Pass on, preserve culture heritage
His Majesty Phillip Olarker Rauni III, blesses his subjects at an event to mark 19 years of his enthronement. PHOTO | PATRICK OKABA.
What you need to know:
- Break the divide and communication barriers between the young and the old. If they don’t come to you, go to them. Build relationships cemented by trust , respect and transparency. Only then will there be meaningful passing on of culture and heritage from generation to generation.
During his traditional enthronement coronation anniversary marking 19 years on the throne at Atyak Wi-Nam, in Zombo District, the Alur King, His Majesty Philip Olarker Rauni III urged youths to preserve their traditional culture as a way to promote community tourism.
He said that culture is getting eroded because youths have distanced themselves from elders due to the influence of social media. He encourages the practice of the culture of unity, love and embracing the attitude of hard work to restore development in our kingdom. At the same event, Prince Julius Omar-rwoth of Padere chiefdom lamented that youths have left cultural events to elders and failed to learn the importance of culture in their lifecycle.
“The fireplace which used to educate the young people about tradition is no longer visible in the community causing elders to shift their fireplace to bars. The fireplace has shifted to bars and roadside, making it hard for young people to learn.” The King and prince make a very important point.
Culture and heritage must be passed on especially the positive aspects of it. Unfortunately bemoaning lack of interest by young people will not help this good cause. It would be more useful to interest ourselves in why young people are disinterested in their culture and find ways to make it understandable for them. While it is common for older folk to blame everything gone wrong with the younger generation on social media and technology, it is better to view technology as a tool to promote the much-cherished culture.
Let’s have virtual fireplaces, let the stories be told where young people like to converge rather than in places where the elderly expect them to be. Passing on of culture and heritage is a noble cause that must be taken on by all of us, however for it to be effective, we must be intentional, strategic, and mindful of the times and disruptions that have emerged.
And what better way than literally modeling these same values, culture and beliefs to the younger generation by how we lead our day to day lives. We must teach by example. If our culture like the king mentions treasures unity, love, hard work among others, are the older generation living by example before they sit the young people down to preach these values?
Try and understand, why the youth shun cultural events and what can be done to draw them in. Break the divide and communication barriers between the young and the old. If they don’t come to you, go to them. Build relationships cemented by trust , respect and transparency. Only then will there be meaningful passing on of culture and heritage from generation to generation.
