Ifeadikanwa (Ife’) Gbemudu

About the Book

West African Spirituality in Social Work practice briefly examines the significance of the West African, socially, historically and anthropologically, with the aim of clarifying his/her position in the realm of social work practice in the Western World.

RELATION TO OTHER WORKS IN THE SAME FIELD

Considering the recent emphasis on Spirituality in Social Work practice, as reflected in the Works of Dr. Canda E.R. and Furman L.D. (1999) We draw from the historical and anthropological information contained in the socio-cultural depictions in related works (Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart (1987), No Longer at Ease (1989); Anthropological works of Fisher R.B.(1937),  Hultkrantz Ake (1987),  Smith Houston (1991) and others, in order to produce a representation of the West African in the Western social work arena. In the process, a brief comparison is made between some of the basic major world beliefs which impact social work practice, and those of West African traditions.

About the Author

Ifeadikanwa (Ife’) Gbemudu, (nee Mokeme) was born in Jos, now in Plateau State of Northern Nigeria, to Mr. Alfred Chukwunyelu Mokeme, a civil servant and Mrs. Irene Oyiboka Mokeme, when, to live at Jos, (early 60’s), meant, for most children, the freedom to express their cultural values and to view and acknowledge those of others with open minds.

Though her parental family has always been devotedly Christian (Protestant), her father strongly emphasized Ibo values at home, officiated actively in Ibo cultural programs, and, in particular, was the sole sponsor of the Aya-aya Cultural Troupe of Jos, whose performances showcased the Ibo culture in its depths. Besides traveling extensively and living in other culturally dissimilar parts of Nigeria, as a student, French Studies also took her to the Benin and Togolese Republics, where she gained first hand, information on diverse traditional beliefs and practices.   

In1980 Ife’ earned a BA in French Education and, and 1983, an MA in French Language Studies. She embarked on doctoral studies in French Curriculum Studies, in 1996, all at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, but left for the United States of America in 1999.

Between 1980 and 1996 she taught French Language, Linguistics and Principles of Foreign Language Education, at the University of Lagos, worked as Acting Chief Administrative Officer (Training), at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in Lagos, and, since coming to the United States, taught the Humanities, French and English Languages and Literature, briefly, at the United Nations International School in New York.

In 2002, however, she was drawn to the field of Social Work, through experiences in working with less privileged individuals in New York City workforce.

Ife’ is married and has four children. She is presently engaged in studies in Social Work, at the Stony Brook University, and is working on her manuscripts on peculiar aspects of cultural traditions in West African communities, which relate to spirituality and First World social work practice.

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SUMMARY

West African Spirituality in Social Work Practice briefly examines the person of the first-generation West African, through the impacts on his/her attitude and responses to life’s changes by traditional beliefs and practices emanating from unique historical, anthropological and social experiences, with the aim of clarifying his/her position in the realm of Social Work practice.

Considering the recent emphasis on Spirituality in Social Work practice, as reflected in the Works of Dr. Canda E.R. and Furman L.D. (1999) we draws from information such as is contained in the socio-cultural depictions of the population under consideration. In particular, credit is given to related works of well known West African writers, versed in various aspect so this culture, such as Chinua Achebe, and writers on West African traditions, like the anthropologists Fisher R.B. Hultkrantz Ake, Smith Houston (1991), and others. These help to trace the historical and religious influences that have helped to mould the mind of the present West African.

Comparisons between some of the basic major world beliefs, which impact Social Work practice, and those of West African traditions, have been made in order to better situate it, though with special references to its place in the realm of primordial traditions.

Though this book concentrates on the traditional practices of the Ibos of West Africa and how this impacts Social Work practice in a First World environment, at its core, it aims at engaging the reader in self-exploration with regard to the true spirit of Social Work practice. This could be summarized in the question: To what extent do I connect with the next human who is in a crisis situation?