Joseph EffiongIn a world enriched with diverse cultures and traditions, it is imperative to appreciate the unique essence that each race, tribe, or nation brings to the tapestry of human existence. Recently, a profound reflection surfaced on the contrasting perceptions of spiritual practices, highlighting the complexities that arise when cultural biases cloud our understanding.
The narrative unfolded as an African traveler embarked on a spiritual journey, first to Israel for what is commonly known as a pilgrimage, acquiring the esteemed title of JP. This journey involved prayer at the Western Wall, a significant site in Judaism. Subsequently, the traveler ventured to Saudi Arabia, participating in the Hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, earning the respected title of Alhaji.
Yet, when this same individual expressed a desire to return to their ancestral home, to places like Otrougo Umuihi, to connect with spiritual elements like stones, rivers, trees, and other symbolic statues, a stark contrast in perception emerged. Such practices were labeled as paganism, deemed fetish, demonic, and devilish by some who failed to recognize the rich cultural and spiritual heritage embedded in these rituals.
A poignant moment arose when the traveler shared their preference for Otrougo Umuihi with a priest who, paradoxically, aspired to journey to Israel to place his hand on the Western Wall. The response was a stark reminder of the mental slavery that has infiltrated African societies, where indigenous spiritual practices are often overshadowed by external influences.
It is essential to acknowledge that every race, tribe, or nation possesses its unique form of communication with the divine. The practices of Otrougo Umuihi, like any other indigenous spiritual tradition, should not be hastily branded as evil or devilish. Instead, they are integral components of a rich cultural tapestry that warrants appreciation and understanding.
Mental slavery, as illuminated in this narrative, represents the second face of slavery, persisting in the form of cultural subjugation. Embracing one's cultural identity, irrespective of preconceived biases, becomes an act of defiance against such mental shackles. The call to action is clear: be proud of your identity, honor your roots, and strive for a world where diversity is celebrated, not stifled by misconceptions.
Award winning media entrepreneur Joseph Effiong took to his facebook page to talk about the religious mental slavery in africa, from his point of views he said African traditional ways of worshipping their God shouldn't be seen as evil or devilish because it's the same as other religious.
Joseph EffiongBelow is his post.
As an African, you travel to Israel to pray on a wall. Which they called pilgrimage and gets a title of JP. As an African, you travel to Saudi to pray on a black stone. Which they called Haji and gets a title of Alhaji. As an African, you travel to your own Ancestral home or village where you're born to pray on Stone, River, Tree or any symbolic spiritual statue in your home, they called it Paganism and tagged it Fetish, Demon!c and Devil!sh. I told one priest that I prefer to go to (Otrougo Umuihi) for prayers and he told me that I'm practicing Paganism whereas he's aspiring to go to Israel and place his hand on the Wall to pray. Mental Slavery is the second face of slavery that we're experiencing in Africa. Every Race, Tribe or Nation has their own Unique essence of communication, Our Ancestral Own is not Evil or Devilish. Be proud of your identity.
3 Comments
Very interesting 👍👍
ReplyDeleteGreat piece👍
ReplyDeleteNice piece 👍👍
ReplyDelete