I welcome you to my blog. Tradition is one thing that I admire so much, especially in communities where they are still observed and followed. Many communities have embraced technology and Christianity and now observe little or no tradition at all, which has caused many people to go rogue and now do things how they deem fit. If it were during the days when traditions were being observed strictly, there are things people do now that they would never have done if they were living in the era where tradition was the order of the day.
As much as traditions are good and help to keep everyone in line, trust me, some of the traditions we were forced to follow back then were cruel, and also the truth is that it was those cruel ones especially that helped to keep people on track and ensured they did not do anything stupid for the wrath of tradition to actually fall upon them. Tradition is fun; some can promote your growth as an individual and can also promote the growth of the community at large, while there are some traditions that stand as a hindrance both to the individual and to the community at large.
I have been to quite a few communities, and I can boldly say that following some traditions will hold both individuals and the community back, following some traditions will hinder growth, and will give room to little or no development at all. There are some communities in abject poverty, and it is not because of bad governance but because of traditions and laws guiding the community. Sometimes I don't blame communities that break off from following and abiding by traditional rules and laws, as many will only lead both the community and individuals to their doom.
I have been to a few communities, and each community has one rule or the other guiding them. Some of these rules and laws give room for progress and development for individuals and the community at large, while some only give room for progress for only a few people in the community, especially the elders, and there are also some that don't give room for progress for anyone, not the community, not the leaders, and not even the people, and that is where tradition becomes bad.
I have been to a community in Cross River State, Nigeria, where they have a tradition that they don't sell or lease land to people that are not indigenous or from the community. They say their land should only revolve within indigenous people, and for that reason, neighboring communities have seen more developments and progress than them. That tradition has held them back in a way, but they still follow it with all their heart.
