The Ahikuntaka

Out of the 357 respondents, 28 felt that their culture was not at a threat (ref. table 20). Out of these, over 53% of the respondents
cited the fact that they were able to still practice traditional occupations without any hindrance as the reason for their answer (Table 21)
A minority of 7.84% of the sample under survey, fell their culture was not at a threat giving the following as main reasons – ability to
maintain their culture, value system and customs stable and unique even with integration to the mainstream society (17.85%) and also
the ability to conserve the traditional life-style in the changing world (14.28%) as the main reasons while a small percentage 7.14%
felt that they still practice the cultural aspects of the community and other traditions, while another 7.14% felt that the traditional
indigenous knowledge is to a great extent passed on to the future generation.
Table 22: Distribution of the respondents’ responses in relation to their assessment of the aspects of
the culture that they currently practice
Respondents’ response
Not at all in
existence in its
original form
Frequency / % of total
The original
form is slightly
in existence
The original
form exists to
an extent
The original
form is in
existence
The
original form
greatly
exists
Cultural aspects - - - - - -
Language 252(70.58) 69 (19.32) 31(8.68) 05(1.40) - 357
Literature, arts, theatre and music 269(75.35) 54(15.12) 28(7.85) 06(1.68) - 357
Indigenous knowledge 51(14.29) 196(54.90) 67(18.77) 43(12.04) - 357
Social values and norms 42(11.76) 96(26.89) 189(52.94) 22(6.17) 08(2.24) 357
Customs and traditions 12(3.36) 132(36.99) 167(46.77) 34(9.52) 12(3.36) 357
Religion and religious beliefs 53(14.84) 162(45.37) 102(28.58) 23(6.45) 17(4.76) 357
Ethnicity 132(36.97) 150(42.01) 59(16.53) 12(3.37) 4(1.12) 357
Lifestyle 238(66.67) 94(26.33) 16(4.48) 9(2.52) - 357
Traditional occupation 34(9.52) 77(21.57) 216(60.50) 19(5.33) 11(3.08) 357
Mobility 133(37.25) 173(48.45) 38(10.64) 13(3.64) - 357
When the respondents were questioned as to their assessment of the culture they currently practice, they responded in various ways
as indicated in Table 22. A vast majority over 70% felt that their language, literature, arts, theatre and music, as well as their present
lifestyle were not at all in existence in its original form. In terms of their indigenous knowledge, religion and religious beliefs, ethnicity
and mobility, a majority of the respondents felt that the original form is still slightly in existence. As far as social values and norms,
customs and traditions and traditional occupations were concerned, majority of the respondents stated that the original forms exist to
an extent.
The greater majority believed that their uniqueness did not exist at all in its original form while a small percentage felt it was existing
to a very slight degree, a still smaller percentage felt it was existing to some extent while a very insignificant percentage felt that the
original form greatly exists.
Total
The Ahikuntaka
81