Multi-culturalism and the challenges of advancement in post-modern Nigeria in juxtaposition with world best practices

• Authors: Edogiawerie, Morris

Abstracts

EN

Africa at one time was referred to as the wretched of the earth primarily because of the simple reason and belief that the continent is devoid of civilization, science and technology. Any intellectual and a right thinking individual would agree with this position that civilization is not relative or connected or tied to the west-Europe and America, or any other culture at that. What “Civilization” actually means is that it is the conventional way in which a group of people live their lives. It amounts to their religions, politics, norms and values, cultural disposition, interpersonal relation etc. It is pertinent to comprehend this distinction because it often erroneously believed when the term “civilization” is used the first thing that comes in to the minds of many is that civilization has to do with Modernity, the way of life of the white man, Science and Technology etc. Civilization can be best referred to as the way of life of a group of people, or a society that has a definite, systematic, consistent and organised ways of living their lives or co-existence. It is against this backdrop that this paper is presented, to inter alia, attempt to clarify the meaning of civilization and which group of people that can be regarded or referred to as civilized or not civilized. This exposition, hence, will consider those parameters that translate to civilization such as culture, tradition, norms, values, and festivals, ancestral worship etc. especially of the African people with particular attention on Nigerian in juxtaposition with other practices that are considered to be best world practices. This evaluation is necessitated by the fact that there is a need to explore the potentiality and actualization of the black African heritage and be in the position to judge whether or not the African culture can be on the same pedestal with other world cultures and civilizations that are regarded as most recognised and accepted conventions.

Keywords

EN

culture; tradition; norms; values; civilization; festival; black Africa

• Publisher: Bialystok University Press
• Journal: IDEA. Studia nad strukturą i rozwojem pojęć filozoficznych
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 28/1
• Pages: 293-318

Dates

published

2016

Contributors

author

Edogiawerie, Morris

References

• Abanuka, B. A New Essay on African Philosophy. Nsukka: Spiritan Publication
• Appadorai, A. (1982) The Substance of Politics. New York: Doubleday
• Boahen, A. (2000) Topic in West African History. 2nd edition. England: Longman Group.
• Cornwall, I.W. (1960) The Making of Man. London: Phoenix House
• Edogiawerie, M. (2007) “Acritical Examination of the Esan Concept of Death” in Ukagba, G.U. The Kpim of Death. Essays in Memory of Rev. Fr. Prof. Pantaleon Osondu Iroegbu (Fada Kpim): Studies in African Philosophy and Culture. Canada: Trafford Publishing
• _____________ (2010) “The Crown and Respect of the Esan Woman: A Philosophical Examination” in Ukagba, G.U. et al. (eds.) The Kpim of Feminism. Issues and Women in a Changing World: Studies in African Philosophy, Culture and Development Empowerment. A Reader. Canada: Trafford Publishing.
• Falola, et al. (1991) History of Nigeria: Nigeria in the 19th Century. Lagos: Longman.
• Fanon, F. (1981) The wretched of the Earth. New York: Blackwell
• Heidegger, M. (1967) Being and Time. Transl. Macquarrie J. And Robinson E. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
• Iroegbu, P.O. (2000) Kpim of Personality. Treatise on Human Person: Respect, Solidarity, Liberty. Owerri: Eustel Publications
• Laurel, H. (2008) Tradition versus Modernity: Reappraising A False Dichotomy. Ibadan: Hope Publications.
• Mbiti, J (1969) African Religions and Philosophy. London: Heinemann.
• Njoku, F.O.C. (2002) Essays in African Philosophy, Thought and Theology. Owerri: Claretian Institute of Philosophy.
• Oladipo, O. (2000) The Idea of African Philosophy: A Critical Study of the Major Orientations in Contemporary African Philosophy. 3rd edition. Ibadan: Hope Publications
• Omoregbe, J.I. (1991) A Simplified History of Western Philosophy. Vol 3. Contemporary Philosophy. Lagos: Joja Educational Research and Publishers Limited.
• Onwuejeogwu, M.A. (1975) The Social Anthropology of Africa: An Introduction. London: Heinemann.
• Onyewuenyi, I. (1996) African Belief in Reincarnation: A Philosophy Reappraisal. Enugu. Snaap.
• Osuntokun, A. et al. (eds.) (2002) History and Culture of Nigeria up to AD 2000. Lagos: Frankad Publishers.
• Ukagba, G.U. et al. (2013) The Kpim of Social Order. A Season of Inquiry, Meaning and Significance in the Modern World: Studies in Philosophy, Culture of Uprising and Social Order. U.S.A: Xlibris Corporation
• The Holy Bible.
• TVC Television, A Documentary on Traditional Nigerian Society, 20th May, 2016.
• A Personal interview with Pa. Alade Edogiawerie, A well-known Traditionalist and Custodian of the Esan Traditions, June, 2016.

Identifiers

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/11320/5518

DOI

10.15290/idea.2016.28.1.15