Politics,Violence and Culture:The Ebira Tao Nigeria Experience

Joshua, Segun and Oni, Samuel O. (2010) Politics,Violence and Culture:The Ebira Tao Nigeria Experience. Professor Bassey Andah Journal of Cultural Studies, 3. pp. 71-94. ISSN 2141-8020

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Abstract

Over the years Ekuechi (masquerade) Festival of the Ebira people of Nigeria has drawn undue attention because of violence that often characterized its celebration. This paper examines politics, violence and culture using Ebira Tao as a focus of study. The paper finds that politicians in the course of contesting for political offices often manipulate clannish sentiment and masquerade festival (one aspect of Ebira culture) for their political advantage which often results in violence. This is often exacerbated because the idea of obtaining permit with a guarantor before a masquerade can perform has been discarded. The paper argues that government's threat or imposition of outright ban on the festival as a means of curbing cultural violence is superficial and concludes therefore that there is need to cut down on privileges concomitant with political offices which often made competition for such offices violent-ridden as well as addressing youth unemployment

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Politics, Violence, Culture, Masquerade Festival, Ebiraland
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Mr Solomon Bayoko
Date Deposited:	28 Apr 2014 13:43
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2014 13:43
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/2466

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