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By Young Erhiurhoro, Warri
Recently, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the entire world, including Nigeria, the NCDC in collaboration with many states government placed a ban on the celebration of cultural festivals. This was done according to the federal health agency and state governments’ bid to curb the uncontrollable spread of the disease in both rural and urban communities across the nation.
Though, social distancing is one of the precautionary measures put in place by the NCDC since the outbreak of this deadly pandemic in the country, there was a little ease to the above principle, in recent days, by the same health agency, and the federal ministry of health, when markets, worship centres like churches and mosques and other public places were opened for social gatherings and other business activities. Even as we speak, burials and marriages, including political gatherings are being organized almost every weekend across the country.
However, the topic of this discussion is about the reaction of our people especially traditionalists and the youths from different communities in Urhobo land over the ban on the celebration of cultural festivals in some states of the federation. For instance, in Ondo State, the state government banned the celebration of cultural festivals in the state, yet churches and mosques were opened for divine services and worship.
In the Ondo scenario, many of the youths were reported by the media to have taken to the streets of major towns to present their grievances to their traditional rulers and the state government over the decision. It was also reported that many people were allegedly injured and different properties destroyed in the course of the different protests staged in the state.
Coming to Delta State, the situation was almost the same in many communities across the state. For instance, in Uvwie kingdom, the monarch banned the celebration of every cultural festival in all the nooks and crannies of the kingdom. This was done, according him, to avoid the spread of the deadly corona virus amongst his subjects. In fact, this was the best decision a leader could take to protect his people from foreign invasion and deadly attacks.
But to the people, especially the chief priests of the various deities and youths of the various communities where these cultural festivals ought to have been celebrated did not take such decisions easily from their monarch. It was even reported by the media that the youths of some of these communities in Uvwie kingdom protested against the decision of the monarch and his council of chiefs. It took the efforts of security agents especially the Nigerian Police to restore peace in Uvwie kingdom during the period.
Interestingly, other traditional heads and community leaders in Urhobo land are following suit, restricting their people from partaking in their annual cultural festivals, since the Delta State government is practically behind their actions. However, our correspondent visited many communities to seek the public opinion and reactions of the people on the said decision by their leaders. Below are the reactions of different people from the different media chats held recently.
In Ughelli kingdom, a women leader who did not want her name in print had this to say, “What some of our traditional rulers are doing by collaborating with the state government to stop the people from participating in their cultural festivals is outright injustice and oppression. They are already trampling on the people’s fundamental rights. As citizens of this country, we have the right to worship and association. Yes, I agree that we are battling with a deadly pandemic, but since markets, churches, mosques and other public places are opened for their normal duties, cultural festivals shouldn’t be excluded. The only thing they can do as traditional rulers, is to make sure the people comply with the precautionary measures put in place by the NCDC. To me, the people should be allowed to celebrate their cultural festivals. It’s part of their religious beliefs and also part of their fundamental rights.”
In Unenurhie community, Evwreni kingdom, the chief priest of Ohworhu cultural festival, Olorogun Pa. Ughojor Samson Abrucha, have this to say, “The Ohworhu cultural festival is a masquerade festival we celebrate every year in this community. The cultural festival is as old as this community. By the grace of God, I’m the oldest person (Okpako-Orere) in this community and also the chief priest of Ohworhu cultural festival. Since I was born, there was no year this festival had been postponed in this community. “This is because it’s a taboo to postpone or suspend the festival. We as a community can’t bear the negative implications of the festival being postponed. If the Federal Government could allow the Moslems to celebrate their Idl Fitri, and also declared public holidays for its celebration, why the celebration of our cultural festivals is seen as evil? Are we not citizens of this country again? The constitution of this country recognizes different religions, and not just one as many people are presently taking it. The Ohworhu cultural festival usually comes up every September. Therefore, we want to plead with the state government, especially the task force or committee on Covid-19, to allow us celebrate our cultural festival with joy and happiness. We promised the state government to adhere strictly to the laid down precautionary measures on Covid-19 all through the period of the cultural event,” he said.
And, in Uwheru kingdom, a legal practitioner who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “In respect to law, the government can suspend the constitution especially during war and pandemic like this novel corona virus. But my argument here as a legal practitioner and also indigene of this kingdom is that, the government should know that what is good for the geese is also good for the gander. Since markets and religious houses are opened for worship and business, those that are into this area of religious persuasion shouldn’t be excluded.
“They are citizens of this country and also have rights to freedom of worship and association, as Christians and Moslems do. We must know that the celebration of these cultural festivals is part of their religious beliefs and practices. Suspending it is depriving them of their freedom of worship. To me, in order to avoid the breakdown of law and order in our various communities at this critical time of our history when we are still battling with the deadly pandemic. Our traditional rulers, as the custodians of our culture and the government should rethink their decisions and allow the people to celebrate their cultural festivals. The only thing they can do is to make sure there’s total compliance to the guidelines and precautionary measures laid down by the NCDC. Thank you!” The lawyer said.
According to analysts, cultural festivals are part of the people’s culture. It makes up the totality of the people’s religious beliefs and practices. A cultural analyst in Urhobo land, “celebration of cultural festivals, which I think also applies to other ethnic nationalities in the state, cuts across religion. It’s a time of coming together. Therefore, I’m also of the view that our traditional rulers, who are the custodians of the people’s culture in collaboration with the government should allow the people to participate in their cultural festivals; but there must be total compliance to the NCDC guidelines and precautionary measures all through the period. This will greatly help to promulgate the constitutional policy of, ‘Equal rights to all’ by the Federal Government.”
