THE CHALLENGE OF BELONGING TO A CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
We live in a complex world that is ever changing and these changes bring forth various needs to meet. Some are met divinely while others physically through human efforts. Needs (problems) have various phases; at times, it involves money, even through very important but may not be all that is most needed. It could be time, prayers, words of consolation and comfort or someone to go on errand; perform one task or the other. Sometimes it takes the effort of more than one person to satisfy a need. This agrees with the adage, Two good heads are better than one or the more the merrier; hence, the importance of joint heads, union or ties and belonging to an association. It is a common saying that a problem shared is a problem solved and beyond that, problem shared is merrier, lighter and joyful; there is no substitute for social ties and collective efforts and progress.
Those who have tried to substitute social ties with drugs and alcohol ended up in more serious problems and in the wrong crowd such as jail. Other groups of people considered have enough or have arrived by the worlds exterior measure of success live lifestyles that seem to ignore the importance of social ties. Studies reveal that despite their claimed successes, these groups feel lonely, insecure, depressed and often die prematurely and/or commit suicide. No person is an island just as no country is so self sufficient that it does not need the ties of others. God has given each person specific gifts (talent) and when pulled together it becomes a force (synergy). This supports another saying that unity is strength. However the simple truth is that a group (whether a church or a social club) is only as safe, healthy and helpful as the people in them. Also a right association promotes rightful living, healthy rivalry and collective progress.
A biblical story in the book of Genesis Chapter 11 talked about the building of the tower of Babel. The group with one mind and purpose did a very unprecedented yet magnificent teamwork that has never been equaled. As a matter of fact, it took Gods intervention to halt and stop them. Also, this brings to mind another biblical events contained in the Acts of Apostles chapter 4:31-35. Here the first Christians assembled themselves together, prayed, studied the word and shared everything they had in common. The Spirit of God was present and many miracles occurred. Their behavior strengthened one another and provoked social support amongst them. Most importantly, their ties attracted many people to their fold. These stories indeed support the merits of ties and associations. What associations do you belong to? Do they help you share in one anothers joy and burden and sometimes called to help out in the burdens of others?
Right from the primitive days, African tradition supports collective living, sharing of joys and grieves and being there for one another. This is further demonstrated in our formation of associations and in celebrations like marriages, child naming ceremonies, chieftaincy coronation and in funeral as well as the way we present, break and share our traditional kola-nut. Most African associations (or Unions) are usually formed through trade, religious, cultural and family ties. For example: in some of our villages and towns, farmers form unions and during farming seasons, they group themselves and collectively help one another in bush cutting, planting, weeding and harvesting. By so doing, the work that could have taken weeks to complete will be done in lesser time frame and joyfully too. These groups have been known to help out non members like widows, incapacitated persons; contribute part of their harvest gains and collectively donate to hospitals, orphanages and boarding schools as well as prison settings.
In Houston as well as most cities in the world, Africans form associations across cultural boundaries and freely hold meetings. The primary objectives are two fold: cultural preservation and social development. It includes: to uplift up and help out one another, promote companionship and social interaction, maintain cultural values and uphold our traditions. Others include supporting educational programs for our kids, maintain corporate links, institute and support projects that shall alleviate the poverty state of the people back home; contribute to the upkeep of the cities they live in, etc. Africans are not alone in this quest, people from other cultures have unions too, hold regular meetings, carnivals, exhibitions of their cultural values and heritage and help out one another when needs occur.
Just like Africans, they too embark on funds drive activities to meet the challenges facing them wherever they live and back home. Such challenges include scholarship schemes to help less privileged children, pipe borne water, electricity, building and equipping clinics and town halls projects as the needs require. These projects are carried out to better the living standards of their people or as a way of giving back to the community where they belong and were probably raised. For no matter what we have become and where we are, we still cherish members of that community and collectively we could salvage and better the lives of the present and future generation. It is not by accident that each individual was born in whichever community one finds self, for the Creator, God, had already predestined it. All we can do is to unite and improve it by putting in place those things we have seen and appreciated in other places we have been exposed to, visited or lived in. The days of brooding have past and we may also be waiting in vain for government manna to fall from the state house. At worst, it could be elusive.
Even though we live in cities where basic infrastructures are adequately provided today, we should not forget that where most of us came from, the story is different. Even at this age, many of us form the third world countries may not reach our parents on phone, there are no motor-able roads to reach our towns and our brethren die of curable deceases while many women die during child birth for lack of adequate healthcare facilities; pipe borne water is still a luxury in some places and some of our school building are dilapidated while most graduates from our schools are not conversant with computers, just to mention a few. Some of us who dare visit home always returned complaining of neglect by the government, insecurity and social menace. We often forget that the provision of necessary amenities should be the duty of both government and the people through community development programs. This is where our cultural Unions come into play and this challenge is for all of us today.
However, there are people whose only association is their church family. They are quick to defend themselves by stating that the bible instructs them not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers and their denominations forbid them from engaging in such associations. As good as their reasons may appear, we should not forget that the word Christian represents call out people charged to disciple the world by salting it and shinning out in it. This brings to mind the biblical story of Jesus transfiguration. The experience was so awesome and exciting that Peter suggested that they should build three tents and stay there permanently. But Jesus rebuked him because his opinion would defeat the purpose of the experience. He urged them to go out there and influence the world. If our faith is worth having, it is worth giving. You may not know what difference your presence, behavior and contributions may make in the life of other members. Such association needs you just as you need her for as iron sharpens iron, man sharpens man.
Experience reveals that belonging may expose you to certain practice that you consider fetish or may challenge your faith journey, such as pouring liberation of wine and kola-nut to the gods of the land etc. It could become a prayer point and witnessing outlet by your behavior and confessions. After-all those who go to evangelize unbelievers must be prepared to see and deal with idols (Acts 17:16); its not enough reason to abscond or abandon where God naturally place you on duty In every community, the crowd is always assumed to be right even when they are wrong. Standing tall in such a crowd can be difficult especially on issues that their minds are already made up. But God uses people like you to project, educate, correct and quell vain things; therefore be strong and steadfast, for whom the Lord calls, He equips, leads, encourages and sustains.
Our unions in advanced world should unite and cooperate with the home towns associations; take leadership and influence decisions made for the overall community. Come to think of it there are numerous little things they do on our behalf that we cant do from our destinations. We should learn to appreciate and bear one anothers burden. The projects we embark upon are for the welfare of the community and to the benefits and developments of both poor and rich; members and non-members. For example: a well equipped clinic at home shall serve the community and could also save your life in case of emergency, while visiting home. Again a good water system improves the life of the community. Even though you do not live there but your relations do; except you do not care. A computer laboratory at home will enable children raised at home to remain competitive in our technological world. We cant over-emphasize the importance of towns unions and the challenge of collective progress.
Despite all the persuasive misgivings that may be held against cultural unions, the gain seems to supersede the drawbacks. If for no other reason, in a busy city like Houston, the monthly meeting affords us the opportunity to fellowship with one another. No person is an island and no one tree can make a forest but united a bunch of broom, the better it sweeps. Therefore stay strong and resolved to belong to unions and achieve collective progress.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill @weefreeministries.org or P.O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272.