Strengthening Our Cultural Values Cultural convention is a gathering of people to discuss and engage in some common interest. Over hundreds of years, this has been a common practice in the Mandingo community . It has helped to strengthen the culture and tradition of Mande. Mandingo, also known as Malinke, Mandinka, Maninka or Manding is a West African tribe. They are Africas most famous ethno-linguistic group, occupying large parts of Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Chad and Niger. Following this old and rich tradition, Mandingoes from all over Australia will be gathering in Perth, Beautiful Western Australia in late April, 2014. The event will be co-hosted by the Western Australia Mandingo Association ( WAMA) and the Federation of Australia Mandingo Association (FAMA). No doubt, it would be a perfect occasion for community stakeholders to engage in some productive discussion on the advancement of the community. So far, one thing that has caught my attention is the proposed topic: Our Children, Our future. I have not got the details of what will be discussed in this area. But I cant wait to be part of such a wonderful forum, because I am always passionate about Child Welfare and Development. I think my automatic enrolment as a member into the community will give me the opportunity to contribute my ideas at the forum. That is the beauty of being a Mandingo! In 1996, I was in The Gambia on school holidays. Three weeks into my holidays, the Holy Month of Ramadan started. Our next door neighbour, a wealthy Gambian businessman came to into our compound asking for me. I reluctantly came out of my apartment and greeted him. He said, the Holy Month of Ramadan has started and I would like for you and your brother to come to my compound for Iftar ( i.e. break-fast ) everyday. He went on to say, I have learned that you are Sheriff-Haidara. I responded, yes I am Musa Sheriff-Haidara and a Mandingo from Liberia. Culturally, Sheriff-Haidaras are well respected in the Mandingo community. Despite his high social status, he so excited to share with me his Iftar because I am a Mandingo. That is the beauty of being a Mandingo! However, I was not surprised because my father would do the same back home ( Liberia). What shocked me was how he get to know that I am a Mandingo or Sheriff-Haidara. It later came to my mind that I might have met some of his children at the local convenience store. Certainly, that was the case. This means being a Mandingo gives you an automatic membership in every Mandingo community or family. That is the beauty of being a Mandingo! Every public gathering comes with huge cost and so does the FAMA and WAMAs cultural convention. The Western Australia Mandingo Association, which is the main host is set to spend thousands of dollars in preparation of the event. More importantly, there seems to be a strong momentum among its members to make the event a reality. This has given me the impression that the community is well organized and united. As the countdown to the event goes on, I would argue that the convention will be a great place and time to engage in some productive discussion about the communitys future. It is also a great moment to celebrate the rich culture of Mande. And also an opportunity to meet old-school friends and family members. To be honest, I cant wait to see some old-school buddies, for example Sayo LB Dukuly and his family, big smile... What about you? In advance, I wish you happy and wonderful Convention in Perth, WA Musa V. SHERIFF, e-contact: haidaramv@yahoo Perth, Western Australia
Posted on: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:33:41 +0000
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