Reclaiming Cultural Practices in Parenting: Building Resilience and Identity Through Ancestral Wisdom
How Reconnecting with Our Roots Nurtures Liberation and Strengthens Family Bonds
Objective:
To encourage parents to reconnect with and honor ancestral wisdom and cultural practices as a way to foster stronger identities and resilience in children. This article will explore how reclaiming these cultural roots not only strengthens family bonds but also supports the journey toward liberation and decolonization.
Introduction: The Importance of Reclaiming Cultural Practices in Parenting
Colonialism didn’t just disrupt economies and political systems; it intentionally stripped away cultural practices, rituals, and wisdom from countless communities through the process of Christianization. Parenting traditions that honored collective responsibility, spirituality, and deep connections to ancestry were replaced with rigid, Christianized models that emphasized control, individualism, and discipline. Reclaiming our cultural roots in parenting can help restore a sense of identity, belonging, and resilience for our children, creating a strong foundation for them to navigate the world.
This reclamation of cultural practices is not just for our children’s benefit—it’s also a part of our own journey toward liberation. When we reconnect with ancestral wisdom, we begin to dismantle the oppressive systems that disconnected us from these traditions, allowing for healing, growth, and the creation of truly liberated families.
Key Themes: The Value of Cultural Practices in Creating Identity and Resilience
Cultural Practices as Foundations of Identity:
Ancestral practices provide children with a strong sense of who they are and where they come from. Whether it’s through storytelling, rituals, ceremonies, or languages, these traditions give children a deep connection to their cultural heritage, which strengthens their sense of identity and belonging. Children who feel rooted in their cultural identity are better equipped to navigate the challenges of a world shaped by colonialism and racism.Resilience Through Cultural Continuity:
Cultural practices passed down through generations serve as sources of strength and resilience for children. Rituals, spiritual practices, and community-based approaches offer children tools to handle adversity and challenges. Reclaiming these practices is especially crucial for marginalized communities who have been historically disconnected from their cultural roots due to colonialism, enslavement, or forced assimilation.Liberation Through Reconnection:
Reclaiming cultural practices is a decolonizing act. It allows families to resist the cultural erasure that colonialism imposed and rebuild a sense of autonomy over how they raise their children. By rooting parenting in ancestral wisdom, we disrupt the ongoing forces of cultural domination and oppression, and we foster an environment where liberation is possible—for both parents and children.
Dismantling Supremacy Culture in Reclaiming Parenting Practices
As we reclaim our cultural practices, we must also challenge the colonial pillars that uphold oppressive parenting models. Here are three pillars to dismantle, focusing on how they’ve limited cultural practices in parenting:
Objectivity:
Colonialism promoted the myth of objectivity, particularly in education and child-rearing, valuing logic and reason over emotional and spiritual wisdom. This mindset has marginalized cultural practices that honor emotional expression, spirituality, and intuition. By dismantling the pillar of objectivity, we make space for practices that are holistic and rooted in culture, allowing us to embrace diverse ways of knowing and being.Quantity Over Quality:
In parenting, the focus on doing more—achieving more, producing more, or meeting milestones—reflects colonial values of productivity and efficiency. Reclaiming cultural practices, which often emphasize the quality of relationships, rituals, and time spent together, allows us to shift away from the colonial obsession with quantity and performance. Instead, we honor the depth and meaning in how we connect with our children and communities.Only One Right Way:
The belief in "only one right way" has long been used to justify colonial domination. It has reinforced the idea that Western, Eurocentric methods of parenting, education, and discipline are superior to Indigenous, African, and other cultural traditions. By dismantling this pillar, we create space for multiple ways of parenting that honor cultural diversity, making room for ancestral practices that were dismissed by colonial narratives.
By dismantling these pillars, we allow for more inclusive, compassionate, and culturally affirming ways of parenting that nurture both parent and child.
Practical Strategies for Reclaiming Cultural Practices in Parenting
Reconnect with Your Cultural Roots:
Begin by exploring your own cultural background and the traditions that may have been lost or suppressed due to colonialism. Whether through learning your ancestral language, revisiting traditional recipes, or engaging in spiritual rituals, reintroduce these practices into your parenting. This not only connects your child to their roots but also strengthens your own sense of identity.Incorporate Storytelling and Oral Traditions:
Storytelling is a powerful way to pass down cultural values and history. Many cultures have relied on oral traditions to transmit knowledge, wisdom, and moral lessons. Incorporate storytelling into your daily life as a way to connect your child to their cultural heritage.Celebrate Cultural Rituals and Ceremonies:
Rituals and ceremonies mark important life events, teach values, and reinforce community ties. Whether it’s through seasonal celebrations, rites of passage, or family rituals, these practices provide a sense of continuity and belonging for your child.Engage with Your Community:
Parenting in a decolonized way means recognizing that we do not raise children in isolation. Reconnect with your cultural community—whether locally or globally—and seek out elders, mentors, and other parents who can help you reclaim and integrate ancestral practices into your family life.
Reflective Questions
How has colonialism impacted your connection to your own cultural practices, and how might reclaiming these traditions influence your parenting?
In what ways can you incorporate storytelling, rituals, or language into your parenting to strengthen your child’s sense of cultural identity?
What cultural practices from your ancestry do you feel drawn to reclaim, and how can these practices foster resilience and liberation for your family?
How does dismantling the belief in “only one right way” of parenting create more space for honoring diverse cultural practices?
How can you engage your community in reclaiming ancestral practices, and how might this support both you and your child in building a liberated family environment?
Resources for Reclaiming Cultural Practices in Parenting
Books:
"Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
"My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies" by Resmaa Menakem
"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures" by Anne Fadiman
Supernova Parenting Summit:
Join the Supernova Parenting Summit to connect with other parents and experts who are decolonizing their parenting.Online Resources:
Conclusion: Reclaiming Cultural Practices as a Path to Liberation
Reclaiming ancestral practices is more than just reconnecting with traditions—it’s a powerful act of decolonization that disrupts the narratives of oppression that have shaped how we parent. By honoring the cultural wisdom that colonialism sought to erase, we offer our children the strength of identity, resilience, and a liberated future. As parents, reclaiming these practices also heals our own wounds, creating a path for both personal and collective liberation.
As we continue to dismantle the pillars of supremacy culture, let’s remember that our cultural practices are tools for healing, resistance, and transformation. Together, we can raise children who are deeply connected to their roots and empowered to navigate a world that often seeks to strip them of that identity.
In solidarity and liberation,