Families in Diaspora and Culture
As international families or diaspora families, one of the aspects people tend to struggle with is in the area of culture. Some people struggle with culture consciously while others are not conscious of the fact that what they are actually dealing with is embedded in culture(s). People in diaspora are sometimes oblivious of the fact that they are exposed to multiple cultures when they are outside their immediate cultural setting. The challenge arises from unconscious comparison between their culture of origin and the culture they have found themselves. This could also include other cultures they have been exposed to in various ways. They begin to compare, sometimes unconsciously, their original culture with the culture in which they find themselves. As a result of these interactions, a sub culture or another culture begins to evolve. All of these lead to more confusion, the need to understand and cope with the new culture. So, there we have the challenge of adjusting to a new culture, accepting the differences in cultures, understanding the culture change in relation to their initial culture or many other cultures they may have come in contact with and have rubbed off on them. Culture seems to be very important to people in diaspora.
What is culture?
The Cambridge English dictionary defines it as the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs of a particular group of people at a particular time’[i] while the live science dictionary defines it as ,‘The characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.’[ii]
I am of the view that there are varied meanings of culture which is indicated in most of the dictionaries. I think culture sums up everything we do as humans. It refers to ‘learned human behaviour patterns’ which may include belief, knowledge, morals, dress, custom and other capabilities and habits that the individual or community may have acquired over time. These values and elements are passed on from one generation to the other mostly informally.’[iii] Culture, therefore, sums up the person and the interaction between the person, their relationships and their environment. When people find themselves outside their immediate setting, this becomes a major factor that they have to deal with. In the process of trying to handle all that come their way, they forget that a crucial aspect of that is the multiple cultures that they are surrounded with and how to process that. As we journey along on this forum as families in diaspora, we will seek to discuss and address these issues. We will seek to understand and interact with the pleasures and challenges of culture. Join the train with your comments and experiences.
[ii] Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor, February 19, 2015 08:29pm http://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html
[iii] Daramola, Ibidun B. (2016), Pastoral Counselling in Africa Westbow Publishing
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Learning from Experiences
There are treasures that are common to people in diaspora. One of such treasures is an experience. For many people who live outside their country or community of origin, they grow to learn about other places and people in unique ways when they are out of their immediate environment. Some of those experiences are good while others could be really bad. Those experiences also depend on our expectations as we move from one place to the other. We will get to talk about how cultures influence our experiences later. However, in the immediate, as we seek to discuss diaspora in general, it is important that we share some of our experiences. As we do so, we would seek to learn from others as they also learn from us.
What are experiences?
These are practical contact with and observation of facts, events and occurrences which leave an indelible mark or impression on us. It is because such impressions are registered in our lives or memories that we can recall and discuss them. When they evoke a negative reaction from us, it means that we are yet to heal from their negative impact and move on. But when we can joke about them, and they don’t hurt us anymore, even when they are not very good experiences, that is an indication that we have healed from them, and we have decided to move on.
As we discuss and upload interviews or recording of people’s experience, please feel free to share healthy and enlightening experiences that you have so that we can learn from each other and grow together. Have a laugh and please feel free to comment or encourage someone when you appreciate what has been shared. Feel free as well to identify with what you have read if it resonates with you. Have fun and take care.
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