It’s often said, that the river that forgets its source will soon run dry. Every tree has its root, every river has a source. It is a bastard that uses his left hand to indicate the direction to his fathers house. These sayings are some of the proverbs that reveal the culture of a people, their values, belief systems, and essentially their way of life. Where are you from?
It’s so interesting to observe, that many African’s, and indeed Nigerians, either at home or abroad, have lost the sense of connection with their origins. Many years ago, many were carted away to occupy the vacancies for cheap labour that existed in the then developing world, they joined in adding their labour to the making of a developed society. For many of them it was painful, they resisted, they had little or no choice, like the spoils of war, like sheep led to the slaughter, they followed, enduring their cross with patience…and before you think too far, this is not about racism – there is nothing that has been done to the black man, that he did not do more to his kindred. It’s many years since then, and many African’s actually buy their own tickets and submit themselves once again, though in a more dignified way, to the development of other nations. Is it true that the prosperity of a river is sure for as long as it is conversant with it’s source? Are you in touch with your roots?
The world is gradually becoming more and more of a global village, the media for global interaction is increasing in bandwidth by the moment. Most of the world is English speaking, so many cultures are fast becoming westernized. The only differentiating factor, the last edge in this one size almost fits all world, is culture. Your point of uniqueness is that value, that principle, that way of life that is in line with true north principles that has been handed over to you down your generational link. Destroying the fabrics of your culture is an act that must be deliberate, for even if a fool is pounded in a mortar, his folly will not depart from him. Paying attention to the deep wisdom that exists within our cultures is an edge in a world that is changing so fast.
Certainly there are things within our way of life that we might discover are archaic, but the principles behind these ways of life are so profound. We cannot because of the few minority discount the value of the majority. If we say we should close our eyes for terrible people to pass, how will we know when good people pass? We cannot afford to throw away the child with the bad water. It’s amazing what dept of clarity and insight come from some of these proverbs.
We need to take pride in our rich cultural heritage. If you can’t speak your language well, go and learn. For wether we like it or not, we think from our reference point. We are conditioned based on certain basic paradigms that are a result of our culture. You can literally see how “mind your business” is entrenched in some cultures when you hear that a dog doesn’t get wild enough to protect two houses. You can see a culture of planning when you hear things like, ” one who has deeply sunken eyes should begin to cry from a distance. By and by, our cultures are valuable, they are the roots, stay connected to your roots. When the string of a bow breaks, the stick becomes just another stick. When a man/woman is out of touch of it’s primary functionality, he is just another man. Maintain and develop a culture of excellence, uniqueness, patience, excellence, respect..e.t.c
It’s after 1am already…I hope I’m not developing a differnt culture…well, certainly not. It is what we do when we are going, that we will meet when we return. He that defeacatess on the road, will be welcomed by flies on his return. Nothing goes unrewarded. It is the eyes that determines what will satisfy the stomach.
{Brought forward from the past, while I work on today’s post – Let’s call it flashback 🙂 }
4 thoughts on “Roots”
Quite a while…
I can’t just afford to read this timely piece without commenting.
So many people have indeed, forgotten their roots, and the African culture is very rich.
Thanks.
This is an interesting discourse and it evokes the sense of what values we may be missing out on by not getting connected to our roots. To me our roots encompasses not just the culture but the knowledge and wisdom built up in our civilisation which is seemingly being lost as it not well documented in black and white. One thing to learn from the west is how they build on countless knowledge built through the ages, transforming from craftsmanship to the well articulated learning process we now have and perhaps if we but ask the right questions about our heritage we may begin the process of preserving the timeless and invaluable things.
Wow! call it brought forward from the past or flash back or whatever. this is a piece that reminds me of a film i watched when i was still a boy. The Root. the major actor was Kutakinte, it boils down on African slave trade and exploitation of the white before independent.
I saw in the film the display of a man’s passion for his background, heritage and culture. How he was willing to die and did died for the freedom he believed in. Several year after he had gone we still live to celebrate his passion. We need orientation to positively develop our own country too to a size enviable by several other nations. Instead of rushing to developed countries, adding our human resource to their already developed economy, we need to be proud of our root and see with the eye of the future a culture that the world will soon celebrate.
our customs and traditions are gradually fading out and bringing for us western cultures. the implication of this is that some parents do not deem it fit to teach their children their native languages.some do not understand their cultures because their parents havent taken them to their villages which is very ba. may we remeber our roots and understand that no matter what, we came from somewhere.