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Naturally, the nostalgia of every reader would vary from one another depending on the traditional orientation of the individual. And truly, Africa is a multi-cultural continent with further sub-cultural differences, so many as to be innumerable. Though many African societies may share some similarities in their culture, there is always one unique thing that is always peculiar to each society. I will never be able to cover these varieties, but for the sake of our discussion, I will draw on the few I could. Having said that, let us now continue with a few more of those characteristics almost common in most African traditional societies, yet not entirely universal. Let us look at some essential traditional implements that have subsisted and continue to help our people in the village? Such things as the 'Nguga' (A fish basket), in which fish and other similar delicacies are stored and then hung over the fire place for natural drying and/or non-chemical preservation. How about the 'ikpo' (wooden/bamboo bed)? A bamboo bed strongly hung over low burning coals at night to provide the elders sleeping in them with warmth and good circulation while they slept. How about the reminder that in our chewing sticks lie the antibacterial content that protects the gum and retains the teeth from falling or rotting away? Something that is lacking in toothbrushes and toothpaste. |
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The biological immunity and constitution of our physical make up, which provides our people with the resilience to survive acute bouts of malaria and other health hazards that would ordinarily eliminate members of the typical western society. Agreed, a lot of modern medicine and medical facilities are needed in Africa today. However, it must be mentioned that most of our people's illness today, arise from either an exposure to western lifestyle and feeding, or a withdrawal from our nature such as a withdrawal or disregard of the efficacy of herbs and plants that Nature made available to us from the beginning. Our ancestors had their way of containing almost all kinds of illness. A place where the sun rises almost every day of the year, and thereby reducing the melancholy often associated with the lack of sunshine and a bright sky in many western societies. A place where the sun comes shining gladly and strongly again within minutes after a heavy downpour. A place where the people do not religiously rely on meteorologists and their limited forecasts, in order to decide when to go out and how far to go. A place where the people need not worry about winter troubles such as gaining weight, constant bundling of clothes when stepping out, or the digging out of cars from underneath mountains of snow. A place where fruits and other food items do not have to undergo massive treatment of chemical sterilization and preservation. Now, how about the unique ability of our people to feed on street prepared food and street sold food such as fried yam, 'dodo' (fried plantain), 'acara' (bean cake), roasted corn, and more, without the menace of serious virus infection? Don't get me wrong, I am not commending these health hazards, but it is interesting to note that in most cases, our people survive under these conditions. A symbol of a people either so well created or extraordinarily protected by the same life that seemed to have made things difficult in the first place. Of course, some people do get sick from these exposures but the percentage is interestingly minimal. A people with a unique immune system. Fortunately or unfortunately, many of us who now reside in the western societies have lost this unique immune system. We must therefore eat selectively clean and rely on bottled water throughout the duration of our stay at home. Why? Our immune systems have 'adjusted' (or to say the truth 'been weakened') by exposure to western lifestyle, feeding, and medicines. Ironical, is it not? Note: Similar stories and pictures are acceptable for publication here |
Nostalgic Virtues of The African Society (Part 2) Oliver Mbamara, Esq. |
The biological immunity and constitution of our physical make up, which provides our people with the resilience to survive acute bouts of malaria and other health hazards that would ordinarily eliminate members of the typical western society. Agreed, a lot of modern medicine and medical facilities are needed in Africa today. However, it must be mentioned that most of our people's illness today, arise from either an exposure to western lifestyle and feeding, or a withdrawal from our nature such as a withdrawal or disregard of the efficacy of herbs and plants that Nature made available to us from the beginning. Our ancestors had their way of containing almost all kinds of illness. A place where the sun rises almost every day of the year, and thereby reducing the melancholy often associated with the lack of sunshine and a bright sky in many western societies. A place where the sun comes shining gladly and strongly again within minutes after a heavy downpour. A place where the people do not religiously rely on meteorologists and their limited forecasts, in order to decide when to go out and how far to go. A place where the people need not worry about winter troubles such as gaining weight, constant bundling of clothes when stepping out, or the digging out of cars from underneath mountains of snow. A place where fruits and other food items do not have to undergo massive treatment of chemical sterilization and preservation. Now, how about the unique ability of our people to feed on street prepared food and street sold food such as fried yam, 'dodo' (fried plantain), 'acara' (bean cake), roasted corn, and more, without the menace of serious virus infection? Don't get me wrong, I am not commending these health hazards, but it is interesting to note that in most cases, our people survive under these conditions. A symbol of a people either so well created or extraordinarily protected by the same life that seemed to have made things difficult in the first place. Of course, some people do get sick from these exposures but the percentage is interestingly minimal. A people with a unique immune system. Fortunately or unfortunately, many of us who now reside in the western societies have lost this unique immune system. We must therefore eat selectively clean and rely on bottled water throughout the duration of our stay at home. Why? Our immune systems have 'adjusted' (or to say the truth 'been weakened') by exposure to western lifestyle, feeding, and medicines. Ironical, is it not? Note: Similar stories and pictures are acceptable for publication here |
LINK PAGE BACK TO TOP © 2003 AfricanTHeaterUSA.com |
Naturally, the nostalgia of every reader would vary from one another depending on the traditional orientation of the individual. And truly, Africa is a multi-cultural continent with further sub-cultural differences, so many as to be innumerable. Though many African societies may share some similarities in their culture, there is always one unique thing that is always peculiar to each society. I will never be able to cover these varieties, but for the sake of our discussion, I will draw on the few I could. Having said that, let us now continue with a few more of those characteristics almost common in most African traditional societies, yet not entirely universal. Let us look at some essential traditional implements that have subsisted and continue to help our people in the village? Such things as the 'Nguga' (A fish basket), in which fish and other similar delicacies are stored and then hung over the fire place for natural drying and/or non-chemical preservation. How about the 'ikpo' (wooden/bamboo bed)? A bamboo bed strongly hung over low burning coals at night to provide the elders sleeping in them with warmth and good circulation while they slept. How about the reminder that in our chewing sticks lie the antibacterial content that protects the gum and retains the teeth from falling or rotting away? Something that is lacking in toothbrushes and toothpaste. |
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