Arts/Literary
Absurdities In The Garb Of Beliefs
BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: Belief: A Trail Of Blood
(Random Reflections
Volume Two)
Author: Ikechukwu Nwanze
Pages: 496
Publisher: Renaissance
Communications Ltd
Reviewer: Boye Salau
Ignorance, according to Molly Ivins, is the root of all evil. And the legendary Martin Lurther King Jnr. also said “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity”.
Regrettably, ignorance constitutes the quintessential elements of livelihood in our society. While ignorance and follies in the olden days could be attributed to backwardness, primitiveness, paganism and barbarism, ignorance in the modern world is rooted in religious beliefs, intolerance, extremism and destructive fundamentalism.
In the medieval ages for instance, ritual murder was a daily routine in many parts of the world. Thousands of innocent people were killed to make sacrifices, with the belief that by so doing they would appease the gods who they believed, were capable of providing them wealth, power, good health and long life.
Even in today’s world of civilisation, high technology and religious awareness, certain irrational, obnoxious and mysterious beliefs, myths, superstitutions, traditional cosmology and foolish bravado leading to needless deaths still dominate some societies.
For instance, every failure, misfortune in African society is attributed to witchcraft. Whenever a man dies a sudden death, witches or enemies are blamed for it. Whenever business fails, it is attributed to witchcraft. Whenever car accident occurs, accusing fingers are pointed at witches, even when it is obvious that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol.
In other words, witchcraft is made a convenient scapegoat for every natural and man-made disaster and misfortune.
These are some of the beliefs and traditions Ikechukwu Nwanze captures with a demur in the Volume Two of his Random Reflections which he titled Belief: A Trail of Blood.
Nwanze makes argument that most of these atrocious beliefs and traditions are rooted in human ignorance and follies. He justifies this through historical analysis supported with dates, employment of quotable quotes of great writers and authors like Martin Lurther King Jnr., James Michener, Molly Ivins etc, and by making references to Biblical verses and some mysterious happenings around the world.
He particularly devotes a whole chapter to some of these beliefs, and another chapter to some ancient practices and traditions, some of them still subsist till today, such as voodoism, witchcraft, reincarnation, ritual murders, supernaturalism and other mysterious happenings that are commonly found among the natives of West Indies, South America and ultimately among Africans.
Nwanze gives an historical overview of some absurd and dangerous beliefs and traditions from the medieval Europe to modern Africa and how these beliefs and myths have claimed millions of lives.
He writes, “Today, the world suffers the consequences of the actions of some groups that believe that if they wear vests laden with bombs, and blow themselves up along with numerous innocent people, they would be doing God a huge favour and earn His commendation and reward in heaven with multiple virgins and other indulgences in the eternal paradise of heavenly comfort…”
He argues categorically that these atrocious and stupid beliefs and fantasies are founded on sheer ignorance.
Although, Nwanze believes it is what a man professes that comes to pass, as in the case of the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whose judicial victory at the Supreme Court, he says, was attributed to his avowed and professed belief, faith and conviction that “I prayed myself to this office… I prayed and prayed and I believed that God will make me the Governor”, he says it is wrong and foolish for people to subject themselves to the beliefs of other people without subjecting such beliefs to questioning, examination, investigation, scrutiny and analysis.
He states, “Yet, some of us carry on with our inherited beliefs without questioning, without examination, without scrutiny, without investigation, without analysis.Our faith in our religion is therefore superficial and lacks depth and is absolutely dependent upon what the teacher of the religion told us. We fail to realise that, had it been intended for us to be totally dependent on what we are told, the holy books would not have been necessary. There would not have been need for the mind in the first place. We were given a mind and the capacity to think, to make choices, so we can analyse things independently. The holy books enjoin us to be critical in things we hear and to subject what we are told to examination, to be sure that the teacher is following the doctrine as the scriptures provided”.
Nwanze gives example of the Guyana tragedy in which “a preacher in the USA was able to convince his followers that if they all took poison and die, they would all go to heaven and live with God in eternal paradise. His followers believed him and they all took poison and died in their numbers”.
He also gives examples of how many people choose their respective denominations just because they are either infatuated by the eloquence and oratorical prowess of their Pastors, or admire the beauty and dressing style of their Pastors.
In a nutshell, Nwanze’s book reflects on human follies and how many people have taken absurdity to a high level in their beliefs, especially in Africa.
Nwanze is indeed right. If our ancestors could be forgiven for doing all what they did in ignorance, in this so-called modern times of civilisation when we brag about accomplishments in science and technology, and when we preach religious tolerance and appear to have divine endorsement, what excuse do we supply for all the oppressive, repressive and coercive tendencies that characterise our existence that go with our beliefs?
The way out of these erroneous beliefs and absurd perceptions, according to Nwanze, is to give room to education and enlightenment, which would provide us the ability to examine, question and scrutinise our beliefs.
He states, “To continue to live in the error of our absurd perceptions is to accept we are less than human”. After all, he continues, “no one should see or be told of fire and dip their (his) hand(s) in it”.
Nwanze’s book might be considered as a confrontational work against some beliefs and traditions, it is a well-researched and must-read piece that should be seen as a wake-up call to all our religious leaders and their followers in Africa, some of who have taken absurdity to a high and noble level in their beliefs.
It also serves as a wake-up call forAfrican nations to retrace their steps from the belief systems that are not only injurious to natural justice, but also retard African progress and development.
The book is indeed a great improvement on its volume one. However, the voluminous pages of the book might be in bad taste to impatient readers, while lack of references to other religious books apart from the Bible makes Nwanze’s argument narrow and religious biased, and may make the book less appealing to adherents of other religions.
Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.
Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.
A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.