NIGERIAN TRADITION IN THE UNITED STATES

       

A bride in a traditional attire

           Tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. In Africa, tradition is taken in high esteem and is even recognized by most governments in various countries around the continent. In eastern Nigeria, tradition is the identity of an individual. It defines who you are and where you come from. It is believed that a person without a culture or tradition is a lost person.

            Over the years, culture and tradition have continued to be practiced in Nigeria. Though the coming of the colonial masters revolutionized it, they nonetheless did not stop it from being practiced. It has continued to be passed down from generation to generation. However, there is this fear that the culture and tradition of the Nigerians may become extinct in the near future. This is because of people who have allowed the intrigues of modernity overshadow their acceptance of culture. Who or what is to blame for these developments?

            The search for greener pastures have contributed to the detriment of the Nigerian culture, because many people who now live in modernized cities have forgotten the traditions they left behind in their villages. Many of us even chose to forget our roots, and this is wrong because it impacts negatively on our children. Over here in the U.S., I have seen some second generation Nigerians (Nigerians who were born in the U.S.) who do not speak nor understand the language. I understand that it will be difficult to learn what, to them, is like a foreign language, but showing the zeal to learn the ways of your people is what is missing. Some do not even want to be recognized as Nigerians or Africans. I do not totally blame them because they were born here and the U.S. is the only country they have known. I instead blame the parents who have failed to teach them the culture and tradition of their people. To me, I do not consider them as Nigerians. Someone who says, “My parents are from Nigeria but I am from New York” is definitely not a Nigerian.

Traditional dancers from eastern Nigeria.

            Few Nigerian parents in the diaspora have actually thought their children the ways of their people. I was surprised to see the number of Nigerian children over here who speak their local language fluently like they were brought up in Nigeria. They know where they are from, what part, and information about Nigeria. This makes me feel that our local tradition is being encouraged even in foreign countries. Though this is encouraging, more is still needed to be done.

            How many of our parents would be happy to see our culture die? How many of our children will want to someday go back to Nigeria? We should realize that there is no other place we can call home. We should not allow the life of modernism cloud our sense of reasoning. We can either return to our roots, or sell ourselves to a foreign way of life. Parents should try to send their children home sometimes so they can understand where they come from. I have spoken to many Nigerians who were born here and most of them are actually interested in knowing about Nigeria. This is good news but it should not end there. Let us try to do what is right and not abandon our beliefs. We cannot run away from who we are. We are Nigerians, and we should remain Nigerians. God bless us all.