Hey guys! So today we've got a guest blogger on the block! Yay! I'm really excited to share this great read by my African brother, "Culture Cancer". He shares his opinion about certain aspects of our African culture that seem to be causing more harm than good. Enjoy!
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By - Eyong N. Tambe
Recently, I was browsing the internet, when I stumbled upon a disturbing headline caption referencing a recent scandal about an eight year old Sudanese woman facing the death penalty for marrying a practicing Christian. As, I am certain anyone who bothers to keep themselves updated on the happenings around the world has probably already come across a similar article in recent days, I will not dig too deep with repetitive details. Instead, why don't we draw our attention to a more pressing matter that without a doubt threatens to destroy the mother continent, if not handled with care and accordance; we call it African Culture.
Firstly, one point must be clarified, there's no such thing as African Culture, whilst there are thousands, (if not hundreds of thousands) of cultures in Africa, there is no one definite culture. The continent consists of so many different ways of living that the very prospect of a singular culture, from the get go, seems unattainable. Now, how does this connect to Mariam's case? Well, just this morning, as I was doing my daily ritual of browsing and learning, I so happened to stumble upon yet another article referencing the Sudanese death sentence laws. However, this time around, a government official in the midst of conducting an interview proudly stated, in support of Mariam's sentencing, that all they are trying to do is preserve their culture!
Reference: CNN Web "A Sudanese court sentenced Fardos Al-Toum, 19, to receive 20 lashes for wearing trousers to church"It is rather baffling, really, when one realizes that in this day and age, such things are still permissible. I would think in a world where globalization is the "name of the game", such archaic cultures would easily be put aside in favor of more humane practices. We could all argue that this is just one more example of the flaws of religion as a whole, whether be it Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or any form of worship for that matter, but I see it different. The risking factor does not lay in the religions, rather, it's height of incompetency is in the hands of those who cannot see beyond their noses, and into the new, more tolerant world that our planet has quickly become.
Perhaps, I read too deeply into this because of my past experiences. As an individual born out of wedlock in a tribalistic African community, given the wrong circumstances, both the lives of I and my unmarried mother would have come to an unquestionable end. Even sadder is the fact that most Africans make absolutely no effort in trying to disguise such an atrocious act. If anything, one could say they are, instead, boastful of their strict doctrine, that leaves, little to no room for any personal decision making. With that in mind, we must reach into the deepest depths within ourselves and seek the truth. Not the truth that was told to us as children, but that which we have come to fear voicing out loud for fear of reprimanding.
Beyond Sudan, beyond Nigeria, and beyond every other singular governmental or religious structure in Africa, the writings are clear on the wall, the mother continent seems to be imploding on itself in its struggle to maintain the balance between westernization and preservation. But the questions still remains are we fighting the tides of time in vein? Or, better still, are some of these cultures even worth fighting for?
