Rituals: Effects of Community Tradition and Family Cultural Heritage on Nigerian Citizens
In Nigeria, heterogeneous ethnic character and
nature is the bedrock of cultural diversities along the line of cultural
heritage, religion [belief], history, origin myth, indigenization among others,
that bred 527 languages and 250 ethnic groups. For this reason, the ethnicity
is such an inherited homogeneous identity based.
The major popular ethnic group has been defined as
Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Ibo alongside their respective indigenous territorial
boundaries. Every ethnic group defines her cultural value, religion and
tradition. The statutory standard of customary laws is derived from indigenous
traditional norms and rules that include dispute resolution meetings, religion
and customary tradition of pre-colonial territorial independence.
CONSEQUENCES
Religion
Ethnic group capacity in the country [Nigeria] has
grown to about 300 with diverse list of religious theology and doctrines. No
doubt, Nigerian society is deep in religion and culture, such as Islam, Sharia,
Pentecostal, Orthodox, Traditional belief; hence, freedom of association
engenders an abuse of religious freedom in Nigeria as religious worshippers
hold their religious leaders in high regard which in turn allows those leaders
to act in accordance to the self-leading spirits by hypnotizing innocent and
God fearing congregation. In other word, growing rate of religious activities
and assumed civilization has not in any way hindered multiplying criminal acts.
Ritual
Ritual practices in Nigeria is gradually assuming
an alarming rate with no substantial efforts from the authorities to curb the
disturbing trend. It’s very surprising that many tribes in Nigeria [either
Yoruba, Ibo or Hausa] worship peculiar gods according to their belief. In
Yoruba land, there is still god of iron [Ogun], god of thunder [Sango], with
oracle known as ‘Irumole’. The famous Okija shrine [god of Okija] is associated
with Iboland in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State, Eastern part of
Nigeria. Though, section 2 of the High Court law provided the term Native laws
[Islamic Laws] including Sharia which has been bane of the Northerners in
connection to Islamic killing like Boko Haram [terrorists]
Countless numbers of young girls have been
defiled, widows [women] have also been abused, as well as brutal judicial
killings, female genital mutilation, money ritual, human sacrifice, local
shrines and abductions on the increase on daily basis with no levelling power
by the government to thwart these criminal discoveries.
Although, ritual is influenced by belief that holds
basis in the cultural and supernatural context, while family background,
religious faith, theism, occultism plus cultural heritage are major in the
traditional ritual in Nigeria. Till today, there is no part of the country that
does not hold prevailing belief on ghost, charms and of course witchcraft.
Consequent upon fetish myths and traditional rites, there are untold stories of
many Nigerians such as: actors, actresses, politicians, bloggers (moanewsblog),
news personalities and individuals to list few; who have made quick exit from
Nigeria; ranging from gender, profession, tribe and religion.
Crime
Multiple tribal nature of Nigeria with 527
languages cannot be disconnected from alarming crime rate ranging from rape,
armed robbery, kidnapping, child abuse, burglary, murder, fraud, ritual
killings and terrorism among others. However, poor economic relevance of the
government to the people, also contribute to these criminal happenings while
superstition, poverty, political positions and ignorance [illiteracy] are
additional factors.
Author,
Martin.
Photo Credit-wwwvisualizepicture.com and theinspiredlitmag.com
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