Thousands of miles away of home, in Maryland, USA, Nigeria’s Bolanle Akingbehin is reliving the African cultural heritage with her new book – Beyond Culture and Heritage.
With guests sat, sound system blaring cool, calm, collected music, and the anticipation reaching an all time high, the official launching of the book was deemed an astounding triumph.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the beautifully and creatively worded book, the culture enthusiast recalls that her “upbringing and the realization that our cherished moral values are facing extinction” were the determining factors.
According to her: “As an African navigating the Western world, working as a freelance interpreter, rehabilitation counselor, and entrepreneur, I became deeply intrigued by the impact of culture on children’s behavior—particularly those African children who haven’t had the same opportunities as their parents.
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“It is disheartening to witness parents gradually losing touch with their cultural roots due to busy schedules or other reasons, leaving their children deprived of essential moral guidance. This spurred my quest to promote our rich culture and highlight the profound significance of our names.”
While people like this best-seller author still hold deep unto their roots, some African children and even adults are unfamiliar with the meanings and cultural significance of their names.
“Our names hold a deep understanding and influence over our character, personality, and cultural heritage,” she enthused.
The book launch remains a memorable event, not to mention the highly engaging interactive session where parents shared their insights on nurturing their children’s moral and cultural values.
“We acknowledged that these values are endangered, directly impacting our children’s behavior and interactions within society.
“Moreover, we recognized the struggles faced by parents in the United States, where culture may not be as highly valued, leading to misunderstandings about their children’s actions,” Akingbehin explained further.
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Influential and highly esteemed individuals graced the occasion with their presence, adding more glee and credibility to the already historical event.
Ambassador Mobolaji Ogundero, a representative from the Nigerian embassy; Mrs. Chris Ademiluyi, a great force from the United Nigerian American Council Maryland—a platform supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in Maryland and the United States were some of the VIPs in attendance.
Additionally, a representative from the Yoruba alliance was present, adding further significance to the event. Some other valued individuals were also present, as well as the author’s SANelites network, among other dignitaries.