Forms of Literacy and Traditional Influences

When reading Dysfunctional Literacies of Exclusion, it had broken down the different types of literacy a person can obtain. One of the most old and ways of teaching is traditional literacy, this being through storytelling, myths and folks. This included historical accounts relatives pass down generations as a type of record keeping and teaching. Chikombero uses an example out of the narrative, Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga. In this reading the character Tambu experiences hardships and the sacrifices that need to be made in order to obtain a higher education. Tamboo sees being a woman as a burden because there are more tribulations because it is biological that we have the responsibility of carrying children. She resides in Africa and in an area where women are looked to specifically for bearing children and that alone. Cultures and traditions influence the extent of education a woman receives. Another type of education that was covered in the article is colonial/modern literacy. This is similar to traditional literacy in the sense that they both are based on traditions. Colonialism brought the missions to build schools with a Christian foundation which influences and individual because they are taught what favors the government and the religion. Gender has played a large role in many women’s lives because they are oppressed in some countries and limited to just being the mother of the house. This causes a large percentage of women being illiterate because in some countries they are not even provided the same education as a man. In the reading Nervous Conditions, Tamboo’s mother had such a limited education that she can’t even form an opinion on things that we discuss on the regular bases in class and out. Chikombero states that the level of importance of literacy cannot be over exaggerated because the level of education influences how we go about life and handle certain situations. A limited education and gender bearings continue to affect the level of education a woman receives today.