Civilization
By Yaak Jurkuch
This phenomenon is easy to define in whatever language one chooses to do it with. It started before Jesus Christ was born, even though the concept had different outlines. The ancient Greeks transformed it. They wrote books about it. The Romans also contributed. All white people got inspired and they went ahead to perfect it. They even invented a few things if not all of them just to drive the point home. One can sit down and redraw the margins of this broad word and still be politically and socially correct. It has evolved like man through centuries in this manner.
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally hierarchical and urbanized. In a classical context, people were called “civilized” to set them apart from barbarians, while in a modern-day context, “civilized peoples” have been contrasted with primitive peoples.
There is a tendency to use the term in a less strict way to mean approximately the same thing as “culture” and therefore, the term can more broadly refer to any important and clearly defined human culture. Still, even when used in this second sense, the word is often restricted to apply only to societies that have attained a particular level of advancement — especially the founding of cities.
But one fact is undeniable; we need it in South Sudan in every sense of the word. We are hungry for it. We have just a rude wakening in a world that has known civilization since time immemorial. It doesn’t matter what one does, eat or wears. It also doesn’t matter whether one hikes (Rav 2-Natural model 1) or drives a V8, whether one has electricity in his house or not, whether old or young, whether Nilotic or Bantu. Civilization does not discriminate against your race, ethnic origin, color, sex, language, religious creed, political opinion, birth, locality or social status.
Some call it etiquette, others say manners; but whatever you choose to name it, practice it. You can start by being polite. It doesn’t require a lot of energy. You just have to say “excuse me” “May I” “Thank you” Will you please”. It is as simple as matching the color of your shoes with that of your belt, nevertheless your socks. You don’t want to look like the late Michael Jackson now, do you? Another crime punishable by utter contempt is tucking your shirt into your underwear and flashing it out with an excuse of “I didn’t know”. Ignorance is no defense even in the courts of decency. Let’s take this case to the dining table now. Shall we? Be it in a hotel (Where majority of the Juba elite eat from) or at home. And I am going to tackle this topic with a lot of care since it can make one healthy and wealthy or sick and poor. Our hygiene is paramount. Always wash your hands before handling any food, eat with your mouth shut while chewing. This is no time for gossiping. Mind the chops or you might choke. Clearing your throat while others are eating nearby is completely despicable. It is disgusting. Couple it with spitting in sinks……..Oh My God! When do bad manners become unacceptable?
May we please invest in the services of a handkerchief? Oh my God, did I hesitate to shake your hand today? It is because you don’t own one. Using your fingers is not only ancient but it is pronounced in the same sentence and breath as outright “primitive.” Medical knowledge has taught us that the human hand has bacterial normal flora that, irrespective of what you use to wash with, they never go away. Even ‘Jik’ failed. Imagine adding one’s nasal contents in it. Just imagine. And please ladies, leave nose-picking to irresponsible men. It doesn’t look good on you. Just like wearing skirts is for men. With all these in mind, will you hesitate to shake hands with me now? The space on my paper may not be enough to convey everything but one doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to behave well. It starts at home like charity. Our parents and especially our mothers initiate it, our relatives shape, our cultures define it, our schools perfect it and the world teaches us the rest. This is not just called freedom of speech; I am also lifting the lid.
The author is a South Sudanese based in Juba. He can be reached on peteryaak@rocketmail.com
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