₦airaland Forum

Aroko of beads

The use of glass beads among the Yoruba as object of adornment, social stratification and priestly class is of antiquity. The wife of Oduduwa in Ile Ife named Olokun was the patron of bead producers and users in Yorubaland. The palace adopted the production and controlled the use of beads. Hence, traditional glass beads Iyun and Segi in tubular and round forms are used by members of the palace society. Traditions collected in Ile-Ife indicate that abami eyan 1 ‘o wo ileke- it is an unusual person that put on beads of the palace type. The oba, princes, princesses, wives of the oba and ritual and cult leaders wear traditional beads. Each class of people can easily be identified by the type of beads they put on. The number of pin holes dotted on some of the beads could indicate the level one is in some cults.


Aroko of Death

In communicating the death of an individual to important or distant relations the shoe or sandals of the deceased might be sent. In the traditional Oyo empire the name of the messenger sent by the Alaafin to a particular vicinity might indicate the intention of the Oba without verbal expression. Oral traditions indicate that when the messenger named Oba Kosetan is sent to visitors or a group awaiting him, the appearance of Oba Kosetan is an indication that the king is not ready to answer them. In a judicial situation, the Oba could send his verdict either by sending Obaforiji or Obagbori. It Obajoriji was sent, it means the Oba has forgiven the offender and the council should allow him to go.


The Use of Cowrie Shells

Cowrie shells were widely used in the traditional Yoruba Aroko system of communication. Cowrie shells were introduced to Yorubaland by the Portuguese. They were later adopted and widely used as currency, object of rituals and adornment. The value attached to them made them to become instruments of divination and communication. Where two cowries shells are tied together facing one another in any matter and sent to the other party it means — we are in agreement, ‘I agree with you’, ‘we are in accord,’ ‘concord’. But where the two cowrie shells are tied opposing one another, it means disagreement’, discord’.


The bark of a tree

The bark of a tree popularly known as Igi Ose among the Yoruba could be sent to inform the husband of a wife who has just delivered and lost the baby. Ose tree grows bigger rather than dies when the bark is removed, unlike other trees. The information here is that, all is not lost, it is only the baby that was lost and the mother is still alive to give birth to many children in future.


Aroko of Inter-State relations

Benin-Lagos relations in the first half of the I9th century during the reign of Oba Idewu Ojularl as J.B. Lost (1914) pointed out, exemplified the use of Aroko. The Oba of Benin was then the presiding authority over Lagos. The crowning and deposition of any Oba of Lagos had to be finally permitted by the Oba of Benin. When Lagos kingmakers and elders decided to depose Idewu Ojulari on account of being a weak ruler, and his inability to give birth to a male child to succeed him, this intention was communicated to the Oba of Benin and he sent two symbolic objects - Aroko - to the Oba of Lagos to choose one. One was a sword and the other was the preserved head of his predecessor. When Oba ldewu received this Aroko, he understood that the sword signified that he should be prepare for war, while the head of his predecessor signified he should commit suicide and join his ancestors.


Idewu Ojulari, after much deliberation with his family and loyalists, was advised to choose the sword and prepare for war. He rejected this idea on the account of the undisputable power of the Oba of Benin who had supported the kingmakers also on the account of the poor numerical and military strength of his loyalists. To him, pitching tent against the overlordship of Benin was a mass suicide attempt which would not spare any of his household. He was then given the second option, which was for him to flee the land and go into exile. The Oba equally rejected this. First, as an act of cowardice; second, his detractors would still be on his trail since two Obas in the same time must not exist simultaneously. Third, in his new home he would not be accorded any royal respect and privileges, he would live like a fugitive without freedom and peace or mind. He therefore decided to choose to join his ancestors. This he did by committing suicide.

One other way in interstate relations is that if two communities are in disagreement over an issue and it is not clear whether they want war or amicable settlement, one party may decide to send gun or gunpowder which is known to be a sign of war and salt or honey known to be sign of peace to the other party to choose one.


Samuel Johnson (1921 pg l31) expressed that in a war situation if a village or town was conquered by Oyo soldiers, all the surrounding trees near the palace of the Baale or traditional ruler would be cut down as a sign of conquest. Any visitor to the environment will easily know that the community is under colonial rule.


Beating of the Drum

This is a special form of Aroko. Opadotun (1986) observed that there are two major ways by which the drum could be used in nonverbal communication. One way is through the beating of the talking drum. This is done to communicate with those who are educated in drum beat language. It should be used to remind the listener(s) of an important issue, history, or step to take. Often, it is used to inspire or motivate in cases of competition or war.


K’o lu, digbo lu

O le se bi baba re ti nse

T’o ba buru tan iwo nikan ni o ku



Hit him, wrestle with him

You cannot act like your lather

When the situation becomes bad

You are on your own


Drum beat could also be used to wake up the traditional ruler, or to inform members or the palace that a stranger has entered the palace yard.


Gbe ra nile, o dide

Enikan ki i fi ise igbonse ran omo eni


Rise up

No one sends a child on an errand that could be done by himself


Drum beat could also be used to greet or welcome a stranger


K’a bo se dada l’ode


Welcome, hope you arrived safely


Modern Aroko

The assumption that Aroko is peculiar to the Yoruba is an idea rather than historical reality. Other African groups have their forms of non verbal communication devices which evolved within their region. The knowledge, use and interpretation of Aroko, though with different names among different groups is a factor of initiation, education and acculturation. Forms and nature of Aroko are not completely fixed, while some traditional Aroko forms are gradually dying as a result of disuse or modernity, others are retained by members of the traditional society.


The complexity of the modern society and the ongoing globalization process has introduced another dimension to the concept of Aroko even among the Yoruba. For instance, state plate number, logo, national symbols and identities etc. are modem forms of Aroko. When these signs and symbols are put on, they pass on information to the viewers or receivers. The various cult members in our tertiary institutions such as Daughters of Jezebel, Black Brazier, Pick Girls, Purple Girls, Eye (Eagle), Buccaneers, Ake (Axe), and Alora among others have their Aroko media of communication. What they put on regularly on special occasions could be decoded by their members as well as those who have studied them.




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The Significance of Aroko

Every medium of communication is in some ways significant. The significance of Aroko goes beyond its role as a medium of expression, information and diffusion of knowledge and ideas. It is an important aspect of Yoruba civilization and culture which has not been given serious academic attention. The technology of Aroko is indigenous to Yorubaland, an evidence of technological innovation. It is a language of the elite in traditional Yoruba culture. In addition, It is also the language of the palace society - Oba, Ijoye make use of Aroko on and important occasions especially when it is practically impossible for them to be physically present.

In interstate or inter-group relations Aroko significantly could be used to disseminate information and ideas that are meant to be secret or that are not meant for public consumption. Even the bearer of Aroko may not know the symbolic message he is carrying.


Traditional rulers until recent times made use of Aroko in communicating with one another. Thus, Aroko is a language of diplomacy and inter-state relations. In addition, Aroko is part of Yoruba contribution to world civilization. The various combinations of materials tied artistically is an indication of Yoruba sense of aesthetics and craftsmanship. Using entirely local resources, with Aroko, one can affirm that the Yoruba had long developed creative ingenuity.


The use of Aroko has reduced the laborious use of word of mouth. It has made secret the content of the message, because the Aroko bearer (messenger) may not even know the meaning or content. Also, the coder and the decoder of the message may not necessary see themselves. It is also possible to send Aroko through the person involved in a case, even it the content means such a person should be killed immediately or put in captivity. The use of Aroko has eliminated the loss of memory or forgetfulness in verbal messages. It has also solved the problem of denial of information as long as the receivers of the Aroko kept them. (Opadotun O. I986 pp. 4-9).


Aroko is an enduring phenomenon among the Yoruba and any aspect of culture that has lasted for more than a century must be of great importance to the people. The fact that Aroko is still in use in modern days in spite of the development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the use of e-mail, Mobile phone, screen discussion and other devices is an indication of its relevance in the traditional African society and in contemporary times.


Conclusion

Aroko as a form of communication civilization among the Yoruba has greatly enhanced diffusion of knowledge, information, ideas and values. The intrusion of western and Islamic education as well as culture has negatively affected the rate at which Aroko is used. Rapid urbanization of Yorubaland and the availability of modern communication media have equally watered down the relevance and utility of the Aroko medium. The Youths are no longer informed as to the preparation, use and interpretation or Aroko. Added to this, the older generation who are the custodians of the knowledge and use of Aroko are now aged. With time, they would soon be gone. In another two decades, if this technology is not integrated into students' curriculum its knowledge will die a natural death.

The hope of the future generations lies in the existing use of Aroko among the priestly class and palace society.


The integration of Aroko studies into the school curriculum will preserve the knowledge of this Yoruba achievement in communication art.

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INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - THE CASE OF YORUBA AROKO

By


DR. R.O AJETUNMOBI

Tai Solarin University of Education,

Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.



Abstract

The Yoruba constitute a major ethnic group in Africa. The people are culturally homogenous with elaborate cultural values. Over the millennium, they have evolved varieties of knowledge and technology in many departments of life. One major aspect of this body of knowledge that is of topical interest has to do with communication systems among which Aroko is most prominent. The thrust of this presentation therefore is indigenous knowledge and communication devices among the Yoruba with special emphasis on Aroko, as a form of communication technology, language of the elite and diplomacy.

..The study reveals that the Yoruba are very rich in cultural values that are worthy of contemporary scholarship. These values constitute part of Yoruba contributions to world civilization. For decades, the relevance of indigenous knowledge and communication systems has been subject of controversy. The consensus of opinions now is that while certain aspects of the past values are gradually dying a natural death, others like traditional medicine, philosophy, language and technology are gradually coming to the lime light. Aroko among other communication devices is still relevant as impressively suggested by available evidence.

Introduction

The history of the Yoruba of Nigeria is of antiquity. They had long evolved political centralization, peculiar culture and symbols of identity. They constitute one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They could be distinguished from other ethnic groups on the basis of their language with variations of dialects such as Awori, Egba, Yewa, Ijebu, Ilaje, Ikale, Anago and Oyo; traditions amongst most of their rulers of descent from Oduduwa. The eponymous hero of the Yoruba and the existence of Yoruba cultural treasures such as regal paraphernalia, facial mark as well as communication media for which Aroko is prominent. Furthermore, the various subgroups share a number of cultural features in religious and cultural practices. The widespread nature of these features is a product of diffusion and ancestral connection, it is against this background that one considers Aroko to be of topical interest in traditional communication.


Communication involves a wide range of activities. It is in a sense, a means by which thought, ideas, facts, knowledge and intentions are transmitted, shared or imparted to one person or a group of persons for knowledge, understanding and behavioral adjustment. On the other hand, it is a process involving the passing of messages through the use of symbols which all parties in the communication media understand. The purpose of communication in traditional African Society especially among the Yoruba is to pass on messages and information with the intention that the receiver of the coded idea will understand and possibly react to it.


Communication, especially through the use of verbal language, body language, signs and symbols, and other semiotic devices is one of the most important factors distinguishing Humans - Homosapiens from the hominids.

The entire process of development of human society rests on communication. The Yoruba who are the central focus of this presentation evolved many media of verbal and non-verbal communication systems. Apart from the use of verbal and body language, objects like fire, drum, gong, ostrich feather, honey, white cloth, oil, pepper, cowries shell, iron implement, crab, and fish, among others were used in the early period and some are still in use as media of communication.


Historical Origin

One important aspect of knowledge and communication civilization in African Society, which has not been given academic attention, is what Isola Olomola (1984) describes as Aroko: an indigenous Yoruba semiotic device. Aroko is a form of Yoruba non-verbal communication using objects and materials in varied numbers, colours or combinations with meanings understood only by members of the palace society or culturally educated members of the African society. Aroko could be regarded as Yoruba Hieroglyphics or African symbolic letters.


The origin of this knowledge and traditional information technology (TIT) is little known. Traditions relate that the use of Aroko developed as a result of interstate and socio-political interactions, which necessitated a new method of communicating official secrets. Since its use is peculiar to the royal and spiritually educated class of the society, it must have developed with political centralization among the Yoruba in pre-colonial times. Aroko developed as a form of traditional Yoruba diplomatic language. Today, Aroko’s relevance as a means of political communication and social engineering is seen in its use among the priestly class and palace society. The use of Aroko among the Yoruba touches nearly every aspect of human relations depending on the social class, purpose and how secure other media of communication are. Aroko is widely used in economic, social, political, religious and intellectual activities.


Forms of Aroko


Aroko on Landed Property

One form of communication which has not been given adequate consideration in relation to Aroko is what the Yoruba call Ale, a form of inhibition, embargo or restriction in symbolic form. This form of communication is also an Aroko in as much as people understand its purpose whenever it is used. This type of Aroko is usually placed on landed property or farm products. In a situation where one is erecting a structure on a particular land or clearing the land for farming, while this process is on, if one sees palm fronds tied on a pole or struck to the ground, this is an indication that the person working there should stop and see the person communicating with him or her (the coder) or one should not enter the place or do anything there until the conflict over the land is resolved. This is mostly used among the Yoruba traditional communities especially by the Awori of Lagos and Ogun State of Nigeria. Generally, the use of palm frond in Aroko is an indication of a dangerous situation. When a palm frond is cut and placed on a parcel of land it is a sign of embargo, that is, the encoder is requesting the decoder not to do any thing on the land without consultation.


Aroko of Social Interaction

The sending of one cowrie shell with string is to show an unfavorable or an unpleasant situation. Six cowrie shells tied together is a message that the sender is longing to see the receiver or ‘I am hoping to see you’. Where six cowrie shells are tied in three opposing numbers with a protruding, long string, this indicates that the distance between the two might be long, yet the encoder wants to see decoder face to face.


Six in Yoruba numerals is efa, which is from the verb to draw. Efa l’o ni k’e fà mi mora. ‘It is six that asked you to draw me closer’. Offering of food items as sacrifice in eight — ejo signifies prosperity or congregation. The Awori of Ojo Local government area of Lagos state have rich traditions relating the economic prosperity of the town today to sacrifices made in eight ( numbers.


Sending of an empty calabash is an indication of ultimatum.

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An Empty Calabash

Sending of empty calabash, parrot egg or skull to a king signifies that the king must commit suicide or join his ancestors. Samuel Johnson (1921) noted that, Awole (Aole), an Oyo Alafin (King) in the 19th century Yorubaland was presented with an empty calabash which meant that the ancestors, the land, and the people had rejected him. Therefore, he had to leave the throne. Following the constitution he decided to commit suicide after raining curses on Yoruba Country.


The sending of an orange — Osan, indicates that the sender is pleased with the receiver, that is ‘I am pleased with you’. It could also indicate ‘I love you’. It is a popular Yoruba saying that, Osan t’ o ri gbajumo ti ko wo e ran lo ma fi je. A spinster or lady who refuses the overture of a man of integrity, will end up with a man of low dignity.


The sending of traditional comb - Oya is an indication the relationship between the sender and the receiver can no longer hold. Oya is from Yoruba verb ya — to separate. Most spiritually induced marriage or social conflict leading to separation or divorce in Yorubaland have comb as a major ingredient. Hence, people use to pray that: Oya k’o maya wa o — Comb the separator, should not separate us.


The sending of Irukere - flywhisk and cowrie shells from one monarch to another is a request for agreement or solidarity or farewell. The Oba could wave the Irukere to welcome or bless visitors to the palace. He could also wave it in another manner to signify rejection or no. A parcel containing three (3) cowrie shells symbolizes rejection and unfavorable message. Traditionally, the Yoruba abhor the giving of things in three (3). Three in Yoruba numerology is confusing. (Orita Meta — a tripartite junction is where Esu Odara — the trick star deity, is believed to be operating and where rituals for his appeasement are placed. The sending of a piece of mat raffia especially of ore type is an indication that someone is sick in the household of the receiver and such a person is very lean.


The sending of the cotton shred of 'oja' to someone far away indicates that the person that was pregnant before the receiver left home has delivered safely. The sending of chewing stick to an opposite sex might indicate I love you or that the receiver should accept his proposal.


Aroko of Direction

In a situation where one is traveling and there is a tripartite junction call Orita in order not to miss the route to follow, the encoder may inform visitor that on getting to the junction certain symbols would be seen at the route to follow. Such symbol may be a palm frond thrown or placed along the route. Also, the surrounding of the route might be cut. A tree might be freshly cut down or some palm leaves might be tied. This is meant to indicate the direction to follow. Of course, the Aroko must have been known by the people involved or the people involved must know the function of specific Aroko.


In another situation where two people agreed to meet at a point for adventure or traveling, if they intend to inform one another of their movement they may decide to use Aroko to indicate that one has reached the spot of agreement and continued the journey, hence there is no need for the other person to keep waiting. Some objects might be tied or kept at a particular spot agreed upon to communicate to one another. The hours of the time the other person traveled across could also be indicated through tying of knots. The number of knots could indicate the time of movement, while the dryness of the fresh leaves cut at the time might suggest the number of hours the person has left.


The placing of stone on the junction may indicate a passage of one person. This is common among the traditional hunters. Whenever they have agreed to meet at a point, while traveling along the path each person passing through the junction will place a stone each, to indicate that he has passed. The numbers of stones at the junction will tell any member the number of people that have passed through the spot.


Aroko of Authority and Conflict Settlement

In a situation where two groups of related blood are in conflict or where the husband and wife engage in domestic conflict, if the head of the family or the father in-law could not be there personally, he could send his cap - fila or staff of office, opa ase, if he is a chief, to those in conflict. The message is that they should bury the hatchet or keep peace until he is able to be there or send for them. This Aroko may be followed by verbal or specific instruction to the recipient.


In addition, a traditional ruler could send his staff through his staff bearer to a meeting or ceremony. The receiver would not only respect the bearer, but also accord him the necessary respect the owner of the staff deserves. In case of disagreement among two individuals, the sending of sand tied in a large locally called ewe - eeran is an indication that the receiver should not be too emotional, and should allow the quarrel to end.

The sending of three pieces of fire wood in opposing direction to one another to a person is an indication that the sender is no more in agreement with the receiver. Some Aroko have to do with colours of objects. Red could signify danger or death. It is always a sign or bad omen. White cloth symbolizes peace, purity or harmony. The devotees of Obatala and Orisa Oko for instance, as well as most priests use white cloth. Even in the burial or the deceaseD white cloth is most favored.

ctd..

MightySparrow: Better by far.
Honest

Honest? So why didn't they tell you the truth when invading you by stating they were coming to loot your resources instead of handing you a bible and pretending they were angels, when even they themselves don't venture near church? Also, why did they sign so many treaties with pre-colonial African chiefs which were deceptive, and led to large tracts of land being 'transferred' to them? Why did they invent an elaborate pack of lies simply in order to invade Iraq, kill 1 million people, and seize her oil and gas assets, worth several trillion dollars? Why do they use their agencies like the CIA to clandestinely support, arm and fund terrorist and rebel groups in order to destabilize countries they wish to invade, and then arrive as ''saviours'', to loot and destroy what's left?

Hardworking

So why did they need to import ''non-hardworking'' Africans to build America, Europe and the New World via the slave trade? Why are millions of them dependent on welfare benefits and food stamps to survive? Why should you consider them more hardworking than the average African who works ten times harder than them to earn a living? How many of them can sell Gala on the street for one hour? Or wake up at 4am to set up their fruit stall at Oshodi? Or work a farm from dawn to sunset?

disciplined

So how come millions of them are drowning in credit card debt amounting to countless billions of dollars? How come they are the largest consumers of drugs and alchohol in the world, and hold world records for divorce, teenage pregnancies and paedophilia?

Scientific approach to issues

The average white person has no more of a ''scientific approach to issues'' than anyone else. Contrary to your colonial hallucinations, the average white person is just as ordinary in thought and conceptualization as other people on earth. For many, solving their ''issues'' is done by recourse to drink, drugs, gambling, suicide, sexua.l perversion, infidelity and other vices. You will also find in the west the world's largest concentration of psychics, palm readers, tarot specialists, mediums, seers, gurus, and witches, with countless millions seeking answers to their ''issues'' from such characters.

neat
adventurous

Easy enough to be those things if you're financially buoyant.

Hade4larin: 1. ROBERT MUGABE OF ZIMBABWE
Yes, this is the master of all the sit tight leaders
in Africa. The 90-year-old leader is the only
President the people of Zimbabwe have known
because he came in after Zimbabwe’s
independence in 1980. With Zimbabwe’s
economy in turmoil and the currency valueless,
the people of Zimbabwe deserved a better
leader. Even with the Western world abolishing
aids and grants to persuade Mugabe to leave
office, the old man is maintaining the status quo.
He perceives the West as Imperialists. The
people of Zimbabwe must wake up or else doom
days are here. Nonagenarian as president?
Did I hear "God forbid"?

Go and study the Zimbabwean situation properly before parroting your bullshiit BBC propaganda here. In Zimbabwe, the ''doom days'' caused by western sanctions, are well and truly behind them as they now live in a far more equitable society in which the black majority have a stake in their land, unlike the previous situation where they were peasants and slaves on their land, with a minority white population owning 90% of the land. The land is now redistributed among the wider population, the Zimbabwean economy has survived the evil western sanctions, and the Zimbabwean majority are grateful to Bob Mugabe for giving them their country back.

bushdoc9919:

Better come out of that basement, you Hikikomori you!

Or how do you explain the development of China....America's enemy?

You lazy Nigerians.....you refuse to invest in science....instead you invest in your bellies,and then you wonder why you are backward.

Cult, what cult? Better stop being lazy!



OK....if you hate CNN....Press TV is broadcasting in Nigeria via Nilesat. Also Russia Today. Believe me, the internet has made US global domination in the media less likely.

Or better still....create yer own cable news network.(Which you won't do, because like most Nigerians, you are LAZY).



And keep waiting for Superman. Keep refusing to invest in science....because it is much better importing LG tv sets, rather than inventing your own.

Me.....I admire countries that use what they have to make something....like the US,China,Japan,South Korea, Finland, Russia,Brazil, Germany, etc.

Your problem is that your idea of development starts and ends with a slice of national cake.





While I am not averse to Nigeria breaking up (if it is Divine will)....I think that most Nigerians talk about breaking up because it is far nicer than confronting scary matters like fighting corruption and tribalism and poverty....as well as getting our economy off oil.

You Nigerians need to change your mindset from ''Oil dependence'' to Self reliance.....then we can talk about anything.

Nations that break up peacefully are nations whose constituent parts are self reliant. Not countries like Nigeria,where common LGA Chairman has no idea of development beyond sharing the monthly Abuja allocation with his cronies. Or common graduate's idea of development is how to get office job.

Remember King Gezo of Dahomey.....He who makes the gunpowder will win the war. Too bad we have refused to make our own gunpowder like the US does....no...the US is powerful because of cults....not because of the ingenuity and intelligence of its people.

Paraphrasing Nelson Mandela....when whites (and increasingly Asians) have a problem, they brainstorm for solutions. When blacks have a problem,they just sit down and blame the whites.

Better wake up.

OH SHUT UP. You're loud, presumptuous, obnoxious, irritating and stupi.d, and don't know nearly as much as you think you do.

I thought Chelsea wanted to sign Emenike? He's more potent than Drogba. Mourinho is dumb.

Ubenedictus: What exactly is the point of the thread.

I guess to try and understand why a book for which money was shared and votes made before arriving at its contents should be considered the 'Word of God' by any sensible person.

Decibel: Why always Naija

Because you're on a Nigerian forum. If you go on a Russian forum you will read news about Russian criminals bring arrested for one scam or the other. Likewise a US or Chinese forum.

ChrisOD: Village champion, ever heard of Harvard business school?

Err...yes.., I've heard of Law School and Lagos Business School as well. In higher education, the term school applies to a place where a specialism is taught. That does NOT mean you refer to universities as "schools". In the America you're talking about nobody calls a university a "school". Maybe you're the "village champion".

Fulaman198: These are Nigerians now, you are asking for too much from them.

Not sure if what you said makes me feel better or worse..

ChrisOD: I am not comparing UNN with any other school. However it is obvious that UNN is underperforming and it is apt to want to know why.

Can you moro.ns kindly stop referring to our universities as "schools". Thanks.

bolayei: the books in the bible are accurate accounts of events but some other books where omitted for certain reasons. books like the gospel of Judas and paul, the gospel of Mary magdalene. some omisions from the books we know today, some omissions about sorcery, women and even the story of the virgin mary was omitted and the fact that Eve was not the first woman and who cain married and how men and women are equal since woman was created sametime as adam from dust and not from his ribs. The truth is if you dig into christainity you will find out alot of things but at the sametime you will understand why constantine ordered for the book to be compiled by the bishop at that time

Will we understand how the money they shared round prior to the vote impacted on its outcome?

okeyxyz: OK! True! So does that invalidate the message & truth(if any) of the bible?

Insofar as claims go that God 'inspired' or even wrote the bible, yes it does invalidate the message. Does 'God's word' amount to little more than a rigged vote in some medieval despot's palace? I'd say a James Hardly Chase novel has more credibility.

baby124: You are the biggest fool. You think with your yansh. No we did not have fork and knife for eating. Only Spoon at the most. Anything close to a knife would have been something spear like for wars.which is shown in the writings. Soon they will add guns and you will come and tell me dumb ass tales about who invented guns. Buhahaha. Low thinking insect like you. Fork and knife for eating is a foreign influence.

Please return to the kitchen where you really belong. Or in the toilet giving someone head. Not among men discussing things beyond your tiny brain. I suppose we cannot have representations of objects or concepts that are supposedly foreign to us in our written scripts. Says a dunderhead, illiterate dunce like you. Thankfully someone has already corrected you, though I doubt he'll make any impact on your dumbitude.

pesty100: and he gets angry and curses them, like he didn't know they were gonna eat it.

The bible "God" is NOT God. Once you understand that basic fact, everything else falls into place.

IjogzK: The same US that:

1. Could not do anything about the Chibok girls
2. Destroyed Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan
3. So deadly corrupt and would do anything possible to remain world power.
4. That uses their media to promote propaganda
5. Destroyed and murdered their own citizen during the 9/11 planned invasion.
6. Are planning the break - up of Nigeria next year just because they predicted it.

Anyway this is my conclusion.

We are not breaking up no matter what. I dunno why you guyz see us as a threat.

Anyway we still want light sha... If you can help without penetration or trying to study us. Then the help is welcomed.

Exactly. I don't see how the USA has any single good thing to offer us. I don't see anything tangible coming out of this deal. If it is China, I'll agree. But US? Nah....can't see it. Their plan for Nigeria/Africa is the complete opposite of this 10,000 mw power stuff.

baby124: Those insibidi pictures look fraudulent and unoriginal. Where did nsibidi see fork, knife and spoon or mirrors considering the age of such writings.

It is you that lacks common sense. You think knives, forks and spoons are recent inventions? Where did English see words like computer and aeroplane considering the age of the English language? Writing scripts are dynamic and flexible not static.

INNOisBACK: I dont believe this

yeah, there are a lot of lies and exaggerations in that post. Such as No 14. SA produces closer to half the continent's electricity not two thirds.

Poster said:

Look at the countries that is being inhibited by the black race, most (if not all) are in a great mess (even those outside the shores of the Africa) despite the numerous and overwhelming natural resources under their disposal.

So why don't you name us those black countries outside the shores of Africa that are "in a great mess". How many have you visited? Trinidad? Jamaica? St Lucia? St Vincent? Barbados? Guyana? Surinam? I KNOW you have not stepped foot in even one of those countries, yet your wretched inferiority complex has led you to believe they must be hell, since black people live there. Reality check: those countries are some of the most beautiful and and enjoyable places to stay on earth. In Africa, there are many countries growing economically, some among the fastest growing on earth. You really should spend your time contributing positively to the African Renaissance, instead of holding yourself back with this wretched inferiority complex.

If this McCain had won the US presidential election, we'd have started WW3 ages ago. His first instinct is military action in any situation.

They need to add sidewalks to those roads. This is the 21st century for crying out loud. You don't just build a road and expect pedestrians to walk along the sand and mud.

Are you sure this wasn't a bomb blast?

Strange how we're seeing so many mishaps these days... Is this the start of the bible's Great Tribulation?

sethken: Man City knows that he is a special talent. How are we sure City did not splash millions to get him to append his signature. He will break into the first team before too long. I continue to believe that if Keshi had given him a chance in Brazil he would have been a difference maker. There is no justification for leaving him out of the world cup team. Keshi would have done himself a lot of good taking Ihenacho and Kalu Uche to the world cup, but o well hindsight.

For once I am beginning to believe that Keshi is not progressive minded. He had a chance to set himself apart, and attract possible suitors from around the world he blew it.

Don't mind Keshi. He had his own agenda there.

macof: It's a simply thing to do -just show us evidence from lower egypt showing that they were black.

After you got no sensible thing on the black/Mediterranean Egypt case, you shift to the bold
You are a fraud indeed.

Who's talking about early humans moving out of Africa to populate the regions of the world??
This here is was Lower Egypt black or Mediterranean??

Show you what evidence from Lower Egypt? The testimony of the ancients doesn't distinguish between the two regions in terms of the peopling of Egypt. In fact if what you say is true, it means that whites or yellows should be the first people encountered by the Greeks entering Egypt from the north ie 'Lower' Egypt. Instead, they wrote that all they saw was black people. Apollodorus called it "The land of the black-footed ones". He wrote: "Aegyptos conquered the country of the black-footed ones and named it Egypt after himself". Apollodorus, the eminent Greek scholar from Athens, lived over 2,350 years ago and was a direct witness!

Lolz

herquleez: Last I checked, to assemble is different from manufacturing.


Not saying assembling vehicles is bad but let's call it what it is.

Very few countries actually do manufacture cars, most assemble. Let's not be ashamed to admit the stage we are in.

We will get there!

You're wrong. Car assembly is the exact same thing as car manufacturing. In fact auto manufacturing plants are known as 'car assembly plants' or 'vehicle assembly plants' throughout the world. These assembly plants buy their components from various component manufacturers, then build the car or ''assemble'' it as people say in Naija.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Motor_vehicle_assembly_plants

This sounds like something straight out of Nollywood.

Wale112: Hello, I work with a few people from Nigeria. Their accent sounds like they have diarrhea coming from their mouths every time they speak. Why is the Nigeria accent so bad and nasty?


Pursue = Porshoe


DISCUSS

Are you referring to the same Nigerian accent that was voted the world's 5th sexiest accent by CNN and other global viewers a while back?

The same Nigerian accent that has captivated millions of Nollywood converts on a global scale, placing that industry as the 2nd largest film industry on the planet?

The same Nigerian accent that has millions of fans screaming the names of our musical icons in concerts and clubs across the continent and beyond? Tell me, what's the going rate for that cave you live in? I wanna buy it and turn it to a tourist site, with you as the attraction.

AgroNigeria: [size=16pt]500k last! Make una sell am that price let us know that you are building cars for nigerians... then we can talk. Do they know how long the average nigerian income earner will work in order to save 1.5mill... leave every other thing to buy car!? let's be realistic... no be mai-mai. 750k tiny light, 1.1mill EOD toks abeg.... they should sell to the corporate organisations... we, we no dey buy! thanks but NO THANKS![/size]

In the developed world, hardly anybody buys their car cash. Most pay by instalment per month on Hire Purchase. When you're tired of the car you replace it with a newer one paying the same instalment, or even less. We need to widen that in Nigeria. We have it, but it's not reaching many folks, especially those working in the huge 'informal' sector. Many guys can afford 10k per month or 20k per month instalment on a neat car. This should be big business.

SalC: Let them keep on endangering the lives of Gazans civilians na. Must they use the civilians as their shield? Why won't they come out of their midst and you are here blaming israel for retaliating. Both sides should cease fire and sort themselves out.

So they must come out into open territory to be wiped out by Israeli weapons then you will be happy? Do you know Israel has a highly disproportionate amount and quality of weaponry compared to the Palestinians? If you were the latter you would fight exactly the same way they are doing.