Greetings everyone!
Culture, just as we were taught in primary school, is simply the people's way of life, and that definition has stayed with me ever since I studied it in primary school in Social Studies. This comprises everything, including how the people behave and react to things, the kind of food they eat, the kind of music they listen to, and how they go about doing their things traditionally.
I was opportune to grow up living with my parents in the big family house of my great-grandfather, which is actually the family house. Because the man was very famous and well-known for his depth in the cultural and traditional practices of the village, I witnessed, before my eyes, most of the traditional things being played out in the compound by his children(uncles). Some of them, due to how knowledgeable they are in the cultural affairs of the community, were bestowed with leadership positions.
Even though I have been involved in the Christian religious life, I have never forsaken the things that modern-day religion kicks against, such as not relating with elderly ones who drink or smoke because they are considered to be committing sins. No, I have never done that. In those days, people would flock to our house and would always settle on alcohol during ceremonial gatherings. They often sent us, the children, to get cigarettes or alcohol for them or even serve them directly.
Even with traditional things like festivals, I never kicked against any of them. It is just that I did not like the deep spiritual aspects attached to them. I enjoyed watching them, and those moments gave me a better understanding of how things were done.
In all of this, would I prevent my children from knowing the culture of my land?
The answer is a big No!
In fact, when I have children, I would take them home very often to witness the traditional displays.
I'm a very proud Nigerian man, and I'm not yet bought by the modern-day beliefs. I love it when children know their roots—know the kind of food that is eaten, know some ancient stories that led to some traditional practices, and so on.
When I start having children, they must be acquainted with the language of my home, even though we are far off. I'm just very much against the act whereby parents raise their children to speak only English while their mother tongue is forsaken. That is just too bad! If you're among them, please repent! There's no justification for such an act.😏
My children will know everything I know, and they won't be bought by the modern-day culture, especially with how it's associated with religion. For sure, they'll be good Christians, but not the kind who are brainwashed into believing that elderly ones gathered in a family setting, drinking alcohol while having their meetings, are all sinners and stupid. Nope. They must know the differences and also know when to acknowledge tradition.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to Hivenaija prompt of the week
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