The Ewe culture’s unique spiritual foundation, which emphasises humility and modesty discourages bragging, Dr Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor, Dean of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, has stated.
There has been recent discussions on why the Ewe people would usually not boast about their personal accomplishments, with rapper and songwriter, Edem (born Denning Edem Hotor), asserting that “a proper Ewe person doesn’t brag too much about their achievements.”
In an interview with Ghana News Agency, Dr Kuwor explained that the Ewe people recognise ‘Mawu Sogbolisa’ (God Almighty), the giver of life, as a universal presence that lives within individuals and manifests in nature.
He said this profound understanding of God’s omnipresence fosters humility, as individuals acknowledge that their accomplishments are not solely their own, but rather a manifestation of the divine.
“We recognise ‘Mawu Sogbolisa’ as the giver of life, who lives in us and also manifests in nature. So, who are you going to brag to, because the one you will brag to also possesses ‘Mawu Sogbolisa’. This is the source of the power of our humility and generosity.
“Then our foundation is a unique spirituality. With the sense of spirituality being, we strive to understand the cosmology of our origin as well as to have the power to manipulate nature – not in the negative sense, but just to regulate how things must work.
“That system of spirituality also demands that you work sometimes in a state of solitude, practice discipline and also cultivate the ability to make a change within a state of confidentiality or make a change unnoticed.”
The cultural educator emphasised that “We recognise that the power to brag does not belong to us. It belongs to the architect of the universe who manifests in nature and who lives in every human being.”
From Ewoenam Kpodo, Ho
GNA
