Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has cautioned against disparaging African indigenous spirituality, referring to such action as a form of blasphemy against the spirituality of the world.
Soyinka stated this in his keynote address in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday during the World Heritage Day celebration with the theme “Akwa Ibom Heritage Alive.”
World Heritage Day aims to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity and the efforts required to protect it.
He condemned the tendency of some Nigerians to dismiss their own indigenous cultural and spiritual practices as “fetishism” or “primitive,” while ironically celebrating similar traditions elsewhere.
The renowned playwright argued that what is labelled “fetishism” is often a sophisticated form of symbolic, artistic, and spiritual expression that is actually celebrated and revered in other parts of the world, citing the example of Barbados, where masquerades and dances have survived.
He said, “What some people consider primitivism or fetishism is ignorance. People are celebrating these things over there. Go to Barbados, you will find masquerades, you will find dances also, which you have seen today, and we can only say may these deities of the world open their minds and get them eventually to stop blaspheming against the spirituality of the world.
“What a day like this means is very simple—bring your own wares, spiritual wares, to view; bring yours, and I bring mine. What UNESCO is all saying is that Godhead is one, but there are many parts to Godhead. So construct your part and leave me alone to construct mine.”
In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, while recapping the theme of the World Heritage Day in the state, noted that Akwa Ibom has continued to keep its heritage alive through songs, folklores and cuisines such as ekpang nkukwo, asa iwa, afia efere, atama, usung ikpong, edikang ikong, among others.
“Every end of the year, all the 31 local government areas in the state showcase their rich cultural heritage during the Christmas Village Festival.”
Eno, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, said that the state government also promotes tourism in the state through renovation of hospitals, health facilities and construction of new hospitals to boost medical tourism.
She listed Akwa Ibom Palm Resort, Ibom International Conference Centre and Ibom Specialist Hospital as key tourist centres in the state.
“Our administration is passionately dedicated to harnessing these rich cultural blessings to make tourism a key element of our identity.
“With a rich network of roads that seamlessly connect the state across the three senatorial districts, a thriving nationally celebrated airline, Ibom Air, which will soon commence its international flights, and our investment in the Maritime and Blue Economy in Oron, Akwa Ibom’s identity is truly on the ascendance.”
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Anietie Udofia, highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the state while calling on the people to embrace their roots.
Credit: punchng.com
