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Naar aanleiding van het stukje van eergisteren kreeg ik van een trouwe lezer (en hele goeie vriendin) het volgende toegestuurd. Inspirerend, zeker voor een vader van zichzelf ontdekkende pubers.

Dit speelt zich af in het zuiden van Afrika, overigens.

In the Babemba tribe, when a person acts irresponsible or unjustly, he or she is placed in the center of the village, alone, unfettered. All work ceases. The entire village gathers around the accused individual. Then each person of every age begins to talk out loud to the accused. One at a time, each person tells ALL THE GOOD THINGS the one in the center ever did in his or her lifetime.

Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. All positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and acts of kindness are recited carefully and at length. No one is permitted to fabricate, exaggerate or be facetious about the accomplishments or positive aspects of the accused person.

The tribal ceremony often lasts several days, not ceasing until everyone is drained of every positive comment that can be mustered. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically welcomed back into the tribe. Necessity for such ceremonies is rare.