Marriage within the various tribes in Nigeria has been conceived by our forefathers since the birth of history. The traditional culture has always stood the test of time irrespective of the introduction of modern days practices to Nigerians by the western world for over two decades ago. When it comes to marriage rights, the culture of the land takes the center stage with all the traditional rights and ceremonies conducted as stipulated by the bride's family. Aside from pride, it brings to both families, it also acts as a means or protecting our culture from extinction.
Irrespective of the joy these brings, inter-tribal marriage has not been completing approved by some lineages who see it as defiling the culture of the ancestors of the forefather, to the extend of disowning a child who goes against the will his or her parents. While some culture is allowed to betrothed their daughters into underage marriage without consent to the adverse implications it may have on the child's life. Unfortunately, this is still practiced up until today. And has led to many unhappy marriages and divorced homes in Nigeria.
I could recall sometime in the past, there was a controversy surrounding the marriage of an indigene of Umuduru to an Esan woman from Idua in Edo state. This is may have been a result of a feud between these two tribes or communities. as was narrated by someone from a reliable source but who pleaded anonymous due to security purposes, did emphasis on the cultural history of each town which does not encourage inter-tribal marriages. The family from each lineage insisted that the marriage was forbidden and the couple needs spiritual cleansing to apiece the gods of the land.
In Umuduru community, Isu local government in Imo state, the then chief priest (Anyehe Ngameduru) said it was an abomination for an Isu man to be married to a woman from Esan, such a man will become an outcast and may lose the inheritance of his fathers land, except the Idua woman prepares herself to be circumcised before she can be welcomed into the community as one of their own.
While on the other hand, the Idua community in Esan local government, in Edo state were also demanding the man to be given ritual marks on his body and perform some ceremonious rights before he can be accepted into their family. This became a constant warning from relatives and families, at this time the couple lived in the family house at Benin, but relocated to Auchi where they felt would be home to their children, nonetheless, the belief and difficulty surrounding their family background was becoming a nightmare each passing day.
As if that was not enough, there is also a constant threat from the son of the chief priest in Umundugba by name Anyehe Ngamuduru who is notorious and influential in Imo state. He terrorized the couple and sent thugs to the home as a reminder that being they will not be safe anywhere in Nigeria unless they adhere to the instruction of his father, the chief priest.
The said Anyehe Ngamuduru is named amongst the kidnappers who kidnapped and murdered the Late Edwin Ajaere, the CEO of Good is Good motor in March 2009., Anyehe is at large after he was declared wanted by the anti-robbery unit of the Nigerian police force also tied to other criminal acts carried out by him and his gangs.
The couple could not leave their chance to fate as a result of his past background history but made an effort to retreat abroad for fear of the safety of their lives and that of their children. They have been living abroad ever since.
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The Eastern States in Nigeria has always been for their industrious exploit in various interests of business and human hospitality to strangers. Trading is like an ancestral belief in the Igbo land, an average Igbo family is not complete without at least one person indulging in certain skills or trade. No wonder they can be seen migrated all over the world to expand their business ventures.
Culture and tradition in Igbo land are strictly adhered to by the indigenes of the community, this is applicable to every community and states in the eastern part of the country Nigeria which comprises of Anambra state, Imo state, Ebony state, Enugu state, and Abia State respectively.
These have drawn tourist attractions across other tribes in Nigeria and countries beyond our boundaries. Without exception, we look at some of the activities of Umuduru, Isu Community in Imo State.
Imo state is located in Southeast Nigeria and has a population of 3.9 million, projected to rise to 4.7 million by 2015 (NBS, 2006). As with all states, Imo’s Government is comprised of executive, judicial and legislative branches, with ministries headed by Commissioners. The State has 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) with variations between population characteristics and distribution and autonomous groups headed by Ezes – traditional rulers – operating at the community level.
Isu is a local government area in the Imo State of Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Umundugba. Other communities are Amandugba, Ekwe, Uburu Ekwe, Isunjaba, Amurie Omanze, Ebenator Ekwe and, Oboro Amurie. The name comes from the Isu people, a subgroup of the Igbo people.
Amandugbe and neighboring Umundugba used to be one town. Both communities have suffered from reliable water supply from streams and brooks that often dry up, and that are breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes and sources of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, guinea worm, tape tapeworm night blindness. A recent project by Africa We Care, a charity, has started to develop a supply based on a bore-hole.
Tourism and Hospitality
Ekwe tourist attractions include a number of natural springs located in Ekwe the community. Uburu Ekwe and Ebenator springs are some of the notable spring sites. These springs are noted for their natural flowing Spring (water). Abut 30 years ago, the people of Ekwe the community constructed a big slab at the Ishiyi with pipes to draw their drinking water. The evidence collected from here throws more lights on the past and ancient culture.
Religion
There is freedom of worship in the community and religion occupies a central place in the lives of the people. Before the advent of Christianity, the people practiced traditional religions. With the advent of Christianity, the people are now predominantly Christians of different denominations but mostly Catholics and Anglican. Catholics and Anglican churches are still being considered as the official church in most villages in the town. Recently other Christian denominations have been gaining ground in the town. Some people in the town still practice African Traditional religions.
Traditions
Traditions are long-established patterns of actions or behaviors, often handed down within a community over many generations. These customs are based on the beliefs and values held by members of the community. Traditions are often protected by taboos, which strong social prohibitions (or bans) are relating to human activity or social custom based on moral judgment and religious beliefs. This means that traditions are not easy to change, because people adhere to these patterns of behavior, believing that they are the right things to do.
What are the consequences of harmful traditional practices?
Some of the harmful effects include:
• Conflicts between families may lead to quarrels lasting for generations
• Psychological stress on the girl resulting in suicide etc.
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)/ Female Circumcision.
• Child Marriage.
• Female Spouse Sharing.
• Son Preference.
• Polygamy.
• Violence against Women.
• Scarification.
• Tribal Marks.
Reference:
https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/7377.pdf
http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Traditional-Mbaise-Society-Perspectives-on-Igbo-Scio-Cultural-History-1500-1900.pdf
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=66&printable=1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekwe_Community
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/akatakpa-masquerades-banned-in-enugu-community
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isu, _Nigeria
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May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace
As the world celebrates Mothers Day
Amidst the global threat of coronavirus
I could only reflect back in time
The inseparable bond between us
From nine months in your womb
And forty-plus years spent
Fostered under your wings
Protected with love and ceaseless care
Which persisted through a lifetime
As I pay my ultimate respect to you
Know that you mean the world to me
Watching over me through the stars above
How I wish you can hug me tonight
Kiss me and tell me it is going to be alright
I can find refuge in the time of storm
With you interceding on my behalf to God
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