The True Cultural Reflection of my Identitiy

INTRODUCTION

HAVE YOU EVER HAD ONE OF THOSE DAYS?

The disadvantage of losing your parents at the age of 4 years old is incomparable. If alive, how can a mom and dad bear to see their 5 years old child initiated as a member of a secret society (poro/sand), something they never wished to happen to their child. Unfortunately, dire circumstances cause indecent things to happen to decent people, like myself.

Barely a year after I had lost both my parents in a space of one year, a turn of events that was very unfortunate for me, especially when I was still too young to fend for myself.

I was very sensitive to my surroundings, especially because one day I was picked up by some unknown persons who accused me of being seen outside when the “Bush Devil” was passing by. For this reason, I was taken against my will for a forceful initiation into a poro-secret society. This was how I became a member and incidentally led me to disclose such acts in my reflective essay writings. Although such situations forced me to become the man I am today, there is a part of me that will never condone these beliefs and practices. I will never allow any of my unborn children to ever become a member of such tradition that was forced on me at a very young age, merely because I had no one to defend me on the false accusations that were placed upon me at the age of 5 years.

MY OWN CULTURAL IDENTITY

Racial Origins

As a Liberian from African descendants, with both parents also being pure African Liberians, I am a proud black man by color, accent, and masculinity.

Ethnicity Origins

As a Liberian by birth, I was automatically born into the ‘Mande’ ethnic group with tribes called ‘Mano’ and ‘Guo’. My tribe is the largest one in the population in my country and can be found in the north and the far west part of Liberia.

National origins

By way of formal and personal introduction, I am Richard Boayla, of Liberian nationality, born on the west coast of Africa.

How does my gender class defines me?

Gender: As gender can be interchangeably used and can also be classified based on the social construction of cultural distinctions between the males and females but from the cultural identity background together with my physical biological appearance also due to the sexual organ I have ,also taking into consideration my religion as a Christian and my unusual sex heterogenous sexual habits. My gender defines me as been a complete and total male person.

How my class defines me?

As it relates to my class defining my gender, my colleagues from the class define my gender as male due to personal and gender interactions we have gone through as students. From the limited time of one month and some weeks, they have known me.

How does my gender define me?

I was born and brought into this world and, since I’ve known myself as a person up to my present age, my gender personally defines me as male because I possess all the qualities and organs which a male should have. Moreover, my heterosexual behavior reaffirms my sexuality, solidifying my identity. Though it’s important to note that even if a man possesses homosexual tendencies, it doesn’t automatically define his gender as female instead of male.

How do I define myself as cultural being?

A particular traditions story

When I was growing up as a child, I was very sensitive to my surroundings and the environment I occupied. I distinctly remember an essential traditional event which involved the youth, children, and even men whose parents never had the means of sending them to school — known as western education. This unique and important tradition is called the Poro Society for boys and men and the Sand Society for girls and women. A person in my country joins this tradition at the age of 4 years. They are presented by their parents, who are members of the society, or by relatives. A typical scenario of induction is when the ‘country devils’ appear unexpectedly. Those who are not members and happen to be present during this event are forced to join the society, which is how I became a member. Some parents willingly bring their young boys and girls to receive traditional training. This includes teaching the male children how to play a fatherly role when they grow up and start a family. The training teaches boys how to hunt and how to use leaves from the bush for herbs. Other benefits of the Poro Society include learning how to uphold cultural norms within the community. In the Poro Society’s bush school, initiates are taught about their cultural history, folklore, and customs. They are taught to respect their elders and how to perform certain tasks within their community. Participants in this society are given two medicinal protections; one against all kinds and types of poisons, and the other against evildoers and witchcraft.

Furthermore, in this society, secret-keeping takes precedence; whether it involves individual secrets or those of the society as a whole. This practice of secret-keeping is highly valued in Liberian culture. While many know what goes on behind closed doors, they retain a discrete silence about such matters.

There are particular customs, ceremonies, and habits I remember from my childhood that have helped define me.

One particularly defining custom that has stayed with me from childhood until now is my unique pattern of greetings.

Men greeting Men — Usually, this involves a handshake and the old finger snap in most casual situations. A more traditional handshake is common for formal and business situations.

Women greeting Women — A handshake followed by a small kiss on the cheek serves as a casual form of greeting. A traditional handshake is common for formal and business situations.

Meetings between Men and Women — The customary greeting involves a handshake with a softer finger snap. A traditional handshake is usually given in both formal and informal situations.

Communication Style

In my country, according to my cultural customs of communication style, people tend to say what they mean. However, it often takes a long time to express it. There is a significant emphasis on being a good orator, and it’s normal for a speaker to feel like they have to talk for a while to get their points across.

Personal space and touching

Less than an arm’s length, personal space is common in most situations among people in my country, Liberia. We tend to be very tactile. For instance, in my culture, if I am pointing to someone, I will reach out and touch that person. A high level of touching is deemed appropriate. The manner of my touching depends on my relationship with the person to whom I am speaking, especially if they are sitting down.

Personal space

When the person I am speaking to is standing, I will rest my hand on his shoulder or touch their hand. However, when sitting, I will rest my hand on his leg.

Eye Contact

In my country’s cultural custom, direct eye contact is always acceptable. In most cases, when my parents want to say something secretly, they would give me a wink. This way, I can understand if what I am doing is incorrect and if I should remove myself from that place.

Taboos

My cultural setting and customs consider it rude if a person does not say hello to people they pass in the street. As a foreigner, it is also considered impolite not to shake hands with strangers they pass on the street. It is crucial to greet people who make eye contact with you.

How does my personal cultural profile affect the customs, ceremonies, and habits of South Africa?

Traditional Wedding Ceremonies

One particular ceremony that remains a vivid memory from my childhood and has played a defining role in my life is a traditional custom from my country, Liberia. In Liberia, the traditional law permits a man to take multiple wives. My father was part of this practice. Traditional marriages in Liberia are governed by organic laws. An integral part of the ceremony involves the groom making a payment to the bride’s family. This payment is typically comprised of kola nuts, dowries, with the typical amount being $48 USD. At these traditional ceremonies, the parents and aunts of the bride are presented with country or traditional clothes – locally known as ‘lappas.’ If the bride’s parents have passed away, these gifts are presented to her elder uncle and aunt. Despite being steeped in cultural significance, these ceremonies can be quite costly. During my father’s time, he had to claim three arches of farmland and cultivate crops as a means to secure his two wives.

Traditional Cultural Habits

One cultural habit that I remember from my childhood, one which has helped define me, is the blessing bestowed on me by my father, mother, and grandparents whenever I am about to travel or undertake any task. These significant people in my life would bless me by taking water into their mouths, then shaking it before spitting it on me while praying for my good fortune. They asked God to bless my journey, wishing me well in all my endeavours.

This would hopefully bring better fortune for my future. Following this ritual, they would even invite the spirits of our ancestors to go ahead of me and smooth my path for a successful journey before I could embark on any task.

CONCLUSION

When I personally reflect on that fateful day, I realize there was nothing I could have done but become a member of the Poro Society. Moreover, there are so many beautiful aspects I appreciate concerning my culture’s customs and habits. This includes – but is not limited to – the way men greet their fellow men and women, meetings between men and women, the communication style of my country, personal space and touching, eye contact, and taboos. In conclusion, what I find most interesting is the unique aspect of traditional wedding ceremonies,allowing men to marry more than two wives. The ceremony includes making the bride’s down payment, and sharing kola nuts and traditional apparels with the bride’s relatives.

REFRENCES

1. Nations Encyclopedia.com
2. African/Liberia Ethnic Group
3. Cultural Identity
4. Avant Hague (Intercultural Programs Coordinator)
5. Dehua Liu, MIS (Intercultural Communication & Communication 201, Int’l Studies University)
6. http://bloggingwithoutmaps.blogspot.com/2021/06/societies-within-society-secret.html
7. www.guide.culturalcrossing.net (Liberia)

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