Bits of Heritage, Whose Heritage

Change is the only inevitably constant aspect of life in this world we all live in. Our cultures have been dynamic. In some places we experience a rapidly vanishing heritage. While others keep theirs and improve on them, others simply do not know what to do with theirs. Technology and new discoveries in science have greatly influenced global cultural values including a supposedly described 'uninformed and primitive' African continent. This is truly not the case. In fact Africa has gradually embraced a foreign culture as its traditional values are fast loosing their place in the scheme of things.

Across many races, many traditional items are quite symbolic as they serve the emotional and utilitarian needs within the immediate environment. These sociological elements differ from place to place. As humans there are similarities of purpose. There are some common needs and challenges even basic emotions in some cases irrespective of places of origin. At a point in time such solutions to these problems could be referred to in some quarters as being primitive, uncivilized, civilized, modernized, post-modernized or even futuristic. However, it is these similarities that ought to be recognised always.

Some of the things common to all of us would include our daily routine tasks, state of well-being, growing-up, clothing, relaxation, commerce, comfort, shelter, beauty, meeting up with the challenges of nature, the environment and the rest. Certainly there are traditional ways of dealing with all of them.

In Africa these traditional values are gradually being replaced by the culture from the developed nations. Why has this been so? It can simply be said that most humans would rather associate with a winner. The West is rich, with a developed society and it is powerful! Therefore many things about them are assumed to be fantastic to be emulated.

Therefore there is an element of obvious association with it at the detriment of cultural values. Suddenly Africa's contribution to global heritage has reduced or it's being threatened. Generally speaking, some parts of the globe are gradually losing their sense of history. However there is a consolation for the future that maybe, hopefully, the vestigial traces may reveal the forgone times.

Even within the developed nations those elements that are associated with their culture are rapidly changing. Attitudes, norms and other values are now quite unpredictable. This has been further threatened by the recent insecurity in play around the world. So at any point in time, how do we then know where we were, who we are and how things have been and of course where will we be? We, as humans can not really accurately decipher what is next.

Though, if presently a people have gone on technologically to improve their station in life while others have had theirs truncated is an issue to be investigated and solutions proffered. And again is it possible to have a hybridization in terms of the diverse cultures, the tradition and values across the globe instead of an over-riding culture from a people that its expected to sweep all over mankind as the acceptable norm?

Lastly even if a global culture evolves eventually one is always assured that its 'bits of heritage' would be questioned and the routine items used by all would hopefully be available to stimulate our thoughts to answer the queries of our past, present and future.

Muyiwa Osifuye
A photographer based in Africa
Contact http://www.pictures-of-nigeria.com

---

Sterling Silver Jewelry - The Rest Of The Story

Silver is widely diffused but is rarely found in the... Read More

Shadows Boxing

Towards the end of Million Dollar Baby the character Scraps,... Read More

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

Opal is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every... Read More

The Different Styles of Inuit Sculptures

At first, all Inuit soapstone sculptures from the Arctic may... Read More

Bureaucracy in Peru!

This article is from the pen of a New Zealander... Read More

Basic Chinese Pinyin Rules

* Make sure you set your browser encoding correctly to... Read More

Ogham and Aymara

OGHAM:As any reader of my work knows by now, Ogham... Read More

Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Cups

There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in... Read More

Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 1

Today there is a growing need to examine all our... Read More

Mexican Living: Doctors, Doctors, Doctors

I am sick. I don't know what's wrong nor if... Read More

Carly Patterson: What Makes A Champion?

If you have been following gymnastics for any length of... Read More

Understanding Astrological Predictions

Opinions about astrological prediction are generally divided: "Mysterious! Magical!", say... Read More

Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 4

At the end of Part 3 in this series I... Read More

Astrology Signs and Planets Reveal Who You Are

But people are starting to take a new look at... Read More

Amaterasu The Goddess of the Sun

Amaterasu is a shining example of how adversity can help... Read More

Family, Incest, and Law

Family Values in Ancient Times:Many people of the present make... Read More

Precious Stones ? The Big Five - Part 3 The Sapphire

The sapphire, protector of the innocent, celestial guardian of truth,... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five-Part 5 The Pearl

Since pearls are so rare and possess such a high... Read More

Learn Chinese Language Tips and Techniques

There's no doubt learning any foreign language requires effort, time... Read More

Top 10 Questions about Body Piercing

Body piercing has grown so much in popularity in recent... Read More

Rasputin

GRIGORY EFIMOVICH NOVYKH (RASPUTIN):'Hail, Hail, Ras-putin'. This man's story has... Read More

Europes New Jews

They inhabit self-imposed ghettoes, subject to derision and worse, the... Read More

Body Jewelry and Todays Stars

Body jewelry and body piercing practices have been observed by... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 3 King Ludwig II

King Ludwig II of Bavaria, named after his grandfather, was... Read More

Old Russian Symbolics on a White and Blue Porcelain

Russian porcelain is widely known and is often used as... Read More

Bits of Heritage, Whose Heritage

Change is the only inevitably constant aspect of life in... Read More

Chinese Zodiac Signs

Each Chinese New Year begins on the day of first... Read More

Conspiracies: The Pyramid and the Sphinx

Egypt has long been the source of countless conspiracies, ranging... Read More

The Western Cowboy

In the State of Texas the Western Cowboy can be... Read More

Debussy and Gamelan According to a 150 Year Old Man

Hello!If you haven't been transported by the mesmerizing sounds of... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five - Part 4 The Diamond

The diamond is generally regarded as the premier gem in... Read More

Eminem Slimshady

Firstly revealed by the fable Dr.Dre, and then debut of... Read More

Chinese Tattoos - Meaning of Chinese Dragon Tattoos

Chinese Tattoos have always been hugely popular. At one stage... Read More