A Summary of the Cultural Weekend of the "AFRICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MANNHEIN "FROM THE 21-23 JUNE 2019 .
The Long awaited and prepared for Cultural Weekend kick-started on Friday June 21 2019.
At About 18,15 pm Rev. Father Chinedu apologized to those who were present for starting
later as expected due to some logistical Problems.
At 18, 30 pm exactly the Cultural Weekend was then officially started with Welcoming Greetings from Father Chinedu. Using a Cap to explain some traditions in the Igbo land, we shared colanuts, Garden eggs and groundnuts paste as a symbol of welcome. This was then followed by an opening prayer.
With a short Documentary Film titled "Africa is Life", Leon presented the very rich African history and heritage. The film presented the Landscape and Tradition of some African Countries, Madagascar, Kenya, Nigeria, especially the City of Lagos and Togo. After the Film presentation, we had some traditional games from India presented by brother Sylvester and his Family. Our first day ended at 20,30pm.
The second day of our Cultural Weekend started with a Welcome address. Similar to the first day, the second day started with the Nigerian (Igbo) welcome Rituals, sharing colanuts, garden eggs and groundnut paste.
The first Lecture of our Cultural Weekend was held by Rev. Father Chinedu. The Topic "AFRICAN IDENTITY: Basic Background ". The Lecture described the definite identity of an African through the colour of his Skin, which consequently cannot be hidden. For many non-Africans, the colour of the African Skin is continental and subsequently you represent the whole continent of Africa willingly or unwillingly. This Identity and the subsequent classification has its challenges, especially for those Africans living outside the African continent. These challenges which are diverse and its causes multifaceted, are being confronted by both parents and Children.
For Children born outside the African continent, the "upbringing" poses a big challenge to the parents who suddenly find themselves in a crossroad between African and European culture. This "Multiculturalism" creates some other challenges.
After the lecture, we gathered together in a circle to find Solutions to some of the problems we encounter both as parents and children as a result of our Identity. Before our lunch, Sr. Maureen presented us a number of African delicacies. She presented the species used for the various delicacies and finally explained how they were prepared. We finally had a Wonderful and delicious Lunch together.
After the Lunch-break, we talked about some of our traditions and heritage. We talked explicitly about Names giving in the various traditions in Africa and India. We talked about dancing not only as fun but also as a Symbol of Expression in different situations. Drumming and Music in general were also mentioned as integrals in our traditional societies.
Our second Lecture of the day ( 2nd day ) was held by brother Norbert. Topic "AFRICAN FAMILY SYSTEM and its STRUCTURES". The Lecture defined the African Family as the "Basic Unit" of our Society specifying that the Kind of family we build depends basically on our Family System. The typical traditional African Family is built on Extended Family structures. The lecture expanded on the advantages of the extended African Family with examples like being an African social security where everyone is his neighbours’ keeper, helping each other in times of Need.
The role of the African Woman in the African Family System was also stressed in the article portraying the Woman as the Bedrock of the Family. In short, the Lecture quoted a saying on what the African Woman is in an African Family. "If you educate a Woman, you educate a Nation". A man builds a home but the Woman creates and maintain the home.
Further the lecture referred to the African marriage System differentiating between the Christian marriage rites and the traditional marriage rites. The customary marital rites might vary from Region to Region but the procedures remain generally the same. The article also made Mention of the "Clan System or Lineage" whereby Clans are defined as a group of people
bearing the same ancestral descent. The article concluded by saying, that although the African Family System is been threatened by the modern civilization and western influence, the African culture and Tradition have weathered storms of these influences. As Africans we should be Advocates and ambassadors of our traditions and culture.
The next Program after our lecture break was drumming. It was proposed that members should learn how to drum or learn generally some African Instruments. Our day was highlighted with a magical African Dress code and mode presented by Sr. Anita. There was a show of African Fashion for both Young and old and for the different African occasions. These creations were all of Sr. Judith.
Sunday June 23, 2019, last day of our cultural Weekend started with a resume of the past two days. All the items handled on the previous days were once more summarized. Father Chinedu gave once more a short Version of his lecture of the previous day because there were many more people as on the day before as he deemed it a crucial situation and a daily experience for many Africans.
Father Lawrence had the last Lecture of the weekend. His Topic "EUCHARIST AND TRADITION“. Father Lawrence tried to make clear the similarities between Eucharist and Traditon, using both the Symbols of the Eucharist and that of Tradition. Using the Dress code, Fr. Lawrence said while the priests have their Stole, the Chief priests also have their Stabs. Whilst we glorify God by singing Songs of praise, the traditioners use the incantation in communicating with their ancestors. He mentioned cowries used by traditioners as a symbol of pledge to their ancestors as we use prayers to communicate with God. In all, being a traditionalist does not stop any person whatsoever from being a good Christian and vice versa.
After that Lecture we then went forward with our solemn holy mass with three celebrants. After the mass we then had a festive evening with our guests. We thanked God and continue to thank him for the strength he gave us all to be able to realize those wonderful days together.
Bro. Theo Eballa Asua
