Soba.America.E-Newsletter.2017

on display even here in the US.
12. What should Africa and Africans do to preserve the African culture for future generations?
Document, document, document. So much of what we do not know about our culture is
because it was not written. Oral history is always subject to distortion as everyone tells
the story differently. The more we can document and preserve our artifacts and history,
the better for our children and its preservation.
13. Are there any conflicts between your new role as a traditional leader and your
religious life as a devout catholic?
There is only one conflict I see and that is the issue of marriage. The church teaches monogamy
while traditional society allows for polygamy. I do not plan to be a polygamist and
so I do not have any conflict between my Catholic faith and my traditional position. The
catholic faith is steeped in traditions that honor a superior being and so are our African
traditions. There are so many rituals that are performed in the church that look similar to
what we do in our traditional societies. For example, we pray to God and ask holy people
like the saints to intercede for us. We do the same in our tradition when we call on our
ancestors to intercede for us.
14. Does your new position require you to marry multiple wives like in some African
cultures? If yes, how do you plan to go about that given the fact that US laws don’t
allow such unions?
No. In the old days power and status as a traditional leader were measured in the number
of wives and children that you had. This is no longer the case. Power and status are now
measured in what you can deliver for your people.
15. What is your message to the youths of today?
To learn more about their cultures and traditions and work to preserve and pass them on
to their children.
16. Any final thoughts?
I want to thank all my friends and Soban brothers for their congratulatory messages and
support following my coronation. Thank you.
Interviewed and Written by Divine Tange
Member, Soba America Editorial Board
Class of 1984
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