CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Mawutodzi K.Abissath, Ghana, March 1999
THEME = CULTURE
There are certain traditional cultural values peculiar to
Africans,
which no scientific or technological evolution or revolution
must be allowed to obliterate.
The author argues that many of Africa's ills would cease to exist
if traditional cultural values were to be respected
One such "cultural jewel" is what is known as the extended family system. Traditionally, the extended family system in Africa serves as a means of achieving social security and is a natural welfare system. It makes each African an automatic provider, protector and defender of his brother and sister. This explains why in rural Africa, especially in Africa villages where some of the traditional values are still observed and practised, there are no "strangers" in the strict sense of the term. Even aliens living in such African villages are considered sons and daughters of the community, as long as their attitude and behaviour does not contravene the norms and customs of the local people.
Let's take a look at a typical village with a population of some 300 plus inhabitants. In the morning, when you meet your neighbour in the street, you exchange lengthy and comprehensive greetings in a fraternal and cordial fashion. In such a traditional African setting, exchanging greetings means a lot, and goes beyond the artificial expression of "Hi" or "Hello" seen in cities or urban communities.
When exchanging greetings, two Africans shake hands or place the palms of their hands over their hearts and really show they mean what they say. They inquire in a sincere and genuine way about the general well-being of the one they are greeting. Also, all Africans who use the traditional way of greeting, will never forget to inquire about his/her condition of health, and also that of his/her entire family.
In other cultures, this practice may sound rather strange and indeed, time-consuming, but this is how love, harmony, unity, peace and understanding imbue rural communities. In a rather simplistic way, one could argue (with some degree of justification) that many conflicts and civil wars are rampant on the African continent today, partly because some of these basic traditional values are lacking.
In our African culture, no father of a family will sit down to eat and forget about other members of his family who have not yet eaten. If an unexpected visitor arrives when the family is eating, the visitor is not shoved into some waiting area with the daily newspaper until the family's meal is over. Rather, he is whole- heartedly invited to join with members of the family and share their meal.
Sad to say, some of these basic cultural values which made Africans consider each other as brothers and sisters, are now being ignored by a number of selfish African leaders. Some Africans rulers have become so blind to African traditional values, that they take delight in looting Africa's mineral resources, to supply the economic needs of foreign nations (while lining their own pockets at the same time). And this, to the detriment of ordinary African citizens who are suffering from hunger, starvation, disease and abject poverty. It could be hoped that at the very least, these leaders would use some of their ill-gotten gains to improve the lot of their unfortunate people.
And what are the consequences? A flood of refugees and displaced persons, especially innocent children and women with bedsteads and other domestic personal belongings on their heads, roaming the forests day and night in rain or under the scorching tropical sun. Ordinary Africans are suffering terribly through no fault of their own. Much of the above situation could be avoided if African leaders would be aware of the cultural values of the extended family system, where everybody is supposed to be his brother's keeper.
Let's take a look at a practical example. In 1983, over one million Ghanaian citizens living in Nigeria, were expelled from that country because there had been a military coup in Ghana. The Nigerian civilian government under President Shagari, was not amused that the civilian government in Ghana under President Hilla Liman, had been overthrown, so decided to send all Ghanaians home.
When the Ghanaian military authorities heard that thousands of Ghanaian citizens were arriving in Accra Airport, the government mobilised rescue workers with tents and clothing to provide temporary camps for the returnees. To the surprise of the government officials who went to the Airport, not a single refugee was found there. Why? Because all the people who had been expelled from Nigeria, had relatives and extended family members in Ghana. As soon as the aircraft landed on the soil of Ghana, they went straight to stay with relatives and friends. The returnees did not see why they should be living in tents in a refugee camp, inside their own country.
At the present time, Africa is beset by civil war situations involving a number of other countries as well. Yet, African culture has an in-built mechanism for conflict resolution. How does is it achieved? When two people are in a fight or when any misunderstanding rears its ugly head, the chief and elders of the village call the belligerents and listen to their stories. Then both parties are advised as to their future behaviour, and the one judged to be at fault is reprimanded and sanctioned. He is also requested to apologize to the party offended. This remedy may sound simplistic, but it works effectively at a local village level.
These days, on a continental level, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is expected to play this role among aggrieved African leaders. But there is a difference and a difficulty. When the OAU tries to play this mediating role, some external forces who also want to find markets for their weapons, continue to supply arms and ammunition to the African "war-lords".
Africans must give consideration to the positive aspects of their cultural values, if they are to have a truly free continent.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement