An African Exodus: Special Reference to the Exodus of the Baoule of Ivory Coast
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Date
2005
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Today, in a special way I remember my childhood like it was yesterday. I
remember the nice smell of the sand when it rained, when we went to farm all day and
came back very tired, and the special moment when we met in the night around the fire
with our grandfather and some elders. I still remember the voice of my grandfather and
the sound of the drums. Those days were the joyful moments of my life. hi the remote
village, very far away, a village that the world may ignore, there, I was born in the silence
of the night on the leaves of banana. I w as washed with cold water mixed with some
plants. The first thing that touched my tongue was palm wine and then the voice of my
grandfather followed to welcome me in the world. Full of mysteries where tomorrow is
not known. Afraid, yes I was afraid, but my grandfather assured me his protection and
guidance.
My grandfather was well known in the entire region by his courage and also by
his qualities as a great warrior. It is in the hand of such a great man that I was instructed.
He was asked by the elders to be our teacher since he was the pillar o four tradition.
Every night we gathered around him and listened to him attentively. I admired him a lot,
you can see and feel our 'heritage' flowing from his soul and blood. He was a great man
whose intelligence was well known, 'his head shines like fire'2. The method used by that
great teacher was the narration of myths. All aspects of our life and about life were taught
through myths. The entire heritage of our tradition was written in the soul and blood of my Grandfather. That it is why, we used to say, that if an old man died, it's like an entire
library that has been destroyed.
Since my childhood, I have been 'nourished by myths'. They formedme and
through it I have learned about my tribe, my clan, and my ancestors and also to know the
why and the teaching of the rules and morals of my community. Myths have forged my
guiding principles and moral life. One who is not initiated into it, is not classified among
'humans' and has no right to sit among the elders. It is to say that, 'a child who has done
sixty villages is wiser than an old man who is sixty years old and has never travelled'.
Later on, in secondary school and at university, I came across Greek mythology,
which has some similarities with ours, and it really fascinated me. Joining seminary was
an opportunity for me to use that experience and background in sharing the Word of God,
since myths can be found in the Bible too. And are well appreciated. Now it is an
occasion for me to look closer at the myths and see in which way they can contribute to
our effort of inculturating the Good News brought by our saviour Jesus Christ.
Personally, I think that Christianity should be presented to other peoples and cultures in
the way that is most meaningful for them. For that reason, the study of one of the myths
of my people would be very helpful in presenting the Gospel since myths are a genuine
part of our culture.
It is an occasion also, to pay homage to my grandfather and through him to all the
great Africans, who did their best to protect and to pass our traditions from generation to
generation.
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Keywords
African Exodus, Baoule, Ivory Coast