Cultureriority complex simply means the love of a culture that is not yours and a total disrespect for yours.
With globalisation came many choices. New styles emerged, the way we talk and dance all changed and dressing is on another level, the sagging pants simply sagged its wearer to the land of wanna be without a personal identity. When one’s culture becomes an embarrassment, with the person whole heartedly embracing another culture with a smile that strains their facial muscles rather than relax them for longevity and a surety of a glowing less wrinkled face, this is a serious symptom of CULTURERIORITY COMPLEX.
My worry here is that the world changed so fast that some prefer the stench of the famous French cheese eaten with red wine to the scintillating aroma of the locust bean spice (Ogiri) that gives Bitter Leaf Soup its medicinal sweetness, for what? All in the name of being modern and classy, well sorry to disappoint you, all there is in this behaviour is a reduction of oneself to ridicule by the world.
My friends, this is a pure case of inferiority complex – when you despise your very own culture that informed the very substance of your core because you feel it’s not modern enough to suit your new lifestyle which must be maintained at all cost, even irritatingly so. What is the urge to copy so much that we lose all sense of self-respect just to belong to a world that is barely watching? Now I wonder if truly you are okay.
In the razzmatazz of this poisonous modernity, we are abandoning the core values and the very essence which sustained our civilisation and culture since the dawn of time as the cradle of the human race.
The sad part is that as we bring up more children with this Cultureriority complex, they are so confused that all they want is a ROLEX and don’t want to take off their jackets because the man is not hot even at 40 degrees. What a lost and a wasted generation! Are the beautiful ones not yet born? I weep for our Africa.
Here is my wish – and I have a right to call it wishful – but it’s still my wish: Is there any chance that globalisation will run its full course and pan out, then we will all return to motherland –
- Where a child hurries to help an elder lift a bag and bow for blessings?
Or a youngster would be kind at heart to offer his or her seat to an adult without being reminded?
- Or where the folklores rise from the ashes to replace the reckless stories of pop culture?
Can we return to a place where a child:
- Is well behaved and considerate?
- Steps aside for an elder to walk by?
- Receives instructions in obedience?
- Listens when been spoken to?
- Speaks with respect and due consideration to his elders and others?
- Shows appreciation and gratitude for the little things received?
- Has “Please,” I’m sorry,” and “Thank you” in his vocabulary?
- Shows respect for self and others?
Your answer determines your level CULTURERIROTY COMPLEX.
We are desperately in need of a return to our motherland…. A land where good and proper conduct was the order of the day.
Till I write again, I love you for reading.
Adaobi Alex-Oni is an Honorary Ambassador and a recipient of the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award by the African Youth Parliament. A broadcaster and writer, she is the convener of the ROWEAD conference. A social and women’s rights activist, she is a promoter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit her website www.rowead.org