The Waswahili Community Trust UK (Wadhamini wa Jumuiya ya Waswahili)

Adapting to the West

Any people - I should say that every people - are to a certain extent prisoners of their own ecological adaptations. If one does not understand the historical and ecological forces which have formed him over thousands of years, one would find it difficult to make the necessary adaptations in an environment which is vastly different from that in which he has evolved.

If Rudyard Kipling is to be believed, 'East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.' Or rather, East will be East and West will be West and never would the two meet. This was a slightly tongue-in-cheek statement if only because Kipling himself was part of both.

And if Westerners could make the transition to the East, why cannot Easterners make the transition to the West? Admittedly, it is that more difficult to do what the British do. The British formula for success is not really to adapt to foreign conditions but rather to adapt foreign conditions to them.

Thus they turned America into a vast English colony and for 400 years they tried to do the same to ancient civilizations of China and India. Everywhere they went, the British saw new extensions of old habitats and old habits. Thus, you have New York, New Jersey, New England, Nova Scotia (New Scotland, that is), New South Wales, Auckland, Christchurch, etc etc.

Those who knew the streets of Nairobi at Independence - particularly in the Industrial Area would recall the nostalgia the British had for turning foreign countries into extensions of little England or little Britain. However that may be, the British always believed in making the mountain come to Mohamed. If you have the power of the bullet, you can almost get away with it - sometimes if not always, at any rate!

We appeal for your donation for our charity
Comments and suggestions to improve this website
Your suggestions or concerns about our services
Please send you contributions by using the form .

Thank you Asanteni

Copyright© March 2003: The Waswahili Community Trust (UK)
Registered Charity:1083065

Back to top