Celebrating Who We Are

“One of the main purposes of my Art for many years has been dedicated to showing the beauty of Black people to the world...our history, our profundity and the value of black lives. I have tried my best to pull down the veil of appeasement to those who may feel uncomfortable with our excellence. To our young black women, our future leaders, know that you’re about to make the world turn. I see you, you are everything the world needs!”

- Beyonce Knowles-Carter

I don’t know about you but hearing this for the first time stirred something in my soul. It ignited hope and a sense of pride welled up in me. There is an undeniable awakening and conscious movement that is in motion across the globe. As the news hits us from every angle, it’s easy to get lost in the idea of the magnitude of the work we have to do, so much so, that we forget to celebrate who we are in the process. One of the greatest lessons that Africa can teach the world is the spirit of Ubuntu, but how many of us practice inculcating this spirit that has breathed life into the veins of African people for hundreds of generations. We know what it means…

“Ubuntu: I am because we are” is the simple interpretation of this philosophy and yet there is so much more to living in the spirit of ubuntu. It alludes to the intricate intertwining of the individual and the community. The spirit of ubuntu speaks to the wellbeing of the individual being linked to the wellbeing of society. 

The beautiful Zulu saying "umuntu ungumntu ngabantu" is more philosophical implying "a belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity." This made me think about what truly connects us. What are the bonds that we share that need to be celebrated; and not in a superficial sense, but rather in a manner that allows us honour the uniqueness of who we are and simultaneously, in a manner that allows us to dream, and become the women that will turn the world around? We are African, our creativity is found in these very aspects that serve as the foundation of our dreams. Here are a handful of creative and traditional aspects that we celebrate within our families and communities that evoke the spirit of Ubuntu, grounding us in who we are and reminding us that on this foundation, we can manifest our dreams:

Food glorious food

For many of us, Sundays are synonymous with morning koeksusters and lavish Sunday lunches: tourists always comment on the delightful flavour of South African food. From the mouthwatering Durban spicy flavours to the fusion of Cape Malay foods and to hearty dombolo and stew; from vetkoek to poitjie kos and chakalaka to a lekker braai...these moments bring us together. They are a demonstration of our creativity and the ability to produce delight with very little. While we’re chopping down wood to build our own tables, let’s allow the foods that bring us together to create space for one another as we share our meals. 

Dance dance dance 

Cape Jazz, Sbhujwa and Pantsula: African people celebrate through dance. It’s a representation of our culture and our artistry. It’s a representation of our joyful nature 

Music 

From the music of the ’80s which conveyed the stories of the political climate, to African Jazz, Kwela to Kwaito and Gqom, the rhythm of the African drum beats in our blood. No celebration is complete without music in South Africa.  African beats and music have infiltrated many cultures that now stand alone. Think of our African slaves that are the creators of Salsa and Hip Hop… even the cypher, where people dance in a circle stems from African tribes dancing around fires.

With internationally award-winning artists influencing the sound of music, we need no other reason to turn up the volume button on all our music. 

Story-tellers

We are known for our oral traditions of passing stories down generationally. This is one custom that should never fade away. It’s a time when we learn about our history, our communities...it’s a time when we can glean off the wisdom of our elders and cast the vision for our futures based on the lessons we learn from them. uMemulo is one tradition that should be kept alive. This coming of age and celebration entails the coming together of your family and community as they celebrate the various milestones as you reach them. Once again, the notion of Ubuntu and the village raising their children is reinforced. Becoming a woman and spending time with older women from your tribe, your community is one way in which stories are passed down from generation to generation and is another sacred tradition in which the women gather together. This is where we hear of the dreams of others that have come to pass and where we find the inspiration to dream again for our own lives. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to take the role of narrator of your own life into your hands and ensure you tell your story in authenticity and with boldness. As Nigerian novelist Ben Okri states:

“Some people say when we are born we’re born into stories. I say we’re also born from stories.”

What’s the story that you want to tell?

The world is a turning point. As we carve a new world, let’s not leave behind the very things that sparked the joy and creativity that made us who we are. These spaces are significant and in the words of Thabi Gumede, “these are the spaces we go back to when we need to refuel.” These are the spaces that remind us of who we are, how far we’ve come and give us the fuel we need to continue even further.

Written by Kim Ilana Jansen