amonduul2154
4 жыл бұрын
In Germany there are also many lebanese clans, mostly criminal. There the lebanese cry about racism and being treated as second class citizens. And in West africa the peoples there are grateful that these lebanese integrate and dont look down on them. Wow, thats real brainwashing
@bensonmuriithi1781
3 жыл бұрын
@@amonduul2154 African people do not know their power and worth.
@amonduul2154
3 жыл бұрын
@@bensonmuriithi1781 some African tribes do some dont
@i.i1215
2 жыл бұрын
West Africa isn’t a country
@Eurafrican
2 жыл бұрын
@@i.i1215 you don't say?! (Sarcasm). I don't get your point in posting that.
13:40 : Crazy to see an Ivorian, from Lebanese origins, talking with Ivorian accent when speaking french. Really original and interesting !!
Ericson damson represents aruba and has played soccer in lebanon for 1 year
I really dont see much point in this documentary, what are they trying to potray. These guys did well in the countries they moved to...made money, built good homes back in the old country. So exactly what did they suffer
Trust me if you have ever been to Lebanon and experienced the racism from the Lebanese starting at the airport you will cry. Google Lebanese racism and if you are black you will cry
@amabeautiful92
3 жыл бұрын
lol is it that bad
@raeraesocraycray7702
2 жыл бұрын
@@amabeautiful92 there’s videos of African maids being throw out of apartment buildings and being mistreated and killed in various ways in Lebanon, so yeah it is that bad
@republicofshadistan7457
2 жыл бұрын
@@raeraesocraycray7702 they are maids but ok
@evano5635
2 жыл бұрын
@@raeraesocraycray7702 no wonder their country is a mess. See how they treat foreigners. Honestly we should discriminate them.
@joelANJ
Жыл бұрын
@@republicofshadistan7457so it makes it okay?
Are Africans welcome in Lebanon?
@joelANJ
Жыл бұрын
No they are not!
@germanyandfcbayern5791
Жыл бұрын
Yes they are, many have jobs in Lebanon, mainly physical jobs
@fathymusa9598
4 ай бұрын
No are not
Lebanese are nice people.
@kvr1532
3 жыл бұрын
Shukuru Zote they had a violent civil war because of foreign intervention. Palestine, israel and syria took part in it. each pushing their own agendas and armies into the land. So no it wasnt because « we are racist ».
@emiliomendoza5495
3 жыл бұрын
The hate black People accept it i know that for sure
The African Natives being so giving to Non African Natives may be nice but it is also a weakness that could be exploited and has been at times yeah.
@joelANJ
Жыл бұрын
Totally agree!
the music is not suitable
guys Lebanon is not racist... if Lebanon is racist, what is America, UK, France, Israel, etc... let's be careful who we label what. It is not easy moving to Africa after being around 99% Lebanese your whole life. talk about a culture shock, you have to learn new people, new language, new life.
Ungrateful people is all I see, after building mansions in Labanon which you only use one month every year thanks to the work you do in Ghana/Nigeria/ivory coast etc Yet you have hate for the country and the people of those countries that gave you the opportunity to make all that but love for the country you ran away from due to violence and poverty How is this even possible. These people must be really racist or just sick psychos I mean most of them were born in West Africa some of them are even in politics how much better can it get for you even in Lebanon they don't get it half as good as they do in Africa if they did they wouldn't return to Africa especially even after making so much money to build mansions they know returning to Lebanon permanently will be sign an agreement with poverty
@rmt1594
4 жыл бұрын
I am a "Lebanese' that grew up most of my life outside of Lebanon; UK,DRC,SA and currently living in Zimbabwe. I always despised the fact that Lebanese coming to Africa always come across as non-racists and deep inside they are in truth what you might call "quiet racists". As for Black Africans in Lebanon like Ethiopians who come for domestic work struggle everyday in Lebanon from racism and discrimination of all kinds. Many Lebanese have a sense of superiority to other races not only towards blacks but even with other arabs like Syrians and Palestinians. Many Lebanese are as racist as Israelis. Some Lebanese see themselves as "White" but when they go to western countries they are seen as Arabs or "non-whites". This is due to the Identity conflict that arises in Lebanon everyday. Being classed as white will give some Lebanese a sense of belonging to Western countries when in fact they are nothing but opposites in the eyes of the White man. To generalise all Lebanese is wrong because a lot of the different societies grow up with different structural mentalities and different views of the world. There are currently more Lebanese outside of Lebanon than inside the country itself. I grew up most of my life not only around Black Africans but I also interacted with asians and even whites. I think it all has to do with how you were brought up; my father always taught me growing up that there is not one race in this world superior to any other. I consider myself lucky to have grown up with a righteous mentality and I feel sorry for humans who look down on others merely because of the colour of their skin. As for the idea of building a mansion in Lebanon, Africa is my home and a mansion is far from what a life dream truly is. If maybe one day I'm a rich man, my dream is to push prosperity and growth within this beautiful continent for Africans. There is only in truth one race and that's the Human race.
@rmt1594
4 жыл бұрын
@Am Me Yes that is true in a sense. Remember it's like this with all different ethnicities and cultures worldwide. Unfortunately we live in a very divided world.
@evano5635
2 жыл бұрын
@@rmt1594 good for you. It’s just a shame that many Lebanese don’t think like this. A lot of Nigerians don’t like them because of their racism.
@aqx1545
2 ай бұрын
@@rmt1594it’s the Christian’s who are really racist
Jetro willems on the copa90 youtube channel
معظمهم دخلوا مع الاستعمار الفرنسي وعايشين الدور غلى انهم مستعمرين😂
K2rhym fyi snoop dogg
Africa wake up and stop this immigration thing
@yannick245
2 жыл бұрын
Europe, wake up and stop this immigration thing!
@loinslove5853
Жыл бұрын
Yes they come in and oppress the black people
@chacesimpson2856
Жыл бұрын
@@yannick245 yea stop stealing our resources , Europeans can not survive without Africa
@keen9166
Жыл бұрын
@@yannick245both continents should stop this immigration thing
@thebeliever9253
Жыл бұрын
@@yannick245 Europe started this. they invaded Africa first.