THE COSTUME FOR FATHER CHRISTMAS IS IT REALLY SUITED FOR AFRICA?

ARTICLE BY: DR GLORIA MASEKO

( Image for father Christmas adapted from http:// www.google.co.bw)

Development has relied exclusively on one knowledge system, namely the modern Western one. The dominance of this knowledge system has dictated the marginalization and disqualification of non-western knowledge. The world view that continues to perceive the colonizer as the knower and the colonized as ignorant, clearly come into light, when we ask ourselves if the warm costume for Santa clause commonly known as Father Christmas, is really suited for our climate in Africa. It seems clear that, given this superabundance of knowledge of different kinds, one of the main problems facing us in Africa is the problem of selection.

After all, not only will the man capable of reasoned understanding know what to do in particular cases by virtue of that understanding, but he will also be in a better position to adapt to changing circumstances. Personally I believe the costume for Father Christmas is not suited for Africa as I would outline my strong points which stand to be critiqued to broaden the body of knowledge.

THE COSTUME

The costume for father Christmas includes, red and white warm trouser, jacket and hood and black boots. Just looking at the description given above this costume is not well suited for the hot climatic condition in Africa. When we trace the historical climatic conditions in Western countries up to date it snows and the temperatures are below the freezing point and if not at the freezing point during Christmas there. Hence, the costume for Father Christmas enabled Father Christmas to enjoy the warmth of the costume while sharing the Christmas spirit with everyone around who also ensured that they were dressed in very warm clothes to match the warmth of Father Christmas.

What about us in Africa? The climatic conditions are usually extremely hot, during Christmas. So what are we saying as Africans? Do we want to kill our own Father Christmas by extreme heat exposure first from the high external temperature that we experience in December and secondly from the extra warmth provided by the costume?  

Let’s now probe a bit further into the assertion that “comfortable”, in the sense with which I am at present concerned means free from affliction or pain, I believe our African Father Christmas does not enjoy this privilege. Sine every time those father Christmas we see around shopping complexes,  their sweat flows down their face, like a perennial river which never ceases to flow, which in reality we rarely experience in our rivers but tend to enjoy on Father Christmas face during Christmas. Every time our African Father Christmas will be wishing and praying for himself when he would be ordered to take off the costume and forgetting to pray for the less privileged ones because during that time he will be in a worse situation than anybody else, imagine being in an oven, how can you pray for other people either than yourself? Is this how Father Christmas is supposed to feel during the time of Christmas, where giving and showing love to people around you is very important rather than being concerned about the uncomfortable costume? Fellow beloved Africans lets change this costume to fit our African context.

The issue of Father Christmas has also been greatly influenced by idealist philosophy. The notion of father Christmas already contained many beliefs which were clearly compatible with idealism. For example, the Goodness and universality of Father Christmas can be readily recognized as compatible with idealism. Idealism comes from the word ideal, which connotes the idea of perfection. The main thesis in the idealist philosophy is search for truth, with particular reference to Africa. May be just brainstorming; our own African Father Christmas would wear a muscle top and shorts made of  100% cotton, open shoes and a cap as this will be ideal for Africa’s climatic condition.

Looking back in our African culture don’t we have anything that we could cherish and pass from one generation to the other that we practiced during Christmas? For example we could be having our grand mothers and fathers in these shopping complexes telling children our African folk tales which our children rarely know nowadays. This will enable our children to be expects of African fairy tales just like they do with fairy tales  like Cinderella, Snow white and the seven dwarfs, the sleeping beauty and many others. Let’s dig deeper into our African culture than I did and practice the good things in it.

Before I sound too pessimistic, my argument was based on the philosophy of idealism, it should be noted that philosophy in the modern idiom, therefore is an activity of logical thinking over any problem that may be set for it. It is the rational explanation of these aspects of a problem which are theoretical and capable of being resolved or at least elucidated by rational dialogue and therefore it could be critiqued.

Have you ever thought individually, about this costume for Father Christmas, if not start now? Because 2013 is more than halfway through, hence your collaborative thoughts about the African Father Christmas costume will bring light in the world of development,  academics and indeed new inventions.