With the world becoming increasingly globalised, placing a heavy emphasis on modern ways of living, it raises the question of how we go about protecting African heritage and cultures. It is appropriate to consider the purpose of preserving some customs and traditions as people get used to modern ways of living and high technologies. Our heritage and cultures are not just objects of history; they are the attributes of our identity, values, and mode of life’s evolution.

The richness of African heritage

The mention of “Africa”, brings to mind a diverse, colourful and highly cultural continent with vast possibilities. From the Maasai warriors of East Africa to the Zulu kingdoms of Southern Africa, it can be said that there is no place like Africa in the entire world in terms of culture and heritage. Our cultures are built around community and care for the land, community elders, and community members. Preservation of such cultural traits from generation to generation has afforded stability within the members of the society, and a sense of inclusion among its members.

The term “heritage consciousness”  relates to recognising these cultures and upholding them for future generations. It involves honouring the wisdom of our ancestors and recognising the importance of rituals, ceremonies, and art forms that have defined African societies for centuries. Our heritage is not a static relic; it is a dynamic force that continues to evolve while retaining its essence.

The challenges of modernisation

The concern for African cultures and their preservation is of prime importance in the modern world and society advancing towards individualism, consumerism, and modernisation. There are common tendencies to bend towards globalisation and such conveniences that often lead to the decline of the way of life that is embedded in the customs. Younger generations may find themselves caught between the expectations of their heritage and the demands of a rapidly changing world.

The issue of urbanisation has been responsible for the dilution of traditional skills in African societies too. People move from the rural areas to the towns for better opportunities forgetting the cultures that nourished them as children, especially the rural and cultural-based knowledge, becomes lost. Westernisation and globalisation of cultures also make it hard to contain the individualist aspects within the boundaries of African culture.

The role of heritage in modern identity

Nonetheless, the history of Africans as well as their way of life is integrated into the identities of today’s societies. Many people are perceived to be out of touch for one reason or another, or worse still, when neglected and ironically disregarded more, particularly by the people whom they trace their legitimate origin, thus the need to embrace our ancestry. This cultural heritage acts as a factor that encourages correct conduct, and the building of social relationships, and helps to endure hardships.

Cultural heritage can be a source of self-identity and also self-strength. It is only through accepting such practices that we can defend our originality and contest the effects of modernity which claims that one should cut ties with the past. In recent years, the world has recognised and appreciated aspects of African fashion, music, food, and art that have originated from our civilisations. The feeling in Western countries towards the African culture is of such great importance and appreciation, which means that there are possibilities for development considering our culture.

Today’s society, which aims towards this exposure of cultures, holding onto the African cultures and how they can be sustained, is quite crucial. People tend to easily move towards globalisation and most of its advantages which often cut off the civilisation’s way of life permanently. Young modernity may bring younger generations to this juncture where they will have to choose not between fond memories of their ancestors and surviving in the fast world.

Balancing tradition and progress

Retaining African heritage and cultures does not equate to cutting out modernity. Rather, it calls for the integration of the two modernisation and culture. There is room for technological advancement and even incorporation of globalisation into one’s culture. This, for example, involves using the internet in documenting, archiving, and disseminating authentic cultural practices for future use by the younger generation. Education systems can integrate cultural studies into their curricula, ensuring that children learn about their heritage alongside modern subjects.

Communities can be of great importance in the preservation of cultural customs as well. They can do so through sponsoring festivals, workshops, and other such cultural activities to develop an environment that values and nurtures traditions. As key gatekeepers, teachers should ensure that the youth get the knowledge and skills that young minds should possess. Government and institutions must help these initiatives through resources and policies that safeguard and advocate for cultural values.

Conserving our history as Africans and our cultures in modern times is more than mere nostalgia; it is about the maintenance of our principles, our personalities, and all the practices that represent us. It has to be recognised that as we struggle with the various forces of modernisation, so also is our heritage. There is hope for our cultures when the right equilibrium is struck between modernity and tradition. When that happens, today and future generations shall remain the benefactors of enhanced lives through active and thriving cultures. Every citizen must protect the heritage society from further failures. Therefore, enlightenment is needed as regard the construction of the development of multicultural societies. Let us embrace our past as we build our future, ensuring that the legacy of African cultures remains vibrant and enduring.

By Bonginkosi Nkosi, SAAYC Board Member