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Kokonu Rebecca

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OUR CULTURE AND TRADITION IN THE FACE CIVILIZATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT

Africa is a continent rich in heritage and tradition, with Nigeria standing as one of the most culturally blessed nation in Africa. Among which is the Ilaje culture of the yorubas in Ondo state. The Ilaje tradition is rich with festivals, beliefs and practices like the ugbo worship and beliefs in Malokun god of the sea, use of drum for music, traditional dance, fishing competition, water rituals, traditional dressing, and other practices that showcase cultural preservation and civilization.

Traditionally, the ilaje people always pass on their culture to the younger generation especially through storytelling, a strong form of informal education that is coming of age. However, as technology advances and modernization takes over, many of these cultural practices are beginning to fade. Our youth now prefer to use smartphones, watch movies, and listen to global music, increasing the risk of forgetting and neglecting their traditional values. The object lesson of the past is gradually fading away.

Our culture and tradition is taught orally to the younger generation especially through storytelling, this form of informal education is gradually washing away, fading as technology advances. The younger ones are not being taught about their heritage, hence forgetting the rich value of the past. Technology has taken the place of traditional practices, as youth spend more time on phones and social media than on learning about their culture. Many youth now see delight in western music, movies, fashion and technology than what defines their real culture.

Drum for the energetic and life ceremony is fast fading pride. Our entertainment has been overshadowed with the use of talking drum for entertainment, use of flute, use of pot, use of xylophone and wooding are fast disappearing.

Our culture and festival which use to be our pride and a sight of attraction for tourist is slowing fading away. Increase in civilization and technological advancement has threatened to sweep away our roots. But the story is not all bad. Civilization and technological advancement does not have to be a flood which sweeps away our culture and tradition, rather it can be a bridge which connects the past to the future.

Museum where those cultural artifacts are on display for public enlightenment, or on large youtube platform where ilaje culture and tradition can be learnt. Imagine hearing the Ilaje anthem over the radio or watching the ugbo festival over the TV set. If the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow forgets their past and tradition, they will have no identity. We should not forget, a tree without root no matter how tall will eventually fall. Our culture is our root which keeps us grounded, strong and firm. Without our culture we have no identity. Without civilization no progress but one must not thrive at the expense of the other, the two things are like our legs which must work together to move the body.

Our culture and tradition in the face of civilization and technological advancement (By kokonu Rebecca)

in  AFROSKY ESSAY COMPETITION 2025

by Kokonu Rebecca

on 29-06-2025 | "Voting Start & End Date "Jun 28, 2025, 7:00 AMJul 7, 2025, 6:00 PM (Europe/Berlin)

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Media Type: Writing Contest
Category: Education & Arts

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