COLOUR-FULL CONFUSION

RED ALERT!!!

One morning, i rushed outside at the sound of a knock only to find a clean red envelope slipped under my door. I thought, "this certainly must be bad news", as i observed the deep engrained designs at the edges. I tore it open in haste, wondering what kind of sad news had been wrapped up in this red- alert envelope!

I took in a deep breath and  whispered "Come what may"  before finally pulling out the content with my forefinger. It was a wad of clean crisp notes of the Chinese Currency. A thousand yuan.  I knew immediately that Wang Hu was behind it and shortly before i shut the door, he came beaming from the other side of the corridor.

"You scared me" was the first thing i said to him, but he seemed not to get it.

 I meant in this part of Africa, West Africa, Ghana to be specific, you do not wave the colour red at any time of day and expect others to smile to it, unless of course its Val's day (a day when the haphazard use of red is pardoned on African soil, because we all agree it should mean love, at least for a day!)

If not, the colour Red is at first hand decoded as a sign of death, mourning, sadness, aggression or warning in African culture. My Chinese friend Wang Hu found that incredible. It was in contrast to the Chinese interpretation of the colour RED. He explained,

"I gave you the envelope to wish you well on your journey to China next week." Wang Hu`s eyes glistened under the luminous light and i perceived in his explanation a certain subtle sense of cultural pride .

"Red, corresponding with fire, symbolizes good fortune and joy. Red is found everywhere during Chinese New Year and other holidays and family gatherings. A  red envelope is a monetary gift which is given in Chinese society during holiday or special occasions. The red colour of the packet symbolizes good luck. " He ended. 

My face naturally shone with pleasant shock and knowing Wang Hu, i knew he was elated to have taught me something new. This was one of my Asian  students through whom i had had the enlightening experience of teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (the" other  language" being none other but Chinese). Indeed i had learnt a lot, and was still learning...

"In Ghana, Red is the colour worn at funerals". I said calmly.

"Really?" He asked, and i thought Wang Hu of all foreigners should have noticed that by now. Nevertheless i offered a succinct explanation.

"Colour has symbolic meaning in African culture and each colour conveys peculiar information when won or displayed at significant places or situations. 

The colour RED as well as black however is a symbolic colour for funerals in almost all parts of Africa. It is the official mourning cloth at funerals especially the one that involves a person who died at unripe age- (black)  and  the death of an old member or close relative-( Red).

"But Red is strictly forbidden at funerals in china. In Eastern Asia, Red is the colour of joy and is also a bridal colour. In China, Red is the colour of celebration, good luck, happiness and a long life. In India, red is the colour for purity.  It is a traditionally symbolic colour for happiness." He sounded like someone who was set to convince the whole of Africa to change their perception of the colour red. I shrugged in response to his explanation and then, we both gave out a giggle.

"Well the names of the dead were previously written in red, so it may be considered offensive to use red ink for Chinese names in contexts other than official seals" He added.

We both sat quietly for a while, sipping tea (Chinese tea given to me by Wang Hu), and pondering on our "colour-full" cultural differences. 

WHY NOT WHITE?

Then the phone rang. It was time to prepare for my "Surprise Party" Wang Hu declared, with that  extra stress on the "TY" of "Party" that i found really cute.

"I bought this white dress yesterday, to match with some blue Pearls...i am fully prepared for you" And when I said "YOU" i meant my whole English class of Chinese students organizing the great "parTY!"

"No! No White dress! No! White is the colour of mourning. It is associated with death and is used predominantly in funerals in Chinese culture.  Ancient Chinese people wore white clothes and hats only when they mourned for the dead. Sometimes silver takes its place, as silver is often offered to the deceased in the form of Joss Paper"

"What?"

"Here, take this. A beautiful red "Qipao" ( a Ceremonial Chinese attire for women) and grey pearls. "

"A beautiful Red Qipao...and grey Pearls" I repeated to myself as i stood in front of the mirror, trying to look happy and cheerful and gay, like i was going for a jolly merry ParTY and not the funeral or  wake keeping of Auntie Ama`s  grand Parents!

What a day of "Colour-full" Confusion!!!
Written by: Alice Blighton

AfriqAsia Merge,

Still....Bridging the Gap.