(Song sung in DHOLUO Language — Obama Snr’s Primary Language)

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Obama’s ego and his cultural ties

Writes: John Mulaa

A little unsavoury bit of the otherwise fetching Senator Barrack Obama’s narrative is gaining traction among segments of the commentariat.

Those predisposed to find fault and are unlikely to vote for the senator anyway.

It is about Obama’s alleged huge ego. His critics, on the right and some in the centre, are compiling a list of instances they claim reveal that the charismatic presidential hopeful is, well, too full of himself for his own good. They cite his dietary habits — the words abstemious and picky pop up quite a lot — his alleged certitude about his own likeability, and his tendency to praise himself, half in jest sometimes but mostly seriously.

In a recent column on the subject titled “Ego-Bama, Swallow some of that Pride,” conservative writer Jonah Goldberg brandishes what he claims are instance after instance of Obama’s ego, sometimes only thinly veiled.

“Perhaps he’s an adulation junkie,” Goldberg writes.

“Maybe the nourishment Senator Obama receives from popularity is actually causing him to ratchet up his pursuit of more and more praise just to get the minimal fix he needs,” he continues intent on causing as much comfort as possible about the object of his dislike – Obama.

Goldberg suggests Obama’s decision to accept his nomination in a 76,000-seat Invesco Field in Denver is further evidence of the grandiosity. The Pepsi centre, the original site of the convention, would be too small for him.

More proof: The decision by Obama to hold a rally at Germany’s Brandenburg Gate, in the near future “even though he is not a head of State yet.” Goldberg approvingly quotes British commentator, Mr Dominic Lawson of The Independent newspaper, who observed recently Obama is “a man of stunning articulacy, but also stunning self-regard.”

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“In fairness, writes Goldberg, the cause of Obama’s “swollen” ego might simply be a case of celebration of the fact he “has been remarkably successful going from long shot for the nomination to odds on favourite for the presidency. This sort of thing would produce cockiness in anyone – particularly politicians who are arrogant by nature and necessity.”

Goldberg’s comments are not surprising. They reflect his axe to pick with anyone who is liberal. Perhaps there is a simple explanation for occasions when Obama has engaged in self-praise, especially of some of his speeches.

Stopping the music

“They are pretty good,” he has said of them more than once, a correct assessment that a less cocksure person would leave for others to say. The explanation has to do in part with Obama’s personality, achievements, and inheritance, particularly the Nilotic part of it. About the latter, I know something albeit, anecdotal.

One aspect of Luo culture that fascinated me back in the village was a session of self-praise at musical events. It was called “stopping the music” – “chungo thum,” in Dholuo.

A fellow, who desired to massage his or her ego a little bit, or extensively, would buy the opportunity by paying the guitar player or the gramophone jockey to stop the music for a few minutes to allow him to talk about himself. Fidelity to actual accomplishments was overlooked; the self-praiser was free to say anything he liked about his prominence, mostly imagined, but who cared.

The sessions accomplished the intended purpose, which, in hindsight, was to build egos by allowing for a few minutes of riotous expression.

A legendary boaster from the neighbouring village, the impeccably dressed Ochieng’ Rich – he always wore meticulously pressed white shirt and shorts, and sneakers but I have no idea how he came by the name Rich – would purchase lengthy segments of boasting session and regale everybody with descriptions of his attire and cleanliness, and purported wealth.

He would then end with a zinger about how all the maidens, who had sneaked from their homes to attend the dance, would throw caution to the wind when they returned home and proudly inform their parents they spent quality time with one Ochieng’ Rich at the dance.

It was all harmless banter even if in the end it built a great deal of confidence in the fantasists.

There is no way Obama could have culturally experienced this. But to some faultfinders and even some supporters, he comes across as somebody who did not need to. Somehow, he acquired it. And see where it is likely to lead him: The top of the mountain.

Last July, Obama explained to reporters he would eventually overtake Mrs Hillary Rodham Clinton in the polls because “to know me is to love me.”

Some months later, according to The Associated Press’ Ron Fournier, he proclaimed, “Every place is Barack Obama country once Barack Obama’s been there.” Need more proof?

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