Tribalism Has A Bad Smell

I have always thought that the Northerners are the major crop of Nigerians who just can't seem to stand the Igbos. I honestly thought we were tolerant of other tribes...at least to some extent.

But something happened that abruptly changed my mind.

My school is hosting a convention of all the Pharmacy schools in Nigeria and people from all parts of the nation were in attendance. Hausas. Yorubas. Efik. Middle belt. Etc. After a hectic event, people were very hungry and I decided to show them to a nearby eatery owned by a Calabar woman. The moment these guys (about 17) alighted their bus and walked into the eatery, every other costumer stood up and left. Some even left their food half eaten or untouched and there was a sickening smell of tension and fear in the air. I started to feel bad for bringing them there in the first place. I honestly felt for them....the hostile attitude just by virtue of their tribe.

I discussed the experience with friends and they all felt it was the normal response. One of them said something in the lines of...."did they expect us to be welcoming towards them after all they've done to our Igbo brothers in the North?" That statement seemed to legalize the event. I even saw reason with him.

And I just had to wonder. Where do we draw the line at 'brotherly' love? Do we love every member of a country we've seemingly found ourselves in? Do we love our Hausa brothers....but love them with a cautionary love? Do we hate them completely, retaliating their 'seeming' disgust for us with ours? Where do we draw the line?

Cos the concept of Nationalism and loyalty to one's tribe is getting pretty hazy. It is so obvious that the two do not go hand in hand.....one has to choose one over the other.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We All Are Role Models

Image
I, with the help of an amazing team, organized a laudable health mission at Nnobi. But the best part wasn't just taking care of people and attending to the medical and drug needs of a village. The best part was the pride and the motivation to be a better me. I really did feel like a light. I felt I was contributing. I know all of us Pharmacy Students felt the same way too. People walk up to you and tell you "My daughters are studying so they can be like you when they grow up". Trust me, those are the best words I've heard all year. I'm soooo glad I'm training to be a health professional and also that I'm being a source of inspiration to people, both known and unknown. It's a totally amazing feeling. Can't be replaced by anything in the world. This favourite quote of mine from my first year totally captures it all... In Marianne Williamson's words, Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyo...
Read more

MY DUAL NATIONALITY

I am enroute Lagos for what I choose to call a business trip. In the usual fashion of most buses, a suited man starts praying to God, committing the journey in his hands which is fine by me. Then, out of the blues, he begins to pray for Biafra....in his opinion, a country destined for world greatness and ordained by God. I looked at my friend, Dubem, with incredulity. Wow! Just wow! It was funny, ridiculous and saddening at the same time. And to think that most Igbos want a Biafra. A country that has no fixed ideology. A country born out of our inherent need for independence. A country that would be made up of one-third the people of Nigeria. It baffles me that they can't see ....or rather, they've refused to see...that, unless the core Nigerian issues are addressed, the Biafran state will not succeed. Though I don't blame those who want a Biafra, it is still a sad thought. To most people, Biafra is a symbol of hope. Something to anticipate and pray for in this almost de...
Read more