Michael Alan Park, a scholar defines culture as behaviours, values, beliefs etc, which must be learned, taught and internalised. It is for these reasons that culture plays a critical role in our everyday and in the socialisation process.
Through culture families, bands, ethnic groups including societies have grown into nation states while groups, unions, associations and organisations have emerged through the power of culture.
Culture has been sub- divided into two by some scholars, namely: the physical environment and the social environment.
The physical environment is basically the green environment, the physical infrastructure such as roads, buildings and cultural artefacts among other issues whilst the social environment refers to the values, norms, customs and practices including communication aided by language, which can be a shared form of speech in a simple society.
In a complex society culture comes in the form of written letters, memoranda, circulars and in songs, drumming and dancing.
Culture sometimes can be implicit and explicit. It is explicitly embodied in symbols, mythologies, folkways, mores and written sources such as the scriptures and the Quran.
Spirituality
It is important for one to look at issues from the perception of the African and his spirituality since almost all the beliefs and practices are an aspect of culture.
In fact many are those who believe that the concept and knowledge of God and His creative powers was the introduction of the missionaries and perhaps a foreign culture although one cannot begrudge the fact that the Christian faith and practices including Islam and its practices were as a result of foreign influence.
Indeed the interrelatedness between culture and religion transcends the physical and social environment and can be inferred from the way some ethnic groups in Africa see God as the creator of the universe and sustainer of human lives whom they take solace.
This can be seen from the traditions and practices that have been inherited and passed down from generation to generation. These traditional practices and norms which have been referred to by many African ethnic groups as: “ammamre” (Akan); “Kusum” (Ga); “Konu” (Ewe); “Yoruba” (Yoruba) illustrates the African belief in God and His ways.
Similarly, in Africa and for that matter Ghana man’s spirituality is expressed in various ways, which can be symbolic or through communication through which one can make an inference into the spiritual undertones of the African.
These forms of expressions can be seen engraved or boldly written at the back of vehicles, in front of shops, churches, crest, on currencies and sometimes embossed in apparels.
It could also be carved and comes in the form of art works with unique affirmations and meanings, which reveals Man’s beliefs in the invincible God and His ability to sustain life on earth.
Inscriptions such as: ”Yesu Mo”(God is Good); ”The Lion of Judah”; ”Blessing”; ”Nyame Duah”(God’s Tree in Akan); including ”Gye Nyame”(except God in Akan) found conspicuously written behind commercial vehicles are all various forms of expressions which exemplifies Man’s belief in God and what He is capable of doing.
This mode of thinking by the people is deeply reflected by their belief in the invisible and their dependence on the Supreme Being who is the creator of the universe.
Inference from this mode of thinking or way of life of the people can be surmised from names ascribe to the almighty. These names are very unique to the various ethnic groups and reveal their knowledge and belief in the Supreme Being as the creator of the universe and a source of power for their living on earth.
For instance the Akans refer to Him as “Borebore”; Chineke (Ibo), creator; and Egbesu as in (Ijaw in Nigeria) among others portrays God as a source of power for their everyday lives.
It is however important to note that culture has semblances with religion and is one aspect of the building blocks of the society. It can be positive or negative depending on how it is nurtured or internalised.
Even though there may be social controls in place some people may negatively or positively inculcate certain behavioural tendencies that will make them to shun the society or become anti-social. Continued…
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