UG006
OUR CULTURE AND TRADITIONAL IN THE FACE OF CIVILIZATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT
Our Culture and tradition form a bulk of the identity of a people and race. It bestunes a uniqueness that make them stand apart from others. It is an all encompassing aspect of ethnic group,the ilaje abounds with beautiful display ,our culture and tradition that have survived by centuries and carefully groomed to perfection by succession of generation proudly.
At this point in time,the ilaje culture and tradition has face its greater threat ever civilization and technological,ilaje would either have to adapt or preserve her rich culture heritage or be swept away.
Furthermore,ilaje food was heavily reliant on fishing,their staple are cassava used to make pupuru after civilization ilaje influences modern food like obe marugbo,bokolisa,ogbolo and various seafood such as fish and
crab.civilization also exposes us to western food like jollof rice,fried rice and different process food like sardine,geisha and corned beef.
Also,ilaje cloth was influenced by both civilization and
technological.ilaje cloth was rich featuring distinct cloth like Aso oke,adire and agbada and dasiki,aso oke is the most important attire in ilaje culture and tradition.
Moreover,there are many way to greet in ilaje,in most part they knee down to greet what some people did not know is greeting are essential part of ilaje culture when greet men will postrate down to greet while women knee down to greet elders by saying good morning sir/ma rushing up after greeting is a lack of respect.
Likewise,ilaje have a connection with the sea and their traditional occupation is fishermen and their origin of their work have been proven to the nation,some people still engage in fishing,while some still relate to other activities like building ships,canoes,only ilaje people went to the sea to catch fish by throwing their net into the rivers and we are globally known as the real fishermen in ilaje culture and tradition.
Also,ilaje traditional hairstyles are là pété,súkú after the civilization we are educated the women often braids or dreadlock with beautiful beads and cowry shell while the men barbe low cut,ilaje hairstyle is not only beautiful but carry culture significantly.
Moreover,ilaje burial ceremonies involves a ritual or practices that reflect belief after death,ilaje burial ceremonies are generally discouraged this contrast with traditional ceremonies,the ilaje region known for it unique communal principles where death are categorized or ceremonies like other traditional african cultures,after life the connection between life and ancestor.
In addition,ilaje has a traditional naming ceremony that are held to welcome a newborn in the community and give a child a name each people represent a blessing or wish for the child's life ,several symbolic items are water,sugar,salt,kolanut,bitternuts,honey,alligator pepper(Atare),palmoils and dried fish and some of their names are ikuemola,ikurubuju,ige,dada and ojo.
Likewise,ilaje has a traditional marriage known as igbeyawo,have historically been prominent to the ilaje culture and were arranged by parents or other close relative. It is a vibrant and elaborate ceremony with distinct
stage.it involves introduction followed by engagement whereby the groom's family present an item on a list like basket of fruit,yam,palmoil,surcase bag,and bride price and the ceremony begin with prayer,music and dance.
Moreover,ilaje language is a dialect sub group,ilaje shift due to the potential of the civilization and influence of modern civilization,it has a unique characteristics and vocabulary especially within their respective ethnic group,ilaje people preserve the language and its heritage from the help of civilization and technological advancement ilaje spoke the dialect of the yoruba culture.
At a point in time,ilaje people live in tattared house before civilization we engage in mud,wood and thatch for roofing and building but in the face and civilization technological advancement,ilaje people are part of the yoruba culture and was deeply interwined with the altanic coastline after civilization we now have the best houses and valuable materials for housing ilaje people make her village a city.
In conclusion,the ilaje culture and tradition are now preserving civilization and technological
advancement.the ilaje people manage to adapt and preserve her culture heritage.
Tabiti, Precious Ruth
Cherubim and Seraphim Academy,
Ugbonla