In my culture, there certain perceptual practices that have the power to create a confusive state of mind.
We, as shangaan people, grew up from the rural areas where economic opportunities we very limited and/or we grew up less exposed to. Our grandfathers and fathers went to areas where there is economic opportunities, i.e Joburg surrounds and other cities. However, this move were not of permanence, although some did make a permanent
move. Within this opportunity seeking was the intention to support oneself and the family. However, others left for economic success without any family of their own other than their parents, siblings and cousins behind. Within these better opportunity seekers were those who seemingly had the love of staying in these areas where went for better opportunities and living standards. These were the people who were ridiculed because of their not coming home or
came home when they were sick or have lost their jobs. There were called 'kholwa'. A labeling which I have not come to understand because the meaning of the word is,'A believer.'This was said merely because someone has not returned to their birth place for quite a while. I think it a startling and perhaps absurd labeling when looking at the understanding that man is capable of relating and changing his place of residence, without any cultural limitations. I have noticed recently that this has dissipated, despite its foundation remaining on cultural lips.
I have personally stayed in between the two,i.e occasional visit to the village where I grew and having made a well thought out conscious decision to make the current area where I own the house my permanent home. It is within my interest to remove myself from the this cultural thinking of 'kholwa' because I do not like the limitations it has on people.
My making this decision is an attempt to open myself to more opportunities of success, which has now been ingrained into my habits.I merely see myself as a descendant of my culture and gave it a new and progressive meaning. Anything that tends to be opposite of my decision does not need to worry me. Why I raise this matter has everything to do with me being in peace with myself.
Furthermore, in the same way we have become accustomed to the thinking that anyone born last in the family,especially males, is automatically guaranteed to inherit what his parents have left behind. This is stupid and we have seen people wasting every resource that their parents left behind in less than a year of their passing away. It has also created the culture of entitlement, which therefore made inheritors lazy and irresponsible.
I'm last born male from my parents but i learned that if I need great success and experience a good life, I must sweat for my goals.
I end this by saying: every culture is good when it promotes freedom and reward great independence.
No comments:
Post a Comment