BEEN TO SANKOFA DIASPORA

Been to Sankofa diaspora from West return to African ancestry come in Joseph project. Love the beautiful countries but face many dilemmas adjusting in new environments. A classic case is that of Ato Yawson returning to Ghana with his Western wife Eulalie after completing education abroad. Ato Yawson epitomizes ‘been to’ character conflict by his status as a Western educated scholar. Traditional African roots and education sets him apart from family’s traditional African society values. A living arrangement accommodation in family’s home compound in Ghana is new wing added. Ato Yawson symbolize split between older traditional family and the newer educated middle class. Bird of the Wayside said, ‘As expected they reserved new addition to the house for the exclusive use of Scholar. They don’t expect him to make his home there, he lives and works in the city on arrival from the white man’s land. But is expected to be home often at weekends and on festive occasions. This role status of the ‘been-to’ in traditional society because of his Western education is given status of privilege and prestige. So this removes him from a traditional community but expected to maintain roles to fulfill their duties as expected of him by the custom and tradition. Ato Yawson is divided and pulled in different directions by opposing forces of his family as traditional African society and Eulalie the Western society problems. But is not reconciled because Ato is too oblivious to this cultural differences unaware of how to resolve them. Ato returns to Ghana to his family who toiled and sacrificed to pay his school fees, buy books, equipment without a benefit welfare cheque. The family reources provided by entire community helped invest in Ato. Expected on return to share wealth to help family by virtue of family sponsored him. So been to must provide for his family on return. Parents take loans, sell the family land inherited, farm, work hard, employed civil servant sacrifice all to invest in Ato for a better future of the whole family unit. A village woman said, debts of Ato’s mother Esi Kom will be paid at last. This is their true reality as been tos’ though few have wealth and prosperity expected to build up family wealth to restore what is spent on them. The others denied same chance due to high fees had to drop out of school to provide for Ato. Naive Westerners ignorant of these family’s dynamics accuse family of greed. But Aidoo makes it clear the family is entitled to share in Ato’s wealth. His position of privilege due to sacrifices they made provided him with a western education. Ato neglects his family’s material needs spends money on consumer items for his wife. And he refused to fulfill a traditional family duty to return favour and provide. Ato’s family lacks understanding of the Western society Eulalie comes from but Ato lived in. Eulalie is perceived from slaves without tribe or family didn’t have place in society suitable as their local wife for Ato. Eulalie lacks understanding of the difficulty local customs trampled on by Eulalie. This is conflict Eulalie, unaccustomed to local food, threw away snails Esi Kom gave her to cook. Conflict arises between family the symbol of traditional African society and Eulalie who represents Western civilization. On question of birth control a woman able to control her reproduction so choose not to have children is a foreign abhorrent concept to his family. Traditional African society children valued sign of wealth and prosperity for family and motherhood glorified status women aspire to. Eulalie’s postpones having children using birth control, until ready to be a mother is incomprehensible to Ato’s family. So assume infertile, try to use traditional medicine cure her. Eulalie is in conflict with Ato’s family so doesn’t conform to role of women in society. She can’t cook the food her husband desires, drinks, smokes, taboo for women in society. Ato’s family lacks knowledge of the different roles of women, behaviours, expectations in Western society. Eulalie feeling insecure has refused to conform to her role as Ato’s wife. The family accepts Eulalie but is shocked by Eulalie’s lifestyle and decisions. So source of conflict is the lack of understanding of both parties. Ato is too oblivious and unable to resolve cultural conflicts of his family. Ato can’t explain birth control women’s issues of Eulalie to his family. Unable to help Eulalie assumed infertile. African men can’t talk to his family about her fertlity, Eulalie’s body functions its too private a taboo matter men don’t get involved in. Ato can’t mediate in-between their family matters, cultural background or local status of Westerners. Eulalie’s identity is an important factor but she is disillusioned. Its apparent her racial heritage does not guarantee knowledge and understanding of society. A cultural divide between traditional African society versus a romanticized vision by Westerner’s journey to Ghana. Is homecoming return of Sankofa root history of slave descendant to ancestral homeland Africa. This diaspora of dispersed Africans in the world sees marriage to Ato a return to Africa. Its a way to reclaim roots to regain family history of slavery. But a reality check of Africa did not conform to Eulalie’s expectations but welcomed into this society. Returning home to learn about their missing year roots lack family support. Struggles to fit into a society. Eulalie was excluded from the West by racism legacy of slavery. Eulalie shattered disillusioned about homecoming to Africa. She is critical and condescending in her attitude towards traditional African society and Ato’s family. Calls them narrow minded savages. Eulalie’s attitude to Ato’s family is complete lack of understanding of culture irony unwilling to abide to customs or values. Ato is too busy so preoccupied by work, didn’t notice challenges, can’t mediate between his family. Ato is accused blamed of ignoring concerns of family, didn’t response to birth control issue. Eulalie aware cultural differences hindering her ability to fit in the society Ato comes from. Eulalie is unable to understand customs of society unexplained to her. Esi Kom said, who can blame her? Strangers do not break law, told before they dip their finger in thick palm soup, its the townsfolks who tell them. The ambiguity is the two parties don’t know or understand the real issues going on. Ato is oblivious to his family needs and conflicts. Eulalie and society await townsfolk to bring awareness to strangers to avoid trouble. The Western context ignorance no excuse expect Eulalie’s fantasy been to Sankofa dilemmas to resolve itself to live happily ever after.

Reblogged Updated by Godshotspot

By Megan Behrent, Brown University ’97