₦airaland Forum

1. The Creole of Sierra Leone

After the abolishing of the slave trade Sierra Leone colony was made by the British to resettle former slaves. These slaves live in Freetown and were beneficiaries of British favour.

Although the slave trade has been abolished, some people were still involved in the slave trade. To put a final stop to the slave trade the British sent warships to capture slave ships. When the slaves are captured it was hard to send them back to their place of origin. Instead, they were sent to join the settlers at Sierra Leone. This new set of slaves were called recaptives.

The settlers not wanting to assimilate the recaptives into their rank segregated them and made them live outside Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. But as time went by the recaptives’ children assimilated into the Freetown community and were called Creoles.

The Creoles themselves are not from a particular ethnic group but a conglomerate of various culture.

The reason they made this list and this high is that they brought civilisation to Anglophone West Africa. Samuel AjayiCrowther, a Creole, translated the bible into Yoruba – taught in Fourah Bay College; was first African bishop.

All educated West Africans indirectly were taught by the Creole. The first indigenous African newspaper was established by the Creole. They even went as far as Congo for missionary and educational work.

As at the early and mid-19th century Freetown was West Africa’s richest city and it exported its Creole masterpiece all over West Africa as traders, educationist, activists and other people of importance.

Had the British tried to spread education themselves across West Africa, it would have taken longer and the emancipation of West Africa would have taken longer.

2. The Yoruba

The Yoruba stands on a class of its own. Right from time they have built large urban areas like Owu, Ife, and Oyo et al. Oyo was the biggest and the centre of a large empire that protected Yoruba land and added other vassal states that paid tribute to the empire.

This urban areas is unparalled in West Africa. Not even Timbuktu was as large as Oyo. Oyo was about 127 square kilometres. It contains a population of about a hundred thousand. It was organised in a way that however large it was, certain family lineage were in charge of various unit to order it.

In crafts, Oyo spinned cotton to make high quality clothes. This quality was exported to Ibadan that at a time Ibadan cotton was superior to that of Manchester.

In warfare, Oyo was able to conquer all the kingdom around them save for the Hausa states. Their cavalry was unconquered.

Aside Oyo, other Yoruba states like Egba, Ijebu also were important.

After the fall of Oyo Ibadan was birthed by former warlords and instead of the lineage and age-grade system that existed prior to that time the Ibadan generals reward people based on their contribution to its (Ibadan) republic.

3. The Benin People

The Benin kingdom stands tall among the kingdoms of West Africa in not just its vast size but its splendour. At the height of its power, it had Lagos as a colony. It even have the kingdom of Idah in present day Kogi state as vassal state, parts of Nupe were also included. It also conquered as far as the river Niger.

When a Dutch explorer entered the Benin Palace for the first time he had this to say:
The king's palace or court is a square, and is as large as the town of Haarlem and entirely surrounded by a special wall, like that which encircles the town. It is divided into many magnificent palaces, houses, and apartments of the courtiers, and comprises beautiful and long square galleries, about as large as the Exchange at Amsterdam, but one larger than another, resting on wooden pillars, from top to bottom covered with cast copper, on which are engraved the pictures of their war exploits and battles...

The City, which was the centre of the kingdom was perhaps West Africa's most planned city. It has roads running in different direction for about ten kilometres.
The city also have a massive walls around it to protect it from invaders.
As at the 16th century it has street lamps around it.
It also had artists who made magnificient artworks in bronze. When the British invaded in 1897 they looted many artworks from the palace.

4. Asante

At the height of their powers, Asante covered the whole of present day Ghana only the Fanti of the coast were excluded.

Asante which at a time was just Kumasi rose to become an empire that covers Ghana. In contrast to other forest people that were unable to extend their kingdom through the thick forest the Asante did it. What the Mamluk of Egypt couldn’t do in Nubia. Even the great Oyo was in the shrubby part of Nigeria.

Asante had a nationalistic attitude which is symbolised by their golden stool. It was with this attitude that they were able to stand up to British imperialism. It might be argued that Asante also have imperialistic agenda but the truth remains that they did not meddle into the affairs of conquered territory. They only sent a representative that would report to Kumasi in a while.

Already blessed with a fertile land, they made use of it by cultivating cash crops that yielded great proceeds for them. With gold in abundance, they made sure they control the coastal port so they could get a good deal from their efforts.

5. The Hausas

The Hausas are not really an ethnic group but a people who are connected by their trade activities and overtime assimilated their culture together. The introduction of Islam helped to cement this friendship. While other ethnic group claims a common origin, for the Hausas it is not so. Their origin remains unknown. This piece do not seek to unravel their origin.

The Hausa states were incredible in their organization and growth. Kano for instance, became known for its large market, its magnificent walls made of wooden beams and clay. It was also a centre of Islamic learning that it was known all over the Islamic world.

Gobir, present day Sokoto was rich for its riches in cattle and cattle products. They made great sandals that they export to Timbuktu in present day Mali. This was corroborated by the great traveller Leo Africanus.

Their many achievements also include building great governments. Although they never tried to build a Hausa empire or kingdom, their respect for one another made them live peacefully for a long time. Among their leaders were Muhammad Rumfa who ruled Kano in the 15th century and Queen Amina of Zaria who maintained peace and built Zaria’s first city wall.

6. Songhai of Mali

The Songhai of Mali was a large empire and trading state that span about 1.4 million square kilometres. The empire was one of Africa largest and controlled the gold trade of West Africa.
The government was one of the most centralized in West Africa, with five provinces. Each provinces had leader with their own court.
At the time of its peak it was almost at par with Europe. However, this glorious empire faded away due to internal strife and external attack.
They also had great architecture, maximixing space optimally.
Their art form influenced the various people about them.
Their shortcoming is that they couldn't do for Timbutku what the Mamluks did for Cairo.

7. Dahomey of Benin

Despite living in an environment that offered them little economic value, Dahomey were able to forge a kingdom of their own out of their poverty. Breaking the yoke of a vassal state to Oyo off their shoulder, they first started out by uniting the Aja group of states to form the kingdom of Dahomey. It took about a hundred years before they declared independence from Oyo. However, it was worth it.

Dahomey had one of the most efficient woman warriors of all time. That at the time they attacked Abeokuta in 1851 it was the female corps that organised the attack.

Their nationalist sentiment was close to the one that was ignited in Europe at about that time. Foreigners could become citizens in a ceremony presided over by the king. Everyone regardless of who they are whether slave-born or aristocrat had a role to play in the nation’s progress.

Their skilful leaders also ensured that, at a point when the slave trade has been abolished and their economy largely depended on the slave trade, they were able to steer the country into a palm-oil based economy.

8. Kru of Liberia

The Kru people, like the Igbos also run a segmentary mode of government. At a time when the great seafarers of Europe could brave into the open sea and skilfully master the waves. They were matched by the Kru who equally could sail even though they didn't built ships that could master the wave.

Their economy was relatively good that at the height of the slave trade, they weren’t involved in the sale of human being. With pride they lived with other culture. This pride made them reject the forceful adoption of Americo-Liberian parentage for their children. Their argument - they can't allow their children become children of former slaves. They even had a mark they called mark of freedom.

They were so industrious that at the late 19th century they outnumbered the American settlers in all professional field. Not even when the settlers discriminated against them by shoving them into technical training, did they still fade.

9. The Igbo people


The Igbo people whose home lies in the south-eastern part of Nigeria are a unique people whose mode of existence is awe-inspiring.
There are two distinct type of Igbos – the ones around Onitsha-Awka area who prefer a monarchy system of government. Kingdoms like Benin and Idah influenced them.
The others prefer a segmentary style of government. In which communities also called clans governed themselves without the need of a central power.

Among their achievements is the ability to keep peace among themselves. Although worth mentioning is that there were few inter-clan clash but this was insignificant compared to the tranquillity that existed among them. With this peace they were able to create arts, make sculptures and pottery, organise magnificent festivals.

10. The Touaregs

The Touaregs are a warring tribe who lived in the Sahara Desert. For the most of their existence, they have lived by raiding trading Caravans. These Caravans travelled the Sahara desert for trade between Northern and West Africa. As time went by, the Touaregs would not allow any trading party to pass until they levy them. This was neccesary for a smooth passage through the desert.

It is debatable whether the Touaregs were right in their dealings with the other groups. Be it the merchants, who came from North Africa or the West African traders, who went northward. But one thing that is clear is that had the Touaregs not given protection to the trading parties. Many of the trading parties would have lost in the vast desert.

Since the desert is home to the Touaregs, everything about the desert seems familiar to them. Without them protecting the merchant. Trade would have been difficult without which many great cities like Kano, Timbuktu would not have grown. And the wealth that came from the Sahara trade would not have happened.

West Africa have always been a part of main Africa it seems. But the truth is for the major period of when people lived in West Africa, it has been alienated from main Africa. For a brief period, during the early Iron Age. The area between the Nile River to the Senegal River up to Morocco, the whole area was green. This allowed everyone – around the Nile valley to the AtlanticOcean – to mix together.

Then, West Africa began to cut away from Main Africa. It all started when old Sahara starts to dry up. Climatic change affected the once green area. Its rivers dried up, oases came. Its trees gave way, shrubs taking their place. Its wet sand became stony dry. The fast horse that blazes through the forest in days became useless. The slow moving camel became the lord of the Sahara. That was how West Africa lost contact with the rest of Africa.

With this sudden change, some people northward to become the Berbers. Others eastwards around the Nile valley to become the Nubians and the Ethiopians. Others braved it and went southward instead and became the people of West Africa.

Throughout the ages, these people (West Africans) have developed systems of government. Economies that cater to their needs at any particular time in history. Here are ten groups of people whose dealings made them exceptional among those in West Africa.

© https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/45/5045-004-8B128079.jpg

historyworld030:
And you know the ijaws lived there for centuries because... you were there to witness it happen ?
Enogh with the stories, let us have a fact-based
All precolonial maps and notes show the region as being part of the Benin Kingdom.
You are part of the problem which you are comlpaining about.
I have just noticed that you use the word Benin without knowing its meaning.
Don't confuse Benin City with Benin Kingdom.
The Benin Kingdom has a capital which was named, Benin City.
The Benin Kingdom was a country contrary to what you seem to think.
And its King is Omo n'Oba n'Edo.
It is funny how you exibit the worse version of what you accuse other nigerians, you are far from being self aware.
I guess precolonial maps and notes are now "tales from story tellers".
What you don't understand is that Gelegele is not a land with no owner, it is part of the Benin Kingdom of which the king is the Oba of Benin: Omo n'Oba n'Edo. I just hope the british museum and all european libraries hosting these historical documents know that they are "Benin story tellers"

Is there still a Benin Kngdom?
Benin Kingdom used to have most people of Delta, Edo, Kogi States pay tribute to it. Do they still do now?
Benin Kingdom ended with the British invasion of 1897 and that is what sadly you need to know.

The Benin Kingdom was a country contrary to what you seem to think.

LMAO your verb says it all.
Mind you the Turkish empire used to extend to present day Algeria. Why didn't they claim it as their own because their empire once reached there.

The problem with Nigerians especially the educated ones is that history seems to be a non-existent event.
First, that folklore is a made up one. No Benin man believes that shit. Benin likely migrated from the Noks, many of their art and metal works show that.
Then the other issue here, which is whether Ijaw residence have the right to constitute a ruler over their domain.
Legitimately, there is nothing wrong with that. Gele-Gele might not be Benin land. Because at the height of its power Benin Kingdom extend to present day Togo. Gele-Gele, The region around Edo, Delta and Kogi States were vassal states to Benin with many of them claiming origin from Benin.
Whether the Ijaws in Gele-Gele migrated to the region or they are aborigines. Living there for centuries have made them owners of the land. Note that it is this same issue that is the bone of contention between Israel and Palestine, the former argues that they lived in the land before the Arabs and the Turks expelled them from the land.
Besides, where would people who have lived in an area for centuries mass-evacuate to?
Is it that they should not have a leader over themselves because of a traditional folk tale that is centuries old? Bleep that! Benin should also tell Lagos not to have an Oba because Lagos was once a colony.
After all this we should know that except Benin becomes a country, all lands belongs to Nigeria. Lands that have no direct ownership except on the mouths of folk tale tellers, should not be an avenue for a bigger group to lord over a smaller one.

But anyone can be raped na. It doesn't matter if the person is a student or pastor. If they fall into the wrong hand, their own done finish!!!

Nonsensical flipancy.
Imagine the stuffs that grace front page these days.
I distanced myself from this whole ish but coming on Nairaland daily to keep seeing this thrash pisses me off.
When are we gonna get matured and conduct ourselves properly devoid of childish behavior?
Not only Davido and Wizkid ish. But, those other stuffs like namechecking, tribal bickers and other stupidity.
The sooner we realised that Nairaland is a culture and starts respecting her, then we'll know that we can use it to effect change.
Still not convinced? Google "How India saved it's internet"
My five Naira.

When I wanted to learn web development, Nairaland was a great help for me, especially the pinned post which helped me to grab html.
As someone who's open-source at heart, teaching others freely is what I'm good at.
After being inundated with requests on web designing, I decide to run a bootcamp on web designing to take place on WhatsApp.
The bootcamp is 100% free.
I would have wrapped up the space for it until I remember just some minutes ago that it will be great disservice if I didn't include my Nairaland peeps. Na here me take know small tin na.
It's a structured one, meant to carry every one along but with rigour that I'll not advise lazy peeps to join.
You only need a computer and a learning mind.
Register here ==> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHUk8eE7ayRgCRxWIVR2FpSc-crTtG4Kx80cDFhYaQEHnltA/viewform
Please I won't tolerate misbehaviour. You'd get a block if you do.
Registration closes by 3pm today.

This evening another showdown would take place in Cardiff, Wales. This showdown would separate the men (women) from the boys (girls) as Real Madrid would tackle Juventus at 7:45.


Below's an infographics that details previous finals.

cc: explorers
omooba77
Sanchez01

Baddchristy:
How about registering them for taekwando classes as so as they clock 2years

I was opportuned to witness a little girl flinging and pinning down her friend who was pulling her skirt

She was like stop pulling my skirt, I will tell my daddy for you and before I could blink my eyes I just saw her using the little wimp to mop the floor

This comment did break me, I'm weak. But, you know pedophilia is carried out by adult, so a child strength would be limited.

StevensJojo:
Thanks for this.This phenomenon is more common than we care to talk about. A lot of women keep quiet and even shield the abusers because of "shame!

You are right.

StevensJojo:
Thanks for this.This phenomenon is more common than we care to talk about. A lot of women keep quiet and even shield the abusers because of "shame!

You are right.

ijustdey:
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/232367-exclusive-real-reasons-sacked-lagos-chaplain-femi-taiwo-was-fired.html

Sometimes, Nigeria media would report Poo. Thought the Chaplin visited on February 27th when he threatened the first lady? What other incident happened on the 14th?
Nonsense and Buhari!

PS- Thanks ReubenE for pointing it out.

chukxie:
Thanks for sharing this very educative piece.

Oh! Thanks. You can share it.

When Sani Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara state in Nigeria suggested Nigeria adopt thirteen years as the legal age for marriage, we all know that we are in for trouble. Earlier in 2003, Yerima had married an underage Egyptian, which ignite a lot of outrage. Yerima is not alone in this atrocity; there are millions of men and women, who are in the business of sexually exploiting underage children.
The former deputy Children’s commissioner in the UK, Sue Berelowitz remarked in 2015 that the number of offenders who abuse children sexually is on the high side such that if they are to be jailed would overcrowd UK prison with others yet to get a room in prison. For regions like Africa, which have unreliable statistics, an estimate would be hard to draw.
Now in the wake of these pedophiles prowling around looking for children, what can you do to ensure that your child is safe from these vampires?


Encourage your child to speak up

Few become known due to the child suffering a health challenge that is later linked to sexual activity.
Instead of waiting for an opportunity to tell your child about pedos, make sure to tell them now. Tell them to shout whenever that uncle tell them to pull of their pant, or the aunty who wants them to lick her private part deserves a yell.
Tell them to shout out no matter who it is. Most paedophilia cases are done by a close person.
Tell them the uses of the sexual organs. Do not beat around the bush, say it in a way that they would understand and do it with patience and confidence. When you allow others to teach your children about sex, you, the parent would suffer the consequences.

Avoid Bribing them

When you sense an uncomfortable association between your child and an older person, the worst thing to do is to promise your child something in return for telling you what’s going on. Maybe it’s biscuit that you promise the child or anything children like. It might seems efficient only when nothing is going on but if that’s not the case, it might interest you to know that the predator is giving that child more cookie in a day than you’d ever promise the child in a week.
Try to talk to the child in a way that he/she would understand, don’t be harsh but make sure that you aren’t bribing the child.

Shield no one

As the world’s madness increases, there is also a rise of ‘pedo-incest’. This happens when a relative starts to abuse the child sexually instead of protecting him. Many of such cases happens with the stepparent of the child. Some rare cases involves a closer relative.
When you notice something fishy about your child and a relative, on your own, take the child to a health facility and do all necessary test. If your fear is unfounded, fine. But, if it is justified, ask your child to tell you the truth. Then, you confront the person, tell him/her that you’re reporting the issue to a security agency and off you go.
If anyone want to intimidate you after you report, cry out. If you want to be daring like my friend James Shamsi, who ran a Facebook ad to expose someone who scammed him, you can also run a Facebook ad and for less than $10 you can get justice.

Avoid Lecherous jokes

A while ago, I visited a coastal village in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria. While there at a house that doubles as a beer parlour, I noticed a girl of about 13. She was speaking with an elderly woman at the far western section of the house. One man who was playing draught asked the woman whether the girl was a child of a woman. She answered in the affirmative. Then, the man made a remark of how children do grow fast in this age.
In what was surprising to me, the woman grabbed the breast of the girl and said, “Can’t you see how big her breast is now?”, and the men all laughed.
Jokes like these might seem harmless but it does carry weight with a lot of Implication like the “Why did the woman cross the road” joke. In 2013, Thomae and co carried out a study that was published in the Journal of Social, Evolutionary and Cultural Psychology. In the study, it was shown that men who are exposed to sexist jokes seem to condone sexual abuse.

Avoid sexualizing your children

With every passing day, the world is becoming more liberal about what we wear. Clothes that are once regarded as too revealing are now going out of vogue as too conservative. It is not uncommon to see guys wearing clothes that show their penile map. For ladies, most can’t feel comfortable in clothes that don’t show their cleavage.
Nevertheless, as it would be, most designers are now making similar designs for children, clothes that reveal their shapes and their sexual organs.
This is not a defense for pedophiles, because pedophiles have been shown to suffer from mental disorders as reported by Biology Letters that a pedophile brain is wired to see immature children attractive. Sexualizing them would complicate things. Thus, it’s like saying that you’re leaving your house lock open in a thief-laden area. While, you’d disparage the thief, there’s no point standing in harm’s way.
Wear your children clothes that fit but not one that looks like a painting on their body. They can decide to wear revealing clothes when they reach an age where they are legally responsible for their action.
You wouldn’t be with your child at all time, ensure that you take basic steps to protect them as your first responsivility as a parent is to keep your child safe.

Honest Abisi Liohan

ericmor:
PSG were just too poor and gave barca and the ref the chance to do all that. Same happened when we played them and Chelsea were giving red card and they scored a goal and also got a penalty before half time which messi missed. Ramirez scored a goal by tipping the ball above the goal keeper head before the half time whistle. With all their ojoro, Chelsea moved to the next round all because they didn't give up even after the red card and knowing that barca is been favoured by the ref. But the psg case was different bcs they were weak n didn't take their chances. Barca really deserve what they got bcs psg were not playing like a team we really want to see in the next round

Did you really say this?

mikejegede:
barca..lols...they always work with their gloves on,cuz their job no clean..i no like them at all..they can never impress me after they use ojoro comot my team from champions league that year..PLUS HAVE U NOTICED THEIR GAMES AGAINST BIG TEAMS,THEY ALWAYS GET TO PLAY AWAY FIRST.THEN THEY GO TO THEIR CAMP NOU TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST.

Your Olodority no be here. Who top group always dey play first knockout for away.

[s]

mrkayusfit:
All i know is fulani's are peaceful people. Those atrocities are caused by cattle rustlers, not fulani herdsmen. The fulanis have the right to live and work any where in the country like every Nigerian. Stigmatizing them will make no difference. We have kidnappers in the east, armed robbers every where and militants in the SS but people tend to demonize fulanis just because they rear cattles for our consumption. We need to support the grazing bill so we can create lands for them in every local government all over Nigeria. We should also apologize to the fulani tribe for unnecessary insults we hurl at them [/size]

[s]

mrkayusfit:
All i know is fulani's are peaceful people. Those atrocities are caused by cattle rustlers, not fulani herdsmen. The fulanis have the right to live and work any where in the country like every Nigerian. Stigmatizing them will make no difference. We have kidnappers in the east, armed robbers every where and militants in the SS but people tend to demonize fulanis just because they rear cattles for our consumption. We need to support the grazing bill so we can create lands for them in every local government all over Nigeria. We should also apologize to the fulani tribe for unnecessary insults we hurl at them

[/s]

mrkayusfit:
[size=11pt]All i know is fulani's are peaceful people. Those atrocities are caused by cattle rustlers, not fulani herdsmen. The fulanis have the right to live and work any where in the country like every Nigerian. Stigmatizing them will make no difference. We have kidnappers in the east, armed robbers every where and militants in the SS but people tend to demonize fulanis just because they rear cattles for our consumption. We need to support the grazing bill so we can create lands for them in every local government all over Nigeria. We should also apologize to the fulani tribe for unnecessary insults we hurl at them

[/s]
I don't get what you are saying. They are Nigerians and deserve grazing communities? What stops them from mingling with other ethnic groups? Except you don't travel, all Fulanis stay in their own separate communities. IMO, I think if the grazing settlement is open to all Nigerians- fine, but to only Fulanis- they can go back to their own states and create such since they don't have anything to do with us.

TonyeBarcanista:
Victory to Iyamu

Tonye, did you see my message on facebook?