AFRICAN SOCIAL VALUES CRIPPLE DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

AFRICAN SOCIAL VALUES CRIPPLE DEMOCRACY

 AND DEVELOPMENT

        By Eric Sindabi

Democracy as the saying goes is like heaven. We always desire it but no man ever achieves it on earth. It was the late Pope John Paul who once said that; “a society that is not socially just to its people and does not intend to be, puts its own future at stake”

Indeed the African continent is viewed by the west as an underdog in development. Majority of its people languish in poverty that is caused by poor social orders. According to the west, skewed democratic standards and violations of human rights frustrate socio-economic developments in Africa.

African rulers however have been accused of choking democratic rights of their citizens as they cling on to power. Many of these leaders indeed view democracy as a western culture and ideology that has no place in African.

Some have accused the west for dictatorship and neo-colonialism. They refuse to up hold the universal principles of social systems including the rule of law and the equal distribution of power and resources. Instead, majority of African leaders ape the ancient rulers who were ignorant of social justice and competitive politics.

A typical African ruler recognized his subjects by tribe, clan and region. It was the reign of tribal chiefdoms among the many African ethnic groups that competed for natural economic resources. Displacements and loss of lives were thus prevalent.

It is evident to this extend indeed most African leaders adhere to tribalism in their guest to power. They are guided by forces that incorporate traditions, beliefs and aspirations of their ancestral backgrounds. Many in fact arise to power through such forces that however tend to sideline other tribal groups.

In Ancient African chiefdoms and kingdoms tribal supremacy was an obligation of a ruler. The legacy, needs and aspirations of the ruler’s tribe was a guiding light that determined his success. A ruler never succeeded unless he ensured that his tribesmen interests rose above their neighours’.

Interestingly this culture is common among modern African leaders who always tend to put the aspirations of their kinsmen at hand to the expense of the rest in a nation. However what always results is conflicts and instabilities that so far have cost socio-economic endeavours in the continent. Negative ethnicities and tribal clashes as is evident, are purely born out of political machinations that are selfishly driven.

Although African traditions that were centred and linked on a socialism system that embraced social and economic equality among members of a social group, their rulers were the supreme beneficiaries of social and economic values.

The Kings collected valuables from their subjects to enrich themselves. They owned massive pieces of land and domesticated animals that were the symbols of economic power. They owned as many as was possible; wives, children and servants that was a symbol of social power. The Kings were like sacred cows. They had the powers and rights to own anything unquestioningly. In fact an African ruler was never voted for to rule, but it was by means of conquest and inheritance. Only death could do him a part with his thrown.

 Social analysts believe that when some groups of people in society question or tend to be dissatisfied by a section of another group, conflicts are bound to arise. The same sociologists put forward that instability is bound to recur, that no tangible unity and development can find room to grow.

In Kenya for example, the struggle for democracy soon after independence and the so called “second liberation” syndromes in the country were born out of an outcry to change the status quo.Many believe that the countless hardships and poor living standards by majority of Kenyans have been caused entirely by the status quo that is embroiled around tribal politics where tribalism has been a defining factor in the sharing of national resources.

According to historians many cultural beliefs and practices in African societies caused negative ethnicity, prejudice and oppression against other tribes. Injustices and poor distribution of resources was the order of the day. In fact tribal skirmishes and cleansings were the order of the day like in the fight for land and against domination by particular tribal groups.

There was no rule of law but the laws of the jungle ruled, like the case of survival for the fittest. Indeed many African leaders, who add to dictators and tyrants in the making, do not recognize or adhere to the rule of law, but tend to live above the law. Many have manipulated parliaments to make laws that suit their interests and those of their cronies.

However it is sad that many modern African leaders do not realize that times have changed. Democracy is fast developing as a global and universal principle in man’s society. The rule of the law and social justice where equality and humanity are supreme values.

Many of these leaders who try to cling on to power by dividing their citizens on tribal lines strangle democracy and cause instability that hurts development. Many African countries  like we in Kenya,Rwanda,Somali,Ivory Coast,Mali,Zimbabwe,Sudan,Congo,Uganda among others indeed have and are still experiencing this old school political leaders who don’t want to give democracy a chance but want power by all means.

Democracy is viewed as a global means to social and economic stability. It allows for the rule of law, transparency and good governance to carry the day for the benefit of all. African leaders who cling on to power by all means thus cripple democracy and create a socio-economic impasse. Poverty and violation of human rights thus has been the trait of the African society according to the United Nations scaling and reports all along.

While the African masses continue turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to the rotten and backward ideologies of their rulers, they continue lagging behind socially and economically, even as globalization stares in their face. Unless Africans rise up and fight for emancipation from the crippled leadership standards, the darkness that is the dark Africa will forever dog its people and land.

AFRICAN SOCIAL VALUES CRIPPLE DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

AFRICAN SOCIAL VALUES CRIPPLE DEMOCRACY

 AND DEVELOPMENT

        By Eric Sindabi

Democracy as the saying goes is like heaven. We always desire it but no man ever achieves it on earth. It was the late Pope John Paul who once said that; “a society that is not socially just to its people and does not intend to be, puts its own future at stake”

Indeed the African continent is viewed by the west as an underdog in development. Majority of its people languish in poverty that is caused by poor social orders. According to the west, skewed democratic standards and violations of human rights frustrate socio-economic developments in Africa.

African rulers however have been accused of choking democratic rights of their citizens as they cling on to power. Many of these leaders indeed view democracy as a western culture and ideology that has no place in African.

Some have accused the west for dictatorship and neo-colonialism. They refuse to up hold the universal principles of social systems including the rule of law and the equal distribution of power and resources. Instead, majority of African leaders ape the ancient rulers who were ignorant of social justice and competitive politics.

A typical African ruler recognized his subjects by tribe, clan and region. It was the reign of tribal chiefdoms among the many African ethnic groups that competed for natural economic resources. Displacements and loss of lives were thus prevalent.

It is evident to this extend indeed most African leaders adhere to tribalism in their guest to power. They are guided by forces that incorporate traditions, beliefs and aspirations of their ancestral backgrounds. Many in fact arise to power through such forces that however tend to sideline other tribal groups.

In Ancient African chiefdoms and kingdoms tribal supremacy was an obligation of a ruler. The legacy, needs and aspirations of the ruler’s tribe was a guiding light that determined his success. A ruler never succeeded unless he ensured that his tribesmen interests rose above their neighours’.

Interestingly this culture is common among modern African leaders who always tend to put the aspirations of their kinsmen at hand to the expense of the rest in a nation. However what always results is conflicts and instabilities that so far have cost socio-economic endeavours in the continent. Negative ethnicities and tribal clashes as is evident, are purely born out of political machinations that are selfishly driven.

Although African traditions that were centred and linked on a socialism system that embraced social and economic equality among members of a social group, their rulers were the supreme beneficiaries of social and economic values.

The Kings collected valuables from their subjects to enrich themselves. They owned massive pieces of land and domesticated animals that were the symbols of economic power. They owned as many as was possible; wives, children and servants that was a symbol of social power. The Kings were like sacred cows. They had the powers and rights to own anything unquestioningly. In fact an African ruler was never voted for to rule, but it was by means of conquest and inheritance. Only death could do him a part with his thrown.

 Social analysts believe that when some groups of people in society question or tend to be dissatisfied by a section of another group, conflicts are bound to arise. The same sociologists put forward that instability is bound to recur, that no tangible unity and development can find room to grow.

In Kenya for example, the struggle for democracy soon after independence and the so called “second liberation” syndromes in the country were born out of an outcry to change the status quo.Many believe that the countless hardships and poor living standards by majority of Kenyans have been caused entirely by the status quo that is embroiled around tribal politics where tribalism has been a defining factor in the sharing of national resources.

According to historians many cultural beliefs and practices in African societies caused negative ethnicity, prejudice and oppression against other tribes. Injustices and poor distribution of resources was the order of the day. In fact tribal skirmishes and cleansings were the order of the day like in the fight for land and against domination by particular tribal groups.

There was no rule of law but the laws of the jungle ruled, like the case of survival for the fittest. Indeed many African leaders, who add to dictators and tyrants in the making, do not recognize or adhere to the rule of law, but tend to live above the law. Many have manipulated parliaments to make laws that suit their interests and those of their cronies.

However it is sad that many modern African leaders do not realize that times have changed. Democracy is fast developing as a global and universal principle in man’s society. The rule of the law and social justice where equality and humanity are supreme values.

Many of these leaders who try to cling on to power by dividing their citizens on tribal lines strangle democracy and cause instability that hurts development. Many African countries  like we in Kenya,Rwanda,Somali,Ivory Coast,Mali,Zimbabwe,Sudan,Congo,Uganda among others indeed have and are still experiencing this old school political leaders who don’t want to give democracy a chance but want power by all means.

Democracy is viewed as a global means to social and economic stability. It allows for the rule of law, transparency and good governance to carry the day for the benefit of all. African leaders who cling on to power by all means thus cripple democracy and create a socio-economic impasse. Poverty and violation of human rights thus has been the trait of the African society according to the United Nations scaling and reports all along.

While the African masses continue turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to the rotten and backward ideologies of their rulers, they continue lagging behind socially and economically, even as globalization stares in their face. Unless Africans rise up and fight for emancipation from the crippled leadership standards, the darkness that is the dark Africa will forever dog its people and land.

AFRICAN SOCIAL VALUES CRIPPLE DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

AFRICAN SOCIAL VALUES CRIPPLE DEMOCRACY

 AND DEVELOPMENT

        By Eric Sindabi

Democracy as the saying goes is like heaven. We always desire it but no man ever achieves it on earth. It was the late Pope John Paul who once said that; “a society that is not socially just to its people and does not intend to be, puts its own future at stake”

Indeed the African continent is viewed by the west as an underdog in development. Majority of its people languish in poverty that is caused by poor social orders. According to the west, skewed democratic standards and violations of human rights frustrate socio-economic developments in Africa.

African rulers however have been accused of choking democratic rights of their citizens as they cling on to power. Many of these leaders indeed view democracy as a western culture and ideology that has no place in African.

Some have accused the west for dictatorship and neo-colonialism. They refuse to up hold the universal principles of social systems including the rule of law and the equal distribution of power and resources. Instead, majority of African leaders ape the ancient rulers who were ignorant of social justice and competitive politics.

A typical African ruler recognized his subjects by tribe, clan and region. It was the reign of tribal chiefdoms among the many African ethnic groups that competed for natural economic resources. Displacements and loss of lives were thus prevalent.

It is evident to this extend indeed most African leaders adhere to tribalism in their guest to power. They are guided by forces that incorporate traditions, beliefs and aspirations of their ancestral backgrounds. Many in fact arise to power through such forces that however tend to sideline other tribal groups.

In Ancient African chiefdoms and kingdoms tribal supremacy was an obligation of a ruler. The legacy, needs and aspirations of the ruler’s tribe was a guiding light that determined his success. A ruler never succeeded unless he ensured that his tribesmen interests rose above their neighours’.

Interestingly this culture is common among modern African leaders who always tend to put the aspirations of their kinsmen at hand to the expense of the rest in a nation. However what always results is conflicts and instabilities that so far have cost socio-economic endeavours in the continent. Negative ethnicities and tribal clashes as is evident, are purely born out of political machinations that are selfishly driven.

Although African traditions that were centred and linked on a socialism system that embraced social and economic equality among members of a social group, their rulers were the supreme beneficiaries of social and economic values.

The Kings collected valuables from their subjects to enrich themselves. They owned massive pieces of land and domesticated animals that were the symbols of economic power. They owned as many as was possible; wives, children and servants that was a symbol of social power. The Kings were like sacred cows. They had the powers and rights to own anything unquestioningly. In fact an African ruler was never voted for to rule, but it was by means of conquest and inheritance. Only death could do him a part with his thrown.

 Social analysts believe that when some groups of people in society question or tend to be dissatisfied by a section of another group, conflicts are bound to arise. The same sociologists put forward that instability is bound to recur, that no tangible unity and development can find room to grow.

In Kenya for example, the struggle for democracy soon after independence and the so called “second liberation” syndromes in the country were born out of an outcry to change the status quo.Many believe that the countless hardships and poor living standards by majority of Kenyans have been caused entirely by the status quo that is embroiled around tribal politics where tribalism has been a defining factor in the sharing of national resources.

According to historians many cultural beliefs and practices in African societies caused negative ethnicity, prejudice and oppression against other tribes. Injustices and poor distribution of resources was the order of the day. In fact tribal skirmishes and cleansings were the order of the day like in the fight for land and against domination by particular tribal groups.

There was no rule of law but the laws of the jungle ruled, like the case of survival for the fittest. Indeed many African leaders, who add to dictators and tyrants in the making, do not recognize or adhere to the rule of law, but tend to live above the law. Many have manipulated parliaments to make laws that suit their interests and those of their cronies.

However it is sad that many modern African leaders do not realize that times have changed. Democracy is fast developing as a global and universal principle in man’s society. The rule of the law and social justice where equality and humanity are supreme values.

Many of these leaders who try to cling on to power by dividing their citizens on tribal lines strangle democracy and cause instability that hurts development. Many African countries  like we in Kenya,Rwanda,Somali,Ivory Coast,Mali,Zimbabwe,Sudan,Congo,Uganda among others indeed have and are still experiencing this old school political leaders who don’t want to give democracy a chance but want power by all means.

Democracy is viewed as a global means to social and economic stability. It allows for the rule of law, transparency and good governance to carry the day for the benefit of all. African leaders who cling on to power by all means thus cripple democracy and create a socio-economic impasse. Poverty and violation of human rights thus has been the trait of the African society according to the United Nations scaling and reports all along.

While the African masses continue turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to the rotten and backward ideologies of their rulers, they continue lagging behind socially and economically, even as globalization stares in their face. Unless Africans rise up and fight for emancipation from the crippled leadership standards, the darkness that is the dark Africa will forever dog its people and land.

AN AFRICAN ART MUSEUM CAN BE A GREAT SOURCE OF AFRICA’S CULTURE AND HERITAGE INFORMATION

AN AFRICAN ART MUSEUM CAN BE A GREAT SOURCE OF

 AFRICA’S CULTURE AND HERITAGE INFORMATION

         By Eric Sindabi

Archaeologists and Anthropologists believe that art is man’s best way of communicating and expressing ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions and experiences. Indeed art is a human activity and culture of imitating nature and understanding. It is that artificial form of life that human beings create by imagination and observations.

Philosopher Richard Wollheim who served as president of the British Society of Aesthetics (BSA) between 1992 and 2003 in his book ; Art and its Objects describes art as “one of the most elusive of the traditional problems of human culture”. However most recent ideas by social scientists that were influenced by the works of a German Philosopher Martin Heidegger construe art as a means by which society develops for itself a medium of self identity and expression.

Through art people in society develop cultural legacy. In this we can learn about their history and way of life. We can tell about their beliefs, traditions, economic aspirations, knowledge of the environment and spirituality.

The art forms materials that were discovered in caves and other archaeological sites in ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome among others have indeed helped Anthropologists define the history and character of mankind.

AFRICA

The African continent is a pride of the black race of human kind and so far a depicted cradle of mankind. The origin and nature of the black people is both a source of curiosity and unfulfilled anxiety in anthropologic studies all over the world for its unique cultural diversity.

In their books portraying Africa as the cradle of mankind, anthropologists Charles Finch –Echoes of the Old Darkland: Themes from the African Eden and John Jackson –God, Man and Civilization emphasize that human kind originated in Africa around the Great Lakes region around the Equator “pigmented and black”

The African Art history precedes any written records with some discoveries dating as far as 6,000 years ago. The art forms deeply predicted and reflected the rich natural environment, wild life, plant and human beings of Africa. Recent art discoveries include cave findings in South Africa dating some 70,000 years ago. Artistic forms of African origin that thrive in museums and other art centres across the world that reflect the coveted cultural backgrounds of the black man have however been rated among the best by leading art stakeholders like; The World Community of Museums (WCM) and the International Council of African Museums (ICAM).

 The National Museums of African Art (NMAfA) founded in 1964 by Warren Robbins an American historian and art collector  is a perfect example of information centres across the world that dedicate their themes to African Art. The Museum located along Independence  Avenue in Washington DC in the US is a typical example of the diversity and uniqueness of the African culture that is reflected in African Art collections that attract millions of art lovers,archaeologists,researchers,students and thespians from within the country and worldwide annually.

While working for the US Embassy in Bonn,Germany in the late 1950’s Robbins had accidentally entered an antique shop where he got fascinated by an African curio item from the Yoruba people of Nigeria that he bought as a memento for his stay in Germany.

However, in the years that followed, the historian travelled across the world collecting African Art materials which were to be the foundation of the NMAfA a famous art centre in America that is dedicated at promoting African culture through showcasing African arts materials. 

The Museum’s art collections programmes centre on the theme that fosters on the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa as the cradle of mankind. With population of 6,000 employees, the centre boasts of about 130 million art collections of the African orient and is affiliated to a 100 other museums in America and across the world. It however incorporates other forms of arts of African origin including the performing arts and African Literature.

CELESTIAL BODIES

The current exhibition at the Museum’s gallery dabbed: African Cosmos: Stellar Arts explores the historical bequest African cultural and experiences in astrology. The showcase provides for a study and reflection of the African society’s legacy, beliefs, traditions and efforts to relate with the heavens as a mysterious part of the universe. It depicts the ways that celestial bodies like rainbows, stars, moon, eclipses, clouds and the sun serve as inspirational and symbols in the creation of Africa’s traditional and contemporary observations of the heavens.

It is part of the artistic knowledge that informs, explores and expresses the ritual practices in the traditional African cultures. The collections on show since June this year running up to February next year reflect and depict the universe intensely and place human beings relationship with the earth, sky and celestial bodies in harmony.

AFRICAN GOLD

Past exhibitions at the Museum include; Ethiopian Icons-a showcase of paintings that focus on the ancient Ethiopian Christian religious rulers described as “Icons” who in the 4^th century played a crucial role in unifying the diverse Ethiopian populations through the Orthodox Church traditions.

Other notable recent past showcases at the NMAfA include; The Fabric of Moroccan Life, African Gold: Selections from the Museum of Fine Arts, Resonance from the past: African Sculpture from the New Orleans Museum of Art, Central Nigeria Unmasked, Two Nigerian Shrine Figures: Identity of the Sacred and selected African Musical Instruments among many others.

Since the summer of 2007, performing arts programmes at the Museum showcase the arts and cultures of Africa. The programme has steadily increased performances of local and foreign African artists in dance, music and poetry.

On the other hand, Education programmes at the Museum bring to life the cultures of Africa through talks, lectures and workshops that feature African artists, writers and academicians. The African Cinema programme  on the other hand addresses a wide spectrum of the human experiences since time immemorial comprising of themes like;racialism,self determination, gender issues,politics,history,love faith and religion.

The Museum has opportunities for internships, scholarships and fellowships apart from employment to people from across the world who wishes to be recognized with the wonders of the African Art.