The call for preserving the Yoruba language (cultural)
Article Title “Ooni hails Lagos Assembly for promoting Yoruba culture”
January 13, 2017 Author: Posted By: Oziegbe Okoeki Place: Lagos, Nigeria |
Issue overview and spatial Significance:
Recently, the Ooni of Ife Oba, which means the king, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was satisfied by his visit to the Southwest state in Nigeria, happy to see their lead in promoting Yoruba language and culture after the Lagos State House of Assembly. He has called the officials to conduct house issues in their ethnic native language, Yoruba for the day during his visit. For more information, Yoruba is one of the largest ethnic groups south of the Sahara Desert. The total population of Yoruba is estimated to be around 35 million.They constitute about 21% of Nigeria’s total population. (Countries and Their culture, n.d.) The monarchy demands a change to Nigerian society as the number of people in the country who speaks the language has declined. Many children cannot speak or write the language.The same pattern is observed in the other Yoruba communities due to the domination of the host country's language and culture. The Ooni of Ife Oba said they should celebrate and cherish their own language and culture, as they are unique and distinct from the other parts of the world. This is the symbol of their country. He believes more efforts should be done to prevent the language and culture from going into distinction.
Recently, the Ooni of Ife Oba, which means the king, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was satisfied by his visit to the Southwest state in Nigeria, happy to see their lead in promoting Yoruba language and culture after the Lagos State House of Assembly. He has called the officials to conduct house issues in their ethnic native language, Yoruba for the day during his visit. For more information, Yoruba is one of the largest ethnic groups south of the Sahara Desert. The total population of Yoruba is estimated to be around 35 million.They constitute about 21% of Nigeria’s total population. (Countries and Their culture, n.d.) The monarchy demands a change to Nigerian society as the number of people in the country who speaks the language has declined. Many children cannot speak or write the language.The same pattern is observed in the other Yoruba communities due to the domination of the host country's language and culture. The Ooni of Ife Oba said they should celebrate and cherish their own language and culture, as they are unique and distinct from the other parts of the world. This is the symbol of their country. He believes more efforts should be done to prevent the language and culture from going into distinction.
Patterns and trends:
In contrast with the more developed countries like Germany, France, and Italy, the african countries do not value their own cultural values and tradition as much as the western cultures. One reason would be many of them were once colonies of the European countries, and the colonial practise has inherited to the next generation of the Africans. For instance, Nigeria was a British colony until 1960, when she became an independent federate nation. (Countries and Their culture, n.d.) The other reason is western powers are still in dominant position of the world with their art, music, and most importantly, economy. Therefore these countries ought to let their next generation learn English instead of their native language in order to maintain good communication with the western investors. However, the Ooni believes countries who successfully gain a place in the globe are the ones who cherish their indigenous languages. The recent examples in the past century are Japan, China, and India in Asia. Prior to the king’s visit to the Southwest state, a passionate member of Osun State House of Assembly, Babatunde Olatunji, has urged the government to promote the Yoruba culture through indigenous games. Olatunji said that play the game is more than having fun and leisure. It is a game that requires logical thinking and calculation. It is the wisdom of the ancestor, and this game carries its own history which the offspring of Yoruba people should know about. He funded a small scale traditional board game competition called “Ayo Olopon” at Edunabon Town in Ife North Local Government Area of the state, and has encouraged at least 40 people to participate. (Channels Television, 2016) This means an effort in a local scale, and the determination of the Nigerians to preserve their own culture.
In contrast with the more developed countries like Germany, France, and Italy, the african countries do not value their own cultural values and tradition as much as the western cultures. One reason would be many of them were once colonies of the European countries, and the colonial practise has inherited to the next generation of the Africans. For instance, Nigeria was a British colony until 1960, when she became an independent federate nation. (Countries and Their culture, n.d.) The other reason is western powers are still in dominant position of the world with their art, music, and most importantly, economy. Therefore these countries ought to let their next generation learn English instead of their native language in order to maintain good communication with the western investors. However, the Ooni believes countries who successfully gain a place in the globe are the ones who cherish their indigenous languages. The recent examples in the past century are Japan, China, and India in Asia. Prior to the king’s visit to the Southwest state, a passionate member of Osun State House of Assembly, Babatunde Olatunji, has urged the government to promote the Yoruba culture through indigenous games. Olatunji said that play the game is more than having fun and leisure. It is a game that requires logical thinking and calculation. It is the wisdom of the ancestor, and this game carries its own history which the offspring of Yoruba people should know about. He funded a small scale traditional board game competition called “Ayo Olopon” at Edunabon Town in Ife North Local Government Area of the state, and has encouraged at least 40 people to participate. (Channels Television, 2016) This means an effort in a local scale, and the determination of the Nigerians to preserve their own culture.
Geographic Perspectives and Interrelationships:
Cultural: West Africa is the Yoruba homeland. Most Yoruba people are settled in the Southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo, a region that is known as Yorubaland. The others are scattered in small countries to the west of Nigeria. (O. Emeka, n.d.) “Yoruba” is in fact not a single cultural group, but a collection of diverse people who are bound together by a common language, culture,and history. Nigeria is one of the most populated country in the world, and Yoruba is the largest ethnic group in the country. Yoruba has its own religion, however, only 20% of the yoruba is still practising their traditional form of religion of worshiping their ancestors. (O. Emeka, n.d.) The others practice foreign religion like Muslims or Christianity, and Christmas holiday is one of the official long holidays in Nigeria. It can be inferred that the culture is Nigeria has been westernized due to cultural globalization.
Social: The society admires western society. Evidence is shown by the majority of them choosing to learn the language of English or French, and the fact that less and less children know how to speak in the indigenous tone.
Political: The language used in Nigeria is very diverse, such as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and more. However the official language is none of the native African language but English, the lingua franca.
Economic: The country has been focusing on the economic development, especially in the oil sector. too much has been emphasized in oil at the expense of other sectors and problems such as the cultural issues have been mostly ignored. The country is now experiencing its drawback as it does not have an alternative to economic development to back up when facing an economic recession due to the fall in oil price. Therefore, the Nigerians has realized the importance of preserving its own cultures.
Cultural: West Africa is the Yoruba homeland. Most Yoruba people are settled in the Southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo, a region that is known as Yorubaland. The others are scattered in small countries to the west of Nigeria. (O. Emeka, n.d.) “Yoruba” is in fact not a single cultural group, but a collection of diverse people who are bound together by a common language, culture,and history. Nigeria is one of the most populated country in the world, and Yoruba is the largest ethnic group in the country. Yoruba has its own religion, however, only 20% of the yoruba is still practising their traditional form of religion of worshiping their ancestors. (O. Emeka, n.d.) The others practice foreign religion like Muslims or Christianity, and Christmas holiday is one of the official long holidays in Nigeria. It can be inferred that the culture is Nigeria has been westernized due to cultural globalization.
Social: The society admires western society. Evidence is shown by the majority of them choosing to learn the language of English or French, and the fact that less and less children know how to speak in the indigenous tone.
Political: The language used in Nigeria is very diverse, such as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and more. However the official language is none of the native African language but English, the lingua franca.
Economic: The country has been focusing on the economic development, especially in the oil sector. too much has been emphasized in oil at the expense of other sectors and problems such as the cultural issues have been mostly ignored. The country is now experiencing its drawback as it does not have an alternative to economic development to back up when facing an economic recession due to the fall in oil price. Therefore, the Nigerians has realized the importance of preserving its own cultures.
Key Stakeholders:
The Nigerian governments – Supported by the Ooni, the Nigerian government is willing to preserve the Yutaba culture but in a economical perspective. It is the government responsibility to preserve the country's originality. It means the cultural heritage. These include the language, the traditional customs, festivals, games, different art forms, and more. The government is consider to make the Olojo festival, which is an annual event meant to celebrate the creation of the universe, more attractive to the tourist. During the festival, the Ooni will be isolated from the people to clean his palace and the evil force within himself. Then, the event will come to its climax, where the Ooni, who is now wearing a special beaded crown, leads the symbolic walk with the people to the Oke Mogun, the Ooni’s beautiful palace in Nigeria.(Daily Trust, 2016) The government can sell souvenirs and local customs to lure the tourist. More advertisement can be made to promote this festival.
The general citizens - The people of Yoruba ethnicity are most likely to respond to government’s call. However, the citizens of other ethnicity may not be so passionate about preserving the culture of others.
The Nigerian governments – Supported by the Ooni, the Nigerian government is willing to preserve the Yutaba culture but in a economical perspective. It is the government responsibility to preserve the country's originality. It means the cultural heritage. These include the language, the traditional customs, festivals, games, different art forms, and more. The government is consider to make the Olojo festival, which is an annual event meant to celebrate the creation of the universe, more attractive to the tourist. During the festival, the Ooni will be isolated from the people to clean his palace and the evil force within himself. Then, the event will come to its climax, where the Ooni, who is now wearing a special beaded crown, leads the symbolic walk with the people to the Oke Mogun, the Ooni’s beautiful palace in Nigeria.(Daily Trust, 2016) The government can sell souvenirs and local customs to lure the tourist. More advertisement can be made to promote this festival.
The general citizens - The people of Yoruba ethnicity are most likely to respond to government’s call. However, the citizens of other ethnicity may not be so passionate about preserving the culture of others.
Issue Implications:
Social: The promotion by the government can have a noticeable impact to the general public. More social events and interesting festival will be treasured by the public, and more children will start to adopt their native language.
Cultural: The importance of Yoruba cultural has been promoted in the country, but that could also mean that the other cultures are devalued in the country. It is a risk of losing cultural diversity in the country by celebrating the monoculture of Yoruba.
Economic: The local cultural heritage of the Yoruba can be harnessed toward to the economic development of Nigeria, for example, tourism will be benefited from the promotion of Yoruba culture. The Nigerians need something special to promote to the world. In no doubt the culture is very rich in nature. The art, festivals, tradition ,and clothing are unique to other parts of the world. These can be developed and serve as a long term economic solution to the current economic dilemma in Nigeria. There are many potential jobs that can be created for the youths in the publication of the Yoruba culture, for example the staff running the Osun-Osogbo festival, managing the Ile-Ife, and the Olumirin Waterfalls. This can enhance the creativity of the youths. This will be a step to self sustaining economy.
Social: The promotion by the government can have a noticeable impact to the general public. More social events and interesting festival will be treasured by the public, and more children will start to adopt their native language.
Cultural: The importance of Yoruba cultural has been promoted in the country, but that could also mean that the other cultures are devalued in the country. It is a risk of losing cultural diversity in the country by celebrating the monoculture of Yoruba.
Economic: The local cultural heritage of the Yoruba can be harnessed toward to the economic development of Nigeria, for example, tourism will be benefited from the promotion of Yoruba culture. The Nigerians need something special to promote to the world. In no doubt the culture is very rich in nature. The art, festivals, tradition ,and clothing are unique to other parts of the world. These can be developed and serve as a long term economic solution to the current economic dilemma in Nigeria. There are many potential jobs that can be created for the youths in the publication of the Yoruba culture, for example the staff running the Osun-Osogbo festival, managing the Ile-Ife, and the Olumirin Waterfalls. This can enhance the creativity of the youths. This will be a step to self sustaining economy.
Citations:
Channels Television. (December 28, 2016) “Osun Lawmaker Asks FG To Promote Culture With Indigenous Games”. Retrived December 13, 2017 from http://www.channelstv.com/2016/12/28/osun-lawmaker-asks-fg-promote-culture-indigenous-games/
Countries and Their culture (n.d.). “Yoruba” Retrieved January 13, 2017, from http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Yoruba.html
Daily Trust (October 15, 2016) “Osun assembly calls for preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage” Retrieved January 13, 2017 from
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/osun-assembly-calls-for-preservation-of-yoruba-cultural-heritage/166946.html#3lB4W9XaMGMHPi2v.99
O. Emeka (n.d.) “5 Notiable facts about Yuruba People” Retrieved January 13, 2017 from http://buzznigeria.com/yoruba-people/#
Channels Television. (December 28, 2016) “Osun Lawmaker Asks FG To Promote Culture With Indigenous Games”. Retrived December 13, 2017 from http://www.channelstv.com/2016/12/28/osun-lawmaker-asks-fg-promote-culture-indigenous-games/
Countries and Their culture (n.d.). “Yoruba” Retrieved January 13, 2017, from http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Yoruba.html
Daily Trust (October 15, 2016) “Osun assembly calls for preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage” Retrieved January 13, 2017 from
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/osun-assembly-calls-for-preservation-of-yoruba-cultural-heritage/166946.html#3lB4W9XaMGMHPi2v.99
O. Emeka (n.d.) “5 Notiable facts about Yuruba People” Retrieved January 13, 2017 from http://buzznigeria.com/yoruba-people/#