ReAfrikanization Query! Cultural Specificity or Cultural Pluralism in ReAfrikanization

[Obadele Kambon]

In reAfrikanization is it best to connect/re-connect with one specific culture and all of the aspects which are a part of it, or is it best to take the best from various Afrikan cultures (including continent and diaspora) as necessary. Discuss!

[pyvsi]

Some will feel more connected and authentic by adopting one specific Afrikan culture and trying to preserve it with as much historical accuracy as possible. Others will probably decide that since cultures can and do evolve anyway (some more quickly than others), then there is no harm in taking a selective buffet approach in deciding what their own incarnation of Afrikan culture will be.

As for me, I'll adopt whichever elements of Afrikan culture resonate with my homing beacon. It's what I call that heartbreaking, frustrating thing that gnawed away at me for years while I diligently (painfully) followed the path that my parents, teachers, preachers etc laid out for me and I never felt right or "at home." I don't know if that makes sense.
I don't know if I will find what I'm looking for in one Afrikan culture or in a hybrid; I haven't learned enough yet. But every now and then I find clues that feel like home.

I think both approaches will be beneficial in the healing of our People, as long as the cultures we adopt and live by are ours, of our own creation through our own self-determination, and not some sick degrading caricature of ourselves handed to us by somebody else.

[RulerRa7]

Nana Asa Hillard spoke many times about "taking the best" out of all parts of the Continent, synthesizing them into new models. I hope I stated this correctly??

[Obadele Kambon]

Some will feel more connected and authentic by adopting one specific Afrikan culture and trying to preserve it with as much historical accuracy as possible. Others will probably decide that since cultures can and do evolve anyway (some more quickly than others), then there is no harm in taking a selective buffet approach in deciding what their own incarnation of Afrikan culture will be.

As for me, I'll adopt whichever elements of Afrikan culture resonate with my homing beacon. It's what I call that heartbreaking, frustrating thing that gnawed away at me for years while I diligently (painfully) followed the path that my parents, teachers, preachers etc laid out for me and I never felt right or "at home." I don't know if that makes sense.
I don't know if I will find what I'm looking for in one Afrikan culture or in a hybrid; I haven't learned enough yet. But every now and then I find clues that feel like home.

I think both approaches will be beneficial in the healing of our People, as long as the cultures we adopt and live by are ours, of our own creation through our own self-determination, and not some sick degrading caricature of ourselves handed to us by somebody else.

BlackCellent input. What steps are you taking to "learn enough" to make a decision.

Nana Asa Hillard spoke many times about "taking the best" out of all parts of the Continent, synthesizing them into new models. I hope I stated this correctly??

You did state this correctly. For me, the concern with specificity is running back to fragments. The concern with pluralism is the lack of groundedness that can come from it.

[Yaw Agbede]

For me, the concern with specificity is running back to fragments. The concern with pluralism is the lack of groundedness that can come from it.

How does one inculcate groundedness in themselves and their children?

[Yaw Asare Aboagye]

I think it's prudent to learn one but leave the mind open to see the cultural commonalities in our other cultures. Then instill those commonalities into our realities by not only acknowledgement but in practice. That way were not marrying into the "fragments" that Obadele spoke of and we also have some specificity as well.

[Ekundayo]

Mo ki yin,

I was going to reply and then I read Yaw's post and thought differently, but alas, here I am. There are, of course-as with anything and everything-pros and cons to each approach. The cons are as stated by Obadele, the potentiality for "fragments" becoming the normalized aspect of African cultural practice (unfortunately, it is very much that way already). My other concern, again alluded to, is the prolonged debate about which cultural practice to practice (again, a very real phenomenon here in the states).

From what I know about my lineage I am not Yoruba on either side, nor do I claim to be one in present time. However, I do practice the cultural system most commonly attributed to the Yoruba. I have no problem with it, and from what I know, my ancestors don't have a problem with it either. The most important thing is come closer and closer to being African every single day. At the same time, we have no need to make anything up. Afrikan culture is everywhere and there is more than enough information for any committed and dedicated person or persons to begin to resurrect our cultures. Sure there will be stumbling blocks and sometimes dead ends, but it has to be done. I'm a nationalist first and foremost, and when our shrines cease to promote our movement into sovereignty (which I know they wont, but....) then they have to go and we will find another Afrakan system to practice.

Regarding specificity. We, our society, were "born" into the Yoruba system. It is the only spiritual system we practice and the primary Afrakan language we use. It is our model for how to be African. However, we are always trying to understand how our other systems are practiced. Most importantly, to see the connections and to make further sense of and to affirm our practice.

Yesterday I was talking to an associate of mine and he said that he has a friend that is a practicing sufi muslim, a babalawo, and he also practices palo. He was telling me that he his friend and I to meet. In my mind I'm saying no way. In MY experience, people who double (and triple) dip in Afrikan (or any other cultures) are up to no good or have little faith in the ways they practice. I am not a scholar of languages, religions, or cultural systems....I am a practitioner. As wide and deep as Ifa AND Yoruba language go I have truly embarked on a lifelong practice. I don't personally need anything else.

Lastly, I would say to any recovering African out there "thinking" about a cultural system. Choose up, the key is to be Afrakan.....not to be right.

[Yaw Asare Aboagye]

I'd like to add to what @Ekundayo said. I lean toward Akan cultural practices but my family and I have participated in Yoruba and Kemetic practices as well. In doing so I have seen how they connect and have seen the similarities. One aspect where this bares out is language, we use KiSwahili, Akan, Yoruba, Kemetic and Wolof terms interchangeably.

That said for anyone looking to choose or do not know what to choose in terms of an Afrikan system, I say pick anyone you feel suits you but be cognizant of other Afrikan cultural systems. You'll find that will fortify being one with your Afrikan self.

I also agree with those that are double or triple "dipping" in Afrikan and others stuff, I don't trust them.

The infant that I am in learning Akan (or any other of our cultural systems) it isn't about reading about it but living it in all it's elements. Lastly, if those practicing these system aren't about us (letting non-Afrikans participate) then I don't participate with them. Some of these shrines aren't really about healing us.

[Jujamea]

Research where you people came from and continue the cultural lineage that way.

[Agya Kwaku]

i am interested in all things Afrikan, I have started with the Akan culture because I am learning the Twi language. I think it is important that we at least be aware of other Afrikan cultures and to learn/experience what we can because the more we know about other Afrikan cultures the more we realize our similarities and can focus on those similarities and not just the differences. The focus we seem to have on our differences are being exploited by yt and our land and resources are being taken from under our noses.