By Albert Billy Bangirana, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Africans and indeed many other peoples across the globe are known for their rich cultural heritage. Contemporary discourses in cultural studies have engaged with culture from its social symbolism to its extension of economic representation. However, critical inquiry into cultural practice has raised rather provocative debates. Notably, what or who does culture represent? When does culture do harm? And how or why do I choose to challenge certain cultural practices or not? These questions are part of an ongoing conversation at CIHA Blog where we follow such questions of representations of Africa (for example, see this post on #BringBackOurGirls) and uses of the notion of “culture” to legitimize particular activities and discourses (see this post on problematic representations of Maasai culture).
A colleague of mine once said, ‘I approach culture with suspicion and cautiously uphold what is valuable’. Undeniably, culture has sustained many valuable things such as identity, cohesion, value customs and philosophy/ies of life. However, when harm is done in the name of culture, targeted at those it’s supposed to protect and edify, I question it. Relebohile Montana’s informative article, A hidden disgrace: Young girls being raped to uphold culture, first published in the Daily Maverick is one of a kind. She captures with incessant emotion the harm that some cultural practices continue to bring to young women. She extrapolates vivid examples from the Southern African context to critique the ongoing malady espoused by some custodians of culture who justify the sexual exploitation of young women. She unapologetically disapproves such cultural practices and advocates for alternative approaches that seek to empower young women.
Thank you for this important article. We need to talk about these issues across the world so that the best of all cultures is strengthened. We need to thoughtfully distill good from bad in all cultures.
Indeed Rosalie. First, I believe being critical to our own belief systems, worldviews and shaped attitudes could go far for a start. Second, applying a hermeneutic of suspicion in our approach to culture/s could further help us analyse and challenge the disguised gendered constructions of power entrenched in our so-called ‘sacrosanct’ cultural practices. Third, we should not be afraid to say it.
Indeed Rosalie. First, I believe being critical to our own belief systems, worldviews and shaped attitudes could go far for a start. Second, applying a hermeneutic of suspicion in our approach to culture/s could further help us analyse and challenge the disguised gendered constructions of power entrenched in our so-called ‘sacrosanct’ cultural practices. Third, we should not be afraid to say it.