I've made several trips to Africa. I've been to Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Mali. Each country has it's own culture, it's own history. However, there are two common threads that connect these countries, although they are so diverse, and they are FAMILY and TRADITION.
"Family" is the focal point of each of the countries I visited. Whether the people lived like kings or in abject poverty, there was always a strong sense of family. From their earliest ages, children learn the value of 'family', of taking care of and looking out for each other, and respect for their elders. Youth do not contradict their parents or other elders. And in each of the cultures of the African countries I've visited, when one is grown and earns money, that money is shared with the rest of the family members who are in need.
"Tradition" is integral to each of the African nations I've been to. There are 'traditional' ways of dressing, cooking, praying. There is the 'tradition' of keeping and passing on the history of the countries, the villages... the individual families. In each of these countries, people are ready to share with strangers their culture, their history... their traditions.
However, tears come to my eyes when I think of the abject poverty I saw in these different lands. So much is inadequate: the lack of water, food, proper housing, schools, hospitals, medicines, doctors, teachers. In the 21st century, many people still cannot read or write. Human deformations are commonplace. And yet the people still survive, even though with very little.
I don't understand why the world had turned it's back on this continent. Why is it that the darker the skin, the worse one is treated. This is a continent that has natural wealth that has been stolen from the people, especially in Black Africa. This continent is continually being stripped of everything. Kingdoms used to exist in these lands, but they were destroyed and the lands pillaged by western civilizations. Black Africa has been colonized, and re-colonized. And in the Western African countries the people were taken away by white Europeans and sold into slavery in America - our home of the "free".
Yet, Africa continues to survive, in spite of all the terrible things that have happened. It is Africa that has taught me to appreciate my blessings. Even though I have been fortunate in my life, I have learned from Africa that less is more, and in seeking out my African ancestry, I have a newfound pride in myself, my "blackness". And in Mali, I have found my African roots, a new dignity, and a new voice. Now that I have found my ancestral 'home' in Mali, I will never be the same...and my soul is free.
- Dee Dee Bridgewater
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Comments: 24
I was pleased to see you here and I really enjoyed this article as it reminded me of trips and impressions of Africa.
Mali has a great history and tradition of learning. At one time the leading trade in Timbuktu was in books.
Africa'a underdevelopment was planned. The plan was not based on race but on resources as Africa is quite rich with resources.
Africa has suffered from many crimes that have resulted in its present state. The slave trade displaced approximately 1/3 of its population.
The mineral riches of Africa continue to attract exploitive businesses from the West and now the East as well with China entering the scene with refreshed colonial models. The poverty in Africa is directly related to its riches. How is that for irony?
The colonial and neo-colonial abuses continue to resonate in every nation in Africa.
Family, tradition, hospitality even to strangers and respect. Thank you. An informative article, and a different perspective from what another has discussed with me about -- especially Mali.
Traditions & family...we all must embrace ours & others...so perhaps, we indeed we are all different yet isn't that what families are all about? I very much look forward to getting to know you...~mo-zy
People don't understand that there is a human family. That we are all basicly related.
You don't have to like all the members of your family, personal or worldwide, but you should love & respect them. When the least family member is well then the whole family profits.
you write with flow
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I have often contemplated going to Africa to visit, my grandfather was from Sierra Leone and often told stories and tales which surrounded the themes of which you speak of. Family and tradition, along with faith, honor and hope, is what allows people to hang on during times when there seems not much to hang on to, I suppose it is a testament to the strength of our people to endure and thrive under any circumstances.
It's disheartening to see the problems and issues that affect Africa and the apathy shown to this part of the world by western nations, however, I feel that just like the problems that affect African-Americans here in America, we must unite as a whole race and make change happen for ourselves, utilizing our own strengths and resources.
I am interested in making the journey to Africa, as a matter of fact, one of the members here on Gather has approached me about taking the trip sometime next year, your impressions and experiences make me want to go more now that ever.
P.S. I will definitely go out and purchase your latest CD! Lately, you find artists who release CD's with one or two decent tracks and I get frustrated with paying almost $20 for lackluster material, but you never fail to disappoint. Keep on doin' what you do!
I loved the fluency of thought in what you have written. I'm from India and see a lot of similarity between the African and Indian cultures. You obviously feel a lot about the despair around you. What will really make the difference is that you utilise those feelings and do something to help.
I'm sure there are many like minded people like you who would like to do their bit for the people around them. If you act as a catalyst and get them together and have them led by a trustworthy person, I think you will be making a big difference. Corporates can be roped in to fund the initiatives. Imagine the extent of employment all this will generate and the amount of change it can bring about.
The aim can be anything like help the poor people to start up small businesses, explaining the importance of contraception, ensuring children of all backgrounds are educated, training communities help themselves, explaining the meaning of self-worth to people.
In India too, family is a very strong concept. Families are assumed to be functioning properly. However, poverty, lack of education and low job opportunities lead to dysfunctional families. From what I see, the strength of the family concept weakens here. People are not open about what is happening behind closed doors and tend to suffer alone.
The other thing is, a relationship where there is financial dependence is not often strong. Humans are territorial too.
When the successful family member is expected to help his not so successful adult relatives, feuds and bitterness lead to strained relationships. It can lead to laxity of effort. Continuing with this as a family value may be questionable.
However, this attitude is necessary is when dependent children or old people require help. In which case, the entire family pitches in.
Shobna
Reading your enjoyment opened me up to what is remiss in my life. Having grown up in white neighbourhoods and living in one again, I lose touch sometimes. My daughters are complaining about that they feel compromised by the lack of diversity in cultural influence where we live. I think that when I came as a single parent in the midst of bankruptcy from a failed marriage, I could only handle one focus at a time. I was so wounded. However, I married to a white man and some of the discussions we have have to had to understand the cultural differences have been extremely enlightening. Today he is thankful for my perserverence as he cooks and washes the dishes while he is trying to change some of the windows before the siding is applied to the house... he finds his life enriched as he gives up his preconceived ideas about how relationships and mixed cultural environments become intregrated. He is smiling as he thinks back over some of the things he used to take issue with.
Reading about your feelings of connection to family and tradition while I fight so hard to break through some leaves me with a sense of understanding what you are trying to convey.
If you for give me for taking so long to welcome you in your writings, I will be happy to make time to go over your submissions as time permits to get a sense of the larger picture of you.