Category: Culture
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“Be Kind, Not Nice”: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Call to a World Obsessed with Approval
In her 2022 Yale Law School commencement address, acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivered a bold challenge to a generation shaped by approval and politeness: “Please do not be nice. Be kind… because kindness is a measure of our humanity.” With clarity and conviction, she dismantles the myth that…
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From Ile-Ife to Benin: The Story of Two Bronze Legacies
For centuries, the kingdoms of Ife and Benin produced some of the most extraordinary bronze artworks the world has ever seen—masterpieces of power, ritual, and identity. While Benin Bronzes are now at the center of global repatriation efforts, the equally magnificent Ife Bronzes remain largely absent from the conversation. This…
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North Carolina Declares June 14 as Igbo Day: Honoring Heritage, Unity, and Legacy
On May 21, 2025, North Carolina made history as Governor Josh Stein officially proclaimed June 14 as “Igbo Day,” honoring the cultural heritage and civic contributions of the Igbo community. With over five decades of presence in the state, the Igbos have played a vital role in shaping North Carolina’s…
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Kano’s History: The Igbo Factor in Intergroup Relations and Commerce
The rich and complex history of intergroup relations in Nigeria is filled with stories of resilience, cooperation, and occasional tension. One such tale is the Igbo community’s relationship with Kano, a city that has long been a melting pot of cultures and commerce. Professor Ahmed Bako’s inaugural lecture, titled “The…
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Beyond the Binary: Soyinka’s Nobel and Achebe’s Legacy
In the story of African literature, Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe are often spoken of together—two giants who reshaped global perceptions of the continent through their words. Yet, the narrative that pits Soyinka’s Nobel Prize against Achebe’s absence from it misses the point entirely. This piece unpacks why such comparisons…
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Yoruba Resilience: Story of Cultural Continuity in Americas
Millions of Yoruba people were enslaved and transported to the Americas from Nigeria and West Africa. Despite harsh treatment, they maintained their language, religion, and customs. They merged Yoruba religion with Catholicism, preserving their culture and subtly resisting slavery. Their story inspires the importance of community support, religious faith, cultural…
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Origins of Christmas
Christmas embodies a captivating blend of pagan and Christian customs, culminating in a holiday that fuses the celebration of Jesus’ birth with ancient solstice rituals. From Roman Saturnalia to the intentional selection of December 25th, the holiday has evolved over centuries, embracing both religious reverence and universal traditions, uniting diverse…
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Lobola: Tradition, Challenges, and Solutions in South Africa
Lobola, also known as bride price or bridewealth, is a time-honored cultural practice in South Africa and various other parts of Africa. This tradition involves the groom’s family paying a dowry to the bride’s family as a symbolic gesture of respect and recognition of the value of their daughter. Beyond…
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Enigma of Oduduwa’s Origins: Historical Puzzle
The question of Oduduwa’s origins has long intrigued scholars and enthusiasts of African history and mythology. Oduduwa holds a prominent place in Yoruba mythology as the founder of the Yoruba people and the Ife Empire, situated in present-day Nigeria. However, a complex web of traditions and claims surrounds the possibility…
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Ooni of Ife’s Claim: Debate Over Igbo People’s Origins
The Ooni of Ife, a prominent traditional ruler of the Yoruba people, has recently made a claim that has sparked a lively debate among scholars and communities in Nigeria. His assertion is that the Igbo people, one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups, migrated from Ile-Ife, a city considered the cradle…
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