A new column to learn about the cultures in which we live our mission. A tool to help readers understand and appreciate other cultural universes. We explore the meaning of certain words that reveal traditions, social organisation, the spiritual world… everything that is “culture” and that enriches our view of the lives of the people we encounter in our daily relationships. Human growth and even the proclamation of the Gospel depend on understanding the words and symbols of cultures that become culture, mentality, and a universe of values, purifying and enriching cultures themselves and the reception of Gospel values.
We are launching the column “Words from cultures” based on the experience, study and reflection of a number of missionaries who have observed and explored different cultural worlds by listening to words, stories and people.
Let’s get ready to embark on an interesting and enriching journey!
The first instalments of our column will be dedicated to the cultural world of Guinea Bissau.
Sr. Maristella De Marchi, Missionary Sister of the Immaculate, will share hes findings, the result of linguistic and anthropological fieldwork conducted in direct contact with the people of villages belonging to the Balanta ethnic group.
The Balanta tribe is the largest Bantu ethnic group in Guinea-Bissau and consists of more than 300,000 people. It is divided into three groups, located in different regions of the country: Balanta Quintoe Balanta di fora, Balanta di Nhakra.
The first words of this column will therefore be dedicated to the African world, with particular attention to certain educational principles that revolve around the theme of responsibility: education as a path to taking responsibility. This is an angle that can generate interesting reflection when compared with the current educational principles of our society and also with faith education.
Visit the Words from cultures page
