The problem of tribalism in nigeria what is tribalism and why is it such a huge issue in nigerian. April 19, 2017 by callie barbara mcginnis 1 comment. Actually, much of the material on nigeria has been inspired by the paradigms of the study of ethnicity in the social sciences generally. Were tired of these 5 common stereotypes about the yoruba people. Tribalism in nigeria and its causes professional guide. Nigeria is a country blessed with multiple languages, multiple culture and traditions,diverse way of reasoning.
Ethnicity as tribalism is often called, produces a constant. All countries have vast differences, but africa is one country i found to be exceptionally unique, and tribalism is one of the reasons for it. A move was made to relocate nnpc deport in maiduguri to another state. Tribalism root cause of crises in nigerian churches p. Effects of tribalism 1 the effects of tribalism in. Tribes supply a lot of nigerias diversity providing traditional costumes, dress, music, dancing, indigenous language, arts, folklore, religion, all of. However, tribalism has constantly threatened the road to nigerian unity.
At independence, and subsequent first republic, nigerians had expected that the political. Department of political science, federal university, dutsinma, katsina state. Tribe is also used for all sorts of smaller units of such larger nations. In nigeria, tribalism has become a force that is more ascendant than nuclear bombs. Tribalism is the state of being organized and advocating for a tribe. What is tribalism and why is it such a huge issue in nigerian. In my own understanding, tribalism flourishes in nigeria mainly because it is an effective tool that gives the user an edge in the eternal struggle by the elite and educated classes to gain government patronage i.
It has created many hardships and obstacles for africans, those in which they. Tribalism is the state of being organized by, or advocating for, tribes or tribal lifestyles. Think of the inhuman things we do in the name of tribal unity. It includes the manifestation of the socioeconomic virtues for progress and peace with other social groups. Tribe, a concept that has endeared itself to western scholars, journalists, and the public for a. Full text of tribalism in nigeria see other formats no.
The totality of tribalism was played out in the political and other terrains, politics was everything, everything was politics. Nigeria has been somewhat on a standstill and im sure im not the only one tired of this phrase. Tribalism meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. In a country as big as nigeria where so many tribes and cultures are found, tribalism becomes a threat. Tribal proclivity and its effects on the cooperate existence of nigeria. In politics, the supreme expression of tribalism consists of demanding the formation of socalled independent republics which in fact have tribal basis. Chuga, who stated this at a public lecture on saturday in lafia, urged christians, especially church leaders, to preach unity and work hard to rid the church of such divisive tendencies. Tribalism definition of tribalism by merriamwebster.
Tribalism are tribal differences really nigerias biggest. It is not in any way possible to address the issue of tribalism without trampling the ego of persons or insulting the dignity placed in certain quarters. Sadly, the foundation of nigerias party politics was triballyoriented as. The tribalistic views of the africa land had done more harm than good. Yes the problem of northern nigeria is rooted tribalism. The problem with which this study is concerned is the description of the past and present trends in the process of urbanization in nigeria. True tribalism in nigeria includes an insistence on the eradication of illiteracy, poverty, hunger and insecurity in ones tribe. Tribalism and sectionalism have been a menace to the flavor of issuebased politics in our country and have succeeded in enthroning the ideology of biased hype in search of political leaders. As in most developing countries, ideological issues in politics tend to take second place. Ngo moves to end tribalism, corruption in nigeria a nongovernmental organisation codenamed. The eminent african novelist and critic, here addresses ni.
The data used in the study are obtained from books, government documents of. Post graduate student,faculty of education, university of benin,benin city, edo state, nigeria. At the beginning of the end of nationalism lies the dreadful monster called tribalism. Tribalism has negatively influenced our political, economic, education and governance systems among others. This study assesses the relationship between tribalism the tribalism index and government effectiveness per the world bank in 60 countries using crosssectional data.
No matter how strongly the government and politicians want to evade the fact that the major cause of the chaos in nigeria is linked to tribalism,that is totally what it is. Nigeria is perhaps one of the most conspicuously tribalized societies in africa, he writes34, he points out the many. African tribalism an african tribe may be thought of as a kind of circle, the kind we mean when we speak of a circle of friends. The role of tribalism and nepotism in nigerian politics. It includes enlightenment for peaceful and productive living in ones tribe. Tribalism, ethnicity, bane of nigerias development. In addition, the study explores tribal practices and perspectives in nigerias urban areas, giving special attention to the bases for the continuous existence of these phenomena. Human evolution has primarily occurred in small groups, as opposed to mass societies, and humans naturally maintain a social network. Tribalism definition is tribal consciousness and loyalty. It is applied to nigerias igbo and other peoples who organized orderly societies composed of hundreds of local communities and highly developed trade networks without recourse to elaborate states. Elsewhere in africa, somewhat in between the above two. An african chief explains tribalism the new york times.
Nigeria party politic has been polluted by ethnic chauvinism. Tribalism as a foiled factor of africa nationbuilding eric. Tribalism is expressed in different forms, of which the following are the main ones. Tribalism is the bane of independent africa university of california. Managing tribalism within nigerias democratic challenges. Ethnicity had played manifesting roles in nigerian politics since the precolonial era and is arguably one of the important causes of conflict and an overall obstacle to economic development of the country. Just as the members of such a circle of friends feel much closer to each other than they do to people outside the circle, so do the members of the tribe feel far closer to each other than they could ever feel toward.
Sadly, the foundation of nigeria s party politics was triballyoriented as. Tribalism is pervasive, and it controls a lot of our behavior, readily overriding reason. Tribalism and politics in nigeria walter schwarz tribalism and politics are scarcely separable in nigeria. Ethnicity or tribalism in nigeria s political development. Tribalism in nigeria as the love and support for ones. Pastor reuben chuga, former president baptist theological seminary, kaduna has blamed tribalism for the incessant crises rocking the church in nigeria. Tomorrow is another day of voting and in as much as this period has been exhilarating. First,competence and credibility is not taken as a priority for choosing a federal head which is also the president but based on which. Department of sociology and african studies center. Tribalism and ethnicity in africa 307 african and asian states, which combines primordialist and historical political arguments has been particularly influential, however. All these are the reason, not much is ever said in this regards, but rather than leave in the torments of tribalism and ethnicity, we have a choice of opening up our wounds for treatment, to heal. Pdf this paper examines the literature relating to tribalism and considers its existence and its relevance to the marketing of sport.
In popular culture, tribalism may also refer to a way of thinking or behaving in which people are loyal to their social group above all else, or, derogatorily, a type of. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Ethnicity had played manifesting roles in nigerian politics since the precolonial era and is arguably one of. Urbanization and tribalism in nigeria, 19111963 unt. Lecturer, department of social science education,delta state university, abraka, nigeria umudjere, s. Politics of tribalism, sectionalism and the future of. Nigeria is also blessed with many wellmeaning citizens which made it the most populated country in africa. He left nigeria, shortly after, for his residency in america, and proceeded to prove how much he was still in. Pdf tribalism is coined from tribes, an alternative word for ethnic or linguistic groups or in some countries nation or nationality. To dr nnamdi azikiwe, one of nigerias original nationalists, every human being is a member of a particular tribe within which are customs and. How do we accept all of each others differences and live peacefully. The eminent african novelist and critic, here addresses nigerias problems, aiming to achebe has been called the father of modern african writing, and many. The word tribal is an adjective describing the noun tribe. Full text of tribalism in nigeria internet archive.
Borno was called by all sort of evil words by the majority like baghdadaza. Yet one wonders whether, in nigeria at any rate, it is the right word to use. Pdf managing tribalism within nigerias democratic challenges. Tribalism in nigeria and its causes will be discussed in this article as well as the many problems caused by tribalism in the country. Nigeria has dozens of tribal and linguistic groups most of them very small. According to irobi 2005, the most probable causes of ethnic or tribal divisions in countries like. Tribalism as a foiled factor of africa nationbuilding. Because of the size and potential influence this region has on the world as a whole. The tactic has been reluctantly used in nigeria, and more resolutely, with tragic consequences, in burundirwanda, all ending up in shameful social disasters.
It is an affront to the popular surmisal that tribalism is nigerias biggest problem. According to geertz, it was only in the context of economic and poli. Ethnicity or tribalism in nigerias political development. Where, as in nigeria, political leadersirrespective of their different tribal originsare anxious that the country should remain united, the battle against the excesses of tribalism has a. Tribalism in africa the complexity of ethnicity 4th semester spring 2009 hib 03. Tribalism in kenya is responsible for underdevelopment, corruption, the rigging of elections and violence.
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