10/12/2020
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples. Today. Everyday.
"At this time of profound change, it is important to ensure the transmission of indigenous wisdom to future generations."
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY MESSAGE FROM GRANDMOTHER BERNADETTE 🌍
In Africa, the diversity of indigenous peoples mirrors the diversity of species that inhabit the equatorial rainforest: a harmonious mix of sounds and colors that blend together and express a rich and varied symphony.
This coexistence is inherent in indigenous traditions, which follow the natural order. It's easy to get along, understand and appreciate each other.
In our African cultures, respect for life is expressed at all levels, in human relationships and beyond: the natural environment is sacred, as are the words of the elders and the birth of a newborn.
This common vision of the world despite the filter of our differences and our own identities is what will always bring us together.
Having travelled and met indigenous peoples from other continents, I can say that the diversity of cultures and traditions is what creates the strength of the human species. This diversity makes us complementary and allows a balance of collective functioning where everyone finds their place.
Today, as we go through a major global crisis, it is ever more important that indigenous peoples come together and can be heard as one voice. Their precious knowledge is fundamentally useful and still extremely relevant. It must be kept alive.
The traditional use of pharmacopoeia deserves to be recognized for its participation and the important role it plays in medical research and developing new treatments. In Gabon, the use of medicinal plants and the preparation of steam baths have greatly contributed to alleviating the current prevalence of respiratory symptoms.
In addition, there are a large number of rituals that accompany and relate to all the hardships a human being may encounter, and provide psychological support when necessary.
By promoting health, balance and well-being, traditional societies are at the service of humankind. They are authentic paths of spiritual evolution, and participate in the awakening of consciousness.
I pray that the modern world will listen to indigenous peoples as our society needs them more than ever.
Therefore, at this time of profound change, it is important to ensure the transmission of indigenous wisdom to future generations.
The globalization of the world generates a standardization, a formatting of ideas and cultures. It becomes more difficult to make young people aware of their own traditions. But, we all inherit a very distinct cultural heritage and it is this that defines our identity. We need to keep this heritage alive. We must be proud of it and express it throughout our life.
It is up to us, the elders, to ensure the transmission of our ancestral knowledge. This wisdom must be communicated to the new generations because in them rests the responsibility to build the new world.
It is by carefully maintaining our know-how, our values and the wisdom of our culture, that we can value the tradition of indigenous peoples and ensure that this knowledge can be useful in present circumstances.
Right now, many of us are going through difficult times. Whether it be at an economic or health level, we are more concerned than ever about our well-being and the need to find a balance in our lives to give it more meaning.
We realize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone must follow their path and do whatever feels right for themselves. For that to happen we have to stay in tune with nature, because that is where we come from. Nature has always provided humans with food, shelter and health care. This is how the indigenous people became accustomed to the conditions of their environment.
So, in order to adapt to the current changes, let us follow nature's example. It is necessary to find a harmonious collective way of life and to establish a network where resources can be shared by all.
It's up to each of us to accept everyone with all of their many differences, without wanting to impose our points of view.
Diversity can benefit everyone as we are all important actors in this world and everyone has something to contribute to his or her neighbour, accepting this is a sign of openness and selflessness.
As the Malian writer Amadou Hampâté Ba said: “If you think like me, you are my brother. If you don't think like me, you are twice my brother, because you open up another world to me ”.
~ Rose Bernadette Rebienot Owansango
