Communal Child-Rearing in Traditional African Societies

Can a society survive when children know their passwords better than their neighbors?

Imagine a child surrounded by loving adults who see his success as their responsibility. This was a way of life in traditional African societies. It was communal child-rearing.

The Village Owns a Child

Communal child-rearing is the cultural practice of raising children as a community. The Yoruba commonly say, 'Ẹnì kan ló ń bímọ, ọpọ̀ènìyàn ló ń bá ni tọ' ('only one person gives birth, but many people help to raise the child). Hence the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child."

How a Village Raised a Child

'Ọmụgwọ' (post partum care), is an Igbo, cultural practice in West Africa, where a grandmother visits her daughter for, at least, the first three months after the childbirth. During this time, the grandmother takes care of both mother and baby intensively until the new mom recovers fully.

The Kikuyu in Kenya, East Africa, expect older men to punish younger boys who may neglect their herding responsibilities cowardly.

The Hidden Costs

Communal child-rearing discourages independence and autonomous reasoning, thus, suppressing individual creativity. Another con is the issue of 'Black Tax.' Every child raised by the community is expected to 'give back,' especially financially, to the community. Thus, emotional strain and the feeling of worthlessness set in when eventually, the child is unable to live up to the expectations.

Why it Worked for Generations

Children grew up spending time with extended family members, learning one skill and value or another, and ultimately looked out for one another. They basically prioritized their community. Across Africa, isolated living was unthinkable.

The Village is Disappearing

Presently, individual child-rearing teaches children to live independently. Homes are so private, even grandparents are discouraged from visiting uninvited. Isolated learning alienates elder-child mentorship. Parents risk burnout, and the child is denied the wealth of wisdom they could gain from the elderly with whom they share traditions and customs. What happens when a child is kept company by screens instead of people?

'I Am Because We Are'

African children grew up, rich with African cultures and values when communal child-rearing was well-practiced. Isolation and its consequences are on the increase. So, we may need to revive the 'Ubuntu' (I am because we are) philosophy to ensure the African culture and legacies live on.

©2026 Sylvia Onyekachukwu Ohiaeri/Talkafricang.com