WEIRD PRACTICES IN NIGERIA
In this modern era, some of the practices which
are considered a means of preserving cultural values and norms may appear
strange and may even be considered outrageous by people from other parts of the
world.
Let’s take a look at 7 cultural practices among
various tribes in Nigeria which some may consider strange.
1. SHARO
FESTIVAL:
“Sharo” means flogging. It is a public ceremony
that demonstrates to the society that a young man has come of age, and may take
a wife. The young participant is continuously whipped by someone else, called a
challenger, but he must show no signs of pain.The Sharo cultural festival as a
major event in the Fulani settlements attracts people from all works of life to
witness the bravery spectacle exhibited by the young and energetic Fulanis.
Usually held in a market place for a week, the festival displays the test of
endurance and elicit the strength and perseverance of young males to withstand
the pain emanating from severe flogging.
2.THE MAGUN:
The Nigerian society frowns at adultery. The
Yoruba ethnic group has a powerful juju (black magic) called Magun for
adulterers and most times the outcome is not palatable as the offender could
lose his life. The Magun is placed in married woman without her being aware of
it either by her husband or his family. If she commits adultery, her lover
could end up losing his life or getting stuck while in the act.
3.INHERITANCE PRACTICE:
The inheritance practices are rooted in the belief
by many that the wife herself is a property that can be passed around. In some
Nigerian cultures, when a man dies, the wife could be inherited by one of the
man’s brothers. However, these days, greedy relatives use it as a way to access
the late man’s wealth. This practice is becoming a thing of the past as more
women are becoming enlightened and rejecting it.
4.WIDOWHOOD PRACTICE:
As if it is not enough that a woman lost her
partner to the cold hands of death, she would be subjected to further
humiliation to prove she has no hand in his death. In some Nigerian cultures,
the widow is forced to drink water used in washing her husband’s corpse. Family
members of the deceased also forcefully shave her hair and make her sleep with
the corpse. This is done to prove that the widow is not responsible for her
husband’s death. This culture is gradually going out of practice.
5.THE SERVICEHOOD OR
NWABOY PHENOMENOM:
This is mostly practiced by the Igbos. The Nwaboy
or servant serves the master in return for settlement, often in the form of an
automobile spare part shop; electronics or super market. During this period,
the Nwaboy stays under the masters’ tutelage for an agreed number of years to
learn the ropes of the business. After he faithfully serves his master for the
number of years, he is rewarded. Sometimes, it is not advantageous to the
Nwaboy as the master ends up cheating him of his reward.
6. FEMALE
CIRCUMCISSION:
Many tribes in Africa still follow this scary
tradition. Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa where female circumcision
is widely practiced. For men circumcision is partial or complete removal of
foreskin around the private parts and for women it is removal of private parts.
This is meant to preserve the chastity of women. As the level of education
increases, the likelihood of supporting the practice of female circumcision
reduces and regular use of media of communication such as radio and television
is an influential factor against the practice of female circumcision in
Nigeria.
7.WITCH HUNTING:
This is practiced mostly among the Edos. If a man
or woman is suspected of practicing witchcraft due to strange occurrences or
deaths in the family or community, he or she will be taken to witch doctor. The
suspect undergoes all kinds of torture to force the truth out of them and they
end up confessing. The confession is enforced by the witch doctor and if the
suspect is found guilty, he or she will be ex-communicated from the community.
What other practice do you know about
