The reading "Intro to Words of the Batswana" validates what we discussed in class about a lack of primary sources giving the "natives" perspective. Also, how the native documents were not given priority like those of Europeans. Obviously, European colonization was a concern to the Africans but the passages/excerpts being introduced probably provide a deeper insight into the culture and family life of early South Americans. I think it would be very interesting to read the opinions of the Africans on subjects such as: religion, family values, politics, etc. The one part of this introduction that caught my attention was when it talks about the fact that these documents became available after "rapid political changes". This quote gives the impression that these documents weren't acknowledged by the previous government and that there may have been restrictions on viewing them.
In Kgabo Tebele Motswasele's letter he seems to consider the needs and feelings of all individuals and how using one set language would affect other groups of people. I also liked how he was very polite when disagreeing/replying. I feel like this speaks to the fact that not only Africans, but other native peoples as well, were very civilized, not at all savages. He wants to make sure that all nations feel equal and explains that by choosing one language, it would be like saying one group of people is better than the other. I liked how he used religion to make a point. Since the Europeans most likely brought what they consider religion (Christianity) to South Africa, he was using what they taught to validate his statements. I suppose they probably couldn't argue with that.
I wasn't quite sure if the "Letter from March 1980" was in regards to European or African children. Judging by the comments made about clothing, I'm going to assume that he is referring to African children so I am going to reply with that assumption in mind. If someone interpreted differently I would love to hear their opinion. In this letter, it seems like the writer is in favor of these changes (Christianity and proper dress). Most of his letter seems to shed a positive light on religion and European influence (clothing and education). It appears that he is more disappointed in the African people and their failure to "practice what you preach". I feel that there may be some hesitation among the Africans to let go of their culture and partake in a new one with new ideas. Like what we discussed in class; they may say that they believe and agree with the changes but in actuality don't as much as they seem to.
In the letters discussing Bogadi, it was nice to be able to read the opinions of the Africans and not just the opinions of Europeans. It also seems like the tone of the letters might be based off whether someone had a positive or negative experience with bogadi. I guess I can see both sides of the argument. I feel like these letters might have been written at a time when a newly developed African culture, influenced by European culture, was clashing with the old African culture. Therefore, some disagreed with bogadi and some agreed. I don't agree with buying another human or viewing someones worth as how much can be traded for them but I feel like in this culture the cattle or other items were viewed more as gifts by those who participated. Other cultures partook in these sort of activities as well. For instance, the native americans also gave animals/items to the family of the bride in appreciation for the union. Even today we have a form of this as it is custom for the brides family to pay for the wedding. Although the reasons behind this are not the same as they once were, one of the original reasons was because once the bride and groom were husband and wife, it was the husband who was the provider. Also, we have a ring to signify the marriage, but Africans often considered the gifts or payments (whichever you prefer) as evidence of the union. I think some of the writers feel like they have sacrificed so much of their culture and heritage to European influences that they refuse to rid themselves of another part of what they feel is their culture. One writer even states in regards to traditions "and the ones we have, we will not leave". Again, I feel like these letters and feelings were maybe influenced by personal situations but it was refreshing to read their opinions on the matter.
With the pass laws, I found it interesting that as much as the Europeans "changed" the law to allow more freedom, the wording was just more flamboyant but the law remained almost exactly the same. These passes and certificates and identification papers were just a way to establish a hierarchy between races. The pass laws probably helped to establish discrimination even more so than before. The pass laws were a way to control when and were the Africans were allowed to work and a way to acquire dominance over the African people.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with your statement about the letter from March 1890. It did seem like he was very positive about the Christianity. Also I like your ideas on the Bogadi. It cleared some things up for me in that article. It does appear like it is their opinions that influence their decisions about the Bogadi.
ReplyDeleteI agree with almost everything you say, in fact, my blog states many of the same things. It was definitely nice to hear some of the opinions of the Africans. I was actually blown away by the responses of the Africans and their letters to the editor. Not only that, but they had a strict belief in education, and that their people should be educated. With the pass laws, I think they just changed based on the needs of the "government", even though they never gave complete freedom, they would decrease restrictions when they were not in a need for much later, then as soon as the mining would require them it just so happens that the restrictions were stiffened. As we mentioned in class, this was very much related to criminalization.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think that the letters about the Bogadi could have been from different experiences, positive or negative. But that makes more sense as to why there are so many differing opinions.
ReplyDeleteI think that the religion in the letters are more for the Europeans than the Africans. It's kind of like they are sucking up so the Europeans think that they are changing everything about their lifestyle. When really they are just adding more to it while they learn w/ their European education.
I agree with the fact that in the Intro Words of Batswana, the sources were skewwed, for the fact that "issues that may have been of little interest to Europeans then but which were of great imporance within African communities" were not well represented throughout history.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with how the pass laws were rewritten nearly identical to the previous one. The Europeans did make a point in keeping the Africans at a lower class, creating a discrimatory hierarchy with the white servants being allowed better paying positions while the Africans were subjected to lower wage jobs.
I agree with you about your comments on the letters from 1890. The african people wanted to hold onto their own traditions and cultures. They do seem to not like this new european clothing. They might have professed to be Christians in public just so that they might be able to fit in better. This seems like the same thing that occurred during the spanish inquisition. People said that they converted to catholicism, but did so just to avoid being arrested.
ReplyDelete