By Elizabeth Badejo
Traditions are fundamental to families and society at large. People who live together without tradition are more likely to live in disunity and chaos. Every marriage also comes with its tradition irrespective of customs, religion or characteristics. Tradition provides the foundation and strengthens the principles of the agreement.
Today, some couples no longer believe in traditions and consider it archaic. Unfortunately, this notion is having negative impact on many marriages and family lives as well as influencing their moral compass too.
Tradition is a source of identity
Family traditions can bring huge benefits into the home especially where children form part of the setting. It can provide the right values and a source of identity to help them find the right balance in life. Many children adopt their host countries languages and values due to parents’ ignorance regarding traditions and the significance of knowing their own true origin.
A family tradition can be as simple as speaking one’s language at home with one’s children and ensuring that English which is universal is only spoken outside the home. This tradition can foster a deep connection with their roots raising their curiosity about their own culture and the chance to build relationships with family members who only speak their mother tongue.
Traditions can influence decisions
Traditions can also influence the way you and your spouse make certain decisions when you both understand your past and the impact certain traditions played in your childhood.
A Yoruba adage, “Ranti omo eniti iwo nse,’’ meaning “Remember the child of whom you are and the home that you come from.” This oral tradition is there to guide you in making good decisions and the importance of preserving one’s family values too.
Tradition creates positive memories
Family traditions are not cast on stone. They bring meaning to the lives of the family and are priceless too. Creating a family tradition is a great way to demonstrating the strength of love within the family by engaging in practices passed on from generation to generation.
When families come together to celebrate at festive periods or during family reunions, the tradition they once shared as children will always set a positive mood for the celebration in respective of their differences. Traditions such as praying before eating, taking turns to serve according to hierarchy during family dinner and waiting for everyone to finish before leaving the table are some of the traditions some families still observe till date.
Tradition brings comfort
A family tradition can become a source of comfort to you and your children during the time of grief. Tradition can be a simple act that connects the family together such as holding a quiet family time weekly to reflect and share one’s challenges. Children need rituals and traditions to sustain emotional connection with their parents and favourite family members.
A regular weekend visits to one’s parents for lunch or a holiday trip to one’s hometown can be a tradition for one’s children to bond with their grandparents and enjoy folktales sitting on the mat. When they depart, your children will always have the memories of times spent with them in their hearts to lessen their pains and comfort them.
