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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 22 May 2010 : 11:52:40
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Africa needs a Grundtvig
It is high time for Africans to believe in themselves. First of all, in school
By Lawrence Alex Lubulwa
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig was a renowned Danish scholar who lived from 1783 to 1872. His most famous work was as a religious poet, where he wrote about 1,500 hymns, in his mother language, Danish. His teachings concerning "the school of life" were a cornerstone in the formation of the 'peoples' high schools', which are found all over Denmark today.
In a nutshell, Grundtvig enlightened the Danes in their outlook towards education, and imparted to them an invaluable sense of national pride and self esteem.
An African living in Europe is regarded as an outsider, and this, more often than not, results in discrimination. The suffering resulting from discrimination provokes different reactions in different people. A few disassociate themselves completely from Africa. They pretend to be Americans, Europeans or West Indians, thus severing links with Africa and other Africans. But the majority seek inspiration from their respective communities, and as such become more consious of their cultural identity.
However, the spread of this spirit of self consciousness is not always apparent, due to the fact that it can be difficult to demonstrate ones preference for African culture. This is in contrast to people from the Indian subcontinent, or Arabs, who do this by way of dressing, cuisine, religious observances or by way of strengthening their languages. This problem is partly due to insufficient trade links between Africa and Europe where Europe has hindered the importation of African goods, such as textiles and food products.
The second and most important reason is the massive indoctrination which Africa has been subjected to ever since the continent was invaded by foreign cultures.
Indoctrination
Indoctrination was introduced in the name of Civilization, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, to promote the creation of nation states, and "most recently" democracy and development.
African religions were referred to as being based on heathen practices inspired by the devil.
African languages were considered to be inferior to those of Europe. I remember in my primary school, it was forbidden for students from primary five upwards to speak our mother tongue. A defaulting student was handed a small piece of wood which he or she was supposed to wear on a string around the neck - a medal of shame. His or her preoccupation was then to hunt around for another culprit to whom to pass the medal. The student possessing the wood at the end of the school day, would get an extra reprimand from the class teacher.
This practice, which is still going on, results in many students leaving school without perfecting either their mother language or English.
European history lessons
There are many examples to indicate that we do not give due respect to our history and culture.
In 1995, a Ugandan member of parliament was ruled out of order for appearing in his traditional attire to attend a parliamentary session.
As a primary school student, I remember that our school curricula were filled with European inspired subjects. History lessons consisted largely of the exploits of European explorers who had purportedly discovered practically everything uniquely attractive in Africa. Mountains, lakes, rivers and even deserts were said to have been discovered by Europeans.
Worse still, the original local names for these geographical features were dropped, in favour of those honouring European royalty and admirals.
Little wonder that this education undermined the young people's self esteem and confidence. The coming of the European was made to appear as the credo of African history, and a student came out of school with the impression that his own people had no history worth learning about.
Clay and mud
The problem does not stop at lower school levels alone. Education at higher institutions of learning has never been geared towards local peoples' needs. The syllabi were modelled from those of influential European universities such as Oxford in England. As a result, subjects and courses focusing on living standards and the environment, things affecting the quality of life of the African people, are miserably lacking.
For example, it took CARE, a foreign aid organisation, to introduce fuel saving stoves, made entirely of locally available materials - clay and metal scrap - in Uganda.
The development of permanent housing is another area which has eluded Africans. Despite the fact that universities produce graduate architects and building technicians, many people in Africa are still living in primitive grass-thatched huts with mud walls. Of late, the local people have improved on this in my area, by making mud bricks, which are a lot cheaper than traditional clay bricks, and producing straight and stronger walls for their houses. This again is an idea originating from local innovators, and not higher institutions of learning.
One can therefore conclude that the lack of development in Africa is partly due to the failure of higher institutions of learning, to link up with and address the needs of ordinary people.
The white wig
I remember on graduation day at Makerere University, one either had to rent or buy a mortarboard and a black gown for the occasion. While this is still the practice today, not more than two out of ten graduates know the origin and reason behind this British tradition.
While still on the subject of headgear, another item signifying British colonialism is still to be found - in the form of a white wig, worn by high court judges in the so-called Anglophone countries. Such attire, and other similar ornaments, only help to create a gap between the educated and the common people, the so-called peasants.
Despite the fact that the ordinary people are rarely consulted in matters concerning their welfare, the most common campaign slogan used by African politicians, is that they are out to help the peasants in the villages. Already in this statement lies the creation of a gap between the two communities, and a devaluation of the peasant, who is the prime factor in the agricultural production, on which these nations depend for their economic well being.
Prestigious cars
Economic planning in many African countries leaves a lot to be desired, especially with regard to the services offered to the local people.
Take the example of the transport sector, where consideration has never been given to promoting bicycles, as a means of transport, to supplement automobiles. One cannot help but compare with China, where cyclists practically take up more space than vehicles on city roads. In Africa, imported vehicles from Japan and Europe are an obsession. The cost of procurement, maintenance and the running of these vehicles is so high that any viable alternative would be beneficial for the national economies.
An obvious way to start would be by constructing cycle paths along roads converging into urban centers. This would improve the safety of cyclists, and in turn, more people would switch over to using bicycles. This would expand the market for bicycles which, unlike motor vehicles, are assembled in Africa.
Africa needs a Grundtvig; a way of revitalising our self confidence. We need to begin believing in ourselves. There are so many African graduates with high grades who are waiting out there to be employed, whose mind-set is such that they are not using their innovative powers. Change the colonial mind set, change Africa.
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Published on print in Djembe Magazine, no. 20, April 1997.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2010 : 16:03:40
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Writing about the Danish people what about this man for a great Dane ?,OK not compossed for a Kora but good anyway (I think)
http://www.naxos.com/person/Hans_Christian_Lumbye/22613.htm
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 22 May 2010 16:06:21 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2010 : 18:50:52
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I Don't know him.
Whats your opinion about changing the colonial mindset? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 00:04:19
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Wooooooooooo ........too deep for me, I am not into
Social Engineering,( Mandleson ,Blair, Brown, and that lot, spin lies !!)I think everone is capable of making up their own minds as to what is good and what is bad,and making their way down the road they have chosen.simple really
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 14:17:34
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Ok, I thought you had something to contribute to that issue which the posting is about. So what do you thin is the "spin lie" here similar to that of Mandleson, Blair or Brown? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 15:12:12
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I think that Blair etc. were intent on changing the thinking of ordinary people during their time in office trying to establish that their way was the only way and as such "you" ie the people shouldn't argue about other ways, if you did you would be riddiculed by those "experts" who have given ways to change thinking of the ordinary folk even if meant telling lies (in my opinion lies is another word for "spin") so everybody who is percieved as "wise" would nod their head in agreement with the spun proposal and join the happy band under the leader.To put it plainly there is no other way than the way proposed,this in my opinion applies to The Gambia.The words in your first posting,OK are open for discussion but the conclusion will be the same as that proposed,the wise will nod their heads.
These are my thoughts I am not an expert on anything. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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