Alaba Oluwadamilarey Samuel

The gradual demise of African culture at the pleasure of European imperialism.

Culture is a modest identity that shows the ways of life and anthropogenesis and cradle of peoples in any society. It showcase the general customs and beliefs of particular group of people at a particular time. But it becomes an outcast and alien in its own land when it is being declared" person non grata" as if it is on foreign land.

I am always sad and fret a lot whenever I discover that some Nigerian families have become hostile to their indigenous languages. Most families banned their children from speaking their dialect, they labeled it as dirty language.

You wouldn't be surprised that few years to come,those Europeans will come to our land to teach us our language although there have being influx of Europeans and South Americans to some notable towns in Nigeria already to study our culture and traditions especially Ifaa divination. Quite a few are in the Universities such as  University of Ibadan, University of Benin, Nnamdi Azikwe University Akwa where mandarin Chinese is also being learned.  After they colonize us, they robbed us of freedom and unity because of their selfishness. They merged us to suit their needs and reduce cost of governance for majestic kowtow. Since then our nation has never been united because we are just peculiar peoples whose traditions differs and our nationalists could not even give room for unification of those lacuna subsequently. Why? Because They are so eager to rule their respective regions before coming to the national terrain.

Although some researchers and historians claimed that Africa does not have any valuable printable literatures and history before the arrival of Trans-Atlantic slave trade which is untrue. Because countries like Ethiopia,Egypt have many artistic masterpiece prior Africa invasion by the Europeans. Ancient civilization started from Egypt and till date, it's legacy lives on. I believe disregarding of Africa as no valuable continent by some mendacious historians is perpetrated to subjugate our esteem and pantheon at the global stage.

When will Africans stand up? The axiomatic notion I observed in Africa and Nigeria is that,there is no genuine unity among us. We belongs to African Union and ECOWAS, yet we still wage war against one another. How will those European nations not surpass us. I know they are far ahead of us in terms of technology,military intelligence,armament economic and politically. Yet we can be like them if we start now.  

Asian countries like China, Korea,Japan,Malaysia,Singapore,Thailand etc are coming up,they never underrated their language and culture. They treat it with respect and sacrosanctity in Schools,factories,cities,villages even in international communities. What's is wrong with us Nigerians and Africans? I pitied those incoming generations if nothing tangible is done to save our culture. Albeit,there is analogy between culture and religion. But some misguided Nigerians and Africans have misconstrued culture for fetish practices. They see no why they should be involved in cultural practices and speaking of their languages.

As a concerned youth and custodian of culture, I think before the arrival of Christianity and Islam,our fore fathers have been practicing traditional or African religion. And thank God,virus of civilization spread to Africa and Nigeria.

The interwoven nature of the two variables shouldn't disturb each other. Am indebted to some ethnic groups in Nigeria,such as Hausas,Igbos,Nupes,Efiks,Igbiras for upholding their culture by allowing their kids to speak in their indigenous languages wherever They are. Only few Yoruba families earn my commendation because we are the most vulnerable and baddest in this ugly trend. How could you call your mother's tongue a "vernacular" at homes and even in schools,its not proper and very annoying.

Finally,our government do not help in any way to curtail this problem because of their myopic educational policies. How could they compulsory English language as a pre-requisite for entering tertiary institutions in the country. Why can't they include any major Nigeria language at least to provide alternative for students every years. Do you know how many years it takes students like me and others out there to make my Senior School Certificate result because of this nonsensical imported language.
Without any sense of hatred and obfuscation,If we are to ask many Nigerians today, both scholars and learned,how many of them can speak their language fluently without code mixing for two minute,I am afraid the percentage of winners will be very small,how many Nigerians can write letters in their indigenous language not to talk of currency and numerical counting,yet we are such a bad speakers! then where are we going?

Unequivocally You are all watching Korean,Japanese,Mexicans,Indian and Spanish movies,whether telovena even season films on daily basis. They speak their language and showcase their cultural values but here,we keep forming as if we are good. Nonsense!
Sincerely speaking,this has to stop now or else,we will be in extinction few years to come,parents should encourage their children to be bilingual in their own dialect and  with English or French language,wears traditional attires very well not occasionally,prepare traditional delicacy and cuisine at homes.

Government should restructure our bad educational policies in that Area to instill true spirit of cultural values and regard for our languages not by declaring our language a taboo in our land because this is our home,our land,our jewel Enough is enough! We should embrace our cultural heritage because that's our symbol anywhere. May God help us