Civilization, as
I have come to believe does not fall from the heavens. No
race can boast of a great civilization without having to thoroughly
embrace, explore, and improve its culture, tradition, and heritage.
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African Warrior |
Moreover, no civilization, old or new, great or small has been made what it is without people taking time to improve their cultures and traditions.
In my opinion, civilization is an art. Art, simply stated is and of itself a civilization pacesetter. Every great artist belongs to a certain cultural background. Furthermore, all artists are trying to celebrate, embrace, or create awareness of one particular culture or tradition.
Africa is no way different. The African race, just like all other races has a distinct sociocultural background setting them apart from the rest. Unique cultures call for unique ways of expressing them artistically.
This reason coupled with the fact that people’s culture set the trend for their civilizations, put African culture and tradition on a pedestal as the ultimate identity of its people across the globe.
If African culture is its first identity, then Africans must tell, preserve, and celebrate it artistically. One of Africa’s greatest artists of all time, writer Chinua Achebe remarked,
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
This proverb can be interpreted in various ways but one relevant interpretation is that; those who are not capable of telling their story should expect others to tell it. Unfortunately, they will not have any say whatsoever in the manner and accuracy in which it is told.
Therefore, Africans in the 21st century who still disregard their culture are not as very civilized as they have come to think. A great score of Africans will admit to not being interested in African traditional dances, oral folklore, or knowledge of African history.
Some will not have to admit it but their action will depict their lack of pride in their culture. Indeed, readers can supply an endless list of actions that disdain African culture. One example is that they do not eat traditional delicacies.
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Art Works |
Europeans are unique to their culture, and so are Arabs, Asians, and Latinos. Artistically, how Africans express their culture and traditions is a clear-cut distinction from other diverse cultures. Understand; that African culture and tradition are as old as time itself. It is timeless. It is diverse. It exhibits various similarities and perhaps some notable differences.
Nonetheless, this ageless African culture and tradition set Africans apart from other cultures whether in the mother continent or the diaspora. It is the traditional dances, songs, food, and all things African that Africans can trace their genealogy.
Thus, Afrocentric art is a fundamental tool for preserving and improving African culture. Afrocentric representation of African culture through art has the power to decolonize African language, history, and religion.
Language as Africa’s Identity
The African languages, which contemporary society refers to as vernaculars are the first way to spot any person of African descent. The accent, intonation, word pronunciation, and even the body language become unique when it comes to various African languages.
Indeed, language is a form of civilization. When early Europeans and Arabs invaded Africa, first they ensured that the African language was downplayed and disregarded. This is the reason why most Africans today cannot get their head out of French or English languages. We have drifted so much to the point that we identify with foreign languages. Sadly, we take great pride in them.
African culture cannot be expressed in foreign languages. One can never call out his ancestor in a foreign language and expect them to heed their call. This is for one particular reason: they do not recognize foreign dialects.
African History
Second, African history is another significant indication of Africa’s identity. African history in whole or part cannot be fully told and preserved by foreigners. Dr. Clarke, remarks that Europeans not only colonized the world but also most of its history.
African history is what most Africans can trace their identity to. African history, simply stated is the lives and business of our ancestors. Not Arabs' or Europeans' lives and accounts of events. African history gives accounts for the past lives of our ancestors which play a crucial role in staging a blueprint for the present and future.
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Historical Ruins |
From where I sit, it is due to a lack of knowledge of history that many Africans have come to compromise with the new millennium slavery and inferiority complex that comes along. As it has been said before, “If you come from greatness, you aspire for greatness,” and when you know whence you come from, knowing where you are going is not a challenge.
Thus, Africans must tell their story through Afrocentric lenses. Through different artistic presentations, Africans can be sure of spreading, preserving, and promoting their history while also entertaining the world and earning a living.
African Religion
Finally, religion is another element that must entail culture and tradition. Grand master teacher, now ancestor, Dr. Ben teaches us that religion is the deification of culture. Simply stated, religion is the worship of culture. Both major religions i.e. Islam and Christianity as we have seen are based upon European and Arabic culture respectively.
African Christians are not born again until they are baptized and given a Christian name. In my opinion, the whole baptism process implies that African names like Nyawira cannot be accepted in Christianity.
Similarly, Islam itself is presented in the Arabic language and all Muslims must assume names and practice cultures relating to the Arabic lifestyle. The clothes, food, prayer recitation, and contemporary teaching of all major religions point to a particular culture and most of the time it is always foreign to the African people.
Additionally, of the two major religions, Africans are always required to pay a pilgrimage to Mecca or Jerusalem. For a moment I thought and this is geographically logical that these regions are so close to African landmass.
But again through observation, it is clear that the people, culture, and tradition of these regions are no longer Afrocentric in culture or tradition. The reasons are obvious - we now know that both early Europeans and Arabs not only invaded and conquered but also plagiarized most of African history and traditions.
Today, Africans have been forced to conform to and practice religions that have nothing to do with their cultures and traditions. What sets Africans apart from other races is that we are spiritual and not religious. We do not worship ancestors but revere them. We pay homage to them because they walked this land before.
Whenever we are involved in worship, it is the drumming, the dancing, the rituals, and the spells that our ancestors understand, relate, and respond to. Perhaps, this is what we should get back to in order to reconnect with our spiritual origins. Thus, Africa’s religions and patterns of worship must in one way or another deify our cultures and traditions.
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Hieroglyphs, the writing system ancient Egyptians |
Parting Shot
In conclusion, a 2023 UNESCO editorial titled Working towards an African Renaissance through Culture and History highlighted that Afrocentric arts and culture such as oral traditions and knowledge of history is a conduit of peace and creativity for Africa and beyond.
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The report goes further to elaborate that art and culture can decolonize Africa’s history, promote oral traditional art and human values, foster a peaceful Africa, and help Africans and the world at large to understand today’s society.
What is your opinion about the article you have just read? Let us know.