Would you like to be a cultural "ambassador"?
by YAOtieno | September 27, 2011 at 3:54 AM
Last Saturday an article about how Africans face discrimination (based on my experience) in Nepal was featured in the on Ekantipur. The article referred readers to my blog to read more about my experience. The effect was I got several apologies coupled with requests to share more about African Culture….
The thing is, t Africa has 54 countries and countries as such I and only talk about Kenya and even in Kenya we have 42 communities each with unique cultural practices So I need your help.
I could goggle all this but something got me thinking that I could also invite my Pulswire friends to share cultural educative stories about their different countries that could lead to a better understanding and tolerance.
So here is the deal, I would like to ask you to be part of this cultural sensitization by writing an article about 600 – 750 words max that can help a visitor understand your country better.
The story can be about weddings, food, national dress, any even that gives you a sense of national pride to how your community celebrates the birth of a baby.
If you are interested and can submit a piece within the next week( or two) please leave a comment below stating what you are willing to write about....(it will also avoid duplication). I could “Google’ all this information but I am looking for authencity. I believe that people are best placed to tell their own stories.
Your story wil be posted as a guest blogger with a link to your blog . As a start , I am sending this to the Pulsewire Family. I know i have friends from the following countries....but if you are here and I haven't mentioned your country ...you are welcome to write on....
• Nigeria
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Malawi
• South Africa
• Uganda
• Eritrea
• Somali
• DRC
• Cameroon
You can visit my blog – Slice of Life in Nepal and My reflections on an Africans life in Nepal (http://yaotieno.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/reflections-of-my-days-in-nepal/) as published by Ekantipur
When you do , please stop by the about me section to see the comments asking for stories about African culture….
Some story ideas
How are weddings conducted in your country? Is dowry still observed, describe the ruled of negotiation to the actual wedding ceremony. Just describe it; what may be common to you is unique to the rest of the world
What about your funerals? Any special observance? In the my community( Luo) we used to have a ceremony – Tero buru meant to chase evil spirit away. It is not commonly observed now. In Nepal, the Tharu have a dance ceremony
conducted on the thirteenth day of a person death to celebrate his life. Some are of hindu religion and practice cremation
The birth of a new baby - In Kenya some communities say that if the baby is a girl the mother can’t leave the house until four days after birth and for a boy its three days.
Food and dress– do you have a national food or dress? How do is the food prepared?
What is national music/dance ? DRC is Lingala.
Or better still a favorite musician from your country? Why do you like them? What messages does his music have? Why should the world listen to them?
Anything else you think might be interesting for a foreigner to know is welcome
I believe we can make this work and be cultural ambassadors, cant we?
Cheers,
Y
Comments
Great Idea
What a fabulous idea! I spend so much time trying to get people in the UK to stop referring to 'Africa' as if it was one big country. What often shocks the young people I work with is that even DRC is the size of Western Europe! I think there are now 55 countries too if you add the new South Sudan? I may be wrong...
Hope you get lots of cultural ambassadors coming forward.
Laura
Laura Cook
www.lauracookphotography.net
'Seeing through new eyes'
Thanks
Thanks Laura. I hope so too. I am happy to learn that you are teaching your students about Africa
I am getting different results on how many countries are in Africa...:-) It is either 55 or 54...(That's why I do not completely rely on Mr.Google" If there is anyone who is certain of the number please help us out.
Cheers,
Y
A candle looses nothing my lighting another
Count Me In!
I'm definitely game for this!
Can we write about our personal experiences and cultures or should we generalize it. Nigeria is very diverse and even tribes that speak the same language do have some differences in observation of culture and details vary greatly.
Udoka Chiefe
Personal Experience
Thanks Udoka,
You can use your personal experience
I am looking forward to reading your piece!!!
Cheers,
Y.
A candle looses nothing my lighting another
Please let us know when this is up!
Y,
I would love to learn more about the culturally unique practices, norms, celebrations, etc of the many countries and regions within those countries- of Africa.
Your idea is a GREAT one!
Like the earlier comment from Laura Cook, many people in the United States are completely ignorant of the scope, size, and incredible diversity of cultures in Africa. We can blame the biases of our educational systems, the repeated patterns of over valuing "northern and western" cultures and histories in comparison to southern and eastern.. but at some point we need to stop blaming and just learn!
So, all this to say, I would love to be able to read what you compile. Will you post it here? Or on your blog? What is your blog's website?
Thank you, as always, for sharing! Great idea~
C
Colleen Robertson
Project Manager
New Course
www.anewcourse.org
Twitter: @NEW_Course
crobertson@anewcourse.org
NEW Course is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit created to empower rural women in vulnerable ecosystems to sustainably manage their resourc
Thanks
Hi Colleen,
Just like you have said we need to stop blaming each other and just learn. I will post the article on my blog and will let let the WP know once its up. My blog adress is http://yaotieno.wordpress.com/.
Thanks for your continuing encouragement.
Cheers,
Y
A candle looses nothing my lighting another
Hello YA, Would like to
Hello YA,
Would like to partake if not too late.
I have sent you a message regarding this few days ago did you get it?
Cheers.
Not yet
Thanks Ruun,
Glad you are interested. I haven't received your message though....please send it again.
This sis getting exciting!
Cheers,
Y
A candle looses nothing my lighting another
REPLY--CULTUR AMBASSADOR
yES yVONNE WOULD LIKE TO PART OF THIS CREW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Tellme more what should wedo to go further.
sibongile.
Great!
HI Sibolgile,
I just sent you details on your yahoo mail. Please confirm receipt.
Cheers,
Y
A candle looses nothing my lighting another
Two articles up already
Dear friends,
This is just a quick update to those following this thread. The first two blogs on Culture are now up. The first is on Uganda and the second is on Nigeria- Thanks to Udoka for her good work on Nigeria!!!
Here is the link to the blog - http://yaotieno.wordpress.com/
More articles coming up soon
Cheers,
Y
A candle looses nothing my lighting another