The Benefits and Challenges of Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting in the Modern World
Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting Free PDF
If you are looking for a book that will teach you about a unique and valuable African tradition that can enrich your parenting and childcare skills, you might want to check out Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting by Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau and A.M. Lukondo-Wamba. This book explores the concept and practice of Kindezi, which is the art of babysitting in the Kongo culture. In this article, you will learn what Kindezi is, how it works, why it is important, and how you can access the book for free online.
kindezi the kongo art of babysitting free pdf
The Concept of Kindezi
Kindezi is a word that comes from the KiKongo language, which is spoken by millions of people in Central Africa. It means "the art of babysitting" or "the art of raising children". According to the authors, Kindezi is not just a simple activity or service, but a complex system of values, principles, methods, and techniques that aim to nurture and educate children in a holistic way.
Kindezi is based on the idea that every child is a living sun, a source of light and energy that needs to be protected, respected, and developed. Children are not seen as burdens or problems, but as gifts and blessings that enrich the society. Therefore, every adult has a responsibility and a duty to take care of children, regardless of their biological or social relationship.
The people who perform Kindezi are called ndezi, which means "babysitters" or "nurses". They are not necessarily professional or paid workers, but rather volunteers who offer their time and skills to help other families or communities. Ndezi can be relatives, friends, neighbors, elders, or even strangers who have a good reputation and a genuine interest in children's well-being. Ndezi are not only caregivers, but also teachers, mentors, role models, and friends for children.
The benefits of Kindezi are manifold for both children and society. Children who receive Kindezi grow up with a strong sense of identity, belonging, confidence, creativity, curiosity, morality, and spirituality. They learn how to respect themselves and others, how to cooperate and share, how to solve problems and cope with challenges, how to express themselves and communicate effectively, how to appreciate diversity and culture, how to love and be loved. Society also benefits from Kindezi because it creates a cohesive, unified, harmonious, and peaceful community that values children as its most precious resource.
The Practice of Kindezi
Kindezi is not a fixed or rigid system that follows a set of rules or guidelines. Rather, it is a flexible and adaptable system that adjusts to different contexts and situations. Depending on the age, personality, needs, interests, abilities, and preferences of the child, the ndezi will use different methods and techniques to provide Kindezi. Some of the common methods and techniques include:
Singing: Ndezi use songs to soothe, entertain, teach, and bond with children. Songs can be traditional or improvised, and can convey messages, stories, proverbs, or lessons.
Playing: Ndezi use games and toys to stimulate, challenge, and educate children. Games and toys can be natural or artificial, and can develop physical, mental, social, or emotional skills.
Storytelling: Ndezi use stories to inspire, instruct, and influence children. Stories can be factual or fictional, and can illustrate values, morals, history, or culture.
Working: Ndezi use work to train, discipline, and empower children. Work can be domestic or productive, and can teach responsibility, independence, cooperation, or contribution.
Exploring: Ndezi use exploration to expose, enrich, and expand children's horizons. Exploration can be indoor or outdoor, and can foster curiosity, creativity, discovery, or adventure.
Kindezi can be performed in different settings and times. It can be done at home or outside, in the morning or evening, in groups or individually. The main goal of Kindezi is to provide a safe, supportive, stimulating, and satisfying environment for children to grow and learn.
Kindezi is not a static or outdated system that belongs to the past. Rather, it is a dynamic and evolving system that responds to the present and prepares for the future. The authors acknowledge that Kindezi faces many challenges and threats in the modern world, such as colonialism, globalization, urbanization, migration, poverty, violence, disease, etc. However, they also argue that Kindezi offers many opportunities and solutions for these problems. By preserving and promoting Kindezi in the contemporary world, they hope to revitalize and restore the African culture and identity that have been damaged by centuries of oppression and exploitation.
The Book of Kindezi
Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting is a book that was published in 2000 by Black Classic Press. It is a short but powerful book that consists of 41 pages divided into three chapters: The Concept of Kindezi; Children in the Hands of the Ndezi; and Conclusion. The book also includes an introduction by Nana Marimba Ani, a foreword by A.M. Lukondo-Wamba, a preface by Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau, a glossary of KiKongo terms, and a bibliography of references.
The authors of the book are two renowned scholars and activists who have dedicated their lives to studying and spreading the African culture and wisdom. Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo who holds a Ph.D. in African Studies from Temple University. He is a professor emeritus at California State University Long Beach and the founder of the African Institute for Applied Research (AIAR). He has written several books on African philosophy, cosmology, spirituality, medicine, education, etc., such as African Cosmology of the Bantu-Kongo, Self-Healing Power and Therapy, African Philosophy as Cultural Inquiry, etc.
A.M. Lukondo-Wamba is also a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo who holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Howard University. He is a professor at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and the director of the Center for Pan-African Studies (CPAS). He has written several articles on African politics, economics, sociology, etc., such as "The African World Revolution", "The African Renaissance", "The African Diaspora", etc.
The main themes and messages of the book are that Kindezi is a valuable and vital African tradition that deserves recognition and respect; that Kindezi is a powerful and practical tool for raising and educating children in a holistic way; that Kindezi is a relevant and resilient system that can adapt to different contexts and challenges; and that Kindezi is a source of inspiration and hope for restoring and revitalizing the African culture and identity.
If you are interested in reading this book for free online, you can access it through this link. You will need to create an account on Scribd.com and sign up for a free trial to download or read the book online. Alternatively, you can also buy the book from Amazon.com or other online retailers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Central Africa. It is based on the idea that every child is a living sun that needs to be nurtured and educated by the ndezi, who are the babysitters or nurses. Kindezi provides many benefits for children and society, such as developing their physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual skills and values. Kindezi can be performed in different ways and settings, depending on the needs and preferences of the child. Kindezi also faces many challenges and opportunities in the modern world, and it can be a source of inspiration and hope for restoring and revitalizing the African culture and identity. Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting is a book that was written by Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau and A.M. Lukondo-Wamba in 2000. It is a short but powerful book that explains the concept and practice of Kindezi in detail. The book also includes an introduction by Nana Marimba Ani, a foreword by A.M. Lukondo-Wamba, a preface by Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau, a glossary of KiKongo terms, and a bibliography of references. The book can be accessed for free online through Scribd.com or bought from Amazon.com or other online retailers. We hope that this article has given you a good overview of what Kindezi is and why it is important. If you want to learn more about Kindezi and how it can help you improve your parenting and childcare skills, we encourage you to read the book and apply its teachings to your own life. You can also share this article with your friends and family who might be interested in Kindezi. Thank you for reading and have a great day! FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Kindezi:
What is the difference between Kindezi and daycare?
Kindezi is not a daycare service that provides supervision and care for children while their parents are away. Kindezi is an art of babysitting that provides education and guidance for children while their parents are present or nearby. Kindezi is not a business or a profession, but a tradition and a duty that every adult has to perform for children.
How can I become a ndezi?
You can become a ndezi by volunteering to take care of children in your family or community. You don't need any formal training or certification to be a ndezi, but you do need to have a good reputation and a genuine interest in children's well-being. You also need to learn the methods and techniques of Kindezi from other ndezi or from books like Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting.
Can I practice Kindezi with my own children?
Yes, you can practice Kindezi with your own children as well as with other children. In fact, practicing Kindezi with your own children can strengthen your bond and relationship with them. You can also invite other ndezi to join you in practicing Kindezi with your children, so that they can benefit from different perspectives and experiences.
Can I practice Kindezi in other cultures?
Yes, you can practice Kindezi in other cultures as long as you respect their values and norms. Kindezi is not exclusive or restrictive to the Kongo culture, but rather inclusive and adaptable to any culture that values children and their development. You can also learn from other cultures that have similar or complementary traditions of babysitting.
What are some challenges or risks of practicing Kindezi?
Some challenges or risks of practicing Kindezi are that you might face resistance or criticism from people who don't understand or appreciate Kindezi; that you might encounter difficulties or dangers in providing safe and suitable environments for children; that you might have conflicts or misunderstandings with parents or other ndezi; that you might feel overwhelmed or exhausted by the demands or expectations of children; or that you might lose sight or balance of your own needs or goals while taking care of children.
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