AFRICAN BELIEFS, CONVICTIONS AND CULTURE (IN GENERAL) Followers of traditional African religions pray to various spirits as well as to their ancestors. The deities and spirits are honored through libation or sacrifice (of animals, vegetables, cooked food, flowers, semi-precious stones and precious metals). Virtue in traditional African religion is often connected with carrying out obligations of the communal aspect of life. Examples include social behaviors such as the respect for parents and elders, raising children appropriately, providing hospitality, and being honest, trustworthy, and courageous. Africans believes in afterlife. African culture, with particular reference to the Ibibio people in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, for instance, has zero tolerance for theft. The thief once caught in the act or convicted, would be stripped naked, his or her body rubbed with charcoal from head to toe and the object he or she stole would be given to him or her to carry around the village in broad day light Festivals which were celebrated often had religious undertones - they ended with sacrifices that were offered to certain deities on special days in order to attract their goodwill on the members of the society. ETIQUETTE Pointing: It considered rude to use your index finger to point at someone. It is polite to receive items with both hands together, held out as a cup. SIMILARITIES OF FILIPINO AND AFRICAN BELIEFS, CONVICTIONS AND CULTURE Both Filipinos and Africans believe in afterlife. They both give respect to their flag and national anthem. Both Filipinos and Africans celebrate festivals. Family bonds are important to both Filipinos and Africans. The elderly are honored and respected. During festivals and cultural rites, both Filipinos and Africans make sacrifices. Pointing fingers to someone is considered rude. FILIPINO BELIEFS, CONVICTIONS AND CULTURE (BASED ON THE POEM) The Writer should use Filipino, as his medium, the nationalists cry. The Painter should use his genius, in portraying themes purely Filipino. The Composer should exploit, endless Possibilities, of the haunting kundiman. Filipinos are generous as seen in lines 8, 9 and 10. Filipinos are well-known for their hospitality. The flag is the most cherished symbol of Filipinos. It is the national symbol of liberty. It represents patriotism, love of country, and a sense of nationhood, and it embodies the Filipino people's aspirations and sentiments in their never-ending quest for independence. When the National Anthem is being played, as a mark of respect, Filipinos must stand at attention and salute by placing their right palm over their chests. FILIPINO CULTURE IN GENERAL Mano is performed as a sign of respect towards elders and as a way of accepting a blessing from the elder Bayanihan is a core essence of the Filipino culture. It is helping out one’s neighbor as a community, and doing a task together, thus lessening the workload and making the job easier. Harana is a traditional form of courtship in the Philippines wherein men introduced themselves and/or wooed women by singing underneath her window at night. Pamamanhikan is a Filipino custom where a man, together with his family, pays a visit to the home of his intended bride. In this occasion, his family will ask the formal blessing of the woman’s family for the wedding. Fiesta is a time of joyful celebration for Filipinos, who cook heaps of hearty food, throw open their doors to visitors, and parade in the streets. Several of these are held to honor the local Roman Catholic patron saint, to commemorate local history and culture, to promote the community's products, or to celebrate a bountiful harvest. BELIEFS Saying ‘tabi -tabi po’ out loud in nature. ‘Tabi tabi po’ roughly translates to excuse me or “step aside, sir”, which is the respectful phrase to say out loud when chartering uninhabited territory or abandoned property. Apparently, losing one’s teeth is one of the most common dreams worldwide. In Philippine culture, it is usually a sign that a relative will soon die. Popularly known as "sukob", it is believed that siblings should schedule weddings at least a year apart to prevent a curse. The explanation is marital luck is divided between the siblings and will therefore bring misfortunes