Saniaga is an organization founded on Pedigree Knowledge and committed to translate information therein to inform sustainable community development. Saniaga has an outlined course print that includes Oral Genealogy search, Advocacy for Indigenous Knowledge, Championing Community Libraries and to be at par with modern needs, Economically Empower its members with Saniaga Sacco. With thirteen officially registered Saniaga related groups, Saniaga Organization is currently experiencing a streamlined approach of shared responsibilities from the members, who contribute their diverse efforts and time to the course from their dynamic backgrounds, areas of engagement and profession. Making Saniaga a self-powered organization with an increased resourceful membership worth self-sustenance.
To roll the second objective of Advocating for Indigenous Knowledge, Saniaga Organization, in its blue print, identified a community Archives/Museum project as key to operationalizing the objective. The archaeological and anthropological knowledge packaged in activities surrounding reconstruction of past life to better the modern life will help Saniaga be well versed to undertake activities and ways in formulating areas of action. As the Archives will help in having a standby place of reference and learning, the members will be involved in active ways of seeing to the reconstruction of sustainable lifestyles and the nourishing adoptable practises of the past.
The project call could not commence at a better time as at now when the ongoing exemplary and productive Saniaga Oral Genealogy Documentation that by itself, Saniaga Organization has documented what would otherwise be gone, orally stored with elders who are in their eighties and nineties. A comprehensive research into lives and movements of known individuals, dead and alive, their purpose to happier communities, legacies, descendants who take pride in that history to add to the present day needs for an informed society, together rhymes with Saniaga motto that states; Identity Empowers. There should be developed a tangible system to package this information creatively, for the young and the old, to teach further the human interconnectedness, draw inspiration that shapes individual's approach to life. That one is a link with responsibility to make the best out of it for much has already been put at his or her disposal.
On another positive note, Saniaga Oral Genealogy documentation is bridging the gap that, for two generations now had widened, propagated with increased migrations and commitment to careers. Where our forefathers had much time at their disposal to commune with kins far and away, the modern needs demands little focus to social interactions other than tangible outputs in stakeholders' competition. Closing this gap, Saniaga Oral Genealogy search is drawing family trees, tracing old and recent ancestors, linking close and far-fetched kins, communicating and reminding people the importance of pedigree knowledge with no or little belaboring because of the efficient online forums.
Saniaga Community history is still intact. Little could be lost already but much of it is still alive with the elders. Though passively talked about as there are few or no moments of reliving the past. It is at this point that Saniaga looks forward to reviving the tales, reliving the moments, sharing the information and making it all again active and informative. This way, we shall not be a people who left their history erode, adopted a least sustaining one or lost what could be key to keeping us together, a people from one forefather, living at peace with one another, wherever in the county, country and world where one is found. That originality is still part and parcel of an individual.
Tangible artefacts, alongside the stories stated in Saniaga Oral Genealogy search have been of great help in documenting Saniaga history. The artefacts have not been limited to tools, pictures, clothing and decorations. These items are in the homes, unused, sometimes abused due to being out fashioned. A sad scenario is where treasured wood materials have been used as fuel. If more days are added, what could be salvaged now as treasure would be gone. An item in a house may not be as worthwhile if it is donated for preservation, credit reserved for the donor and in furthering Saniaga course, the identity becomes immortal. This is the path way towards preserving history, creating an active forum for learning and drawing activities that informs community development.
It would be hard to get the items from homes by any other approach other than the merit of Saniaga identity. For two reasons - credit and security. Not incentives, not exchange for benefits. An elder is incensed when he or she hears and sees activities pertaining to the preservation of treasured kinship ties. That not by name but by clan as a unit of pride and commitment to crown the sense of belonging. To give an artefact would be as easy as, by this. When it will be used to further enrich the identity and make it active. And not every elder/inheritor has every artefact needed. To donate is to will to share. To share in knowing more about the artefacts another has, who previously owned them and for the purpose of drawing lessons fit for today, tomorrow and the future.
Security to artefacts belongs to Saniaga, an organization, as at the start mentioned, found on Pedigree Knowledge. No individual therefore may, in understanding the course, assume self-ownership of the course. Saniaga is an organization that draws inspiration from similar identity groups that communed in the days of the late forefathers. That shall outlive people presently engaged with Saniaga, newborns growing and taking up the task, working to remain true and observe the sacredness of indigenous knowledge. This is supreme. As modes of conduct and guardianship to the collected artefacts will be observed to prevent mishandling, theft and privatization.
Saniaga Archives/Museum will well complement Saniaga's third objective of Championing for Community Libraries. There are very few community libraries in Vihiga County with each individually functioning, a great risk because the absence of the forerunner would mean inactivity of action. Unlike the Saniaga Network of Libraries where we aim to have community libraries that inter facilitate programs, each patronized with one of the thirteen groups allied, similar programs facilitated and time after time assessing impact. An Archives will boost the learning, reinstating the foundation of the community libraries that it is not only a today's fancy but setups to build on as communities come together, pulled by identity, to make their localities self-sustaining and fulfilling.
As Saniaga Organization collects and stores these artefacts, it is also on the run to identity a suitable place to set up the Archives. Not that it will be hard to find a place because Saniaga is
privileged with resourceful membership who on trustee basis are offering their premises for Saniaga Network of Community Libraries. The only concern is identification of a potential building and find out how tasking it will be to the members to furnish it to a beautiful and easily accessible facility for the community and visitors attracted by it. Because of the impromptu nature of Saniaga generosity, volunteer spirit and shortcomings of pre budgeting, the budget may not be provided for in this note. However, for identified cases that need such approach, Saniaga will be ready to share budgets to facilitate the needs.
This is a self-rewarding project to the members of Saniaga Organization and the community in general. Its realization will not only provide the community with a nourishing resource to gain indigenous knowledge from but also fulfill the human yearn of having been of a strong origin, a happy today and a better tomorrow.
-/With Thanks
saniaga.org
saniaga.blogspot.com
info.saniaga@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment