Chiedza Vol 11 No 2 Cross-Cultural, Cognition, Conflict and African Identity

Abstract

One major aspect of globalisation is the amplification of the interaction between different peoples and cultures; this increased contact brings in questions of cognition, identity and difference. Without interaction with other peoples there is no urgent need to clearly define one's identity and to see oneself as a separate and different other. But in the light of encounters with other people and other cultures one is called to question and to define one's identity. How one perceives oneself as significantly different from others and as identifying with a particular group or groups is an important part of that identity. From the encounter with other cultures and peoples comes the possibility of adopting a new and different identity or identities. Many especially among the youth who feel that their traditional or cultural identity does not satisfactorily define tHem have welcomed this opportunity and espoused other identities. In the decades soon after independence from colonial rule in many African countries, the African identity was taken for granted as something unquestionably present. However events in the recent past have brought to the fore hitherto avoided questions whether this African identity actually exists and if it does bow it can be defined. Some people have argued that African identities do exist but to bundle them into one identity will be a grave mistake. The xenophobic attacks on foreigners of African origin in South Africa in 2008 put these African identity questions into perspectives. The land reform programme in Zimbabwe as well left unanswered questions on the national identity of a Zimbabwean. The violence that followed the Kenyan elections in 2007 and General Nkunda's actions in the DRC have also brought the ethnjc identity into perspective. With the African, national and ethnic identities all being questioned one wonders whether there is any hope of strong negotiated identities in Africa that are liberated from conflict. The articles in this edition tackle these issues from the many different angles from which they present themselves. Isaac Fernandes debunks the notion that globalization has been a cause of cultural homogenisation, appreciating the heightened consciousness of identity that it brings while attributing to it the proliferation of identities and in some cases identities that are socially deviant. Odomaro Mubangizi asks if there are identities that by their very nature are conflictual and discusses the Ugandan example of how conflict of identities can result in identities of conflict. He assesses the different conflicts that Uganda has experienced and shows how these conflicts have been deeply rooted in issues of identity. Ponsiano Ngondwe returns to one of the most basic identities that African peoples have been known to value, the ethnic identity. :-<He sees in this identity a source of conflict and takes examples from a few African countries to illustrate his point. Igantius Pad ya takes on the issue of identity indirectly through a case study of the land redistribution programme in Zimbabwe. He looks at Nozick's Entitlement Theory and sees in it a justification for land redistribution due to the injustices in the acquisition of land during the colonial era. He however bemoans the procedure of grabbing land without compensation and the racial identity that seems to have formed the basis for these land grabs. Paul Kalenzi takes on a man who bad a way of transcending localised identities and leading others to follow suit. Jn Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Paul sees the answer or at lest part of the answer to the question of ethnicity as a cause for conflict in Africa. He proposes nationalism as a way of getting out of the idol of the tribe and moving to identify with the more modem sociopolitical unit of the state. Augustine Ekeno takes Hannah Areodt's understanding of self-contained politics and the need for politics to be free from undue concern with biological needs and proposes this as a solution to Africa's political quagmire. James Kanali proposes multiculturalism and politics of inclusion as possible ways of addressing political problems in Africa. Jean-Claude Havyarimana looks to religion for the answer to Africa's governance and developmental problems. It remains to the reader to choose from among these proposed solutions or even propose au altogether different one, maybe in an article for the next issue. The Chiedza editorial board welcomes on board new members James Moro, Maximus Ibeneto, Benjamin Nsengiyumva, Paul K.alenzi, Patrick Ngamesha and Patience Ganyeka. We hope that wjth their dedication we will be able to keep lighting Africa. Your comments and responses to articles are welcome.

Happy reading.

Courage R Bakasa S.J.