Parallel Worlds: Traditional, Pre-Colonial Beng Culture

In the book Parallel Worlds, the Beng people did not reveal too much to Alma and her husband about their culture and customs. The taboo of certain words and their secretiveness were because the Beng people were traumatized by the terrible time in history when they were under control by the French people. Alma was frustrated and found it rude that the Beng people were so closed off, but this was a precaution and a method of preservation for the Beng people’s culture. These indigenous people were only trying to protect the little traditions and customs they had left.
Traditional, pre-colonial Beng culture is present in several aspects in Parallel Worlds such as the traditional Beng religion. Their religion is composed of mainly animistic beliefs that focus on the worship of the Earth. For instance, in every Beng village there is a sacred tree where the religious leaders present sacrifices to it. These people respect the Earth to by incorporating daily customs into their lives such as dripping their beverage on the ground to thank the Earth. From their system of naming babies to the traditional Beng music, these people have carried on these traditions for many generations. …show more content…
For example, "...about fifteen years ago, the newly independent government had ordered the villagers to destroy their enormous round houses...to replace the old-style houses with smaller square buildings sheltered by tin roofs"(251). As a result of French colonialism, many French individuals comprised the new government and continued to run the new political system for decades. Unfortunately, the new government ordered the Beng to burn their roundhouses down in hopes of having these people conforming to “nuclear families”. By having smaller houses, the Beng would be forced to form smaller families. The government hoped to break down their traditions and force them to follow societal