The pride I stand for

I genuinely don’t want this to sound like a report.

I just want it to sound like me….. simple, soulful, and direct.

And so begins my rant…

I appreciate culture. African culture, and all the other cultures across the world.

I know culture is vast, layered, and my understanding can only stretch so far, but I hold deep respect for what I know and for what I’m still learning.

One thing I know for sure…. I’ve never looked at another person’s culture and deemed it lesser than mine. Before the Britts came, we had our African traditional cultures… unique, powerful, and beautifully different across tribes and communities. 

I respect my ancestors above everything.

I appreciate the diversity that stretches wide and far… from the beautiful shores of the Indian Ocean, across the vast beauty of the North, to the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, and to every border that connects Kenya to her neighbours.

Borrowed from my dear friend Shamim, lately, in most of my prayers, I’ve learned to include this line….

“Lord, teach me to be humble in all ways, and grant me the knowledge and wisdom I require in all aspects of my everyday life.”

And by humility, I don’t mean slouching or staying silent when it’s time to speak up… and by knowledge, I don’t mean it in any cocky way.

The diversity we experience in Kenya is breathtaking. The cultures, the languages, the values…  all of it.

I, for one, am Maragoli from the greater Luhya community. Within the Luhya alone (according to Google), there are about 18–20 subtribes, imagine that! And under each subtribe, there are traditions and practices that define us. Yet, we all fall under one umbrella.,.Luhya. And I appreciate that.

One politician today said, “Nationality is a progressive concept, while tribalism is retrogressive.” I stan.

And honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

And this week gets to be the week I’ve lost my control about controlling my dopamine hit when it comes to social media consumption. I’ve been moving between threads and X like my life depended on it.  And I noticed something wasn’t adding up. 

Tribalism is disgusting…. genuinely. Especially now, in this age and time, when so many of us have directly or indirectly experienced the pain it brings.

No seriously though…. damn! I thought we were beyond tribalism.

My heart 💔. I’m honestly shocked. This has to be the most distasteful thing to witness, especially among the younger generation. Yuck!!!

So yes, I appreciate culture and diversity… but wouldn’t it be even more beautiful if we celebrated our roots while also respecting others’?

From where I stand, no tribe is better than another.

No culture is superior to another.

I’ve learned to cherish my own and extend the same respect to others.

I respect diversity.

And it would hurt deeply to see division take root again in the form of tribalism.

We are a woke generation.

We know better.

And I pray sincerely that we do better.

We can honestly adore and uphold with pride where we come from without diminishing where others come from. Genuinely, that’s the kind of pride I stand for.