Life, 1929-08-02 · page 12 of 40
Life — August 2, 1929 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical educational chart depicting various African animals and human figures with invented "Congo language" terms. Each animal or activity is labeled with a made-up word paired with a humorous English definition—for example, "JIBORKIJOUMKJE" (described as a "Greeting"), "NILNOPE" (for forgetful elephants), and "WEBBI" (someone always late). The satire mocks both pseudo-scientific racial hierarchies of the era and the Western fascination with exoticizing Africa. By presenting "the Congo" as a place where animals and humans intermingle with invented language, the cartoon reflects early 20th-century attitudes that stereotyped African people and culture as primitive or comical. The playful tone disguises what is ultimately dehumanizing content typical of period satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“JIJBOKNIJOUMKJB” (A rather bad thing for a parrot to say.) A “NOBBJOR” (A Baited Breath.) Ui Z y My A “BLBLOB"* A Mf (The ill-fitting helmet Z "i of a Deputy Fire Chief.) ( Y Tay e Ks : LT aly, LA nts Ka) Ee OPA A “NIJNOPB” (A memory cours, for elephants who sometimes forget.) A A “wupst" hepets (A asa who is Pay inbodl chronically seven ‘ate minutes late.) Water Bottle Stoppers.) } ae a 4 re My wa on eae AN “OBJMN” fu y, (A. Pocket-Book + tm Magnate who seeks Crocodiles with pursed lips.) A “BLUMNB” (A Zipper to keep small kangaroos from falling out.) Lire’s Little Educational Charts. The Language of the Congo at a Glance. comicbooks.com