Arts/Literary
Focus On Nigeria’s Literary Arts Tradition
Nigeria’s Art and Literary traditions go back to thousands of years. And while some of it are tied to religious purposes, there are many objects that are used for every purposes. Different tribes in Nigeria excelled at different arts, although there are many traditions that span the entire region.
Archeologists have found evidence of pottery dating back to 100BC and Terracotta waves from about 800AD. Many of these pots have complicated carvings on them in many cultures, the potters were women, the terracotta was also used to make sculptures, but these statutes and figurines were also made from other materials such as bronze, brass, ceramic and copper.
Masks were also an important part of Nigerian culture, most of these masks were made from wood and printed in a variety of styles.
The Yoruba masks are probably the most well known( or at least the most well preserved).
Nigerians are also known for their brightly coloured cloths. The dyes are made from a number of natural plants in order to set the colour they are looking for. There are differences in the dying and weaving techniques among different tribes, of course there are other smaller carvings and handicrafts that are also created by Nigerian artists.
Word carvings and handicrafts that are also created by Nigerian artists such as wood carvings, Ivory carvings and woven baskets are also found commonly in the homes.
There are many Nigerian artistes who are quite known for their works in a variety of mediums, a few of the more prominent ones today include: Victoria Udondian (painter, fashion designer), Emeka Okereke (painter, photographer), Adamu Waziri (animator for Bino and Fino), Kari Ohiri (photographer), Wura Natasha Ogunji (performance artiste), Lucky Azubuike (photography, performing artiste), Maria Kure (painter), Adaka Ntah (performance artiste), OtobongNkanga (photographer, painter, performance artiste) and Nnanna Okorie (sculptor).
Literature in Nigeria is mainly written English, but there are many writers who write in number of other regional languages like Hausa, Urhoghbo, 1960 and Yoruba.
Scholars have divided Nigerian literature into four periods (from about 10th – 19th century) followed by the Sokoto period (19th – 20th century) colonial period (Early part of the 20th century) and post independence period (later part of 20th century date).
There were many writers who emerged from the earliest period, who laid the ground work for writers for centuries to come.
Some of the most important writers to emerge from the period include Ibn Furtu (late 1500s), Mohammed Ibm Masani (1600s) and SheukeJubric Ibn Umar (1700s).
Today, there have been many 20th and 21th centuries writers, who have had tremendous impact on not only Nigerian and Anglophone literature in and out of itself but on international levels as well.
Probably one the most well known authors from Nigeria is Chinua Achebe, probably one of the most well known writers from Nigeria. His famous novels include Things Fall Apart, No Longer At Ease, Arrow of God, Chike and the River, among others. Chinua Achebe also wrote several other stories and poem including: Anthills of the Savannah, the sacrificial Egg and other stories, A man of the People, Girls at War, Beware Soul Brothers, Morning Yet On Creation Day, The Trouble with Nigeria, The Flute, The Dream as well as the classical novel, There Was A Country, a personal history of Biafra amongst several other works of literature.
Achebe is sometimes referred to as the father of modern African literature. In 2007, he was awarded The Main Booker Prize for his lifetime achievements and influence to African literature.
Another Nigerian author worth mentioning is Prof Wole Soyinka. He has written many plays and several memoires, poetry collections, essays and a couple of novels. Wole Soyinka was recognised for his contribution to literature in 1986 as he accepted The Noble Prize for Literature. This made him the first African to be awarded the prize.
By: Jacob Obinna
Social/Kiddies
Children’s Day: The Need To Celebrate Them
Social/Kiddies
Need For Girl-Child Education In Society
Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.
Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.
Social/Kiddies
Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength
A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
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