A Critical Analysis of Edda Traditional Sports and Games
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International Journal of Social & Management Sciences, Madonna University (IJSMS) Vol.1 No.1, March 2017; pg.91 – 96 A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF EDDA TRADITIONAL SPORTS AND GAMES ONU MERCY AGHA Department of Linguistics and Literary Studies, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki. +2348038764500 [email protected] Abstract: Sports and Games are part and parcel of human life. Man cannot do without sports. It energies, strengthens and prolongs life. The principal objective of Igbo man is to enjoy himself as much as possible. In this recreational activities Edda people are not left out. In this era, man is busy pursuing wealth at the expense of good health and longevity. Nobody cares about his health and this has brought diseases and untimely death to man. The traditional games seem to have been lost from the ordinary life. The Nigerian child of today is better disposed to western games than the indigenous ones even though the commonly used computer games, Ludo, Snooker are rich in manipulative skills, they do not enhance emotional, moral social skills needed by the youths. This study investigates the various kinds of traditional sports and games activities in Edda which have been abandoned in search of wealth in this era of westernization and globalization. What prompts and stimulates sports and games in Edda. This study adopts observation and interview as methodology and proffers possible ways that will bring back this age long activities to boost our cultural heritage thereby promoting and prolonging life span. It recommends that traditional games should be integrated into educational system in Igbo land. Keywords: sports, survival, traditional, entertainment, health. Introduction Basden (1966:342) notes that Igbo, in his ‘primitive’ days, did not allow himself to be overwhelmed by the problems of life. His principal objective was to enjoy himself as much as possible. When he seeks entertainment, the Igbo enter into it wholeheartedly; he lets nothing interfere with of the moment. Sports and Games are social activities that have functional relevance in every culture of the world. Chappelow (2003) locates the concepts and tradition of sports and games in the ancient history of Manipuri – a story of small kingdoms which were in keen competition with one another. Wars among themselves and with Ava (Myanmer) resulted in martial tradition which in turn gave due impetus to the development of indigenous games. He identifies some earliest known indigenous games as “Thang Ta & Sarit Sark (Manipuri Martial Arts), Khong Kangjei (Manipuri Hockey), Yubi Lakpi (Manipuri Style Rugby) etc. Thang Ta & Sarit Sark, is a very energetic and skillful art, which helps one to have his battle craft during the peacetime in the olden days. Khong Kangjei is a very popular game played with seven players on either side and each player is equipped with a bamboo stick about 1.2 metre in length made in the form of a modern hockey stick; and Yubi Lakpi which is the Manipuri for coconut played on the beautiful green turf of the palace ground. Sports and games constitute recreation in Edda. They are vital planks on which the traditional system of the education is hoisted. In a sociological study of traditional system of education among hausa, Fulani, Chamba, Kanuri, Edo, Yoruba, Nupe, Efik, Ijaw and Tiv, Majasan (1976) posits that ritual ceremonies are blended with social activities because of the complexities of character development. This position underscores the engaging importance the Nigerian traditional system attaches to character building and strength to ensure that a child fits firmly well into his society. It is through games and sports that a child is systematically and intuitively taught the values of strength of character, sense of purpose, courage and determination. In Hausa land there is the game of Sharo public ceremony of canning and whipping among the Fulani youths. It can be easily dismissed as a barbaric culture which has no place in a modern social order on the first look. But, it is a sporting exercise to test manly valor, determination and tenacity of purpose as a go- getter because the ultimate prize for victory is a beautiful bride. Majasan (1976) compares the tortures exercise to the mental torture our young men and women undergo in the examination halls nowadays to show their competence at the end of the school career. 91 International Journal of Social & Management Sciences, Madonna University (IJSMS) Vol.1 No.1, March 2017; pg.91 – 96 From culture to culture in Nigeria, all indigenous games are fortified with rules and regulations that ensure healthy rivalry and keen competitive spirit, such that whoever failed would be satisfied to have put up his best. The winner also values the victory because of the keenness of the contest all these values are in contradistinction to what foreign games have to offer the Nigerian child. Ajala (1988) laments over the negative values television imparts on the youths through foreign programs. The brutal nature of western wrestling is incomparable to the African concept of wrestling which is structured to test raw and natural strength with minimal injury. In the traditional African society, games had been used extensively as instrument to mold the moral of the youths but these days’ modernization and civilization called technological advancement have brought neglect to these traditional games, so much that they have cause ethical and moral decadence in our youths. Fafunwa (1971) identifies wrestling, dancing, drumming, acrobatic display, and racing as indigenous games. Nigeria has a long list of traditional games given the numerous ethnic groups in the country with their distinct cultures. This paper basically limits itself to the sports and games as practiced by the Edda people of the Igbo found in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in the eastern part of Nigeria which is rich in cultural heritage. Sports and Games in Edda are more or less integral parts of the Egbela Cult and other cultural festivals observed by the people every year. Those forms of recreation are spheres of human activity which naturally reflect the society in which they are expressed. Among the recreational activities the Edda engage in Folk and Modern Dances, Moonlight Plays, Folklore & Legends, Riddles and Puzzles, Hunting, Fishing, Swimming, Archery, Wrestling, ‘Izu Ikwe’ and ‘Ịgba Azịma’. All these are interwoven with other social, economic and religious activities of the people. Edda Calendar of activities is scheduled by the elders, priests and ‘Ndi Ezeogo’ at a forum known as ‘Osisiọma’ Assembly. The meetings of the assembly are held annually in the first week of October or thereabouts. Sports and Games in Edda could be categorized into three main aspects: sports for survival, sports for Entertainment & Recreation and Sports for Traditional Religion. Sports for survival: Since farming is one of the pillars of the Edda economy, the schedule is structured like this: The month December (known as ‘Ọnwa Iwa Ọfịa’) witnesses the exploration of bushes and forests. The men go all- out to hunt by shooting and setting traps and in the process survey for arable land. With the identification of appropriate land, the bush is cleared, burned and cultivated. As the men hunt game in the bushes, the women set up barriers in shallow streams and search dry ponds for fish. On their part, the children run about in the cleared areas chasing grasshoppers, birds, crickets and rats, while the bigger boys go for rabbits and other small animals that live underground. This period- December to April or –so is about the busiest in the schedule of Edda man and woman in a traditional setting. Basically, hunting is an art designed for sustenance. The marathon race which involves tens of kilometers without food is a test of endurance. Such is the importance of the exercise that it forms an integral part of initiation into the Egbela Cult which constitutes part of military training as well as the making of an Edda man. Sports for Entertainment & Recreation Wrestling Wrestling is a very popular game or sport that finds vigorous expression in every ethnic culture. It is a game that is popular amongst youths. The intensity of actualization of this game endears it to many cultures as a competitive game with priceless prize attaches to it. It was through wrestling that Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe attained enviable fame that qualified him as the strongest man in Igbo land with a lot of benefits to go with it. Through Okonkwo’s wrestling prowess and the honor accorded him as a result, we can have the insight into the serious meaning the Igbo attach to wrestling. The Igbo traditional wrestling is a very popular sport in the Igbo community. It is a practice and acknowledgement of skill and strength as well as promotion of indigenous language, culture, norms, values, and traditions by young, physically capable Igbo men. In Igbo land a man is believed to prove his physical strength when he is able to fight off his aggressors and so wrestling shows strength and courage. Before the wresting season young men who will be competing train for months. A young man who comes out Victorious in a traditional wrestling is admired and respected by all; He is seen as a Warrior or a distinguished wrestler. Traditional Wrestling sometimes are used to settle local dispute and conflict between two Villages .It is also Used to determine the right groom in cases where a young woman has many suitors, in such cases a 92 International Journal of Social & Management Sciences, Madonna University (IJSMS) Vol.1 No.1, March 2017; pg.91 – 96 wrestling match is arranged where all the suitors battle it out and whoever emerges victorious marries the woman .It is also a form of entertainment, usually the chief of the village and his chieftains are seated the villagers gather around the village square too to watch.