How you spend your time describes you more than anything.
There is a great different in the value of time with different cultures. This then call for “doing the right thing, at the right time and the right place.”
In our everyday life, we choose what to do with time according to our different situations and circumstances. The traditional African understanding of time differs from the Western understanding. African time is more event oriented rather than clock time. Time is tied to real events or activities especially where social interactions occur, we focus on the event not its duration, the beginning or ending, is less important.
Personally, as an African Religious I experience time in two different ways. Example, when I use the public means like a bus to travel, the bus driver or the conductor will assure me that the bus will leave in five to ten minutes time.This time of waiting is not a waste but an opportunity to interact with other passengers who take the same bus. It becomes a time of sharing general news or commenting on issues. Consciously or unconsciously as an African, we have a certain degree of tolerance for lateness. When it comes to professional environment, I’m called to keep time, I value and respect the linear time and show up for work at the agreed time. If I have to report, attend medical appointment, interviews, deadlines to be met or academic examination, I keep the time without compromise. The same applies to my religious life, the scheduled times for prayers, being together with my religious sisters, planning, meals our daily mission has to be followed and respected.
When I visit my family in the rural area, I experience a different reality as regards time.To a majority of people, a clock or watch is not needed to tell what time it is. The position and size of the shadows, birds singing, the position of the sun, feel of the air, the cattle going to drink water or returning home, first,second or third cock crows tell what time it is, the sun when it is orange in colour and low says it is the evening, the moon, stars that appear early and some flowers opening and closing at certain time of the day. The first few days I feel lost and see a kind of disorganization or slowness in family activities. But NO!! The rhythm of life flows. Nature is never in a hurry, yet everything is well done and accomplished. I remember vividly, when I once started preparing supper and I was told “The chicken are not yet at home”, meaning it was still early to prepare supper.
During religious or social gatherings, there is a strong sense of community, people know their neighbour, the pace is slow- no urgency, the present, the now is very sacred, a time of building relationships, a time with reconnecting with others and a time of strengthening solidarity.
African time invites you to; “STOP AND BREATHE!!”
By Sr. Nancy
East Africa Province