European colonial interaction has distorted Nigeria’s legacy, despite the country being the biggest bilingual Black nation with a rich culture. The antique and medieval eras of European history bear witness to their terrible, savage past. One prominent example of deception is the idea that twin killing was stopped in Nigeria by Mary Slessor. Evidence from history demonstrates that although Slessor encouraged the Efik and some Igbo groups to adopt this custom, the Yoruba, who had the highest rate of twin births worldwide, regarded twins as sacred and connected them to the deity Ṣhàngó.
Thus, rather than suggesting that the killing of twins was a common practice in Nigeria, it would be more appropriate to state that Mary Slessor put an end to the practice among particular tribes. With low divorce rates, polygamy was seen as honourable in traditional African civilizations, which also valued cohesion. Divorce rates increased as a result of European influence, which denigrated polygamy and promoted monogamy. In a structured social structure that preserved family stability, the Yoruba, for instance, practiced polygamy.
Gender discrimination was also a part of European history.
The intricacy of African marital customs and the effects of European cultural appropriation are brought to light by this contrast. In contrast to assertions made by Eurocentrics, pre-colonial African civilizations such as Wagadu (Ghana) and Mali had established political structures well in advance of European contact. The Oyo Empire in Nigeria featured an unwritten constitution, a tributary system, and an advanced political structure with checks and balances. A council of elders and emirates constituted the Hausa-Fulani’s centralized government system. The idea that Africa lacked organized government before to colonization is refuted by these instances.
In pre-colonial Africa, there were various gender roles. Significant female leaders may be found in many communities; examples include Queen Amina of Zaria and the Iyalode chieftaincy in Yoruba territory, demonstrating the matrilineal and powerful roles that women performed. On the other hand, gender discrimination was also a part of European history, as demonstrated by the coverture doctrine of King Henry II, which combined a married woman’s legal existence with her husband’s. This comparison demonstrates that both continents featured prominent female structures and figures in addition to patriarchal features.
Preservation of language is still a major concern in Nigeria.
Concerns have been raised about the reduction in native language proficiency among Nigerian youngsters, which is made worse by the preference of the country and the use of English in school. To maintain cultural heritage, parents must support their children’s use of their native tongues at home, even in the face of government initiatives to support its use in schools. The preservation of language is still a major concern in Nigeria. There are approximately 500 languages spoken in the world, but because English is the most often spoken one, native language proficiency has decreased, particularly among children from wealthy families.
Although teaching major local languages in schools is mandated by the Nigerian government, this effort falls short because spoken and written language are not the same. Through educational initiatives and community outreach, current endeavours, including the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) activities, seek to revitalize and encourage the usage of indigenous languages. Academics such as Oyeronke Oyewumi contend that colonial influence is connected to gender inequality in Africa. Understanding pre-colonial gender dynamics is crucial since they were frequently more egalitarian than post-colonial arrangements, as Oyewumi’s study highlights.
Related Article: Preserving Nigeria Cultural Heritage
Parallel to this, historian Prof. Toyin Falola emphasizes how Nigerian Culture has been able to adapt and persevere despite colonial distortions. As a result, a determined effort to support and boost local languages, customs, and historical accuracy is necessary to maintain the Cultural Identity of the Nigerian nation. The country can guard its rich legacy from further exploitation by acknowledging the differences and complexity between European and Nigerian cultures and by supporting ongoing revitalization initiatives.