It's journey from this term to its usage in parts of mainland Africa began in the 15th century as muslims used it as a general term to describe non-muslim bantus/blacks. In the 19th and 20th century it developed into its definitively pejorative racist usage in South Africa.
This is all important background because historically the sunni Islamic state of the Union of the Comoros is a country steeped in trans-oceanic trade--it was a hub for ships coming from mainland Africa. They would stage ships/supplies there while waiting for the weather/crew to depart to India and beyond. If you go to Comoros today you will find that (generally speaking) the people look black but with Arab eyes and faces (note: that's just my own personal observation, but it speaks to the their location as a trading crossroads).
One more interesting fact on Comoros is that wealth is passed through the female line there. In previous centuries, with the husbands gone on seafaring voyages, sometimes for years at a time, it became necessary to pass down wealth and property through the women--this tradition has continued to this day. You can read more about these aspect of Comorian culture in Marriage in Domoni (I've also written a short review of the book here).
The Karif of Khartala
READ IT IF YOU CAN: Unfortunately, there is no published English version of this novel. I was only able to read it because I asked for a copy from the professor who had translated it at the University of Vermont. He was kind enough to send me a word document with his translation. I discovered this gem through the amazing blog, Reading the World,--you should check it out.
Published in 2000 amidst one of Comoros' many coups, Toihiri has penned a wry, surprisingly racy novel that satires the much of the politics and culture of his home country. At the heart of the story is a married doctor's affair with a younger French NGO teacher...oh, and the doctor is dying from cancer. How's that for some potential drama.
The novel is at its best when the author is dissecting the intricacies of Comorian traditions such as "Le Grand Marriage." This tradition of prodigal financial excess is one that the doctor rebels against--much to the chagrin of most of the island. The reader has the coveted advantage of seeing the entire ceremony from a local critics eye. There's a hilarious few pages in which a young local poet performs a "fine speech" in French to the rabid applause and approval of the gathered crowd and esteemed officials. The only problem is that the majority of people there don't understand French--or they'd realize the poet was speaking absolute gibberish, as well as making some deprecatory remarks about the government ministers.
Ultimately, this isn't haute literature but it's definitely mandatory reading for anyone visiting or working on the islands.
*One of my Reading Around the Continent books--the full list is here.
My 2016, 2015 and 2014 Reading Lists.
Previous Comoros posts:
What it's like to drive in Comoros: A Matador, A Bull, or the Cape
Homesick reminisces for my daughters while flying high above the Indian Ocean
Voyage Aux Comores
'A movie in the making in Comoros' or 'Marooned in Moroni'
Ode to VapoRub
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