Traditions no longer promote unity, pride and cultural identity
By Angela Aminone
“Should our traditions be nullified because they no longer promote cultural unity?”
Traditional practices are passed down from one generation to another to preserve cultural identity, pride, cultural awareness, and social cohesion within communities. Regrettably, however, some traditions have become opportunities for individuals to pursue selfish desires and harm fellow members of society. This is a far cry from the true spirit of tradition, which is meant to foster unity.
During the Abraka Festival in Delta State’s Ethiope East Local Government Area, four people were allegedly killed with cutlasses while several others sustained severe injuries. Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Similar violent incidents have occurred during festivals in the area over the past few years. In many communities, it has become almost predictable that someone will either die or sustain life-threatening injuries during these annual celebrations.
A particularly disturbing incident occurred during the Ozoro festival in Delta State in March 2026, where a young girl was reportedly chased, stripped naked, and sexually assaulted simply for stepping outside during the festival period.
In my opinion, certain harmful practices embedded in some traditions must be cancelled or reformed — especially those that do not promote cultural unity or social cohesion. Practices such as the use of cutlasses to attack people and the molestation of women under the guise of tradition have no place in modern society.
These acts promote conflict within communities. The use of dangerous weapons during festivals gives cultists and other criminal elements the perfect opportunity to settle scores and attack rivals. As a result, not only are innocent people killed, but many more are seriously injured — all in the name of culture and tradition.
Furthermore, these festivals have increasingly become avenues for the harassment and disrespect of women. During the Ozoro festival, several women and female students were reportedly attacked in public, with their clothes torn and many sexually molested. This generation is gradually injecting violence and lawlessness into traditional practices.
These violent traditions also endanger strangers and non-indigenes, including students and workers from other communities who may not be aware of the festival restrictions or rules.
Most troubling is that many young people no longer understand the original purpose of these festivals. Instead of celebration and cultural pride, they have turned them into feasts of blood, violence, and conflict.
A festival is supposed to be a time when members of a community come together to celebrate their shared heritage and traditions. Any tradition that no longer benefits the people or promotes unity should be abolished or reformed. For example, the barbaric tradition of killing twins in Calabar was successfully abolished through the efforts of Mary Slessor because it destroyed the lives of innocent children who were the future of the society.
In my opinion, it is high time we stopped introducing sharp objects and violence into our cultural practices. This can only be achieved through proper education of the youth about the true meaning of culture and tradition, that they exist to promote cultural unity, identity, pride, and awareness, not violence and destruction.
Aminone is a 200-level Journalism student at the University of Delta, Agbor (Abraka Campus). She can be reached via aminoneangela@gmail.com
