Valentine’s Day also known within the
Ghanaian parlance as ‘Vals’ day originated from the Roman priest Saint
Valentine. Saint Valentine was actually a very charismatic priest who reached
out to others, most especially the poor, needy and marginalised in the society.
In order to commemorate all his good
works, the feast of Saint Valentine was established by the Roman Pope Gelasius
in AD 496 and it has since then been remembered every February 14 on the
catholic calendar as a feast day.
Valentine’s day has since developed into
a tradition of courtly love by the 14th century within the era of Geoffrey
Chaucer. By the 18th century, it was used as a medium of expression of love by
couples in England.
The situation at stake now seems to
drift away from the initial purpose for which the day was instituted. From
onset, Valentine’s day was mainly used in remembrance for the good works done
by the Roman martyr Valentine and also to as far as possible replicate the good
deeds which he once exhibited.
In Ghana, this day is marked with
extravagance, ranging from the purchase of expensive gifts or souvenirs to
expensive dates usually at very expensive places. Most often than not, these
gifts are not given to wives or husbands. Instead they are given to boyfriends,
girlfriends or concubines. Reaching out to the poor or needy; the very essence
for this day is long forgotten. Instead what we see is the dashing of gifts to
concubines, girlfriends or boyfriends. The question here is, do the receivers
of these gifts really merit or deserve them? Are they really in need, as in
poor and helpless? Would Saint Valentine really be happy that he is been
remembered this way?
The dark side of the commemoration of
Valentine’s day remains untold. There have been several reports on some of the
negative practices in which people indulge in on account of this day. Notable
amongst such deviant behaviour is promiscuity. Most people see this day as one
to which they would use to exhibit their sexual prowess without bearing in mind
the numerous STI’s which abound.
Apart from the fact that it has been set
aside as a day for showing love, it is also a feast day in accordance with the
catholic doctrine. It is therefore sacrilegious to use this holy day to
practice promiscuity. If nothing at all, all and sundry should join hands with
the church by praying for the marginalised, the poor and less privileged in
society.
It is not bad to give out gifts to loved
ones but the main bone of contention here is whether we are really living up to
the main purpose for the institution of Valentine’s day. It should be a day in
which the marginalized like; the beggars, the blind, the crippled, etc should
be remembered and made to know that they are part and parcel of society.
Just as Saint Valentine ministered to
the persecuted Christians and conducted weddings for some Roman soldiers who
were not allowed to marry, the same should be emulated in our society. Inmates
in our prisons could also be reached out to on this said day, in order to
showcase or extend our love to them. In as much as possible, it should not be a
day that would be used to promote or indulge in immoral practices.
With regards to how Valentine’s day is
observed in our part of the world, is the celebration hyped? Or is it really
necessary?
Written by; Dakurah Sebastian
Email: dakurahsebastian@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment