By Monique Ezinwa
In this month’s issue, two second-generation students from the UK discuss the importance of holding onto their cultural roots while navigating their lives and new found culture in England. Should we embrace change, or is preserving heritage the best?
Second-generation kids of the diaspora living in London can have a preconception that there is a disconnect between those born in the diaspora and their home culture. There being a physical separation between them and the land of their parents means that they may have to make more of an effort to stay connected to their culture and its traditions. To get their perspective on the debate, we spoke to two diaspora Yan, 21 students from Senegal and Amelia, 21 from Ghana.
Yan’s opinion
“Embracing the evolution of culture is essential. We should acknowledge that change is inevitable. Our diaspora needs to balance between growth and heritage. Growing up with a single (Senegalese) parent has uniquely shaped my cultural identity, making it a significant part of my identity. Simple things like having Thiéboudieune and Yassa make me feel more connected to my mum and my culture when I’m not able to be surrounded by just Senegalese people. I think building bridges between communities is crucial. The strong sense of community prevalent in African cultures means that it won’t be difficult for us in the diaspora to hold onto our traditions even in the diverse environment of London. However, achieving this requires concerted effort, and constant exposure to different cultures can present challenges. If we emphasise how interconnected and similar traditions and cultures in West Africa are, we have the potential to create an environment where cultural diversity thrives while maintaining a sense of unity to our West African roots.”
Amelia’s opinion
“While it may seem unavoidable to embrace cultural development, protecting our heritage is just as important. As a diaspora, I think it is important to emphasise the necessity of preserving our cultural origins while resisting the impulse to assimilate fully. I believe that maintaining our traditions should come first since it is our responsibility to carry on our culture after our parents. Thanks to my parents, I’ve always felt strongly connected to my cultural heritage and that I’m not widely different from my peers back home. The biggest reason for this is that my parents ensured that I could speak and understand Twi. As a result, the familiarity and connection to my cultural heritage have shaped my beliefs and ideas. They are a source of strength for me—the importance of our cultural traditions aids in keeping us rooted as people. Our traditions’ core values should not be sacrificed in order to promote tolerance and understanding. Rather than reducing cultural variety, building bridges should be a way to share and celebrate it. Protecting our cultural heritage must come first, and we must fight the urge to integrate other influences fully.”
Get involved!
If you feel as strongly about the topic as Yan, Amelia, and us at Chop, feel free to join us on our online forums on chop.co.uk to add your perspective on the discussion.
Next edition’s topic: Is West African culture now influential in London?