For the cultural reporter project, I have decided to study Africans. Africa has long been a continent of high interest to me. I have never been there, but it is someplace I for sure want to visit. My roommate went there this past summer and is going back again next summer, so I may have the opportunity to go with her for a couple of weeks. Specifically, she went to Uganda, so that is the country I would like to focus on.
According to AboutUganda.com, “Uganda has a very strong culture heritage” (2010). From hearing my roommate’s stories, Uganda sounds like a place that is rich in culture and heritage. I hope from doing this project I can better grasp some of the elements that compose such a strong cultural tradition.
Ugandans are a part of a culture because they share learned patterns of behavior and attitudes. According to Dictonary.com, culture is “behaviors and beliefs of a particular social, ethnic, or age group” (2011). I am not too familiar with their culture at this point, but I'm sure they have different rituals and languages that also compose their culture. As stated by EveryCulture.com, “Lake Kyoga serves as a rough boundary between Bantu speakers in the south and Nilotic and Central Sudanic language speakers in the north” (2011). Different languages is just one of many elements of culture.
My primary plan for studying Ugandans is to speak with my roommate about her experience and also to gather some contacts from her, so I can e-mail a few Ugandans and talk to them directly. I also plan on using internet resources to gather some information. I don't think there is a large Uganda population in Lincoln, so I unfortunately probably won't be able to participate in face to face communication, but hopefully conversing over e-mail will be sufficient.
References
Unknown author. “Uganda Culture.” Aboutuganda.com. 2010. Web. September 25 2011.
Unknown author. “Culture.” Dictonary.com. Web. 2011. September 25 2011.
Unknown author. “Uganda.” Everyculture.com. Web. 2011. September 25 2011.
Great first blog. You should definitely check out the documentary "Uganda Rising" in addition to your interview data that you collect. I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHere are some APA notes:
In text (name of website, year). if no year listed use n.d.
Aboutuganda.com. (2011, September 25). Uganda Culture. Retrieved on month day, year from web site.
Unknown author. “Culture.” Dictonary.com. Web. 2011. September 25 2011.
Unknown author. “Uganda.” Everyculture.com. Web. 2011. September 25 2011.
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of studying the cultures in Uganda. It might be interesting to compare/contrast the cultural identities of people in different areas of Uganda. It might also be interesting to look at what groups they consider to be outside the mainstream, and how those cultures have developed (if you can find information like that). You could also look at how the Invisible Children organization has painted the picture of Ugandans vs. what you see from your research as their culture to be.
Some places you may be able to find information to help you in your research are:
*The Invisible Children student organization on campus
*The African Multicultural Community Center
1225 F St.; Lincoln, NE 68508 (402)477-6926
*You could also try talking to some African Studies professors on campus and seeing if they can direct you towards any resources.
Good luck!
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI believe that what you have so far is very good. You seem as though you are really interested in learning about the culture of Uganda. This is good because it will make studying a lot more fun and easy to do. It is awesome that your roommate traveled there and can help you out in explaining certain aspects of the culture. I would however use her information but try to contact some Africans from Uganda via e-mail if she has e-mail addresses that she could share with you. If you are able to contact them I think you will better understand their culture due to the fact that you will be learning how things really are from the insiders perspective rather than looking at their culture from the outsiders perspective. Overall you did a great job and I can't wait to read more about your findings of the African culture. Good Luck!
This first blog was really interesting and I hope you have a chance to study abroad in Africa in the future! It was a great idea to speak to your roommate, I'm sure she offered you great insight as to what Uganda is all about. Hopefully, she can help you reach your goal to study abroad. Sorry for not helping out earlier with a comment before your next two blogs!
ReplyDelete