4Dec/07Off
The times are changing
There's a fascinating story on our breaking news blog - Xhosa’s white initiate (pic) - and in the paper today. Check it out. It concerns a young white teenager who has decided to join his best friend in the Xhosa rite of passage ritual in becoming a man.
I think it's a real heartening story that shows that in many small ways our society is changing. Many of our kids seem to be comfortably wearing a new identity while we struggle with ours.
I wonder if there are other examples of this kind of cross-cultural pollination? They may give us a really good idea of how South Africa will be in the future.
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Tags: Xhosainitiation, abakwetha, society
December 5th, 2007 - 05:55
If all white people practised all their old rituals we would be consided barbaric thats why we have evolved as people, times have changed no wonder the rest of the world looks at us strangely, still practicing rituals in the bush.
December 5th, 2007 - 09:15
Ray, I find your statement insulting.It shows your level of understanding of other people’s cultures.Contrary to your belief of white people having evolved and turned their back on their barbaric past, I still believe most barbaric acts in the world are perpetrated by those who preach enlightenment.You just stopped short of calling black african rituals acts of savagery.I do believe in your head we blacks have the minds of baboons hence your “evolution” nonsense.For your education please try and find out more about our culture instead of just tapping away spilling your toxic print diarrhoea.By the way google on your evolved computer for the health benefits of circumcision and something else, why do white people go camping? Is it because they are missing the cavemen days?oops!
December 5th, 2007 - 12:24
Ray, when dispensing with your profound insights, please be careful about that collective “we” you choose to use.
December 5th, 2007 - 18:06
Kingster, Kingster, Kingster. (KOKI shakes his head). How did such a good start to a response end THAT poorly? Its like you snatched defeat from the grips of victory my friend. Unfortunate because Rays statement borders on the ludicrous. So, if i may, add to Kingsters original sentiments, perhaps Ray and his kinship would do well to read a little treatise by Jared Diamond entitled Guns, Germs and Steal. Im sure, afterwards, we could all have a cold one at the pub and reminisce about how poor a teacher Mr Eddie (Dale College) really was/is. Im buying.
December 5th, 2007 - 21:39
Kingster what has camping got to do with riuals?
December 6th, 2007 - 16:29
I take back my previous comments regarding Kingsters dissapointing “loss”. It appears to be more than sufficient to bewilder Ray. Good on you Kingster! and Mr Eddie. Guess the next rounds on me too.
December 6th, 2007 - 19:29
How do you guys explain all guys who lost their manhood due to rituals in the bush ooops. WHY did hospitals clinics etc get established. Now whose still in the dark ages grass hut spear mmmhh.
December 7th, 2007 - 13:53
Just to poke my nose in here. I have a couple male black friends (I’m white) and all those years back when our black male friends had to have the deed done, they went to the hospital (not government, but private where medical aid paid for it), had the procedure done and then they would find a spot to build their hut nearer to home(out of respect to their mother because my friends didn’t want their moms to worry about them). They followed all the traditions to the rites of passage, i.e. living on their own for the allotted time, new wardrobe, wearing the smart clothes etc, while still maintaining some form of dignity. My friends are not hoighty or upper class, but they chose the path to their manhood with taste – in my opinion. Today, they are fine men, married with kids and I will forever respect the way in which they carried out their path to manhood.
There will always be customs and traditions that I don’t agree with in the black culture, just as there will always be traditions in the white culture which black people don’t like or agree with; the key is tolerance and to have respect for others.