Assignment 6 Rafeeah Adam Student number: 18245544 Group number: 6T Department of African Languages, Unisa AFL1501: Language through an African Lens Lecturer Ms J Boshomane and Ms J Toffa TA Thabiso Moleya Due date: 14/11/2023 18245544@mylife.unisa.ac. za Introduction My name is Rafeeah Adam, and I am presently pursuing a higher certificate in teaching. Eventually, I hope to begin and finish a bachelor's degree in education. I'll discuss my changes this semester in my assessment. After that, I'll investigate my origins and talk about my family tree going back as long as I can recall. I'll research totems and clan names, including my own. I'll talk about a significant ceremony I went to and how it got me thinking about culture. I'll also talk about how I see Ubuntu and how important it is to help others. First portfolio activity Task 1 I apologize for not being able to do this task. Task 2 I was still having trouble understanding the concepts of diversity and selfreflection when I started this subject. I now have a better understanding of both the person I am and the person I aspire to be after going through this incredible course. I gained knowledge on how to express myself clearly and arrange my feelings. I can now take criticism and recognize the value of reflecting on oneself and analyzing comments. I now have a better grasp of diversity and culture after going through this curriculum. I became more aware of how challenging some people's lives are during the xenophobia section. I had the opportunity to study various cultures and learn new things. The Ubuntu section has improved my quality of life. I now eagerly anticipate lending a hand, no matter how small. Second Portfolio activity Task 1 My family tree is on the last page Task 2 a) Since the Zulu culture is the most well-known in South Africa and I'm curious to learn more about it, I decided to interact with its contents. The Zulu people are renowned for having an extensive heritage. b) AmaPhela is the Zulu clan’s name I have decided to research, and Indlovukazi, (Queen Elephant,) is the totem. It's intriguing to me because the elephant totem represents strength and knowledge. I selected it because I understand from personal experience that having strength in life is challenging but well worth it when it comes to overcoming hardship. c) I discovered that totems have a rich deep symbolic meaning. The totem is connected to attributes of strength, spirituality, and knowledge in Zulu culture. Totems are linked to the natural environment. The clan's beliefs and traits are reflected in the totem. I've also discovered that clan names have meaning and are connected to a certain animal or ancestor. d) I am a member of the Naga tribe, and I specifically follow the Sema clan. The language we speak is Sema, and it has unique qualities. It has a rich cultural history, and we are well-known for our lively festivals, traditional songs, and dances. We have taken part in ancient weaving techniques to create vibrant shawls that represent our tribe's identity. Our ceremonies are connected to nature and spirits, and they incorporate animalistic concepts. A significant part of our clan's identity is agriculture. e) In Indian culture, we show respect for our elders. We always use a title like "Mr." or a term of endearment like "aunty" when addressing elders. Touching the feet of the elderly is customarily done as a sign of respect and to ask for their blessings. f) Western society has made its mark on Indian culture in several ways. In India, English rose to prominence as a language , and Western-style educational institutions were set up. In India, this hurt both education and communication. Western consumer goods, eating patterns, and fashion trends have grown in popularity, which has led to a fusion of Western and traditional components in many facets of daily life. In the Indian environment, conversations on social reform, gender equality, and human rights gained momentum from the introduction of Western philosophical ideas. g) • Ross, R. (2000). Approaching African History: From Culture and Technology to Identity and Time. The Journal of African History, 41(3), 502-503. • • Mkhize, N. (2004). An investigation into the importance of the clan name in the African culture. Acta Academica Supplementum, 2, 168-189. Mbatha, K. (2015). The significance of clan totems in Zulu culture. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 37(1), 45-58 • Shange, D. (2017). The Significance and Role of Clan Names and Totem within the African Context: The Case of the Zulu People of South Africa. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 5(2), 96-100. Third portfolio activity Task 1 a) The Hindu wedding ceremony is the one I selected. This intricate and spiritual event consists of multiple rituals. Pre-wedding rituals, the actual wedding, and the post-wedding are the three phases that make up this event. Horoscope matching is one of the pre-wedding customs when the compatibility of the couple's horoscopes is determined. Following that, the couple gets engaged, swaps rings, and makes their commitment public in front of friends and family. Henna designs are applied to the bride and other women in the family during the ceremony. Following that, family members get together for a sangeet ceremony when they dance and sing songs to express their joy. An official priest blesses the wedding altar during the Mandap Puja, the major rite of the wedding. Following the arrival of the groom, the bride will be led by her relatives. The couple gives and receives jaimala garlands from each other. The bride's parents give their daughter away. The couple walks around a holy fire a few times together. The bride receives holy jewelry from her husband in addition to having vermilion powder applied to her forehead. The reception is a lavish party that is part of the post-wedding customs. • Shukla, Asmita. "Hindu Wedding Traditions and Customs Explained." Culture Trip, 25 April 2019, www.culturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/hindu-weddingtraditions-andcustoms-explained/. • Singh, Siddheshwar. "Hindu Marriage Customs and Beliefs." Experience India, 10 May 2021, www.experienceindia360.com/hindu-marriagecustoms-andbeliefs/. b) The jaimala ritual and the exchanging of garlands are the parts of the ceremony that I have selected as being very meaningful to me. This ritual represents the approval of two families coming together. After receiving a blessing from the family's elders, the pair exchanges exquisitely made floral garlands. The garland is always colorful and composed of different flowers. I adore the scene where they exchange garlands because it signifies their acceptance of one another and the start of an amazing journey. It demonstrates their commitment to one another as well. c) Cultural ceremonies are essential for forming an individual's identity and establishing a connection to their cultural history. Cultural rituals aid in the transmission and preservation of a community's customs, values, and beliefs. People may ensure that their legacy is passed down to future generations and keep a strong connection to their cultural roots by taking part in these events. People who come from similar cultural backgrounds feel more united and welcome when they participate in cultural festivities. People can gain a feeling of perspective and identity by taking part in these activities and learning about their ancestors, cultural customs, and historical events. d) • Salma2da. “The Delightful Details of a Hindu Wedding.” Phoenix Wedding Photographer, 8 Apr. 2021, salmada.com/the-hindu-wedding. Fourth portfolio activity Task 1 a) Ubuntu, in my own words, is human connectivity. It is the getting together of people with various backgrounds to support one another. It encourages love and compassion among people. Even little acts like this contribute to making us better people. b) Ubuntu promotes empathy and sharing. Giving to charity projects is an ubuntu act since it entails sharing one's resources with the less fortunate. People can improve the well-being of their community by making donations. This tiny deed can make a big difference in problems like hunger and poverty. Offering your efforts to a worthwhile cause is volunteering. c) If it is evident that a stranger on the street is less fortunate, then yes, I would donate to them. I would give food to someone who is searching through the trash for anything to eat since it would be beneficial to them. I believe it's important to assist those in need. d) Citizens can help address social concerns and have a positive impact in their communities by volunteering or making donations. Through engaging with people in challenging situations, people can develop a greater awareness of the obstacles that others encounter. Contributions and voluntary labor strengthen democracy and increase participation in society. e) Yes, I have made multiple donations. As an example, there was a time when I gave clothing to a family whose home had burned down. After the fire destroyed everything, they were unable to move on. In addition, I took part in a fundraising event to raise funds for them. f) My little influence was a big one for the family. All of them expressed their gratitude for the donations and felt as though they could start over in their lives. I was ecstatic to have changed someone's life and been of assistance to them. Task 2 Throughout this module, I discovered how language shapes who we become as individuals. Our identity is shaped by language, which also influences how we respond to social situations. Our sense of self-worth and belonging can be shaped by language. Our identity and cultural heritage are reflected in our language. Our identities are shaped by the words we use as well as our various accents and pronunciations. Our interactions are influenced by language as well. The words we choose to use when speaking with others can affect how they perceive us. In a social context, for example, speaking inclusively might demonstrate our regard for others' diversity. This will encourage a courteous and friendly atmosphere. I discovered that a person's language can reveal a lot about them and their upbringing. For example, someone who is bilingual and frequently shifts between languages may have grown up in a multilingual home. My comprehension and knowledge of Ubuntu have increased. I gained knowledge about its importance in language and communication as well as how, in particular situations, there could be a language barrier. Ubuntu is about people uniting and supporting one another. I was inspired by this idea to get more involved in my community and to lend a hand wherever I could. We can communicate and empathetically interact with others through language. It enables us to work together to solve challenges. I now have an Ubuntu attitude, which makes me aware of the effects that language has on other people. My perspective on language has evolved because of this course, and I now understand the dynamic potential of language. For example, prejudices and stereotypes can be strengthened by language. My understanding of how diverse individuals are has grown because of this lesson, but Ubuntu demonstrates how these differences cannot keep us from coming together. I now recognize the power of language and its ability to communicate. Academic Honesty Declaration: 1. I know that plagiarism means taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of another as if they were one’s own. I know that plagiarism not only includes verbatim copying, but also the extensive use of another person’s ideas without proper acknowledgement (which includes the proper use of quotation marks). I know that plagiarism covers the use of material found in textual sources and from the Internet. 2. I acknowledge and understand that plagiarism is wrong. 3. I understand that my research proposal must be accurately referenced. 4. This research proposal is my own work. I acknowledge that copying someone else’s research, or part of it, is wrong and that submitting identical work to others constitutes a form of plagiarism. 5. I have not allowed, nor will I in the future allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as their own work. 6. I confirm that I have read and understood UNISA’s Policy for Copyright and Plagiarism - https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Master%27s-&-doctoraldegrees/Policies,-procedures-&-forms Full Name: Rafeeah Adam Student No: 18245544 Ayesha Badur Wife/daughter Gujrati Ismail Kathrada Husband/son Gijrati Adam Kathrada Husband/son Gujrati Hawa Bayat Wife/daughter Gujrati Rashida Dinat Wife/daughter English Mohammad Ashraf Haffejee Husband/son English Abbas Dinat Husband/son English Ruakaya Dinat Wife/daughter English Imtiaz Haffejee Husband/son English Khadijah Pandor Wife/daughter English Ebrahim Haffejee Husband/son English Julekiha Kathrada Wife/daughter Gujrati Yacob Haffejee Husband/son English Haseena Haffejee Wife/daughter English Bilal Haffejee Husband/son English Yusra Adam Daughter English Rafeeah Adam Daughter English Shoyab Adam Husband/son English Muhammad Adam Son English Mohammad Adam Husband/son English Imraan Adam Husband/son English Aamina Kathrada Wife/daughter Gujrati
