Every year between June and August my parents usually organize for a family reunion. Throughout my teenage years, these events have been vital in helping me realize my culture. Having grown up in a world dominated by technology and different religious affiliations, my family uses reunions to pay tribute to the dead and restore the lost cultural consciousness. Even though there are variations in how these events are handled, there are certain cultural aspects that have remained common among African American families. Sharing a meal, visiting graveyards and sanctification of the pig are some of the common events that my family considers to be vital during this day. Therefore, family reunions help in the restoration of cultural heritage since they are based on the observance of special rituals, application of traditional medicine and remembrance of the dead.
To begin with, my ancestors used the concept of family reunion as an essential platform for cherishing their culture. In a time of racial segregation and slavery, my ancestors capitalized on family cohesiveness to make significant steps of preserving their culture while also fighting for their freedom (McCoy, 2011). Since then, organized reunion has become an essential event in my family. Nevertheless, family reunion events act as a way of identifying with the tumultuous experiences faced by ancestors during slavery. Considering that my ancestors persevered to gain the positives that my family is enjoying today, it is worth appreciating their efforts. In a personal perspective, I highly regard these events since they provide me with a chance to have a glimpse of the troubles that my ancestors went through for the freedom I am enjoying today. Through this concept, I believe that family reunion is based on a spiritual background since it provides me with an opportunity to link up with the dead by imagining what they went through during the tumultuous days of slavery.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
In a time of family reunion, a pig is sacrificed as a symbol of appreciation to a particular spiritual being. In understanding this form of symbolism, one must realize that a pig is a sanctified animal in my culture. Therefore, the roasting of this animal is a way of bonding with the dead and preserving the cultural heritage that has made African American families survive for many years. Also, the pig is sacrificed as a thanksgiving to the Supreme Being for the harmony the society has enjoyed after the painful years of slavery. Traditionally, my family considers health and peace to be a favor from God. Therefore, holding at least one family reunion every year serves as the best way of appreciating the support rendered by God. However, this animal is usually prepared in a particular way that has always been the norm for many years. After being slaughtered, the inner parts are removed and replaced with onions, potatoes, peppers, ear corns, and sausages before being stitched up with the help of twine (McCoy, 2011). The pig is then roasted all day long with the help of identified men and women.
Moreover, throughout my teenage years, I have come to realize that visiting the graveyard is the most crucial aspect in family reunion events. In my culture, a senior person in the family leads the rest in paying tribute to the dead. During this period, special spiritual words are said while the rest of the family are made to wash their faces in traditional medicine (McCoy, 2011). It is through this unified worshiping exercise that family members manage to attain the cohesiveness that was once enjoyed by the ancestors during their struggle for freedom. Since I started attending these events, it has always been a norm for all family members to visit the graveyard as a way of appreciating and propagating the cultural heritage to the next generation.
The use of traditional medicine in this event is specifically used to heal the pain and agony that family members have encountered throughout the year. Although I may not fancy relying on traditional medicine for a cure, it gives me pride and identity to my culture. While I was growing up, I would always observe my grandfather using leaves from particular trees to cure chronic body pains. The application of this medication is also similar to the one used in family reunion events to help members reflect on their deeds and how they can amend their ways for a better future. With this observation, I have come to realize that the problems I am experiencing today are entirely premised on my behavior and how I conduct myself in society. From a scientific point of view, the meditation that is practiced during the application of traditional medicine plays a vital in reducing depression tendencies (Booker, 2015). Even though family reunion ceremonies are based on culture, they have been instrumental in my urge for a healthy relationship with other family members.
In summary, my family is premised on the institution of culture and its preservation. Observation of family reunion celebrations is a customary concept that my family considers sacred and vital for the propagation of core cultural practices to the next generation. Besides being a platform where I can be in a position to bond with siblings and relatives, family reunion provides me with a chance to relate with my ancestors through sharing their debilitating past sufferings. Also, a family reunion is relevant in my culture since it is based on the realization of spirituality and dedication to a happy life. Therefore, a family reunion is not only a bonding event but a way to preserve the cultural heritage that our ancestors strived to achieve for years.
References
Booker, S. Q. (2015). Older African Americans' beliefs about pain, biomedicine, and spiritual medicine. Journal of Christian Nursing , 32 (3), 148-155.
McCoy, R. (2011). African American elders, cultural traditions, and the family reunion. Generations , 35 (3), 16-21.
