THE OPENING OF THE PANDORA'S BOX ON AFRICAN CULTURAL VALUES SYSTEM (original) (raw)
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A philosophical investigaton into African values: towards ameliorating the African predicament
OGIRISI: a New Journal of African Studies, 2016
To say that Africans have been termed inferior beings by the racist philosophy of some western Europeans is to say a known fact. To say that most Africans have consciously or unconsciously assimilated that inferiority label is equally a cleat fact. To argue that colonization and Christianization of Africans by western Europeans left negative effects on the psyche of Africans is to say nothing but the truth. Due to the combined forces of colonization, Christianization, Islamization and chiefly slave trade, etc., with their attendant ills resulting in the inferiority complex ofthe African, the African seems to have lost confidence and consequently, looked down on her traditional values, hence, devaluing those cherished and veritable autochthonous values that have the power to better her conditions. In this piece, through the method of philosophical investigation, a case is made to the effect that, in the devalued African values, among others, lie solutions to Africa's predicament.
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This paper looks at the trend of alien behaviours and attitudes, which have been consciously and unconsciously imbibed by Africans in general and Nigerian youths in particular, and how these have negatively impacted on the various aspects of our life-family, education, economy, among others. Using a hypothetical approach as well as direct observation, the paper attempts a chronicle of these foreign cultural traits which presently threaten our individuality, our family system, our society and the very constituents of our humanity as members of a well ordered society. It looks at the role the movies can play by providing corrective measures, documenting the proper and acceptable values as well as preserving them for the future. It proffers suggestions for the way forward and makes recommendations which, if adopted, could help redirect our culture and refocus our society for a richer, more beneficial and more meaningful existence.
Rethinking African Philosophy and Traditional Value System amidst Modernity
Scientific Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, 2021
For centuries African philosophy and value system were denied; African philosophers, schools of thoughts, and traditions were not recognized as part of world philosophy; as a result, pre-colonial African cultures, and societies were labeled "ahistorical," "primitive," "paganistic," "savage," and "juju," among other terms. Africans were thought to be unable to think critically and to lack the kind of consciousness or mentality that promotes development. This condemnation ideology, which defines everything "good to be white" and everything "bad to be black", provided the western audience the moral ground for the destruction of the African society in all forms and manifestations. This study therefore focuses on the place of African philosophy and value system amidst modernity. It adopts the modernization theory of Max Weber and Talcott Parsons. Using the descriptive method, the study revealed that African philosophy, religion, value system and civilization have all been misinterpreted, misrepresented and completely misunderstood. The study argues that cultural features, worldviews, and belief systems have a significant impact on science and technology, philosophy and values, priorities and ideas, skills and ethics. This implies that all societies, even the modern world, are traditional societies. As such, African worldview and thought pattern constitute their philosophy. The paper maintains that African philosophy must transcend abstract reflection. That is to say, now that African philosophy has attained global recognition, there is the need for scholars to apply its principles toward person-oriented development.
Causes and Consequences of Rapid Erosion of Cultural Values in a Traditional African Society
Journal of Anthropology, 2012
The culture of a people is their identity as it affords them due recognition. This paper therefore is aimed at examining the causes and consequences of rapid erosion of cultural values in nigeria. Social change theory was used in this paper. This study was carried out in ado-odo/ota lga, with a sample size of 203. Simple statistics like frequency distribution, percentile were used. Chi-square statistics was used in testing the hypotheses. The study found out that there is a positive relationship between social forces such as colonialism, westernization and erosion of cultural values. Also, it was found that there is a positive relationship between the local family structure and the foreign culture. The study concludes that forceful imposition of foreign culture should be discouraged.
"Western Values" from the Perspective of Majority Native Africans
"Western Values" from the Perspective of Majority Native Africans, 2022
After some 500 years, the current state of Continental Africa is the very epitome of crystalised “Western Values” – malfunctional, unfit-for-purpose NeoColonial States, which has entrenched under puppet, treasonable pro-Western regimes, whose inner circles are allowed to indulge in deep corruption as long as they imbibe, extol, connive and condone “Western Values” of “Freedom, Democracy, Rule of Law, Free Market Economics, Free Press” – whilst the Majoritarian Native African Population suffers forever in endless drudgery. To wit, for 500 years, “Western Values” in Continental Africa for the Majority of Native Africans mean the exact opposite of what it claims – Imperialist Political Domination i.e. remote-controlled Democracy; Rule of Law of the Elected and Corrupt Judicial Systems; Un-free Economics & Markets of Natural Resources Dispossession – perpetual Impoverishment; Perpetual Debt-Enslavement & Economic Marginalisation; Controlled and Non-Free Press; Unsavoury International Trade Mechanisms; Entrenched Economic Underdevelopment; Egotistic Monopoly of Technological, Industrial, Engineering and Medical Advancements; Continued Dehumanisation, Systemic AntiAfrican Racism & Disrespect of Fundamental Human Rights of Africans; Deepening NeoColonisation and NeoColoniality; unchecked Astronomical Illicit Capital Flight - enough to Seed Fund Africa’s Economic Regeneration; Questionable Largesse; Undermine, Overthrow & Murder of Authentic, Patriotic African Leaders; Refusal of “Western Values” to Pay Reparations for 500 Years of Colonial Crimes. Altogether, these are what “Western Values” represent and mean to Majority Native Africans – a population of some 1.2Billion+ on earth. Based on overwhelming evidence, all other claims from Western Power Corridors about “Western Values”, rings hollow.
Towards a Conceptual Decolonization of "Bastardised" African Value
Crawford University Journal of Business and Social Sciences, Department of Business and Social Sciences, Crawford University, Igbesa, 2017
As documented in many literatures of African Studies, one of the horrors befalling the African people, is the cultural domination and expropriation through Colonization, Christianisation and Western Civilization. So potent has been the effect of intrusion that certain core African values have been "bastardised". The implication of this situation is such that the ideas by which Africans live, by which they relate with others, and through which they also make sense of the universe, seems no longer theirs. They are at once rejected by the culture they are tending towards, and are also cut off from where they are coming. This paper attempts a retrieval of authentic African cultural values from the morass of bastardisation created by Colonization, Christianisation and Western Civilization. It raises questions such as: what are the hindrances linked to Colonization, Christianisation and Civilization that must be eradicated? How is the task to be attained? The paper argues the thesis that proper retrieval of authentic African values "Afrioxology" should begin with conceptual decolonization of contemporary African value systems. To accomplish this task, the paper adopts a qualitative research analysis and critical evaluation of postulations on African culture. Drawing insight from Fanon"s radical model of post-colonial social engagement, it further argues that conceptual decolonization demands reeducation and re-civilization of the African mind.
Socio-Cultural Globalization and the Death of African Socio-Cultural Values and Identity
European Journal of Scientific Research , 2014
This paper, though recognizing the undeniable benefits of globalization, decries its negative effects on African socio-cultural values and identity. It shows how the African customs, traditions, values, ideologies, worldviews and identity are being daily subjected to violence and destruction by the domineering influence of Western values and lifestyle through globalization. The paper did acknowledge the inevitability of the globalization process as well as its many benefits but argues that in this globalization process the African culture and identity are being erased. It goes on to prove this in various areas where, owing to socio-cultural globalization, African values and identity are speedily being eroded. These areas where the Western culture, values and lifestyle have imposed themselves on Africans include the areas of language and educational system; customs, traditions and morals; social values and cultural festivals; news media and entertainment and many other areas where Western or American lifestyles have become in vogue among Africans to the detriment of their own lifestyles and identity. The paper then concludes that socio-cultural globalization at the rate it is going has a predictable consequence, the extinction of African socio-cultural values and identity in the nearest future.
Impact of Western culture on traditional African society: problems and prospects
Journal of Religion and Human Relations, 2018
The western culture has tremendously impacted on African traditional society in a very positive and negative dimension. It has given rise to acculturation and improved on the value system in the African society. Obviously, culture is simply the way of life of any given people that is transmittable from one generation to another. It incorporates issues that bother on technological development, language, marriage, mode of dressing, arts and craft, food, festivity, religion, social life, education and the political system of the people. This research carefully made, use of the analytical method. Books, internet sources and journals were used in this research. The research went further to address issues that bother on definition of culture and western culture, types of culture and characteristics of culture, causes of culture change and impact of Western culture on traditional African society: problems and prospects. The research recommends amongst others that in order to avoid African ...
ewanlen. A Journal of Philosophical Inquiry, 2017
The interactions between the West and Africa presents that of trade or economic benefits which is one of the advantages of globalization, but this has also created serious challenges for Africa's cultural development. This paper focuses on the problem of Africa cultural identity, and how Africa can sustain its identity and cultural values in the face an emerging global culture. However, the paper admits the damaging effect of the influence of Western culture on Africa, and the impossibility of jettisoning Western culture, It therefore suggests a cultural synthesis of good aspects of both cultures which will help Africa sustain its identity and values and foster development.
CULTURE AS MORAL FOUNDATIONS IN AFRICAN
The notion of morality in within the African society is embedded in their ideas and beliefs of nature and their interaction with culture, which distinguish wrong from rights, what is ought to be good or bad as characterized withing the frame work of their cultures. It is also embedded in the conceptions of satisfactory social relations and attitudes held by the members of the society. Thus, for clear understanding of this idea, this work adopted an analytic method. This method was specifically chosen to analyse, the moral foundations in African as embedded in its culture, religion and rationality. This work concludes that, a lively concern in moral philosophy among contemporary African philosophers is to clarify and evaluate the claims of individuality in the context of African communitarianism, because, the African person is naturally moral by nature.