The place where first civilizations were born: Africa is a continent which could be described as unique, admirable, wonderful and at the same time, sorrowful. On the one hand, Africa is highlighted by its flora, wild animals, beautiful landscapes, the 2010 Football World Cup, and kind people who receive tourist in the nicest way possible. On the other hand, Africa’s story is marked by Apartheid, colonization, poverty, segregation, starvation, AIDS, and death.
Nelson MAndela - Representing the story of an Entire continent
Mandela's life represents the lifestyle, customs and politics in South Africa during 1918, and 2013. In the case of religion, it can be said that Christianity influenced the beliefs and lifestyle of Africa. Mandela's case is a clear example since his last name was Rolihlahla Mandela, but he changed it for a Christian name of NELSON. The embracement of this habit was very common, and shows how people mixed their native beliefs (Mainly nature) and Christianity (Brought to Africa by European explorers, mainly British).
Mandela's infancy (1918 - 1933) was marked by hunting animals in order to eat, living on small huts, playing with sticks, singing and going to school.
A very common tradition among the African, and South African people was The Circumcision Ritual. This ritual consisted on boys over 16-17 years old, under a non-anesthetic process, being circumcised in a quickly and painful process. Circumcision was a key moment for adolescents in those times since it marked the moment boys started to live as adults. This was made to convince children that they had to work and contribute with money and food for the family.
Mandela's infancy (1918 - 1933) was marked by hunting animals in order to eat, living on small huts, playing with sticks, singing and going to school.
A very common tradition among the African, and South African people was The Circumcision Ritual. This ritual consisted on boys over 16-17 years old, under a non-anesthetic process, being circumcised in a quickly and painful process. Circumcision was a key moment for adolescents in those times since it marked the moment boys started to live as adults. This was made to convince children that they had to work and contribute with money and food for the family.
Apartheid
Apartheid was a racial-segregation system that took place since 1948 until 1994, implanted by British colonizers in order to separate black-skinned people (African people) from them and keep Native Africans away from benefits such as Education and Political Participation. Nelson Mandela was not an exception, and since he was young, he created social awareness to stop this situation. Mandela participated on the ANC (African National Congress), a political party which fight against Apartheid and to accomplish racial equality, and democratic participation.
Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys
One of the world's best literary works which represents Apartheid on Africa is 'Master Harold and The Boys, an Athol Fugard's story that shows the relationship between a British, rich young boy and two African servants. This master literary piece is recommended around the world in order to understand Apartheid on Africa.
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REaching equiality
After many years organizing civil disobedience in front of British segregation, Mandela was jailed from 1964 until 1982. During this time, the whole continent (Not just South Africa) was still fighting against British Apartheid, segregation, lack of political participation, and a democratic system. Furthermore, this continent started a worldwide campaign in order to release Nelson Mandela and stop Apartheid. The global message of FREE MANDELA NOW, meant at the same time FREE AFRICA NOW.
As consequence, a worldwide social and political awareness was created about the sad situation Africans experienced since many years ago. The result was Mandela released on 1982, and after many years, meetings, public speeches, and celebrations Mandela was elected as president on 1994. From that moment on, Apartheid ceased for ever, democratic participation started, and little by little South Africa became a democratic and equal country. The results of Mandela being president meant British colonizer leaving Africa and South Africa, slowly, stopping the colonization process.
Mandela is currently recognized as the Father of Africa, by his remarkable fight against Apartheid, and as a philanthropist who found the bases of equality and peace on EDUCATION.
As consequence, a worldwide social and political awareness was created about the sad situation Africans experienced since many years ago. The result was Mandela released on 1982, and after many years, meetings, public speeches, and celebrations Mandela was elected as president on 1994. From that moment on, Apartheid ceased for ever, democratic participation started, and little by little South Africa became a democratic and equal country. The results of Mandela being president meant British colonizer leaving Africa and South Africa, slowly, stopping the colonization process.
Mandela is currently recognized as the Father of Africa, by his remarkable fight against Apartheid, and as a philanthropist who found the bases of equality and peace on EDUCATION.
AFRICA NOWADAYS
Currently, Africa is a continent with a young democracy and a not-experienced political system because of its recent liberation of the British colonialism. This weakness, had leaded inexorably Africa to face the world's worst unequal distribution of wealth. Besides being known for its diamonds, forests, and agricultural productions; Africa is known as the world's most poor continent.
Africa is still facing issues that should be solved as soon as possible. One of them is AIDS, a disease that kills children, and people daily. Moreover, Africa suffers of starvation, inequality, lack of education, low healthcare public system, poverty, diseases (Such as Ebola, Syphilis, Meningitis, Tetanus, Measles, Tuberculosis, Diarrhoea, Malaria, Pneumonia, etc) among others. In order to improve these problems, many campaigns around the world have started to do little changes and social awareness. Why a British Colony suffers of so many issues? The distribution of wealth between the British descendants (Rich people) and natives (Poor people) could be an answer; therefore, British colonialism (Also European after the Berlin Conference on 1885) was not a good process neither a good experience for Africans. The scar of Colonization had not been forgotten or forgiven, but it has been cured little by litte.
Africa is still facing issues that should be solved as soon as possible. One of them is AIDS, a disease that kills children, and people daily. Moreover, Africa suffers of starvation, inequality, lack of education, low healthcare public system, poverty, diseases (Such as Ebola, Syphilis, Meningitis, Tetanus, Measles, Tuberculosis, Diarrhoea, Malaria, Pneumonia, etc) among others. In order to improve these problems, many campaigns around the world have started to do little changes and social awareness. Why a British Colony suffers of so many issues? The distribution of wealth between the British descendants (Rich people) and natives (Poor people) could be an answer; therefore, British colonialism (Also European after the Berlin Conference on 1885) was not a good process neither a good experience for Africans. The scar of Colonization had not been forgotten or forgiven, but it has been cured little by litte.
Chinua Achebe - writing in representation of africa
Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian writer and one of the founders of African literature. Recognized around the world because of his deep short stories, poems, novels, and essays which portrays African problems. On Achebe’s literary works people can detect the cultural shock, imposition and mix between native Africans and British colonizers. A clear example is 'Dead Men's Path', a short story which narrates the conflicts faced between traditional beliefs (Mainly represented by native Africans) and modern and progressive ideas of new generations (Mainly represented by colonizer's descendants. Also, 'Dead Men's Path' shows the indifferences of some people in front of other's beliefs, a problem which leads to lack of understanding, segregation, discrimination, conflicts, imposition of ideas among others. These problems are the ones that the African people had been suffering during many years.
Chinua Achebe is a writer who left his native lands in order to get more education and knowledge, accomplishing personal dreams in order to be known in this globalized world. By doing this, Achebe has successfully created global awareness of African problems, identity, and cultural facts. By reading Chinua Achebe's literary works, people can understand what African natives had been struggling to solve during many years. Unfortunately, Chinua Achebe passed away last year, leaving in this world a whole cultural legacy of his continent: AFRICA. |
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