Rreconciliation of African Culture and National Development for Sustainable Human Development
Posted: 26 May 2020
Date Written: April 27, 2020
Abstract
The dignity and honour that go with red cap and grey hair have given way for affluence and riches. In a similar manner, traditional folks and moonlight tales is giving way to films and movies. Today, no attention is given to the ancient wisdom of our forebears; the wisdom on which lay the foundation of Greek philosophy. This is the wisdom of truth, justice and fairness, for which our elders were revered. In the pre-colonial era, one did not go too far in search of truth since there was a profound respect for traditions and values. Every community had a village square that served as its school, court, and Church. An elder was a symbol of truth, justice, and fairness. Indeed, he was a valuable symbol, in the sense that he stood for all that is valued among the traditional African society. Today we have embraced modern civilization, also referred to as development. Development has come and our sense of value is gone. Today, we no longer embrace the wisdom of our fathers but the wisdom of money. Cosmetics now introduce grey hairs, red caps are now for fashion, and elders are no longer associated with age and wisdom but are considered in the interest of money. The question now is can our African Philosophy also find her relevance on the wisdom of our present fathers, that is, if they have any wisdom? Can the so-called development or civilization co-exist with our African values? Where are truth, justice and fairness? Can they be found even in this era of development and civilization? It is the goal of this write-up to critically investigate the effects of development on our African culture.
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