Choose Your Traditions and Customs Over Foreign Religions.

If we are not vigilant, we may soon witness the extinction of numerous cultural practices that define Ghana's rich heritage. This dire situation largely stems from the tendency to allow religious beliefs to overshadow our true identities—our culture, traditions, and customs.

The infiltration of foreign religions, particularly among some Christians and Muslims in Ghana, has led many to dismiss their core customs as either devilish or haram. This shift raises an important question about identity. In conversations with several Muslim friends, I was disheartened to hear them identify as Ghanaians primarily by the names of their hometowns. While one's roots are undoubtedly significant, a true cultural identity extends far beyond geographical origins; it encompasses the language we speak and the traditions we uphold.

It is alarming to note that many Muslims in Ghana adopt Arabic names exclusively, engage in Arabic marital ceremonies, and practice Arabic burial rites. While it’s reasonable to embrace aspects of different cultures, we must never forget where we come from. Our customs and traditions are integral to our identities. A similar narrative can be observed among many Christians who, influenced by their faith, perceive their cultural practices as incompatible with their religious beliefs.

When I relocated to Accra, I noticed a worrying trend where many individuals prioritize the English language over their mother tongues. This raises an important question: Would an Englishman forsake his native language for a foreign tongue?

Additionally, there is a growing movement advocating for the abolition of our traditional Chieftaincy system. We must consider that this governance system is relatively recent, having been in place for less than 70 years, and it represents the authority of the traditional leaders of the lands we occupy. What, then, is a nation without its core customs and traditions?

It is essential for us as Ghanaians to cherish every aspect that contributes to our identity and to resist the temptation to overly rely on foreign influences. I have immense admiration for the Frafras, who unapologetically embrace their names and language, regardless of their circumstances.

Losing your name, your language, your culture, and your traditions ultimately means losing your identity. In today’s world, we see individuals grappling with a lost identity—an identity they unknowingly relinquished by choosing foreign influences over their own heritage. I remember being labeled a “villager” for choosing to speak Twi rather than English. However, what many overlooked was that by doing so, I was actively preserving my traditions and customs that form the basis of my identity.

For years, I have contemplated changing my name to remove the legacy of my colonizer’s name, Reindorf. Interestingly, India, which experienced colonization for a far longer period than Ghana, has managed to preserve its religion, traditions, customs, and native languages. Being colonized does not necessitate discarding one’s authentic identity in favor of that of the colonizers or adhering strictly to foreign religious practices. It is crucial to remember that every religion carries the cultural and traditional elements of its originators, and we must strike a balance between honorably adopting elements from other cultures while staunchly preserving our own.

Most people don’t know me for this, as a man with lineage to Asante Manpɔn, Antoa Puduo, and Dunkwa, who is a proud Ɛkoɔna nii, pouring of libation has become part and parcel of me, and I won't relent on that practice.

The Proud Asante Traditionalist

   Comments0