odumchi: For some time I've been wondering whether or not Christianity should prohibit us from fully partaking in our tradition and cultural heritage.

For example, I know people who are blessed with a rich cultural background but fail to partake in many of their people's practices because (as they put it) "such things are meant for pagans".

Must being Christian mean that our traditions and cultural practices must die? Was it not God who inspired us with our identity and such methods of self-preservation?

I'm also asking because this affects me. I am a Christian, but I don't believe that that should mean the traditions of my people should be ignored. Although this isn't really a problem in my area (since we have healthy attitudes towards cultural preservation), I would like to hear your opinions on such.

As for myself, I plan to join all of the masquerade and secret societies (ekpo, ekpe, and okonko) of my hometown. Does being a Christian mean that an Obosi man cannot partake in egwugwu, a Calabar man in ekpe, or an Ife man in divination?

Nairalanders give me your opinions!

Odenigbo Aroli:


I know you have been itching to join "Ekpe" but be ready for divorce if you are married...lmao You are not alone because myself has been longing to adopt the "Ikenga" but the thought of it alone overwhelms me due to my family's staunch catholic beliefs. The truth is that you can do it but ppl will see you with a bad eye and will start avoinding you. Its very difficukt in this modern day to be a christian and a traditionalist at the same time. I hear say jazz is cool among Aros though.

odumchi:

Lol. My brother it's not easy oo.

I don't think our religions should prohibit us from partaking in our cultures. If everyone had this mentality, how would tradition survive?

I'm sure the road will be difficult but if you believe that Ikenga is meant for you, don't waste time.

Concerning me, every male in my father's side of the family is a member of both ekpo and ekpe. They joined when they were still adolescents [size=18pt]and I plan to do the same before I become an adult[/size] so I won't have a wife to influence my decision . However, I don't think most of my family members will support this action.

Also, what do you mean by "jazz is cool"? I think you're saying "it's alright" but I'm not sure.

Odenigbo Aroli:


I know you have been itching to join "Ekpe" but be ready for divorce if you are married...lmao You are not alone because myself has been longing to adopt the "Ikenga" but the thought of it alone overwhelms me due to my family's staunch catholic beliefs. The truth is that you can do it but ppl will see you with a bad eye and will start avoinding you. Its very difficukt in this modern day to be a christian and a traditionalist at the same time. I hear say jazz is cool among Aros though.

ChinenyeN: Odumchi, I can understand where you're coming from, on a personal level. See, my culture, in general, doesn't seem to have too much a problem reconciling omelala with Christianity, but my family does though. My father did not look kindly on us (my siblings and I) participating in various cultural performances, for religious reasons, until two years ago, when my sister performed her first mgbede for our annual Ngwa convention.

He still has his reservations. For instance, though it has been suggested on several occasions that I perform ekpo, he's advised against my participating. His understanding is that one thing leads to another. So, an attempt to reconcile omelala with Christianity could potentially lead to traditionalism, which he encourages me to stay away from. I understand where he's coming from though, considering his family background. Still, I intend on delving into various aspects of omelala, since I feel I need to gain a better (i.e. somewhat personal) understanding of them, if I am to write them to film the way I would like.

OMO IBO: What I've noticed recently is that parents especially fathers with titles do not reveal to their families exactly what really goes on when they attend meetings. All we see are the frills, thrills and pageantry.

When the man eventually dies then his children especially male children are forced to carry out some rites.

ezeagu: Most people in the old days didn't get involved in the deeper stuff (at this point we're obviously talking about ị gwọ nshi, ị chụ àjà, ị befu ishi). That was left to dibia, title holders and other important people. Community participation is in things like Iri ji and other festivals related to deities (Iri ji is associated to yam deities), and offerings to a shrine.

Erelu_Y: Church history unequivocally demonstrates that many traditions and practices which today are considered to be Christian were borrowed from pagan practices and traditions in Greece, Rome and elsewhere in Europe. It is sad and shameful that after the Europeans have deceived African into accepting Christianity (a religion which, if not for the presence of immigrants Christian converts from the Southern Hemisphere, would almost be extinct by now, and still is in serious decline in Western Europe), Africans have chosen to remain deceived. But, it's not their problem. One the one hand, it's business for most whilst on the other hand it is the people's opium. RELIGION IS THE OLDEST, GLOBAL SCAM. IT'S A LIE, THERE IS NO HEAVEN OR HELL.

BinghiNya: Was santa claus not a masquerade

dozern: My traditions dat is not ocultic should be preserve. Any traditions dat is ocultic, obnoxious and evil should be avoided.If my grandpa who died as far back as 1948, can destroy all his juju and masquarade and adviced his sons not to partake in such a tradition. Without any priest, pastor or man of God to preach him about dt, i think so is wrong wt some tradition. Any social cultural heritage dat is devoid of evil must be preserve. Jesus dd nt condem all the trad. He ammended it. After all, seminary school parades masquarade since there is no juju in it. And it only serve 4 entertainment. If u insist in joinin masquarade cult, its to ur detriment. I pray that ur children wl nt sufer it.

Erelu_Y: Church history unequivocally demonstrates that many traditions and practices which today are considered to be Christian were borrowed from pagan practices and traditions in Greece, Rome and elsewhere in Europe. It is sad and shameful that after the Europeans have deceived African into accepting Christianity (a religion which, if not for the presence of immigrants Christian converts from the Southern Hemisphere, would almost be extinct by now, and still is in serious decline in Western Europe), Africans have chosen to remain deceived. But, it's not their problem. One the one hand, it's business for most whilst on the other hand it is the people's opium. RELIGION IS THE OLDEST, GLOBAL SCAM. IT'S A LIE, THERE IS NO HEAVEN OR HELL.

Billyonaire: Do not base your belief system on your GrandPa's decision. Call it Juju, Jazz, Witches and Wizards, I call it Science. Every race has these bits of mystical science here and there whether in the labs or in the ephemeral cantonments, truth is, if well utilized, they can lead us back to our source, our creators. But Believing that one giant being called God created everything is even against what is written in the Christian Bible. Quote "Let 'us' make man in 'our' own image" - Quote close. We should be asking, What is God and not Who is God.