I hail from Nnokwa community in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State, and I agree with culture being defined as "a people's way of life". Thus, I love my people's way of life, and I love to identify with my people.
Having agreed with culture being defined as a people's way of life, I am a bit skeptical about limiting people to ethnicity, race, and origin. And so, it is also of great importance that we pay attention to the fact that culture can grow to know no bounds. Thus, people who are never part of a culture could be influenced into imbibing one. As a result, there could be national and even global cultures.
A typical European may not understand the different cultures that there are in Nigeria, yet he might be able to see Nigeria in a Nigerian through his or her practices. Of course, just like there are cultures peculiar to a particular ethnicity, there are cultures that have grown to become national and even global. Yet, there are cultures that are peculiar to just a family, group of friends, or an organisation. In all, none should be left out; they are all cultures.
Enough about how tricky culture can be; let me tell you a little about my people and their culture. The Igbo community is quite vast, and that has really affected its culture, so much so that what is attainable in some parts of the Igbo community is sometimes not in others. That notwithstanding, we have practices that are carried out amongst even the Niger Delta Igbos who sometimes refuse to identify with Easterners. These practices are what I consider "the universal Igbo traditions".
The entire Igbo community, regardless, believes in one supreme God called either Chukwu, Chiokike, or Olisa. That notwithstanding, the belief and worship of spirits and ancestors is yet allowed and prominent among all Igbo communities. The importance of Kola nut, wrestling, and new yam festival cannot be overemphasised in all of the Igbo community. Every Igbo community might have its distinct way of carrying out its marriage rites, but the Ịgba Nkwụ (the act of searching for the groom by the bride with a cup of palm wine) and "Ime Ego" (bride price) ceremony is peculiar amongst all.
Now, let me go back home a bit. Particularly in my place, we do not kill pythons. Though it is a culture that is gradually being abolished by development, that is who my people are. Eke, as the python is called, is a messenger of the River Goddess also known as Eke, and you dare not kill it. If you do, you will have to traditionally organise a funeral for it, as you would for humans. But then, the coming of strangers who consider these creatures food instead of a deity into many parts of Idemili has forced them into extinction. I guess it was just an ordinary animal after all.
Beyond these traditional practices, the Anambra people are known for their good foods. Ukwa, Ofe Onugbo, Ofe Ọha, Akidi, and so many others. Come what may, I am proudly Igbo, I am proudly an Anambra, and I am proudly a child of Nnokwa. God bless the Igbo people of Nigeria.
In all, I do not accept a definition of culture that seems myopic. No matter how large or small a people is, there is always a culture, and it is not about what is being practised but about the people. Again, a people should never be limited by any factor; even the entire global population could be considered one in a culture that all have come to imbibe. I am @ernesto6402, and this is my simple opinion.
