GERMANY: Dishwashing Togolese king manages an unusual balance between royal life and working at a restaurant in southern Germany.

Record ID: 789125

  • Title: GERMANY: Dishwashing Togolese king manages an unusual balance between royal life and working at a restaurant in southern Germany.
  • Date: 31st August 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF SAMLAN DRUMMING
  • Embargoed: 15th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Quirky,People,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA3719NR1MIM00XBZO4S9BX8QQB
  • Story Text: Making his way to work at a restaurant in the southern German town of Herrmannsdorf, no one would imagine that this Togolese man in a t-shirt and khaki pants is roaylty.
    King Jules K Kossigan Samlan works as a kitchen aid at the Schweinsbraeu restaurant, washing dishes, cleaning floors and other odd jobs.
    But once he clocks out at his day job, King Samlan goes into another world altogether.
    Sitting at home in his royal African dress, the King of Vogan -- an area in the south of Togo, ponders over his 40,000 subjects back home.
    The royal family of Vogan was forced to flee Togo during political unrest in 1996. That's when the then prince Salman, moved to Germany.
    Two years ago, after the death of his father, the prince inherited the title of King and since then he's been governing his tribe, the Mina-Ewe, over the telephone.
    Whether it's a medical case, questions about education or the allocation of jobs, Samlan is responsible for making decisions and offering advise.
    "I work with a team over there, I know them and they divide up the problems and call three times a week to let me know what's going on and what can be done," he told Reuters.
    Samlan and his German wife, Manuela lead a humble life in a small attic flat on a farm. In their home, Manuela knits shawls and collects other goods to send to their kingdom.
    But Jules Samlan, is not just a king, he is also an artist. He studied art at the academy in Togos capital, Lome and often paints pictures in an African style, exhibited in local galleries.
    Asked why he bothers to work on what most kings would consider minneal jobs like cleaning up at a restaurant, Salman said its important to make an "honest living".
    "I believe that it is an honest way for me to make a living. It looks good everywhere. Someone who earns their money honestly, is looked upon favourably in Africa and Europe. It doesn't make a difference if you are lower down but I think it's fun," he said.
    When he met his wife, Manuela, 14 years ago, she knew nothing about his blue-blooded roots and had to first of all grow into the role of an African queen.
    "It was really difficult to begin with because I had to learn the rituals which African princesses have to know from their birth. I had to learn them as quickly as possible. It was also difficult because of the language, I had to learn this and I had to learn the conventions and customs. So that's three different factors which I had to learn as quickly as possible so for me it was a very difficult task, which I was able to do well because of my husband. He explained lots of things which I, as a European, find difficult to understand," Manuela said, who's known by her people by the name of "Sika".
    Salman says his position is revered back home, but even in Germany, people treat him with more than usual admiration when they find out he is a king.
    "Sometimes I'm really surprised. They show respect. They want to say hello because they have heard that I am officially a king of my tribe in Togo and that makes me happy," he said.
    Salman is also a hobby musician and loves to play his inherited traditional drums.
    His style has been well received by the locals, as Bavaria also has a rich tradition of appreciating world music.
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