How traditions affect our lives..

Published by author Tracy Cyril on March 13th, 2020

Traditions are customs and beliefs passed down from generation to generation. Traditions are very strong and highly regarded in my country St. Lucia and other regions.

Some of the traditions in St. Lucia are as follows:

1. In the Roman Catholic faith you must kneel, make the sign of the cross on your face before you enter your prew.
2. Catholic priests will not conduct weddings outside of a church.
3. Sundays are usually the times when family members go out together to the beach or have picnics and enjoy a meal.
4. Individuals are expected to stand at a function when the National Anthem is being played or sang.
5. In a formal setting where the Governor General or Prime Minister is present the congregation is expected to stand when they arrive and they exit first before the attendees at the end of event.
6. At the time of a loss of family member, the family is expected to have refreshments days after the death leading up to the burial date available for friends who may stop by to extend condolences, and on the burial day food and drinks in large amounts for attendees.
7. Men sharing tears and showing emotion is taboo and society classifies them as being weak.
8. Wearing your hair as dreadlocks is associated with being part of the Rastafarian culture and there are some limitations finding jobs in certain sectors.

So I will now dive into the last three on the list and discuss how it can and has affected individuals lives.

In times of mourning the loss of a loved one, the family members are mentally unstable, highly emotional and at times in financial constraints with high burial costs. Then the blocko is an added stress to their pile. Most families are not in favor of this catering to the masses with excessive amounts of food and drinks but they oblige because they fear what people will say how Society will lay critism on the family name and so forth.

Men are forced to swallow or submerge their emotion, which makes it difficult in relationships. They appear cold and confused. They tend to be poor communicators, they have difficulty expressing themselves and most times puts up this strong big chest demeanor and they are a complete wreck inside. This behavior eventually leads to numerous failed relationships and sometimes substance abuse.

The dreadlock hair style was a reality in my life. I started growing dreadlocks in a foreign country a few years back and I embraced the journey as just another hairstyle. My family members especially my mom was not too happy with that decision. However upon my return to St. Lucia it was a no brainer I had to cut these dreads because it would be difficult landing a job in the field I was trained in and I would be residing in my mom home..those who know..know. I would not get no peace. Peace and Blessings.