Category: Culture

Akinsanya Samuel

History – Political, Social – Tradition

Akinsanya Samuel was the nationalist during Awolowo’s era who acceded to the throne of his town as the Odemo of Isara. Born 1 August 1898 in Isara, Akinsanya was educated at the Anglican school in his hometown, and thereafter worked as a shorthand typist and writer. In his mid-twenties, Akinsanya collaborated with youngsters such as…
read more
Love

Philosophy – General, Social – Psychology

By F.G.J.O. The Nigerian Provincial Guardian 17th April, 1937 pg. 11 The Love between man and woman is only- “Sex Appeal” The only thing men want in women is not intellect but charm, tenderness and perhaps vicacity. Just as we are about to go and sit in a corner however , with the reflection that…
read more
Akarigbo Oyebajo

History – General, Social – Tradition

Akarigbo Oyebajo was the first educated ruler in Ijebu. Born in 1866, he ascended the throne in late 1891, just a year before the British conquest of Ijebu which brought him to prominence. The Lagos colonial governor, McCallum’s disdain of the proliferation of king titles in Akarigbo’s domain led to his being recognized as the…
read more
Meat

Food

Meat is the term used to describe any freshly dressed or treated tissues, mainly skeletal muscle from warm blooded animals suitable for use as food. This 1992 definition by Alonge, in a book, “Food Hygiene” excludes all other types of meat, which must now be qualified, e.g. snake meat, dog meat, or elephant meat. Edible…
read more
Ajanlapa

History – General, People, Social – Tradition

Ajanlapa was the brave warrior whose self-sacrificing, patriotic act incidentally overturned the war waged by Lajomo, king of Nupe land in favor of Ajiboyede, Alaafin of Oyo’s army. Oyo warriors were retreating but Nupe soldiers went particularly after the Alaafin. When it became clear the king would be killed, Ajanlapa hastily exchanged dress with his…
read more
Ahmadiyya

Philosophy – General, Religion

Ahmadiyya is an Islamic group headquartered in India, founded by Mirza Ghullam Ahmad with a distinct Islamic ideology which varies considerably with orthodox teachings. Adherents believe Ahmadiyya had a mandate to divest Islam of fanatical beliefs and to return the religion to the true Islamic teachings as practised by Prophet Muhammad. In what is seen…
read more
Mind

Social – Psychology

Mind is the term often employed to signify all the faculties of the Souls. In this 17th April 1937 editorial of the Nigerian Provincial Guardian, the mind, as a subject, is applied to the intellectual faculties, in distinction from the moral; as the heart is being employed to denote the moral, in distinction from the…
read more
African Spurred Tortoise

Agriculture- Animals (Others), Tradition – Customs

The African Spurred Tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, called Ìjàpá in Yoruba and celebrated in many of its folktales as a wise animal, is found in the north of Nigeria and other Sahel regions. They adapt to arid environments through a few means; their thick skin which limit moisture loss, very little discharge of urine, and burrow…
read more
African Renaissance

Lifestyle – Others, Philosophy – African, Social – Psychology

African Renaissance term used by authors is descriptive of the cultural movement in the British West Africa, in which the pioneer set of educated Africans, erstwhile propagators of the New Africa ideology, began to go native, in reaction to the racist tendencies of the whites. The term, “Renaissance” though qualified as “minor” was used by Ajayi JFA in…
read more
Ethiopianism

Philosophy – African

Ethiopianism was a philosophy of several early Christians in Africa, foremost among who was James Johnson, who required his brethren, in the words of Jacob Kehinde Coker, founder of one of the breakaway groups, to worship God as Africans, independently, both in spirit and in truth, applying Christianity to African customs, not repugnant to Christ’s…
read more