FROM CLICKS TO PROGRESS: Emmanuel Gona’s Digital Pathways To Environmental Progress

-
Image
On this International Youth Day 2024, themed "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," we take a moment to celebrate an exemplary youth leader whose impact extends far beyond digital platforms. Emmanuel Gona, a dynamic force in Kilifi County, epitomizes the power of digital engagement in fostering sustainable development and community empowerment. Emmanuel Gona, the convener of Kilifi Youth on The Move (KYOM), has emerged as a beacon of hope and change. His multifaceted role as a presenter on Vito Africa, communication coordinator at KCCGP, and a professional teacher has showcases his diverse talents and commitment to education. His influence is not confined to traditional methods; Emmanuel harnesses the digital realm, especially his presence on X, to amplify his message and inspire a generation. As an environmental and climate change youth champion, Emmanuel Gona’s initiatives resonate deeply with this year's theme.  He has spearheade...
1 comment

The Wodaabe Wife Sterling Festival- The African Traditions

-

 In Africa, we believe that the man is responsible to sadduce a lady when he wants to start a relationship, women naurish their beauty with makeup and all sought of things to attract men for marriage. When you come to the wodaabe tribe, things are the opposite.
What is unique about their culture? Join me in yet another episode of my culture and learn more about the wodaabe and their controversial courtship dance.
The wodaabe courtship dance

The wodaabe and their cultural survival.

The wodaabe also known as mbororo 
Or bororo are a sub-group of the fulani living in the Sahel region.
They are about 200,000 in population.
Thay are nomads and they usually travel with their cattles and families in the semi arid regions of Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and The Central African Republic.
The wodaabe are usually divided into 15 lineages.
The lineages are classified according to blood and they are supposed to move together as they are searching for pasture.
Their food is mostly milk and serials which they get from trading with their neighbours.
Beef is only eaten during ceremonies among the wodaabe 

Marriage and Courtship

Their are two type of marriages among the wodaabe:  The Koobegal marriages is the only marriage allowed among members of the same linage. It is planned right from the birth of the child and it should be known to elders too. 
The other type of marriage is The Teegal marriages. This one takes place during the Gerewol ceremonies. 
It involves wife stealing traditions.
The Gerewol (wife stealing festival)

The Grewol ceremony

This ceremony happen once in a year. It happens at the end of the rainny season and its date is not known nor the place where it will be performed untill a day before.
During this ceremony, all the lineages come together and a dance is arranged done by the young boys.
The boys are supposed to decorate their faces with red clay, use eyeliners on their eyelashes to make them appear light and also wear a shade of lipstick to make their teeth appear white 
A wodaabe man applying makeup

During the dance, the men are supposed to roll their eyes and show their white teeth so as to attract the women.
Wodaabe men showing their white teeth to
attract brides

The girls are supposed to have undergone menstruation some days before as after the ceremony, they will be allowed to have sex with the man they have chosen if the man accept. This would last for only a night or can continue and lead to marriage.

The wife stealing friction.

It's during the ceremony where a woman who is already married can come and look for another husband. This here is done with the concert of the wife but not the husband.
The man who will succeed to run steal a woman without being seen will be alloys to marry her by the elders.
The woman here is given freedom but she should leave the children to the Ex husband.

If a husband is infertile, he may ask his tribesman to impregnate his wife and in some cases, men would allow their husband to have sex with the most handsome men so as to have handsome and beautiful children.
Children are seen as a sign of wealth and labour.
Cattle was a source of wealth and it was rare to eat them. They were purely vegetarians eating cereals an milk.

The Gerewol ceremonies and other traditions were performances for themselves hence the culture of the wodaabe is not much known by many. Not many tourists have witnessed this type of the dance.

Read, enjoy, leave a comment and share the interesting cultural journey with others. Don't forget to follow me regularly for more about "my culture.







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FROM CLICKS TO PROGRESS: Emmanuel Gona’s Digital Pathways To Environmental Progress

-
Image
On this International Youth Day 2024, themed "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," we take a moment to celebrate an exemplary youth leader whose impact extends far beyond digital platforms. Emmanuel Gona, a dynamic force in Kilifi County, epitomizes the power of digital engagement in fostering sustainable development and community empowerment. Emmanuel Gona, the convener of Kilifi Youth on The Move (KYOM), has emerged as a beacon of hope and change. His multifaceted role as a presenter on Vito Africa, communication coordinator at KCCGP, and a professional teacher has showcases his diverse talents and commitment to education. His influence is not confined to traditional methods; Emmanuel harnesses the digital realm, especially his presence on X, to amplify his message and inspire a generation. As an environmental and climate change youth champion, Emmanuel Gona’s initiatives resonate deeply with this year's theme.  He has spearheade...
Read more

The Process of Radicalization

-
Image
  Image by freepik Many incidents have been happening in Kenya that are driven by extreme ideas and views, that are different from what people generally believe. Some of these incidents have been either political, religious or ideological, influencing people to support extremism. A few examples include: The 1998 US embassy attack in Nairobi. The 2007 post election violence where different ideologies were spread leading to tribal clashes. The Shakahola massacre in 2013 where people were convinced to fast till death in order to meet Jesus in heaven. All these incidents and more have led to an unpeaceful nation to an extent of destruction of property and death of many people. But a question I am asking myself is how can a normal human being be asked to fast to death and accept it? A person asked to kill and does it? It's a complex thing. Let's look at the whole process of radicalization and how people reach the extent of taking these decisions. The Process of Radicalization. Radic...
Read more

UNDERSTANDING ONLINE EXTREMISM

-
Image
Photo by freepik  In an age dominated by digital connectivity, the rise of online extremism poses a profound challenge to global societies. The internet, once hailed as a beacon of information and connection, has become a breeding ground for extremist ideologies. In our previous article, we looked at the Causes and effects of Radicalization and social media was among the top contributors. In this article, we will delve into the complex dynamics, root causes, and impacts surrounding the pervasive issue of extremism in the virtual realm ROOT CAUSES Online extremism often finds its origins in socioeconomic disparities, political instability, cultural tensions, and, at times, religious fervour. As a means of expressing their grievances or finding purpose amid all these factors social media can be the next best option, especially in this rapidly changing world. Let's discuss these factors and see how they bring about Online extremism. SOCIO-ECONOMIC DISPARITIES High levels of inequality...
Read more