Soyinka Warns Against Disrespecting African Indigenous Spirituality

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has advised Nigerians to stop looking down on African indigenous spirituality, describing such attitudes as a form of blasphemy against the world’s spiritual heritage.

Soyinka gave the warning on Saturday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while delivering the keynote address at the World Heritage Day celebration. The event, themed “Akwa Ibom Heritage Alive,” focused on raising awareness about the need to protect humanity’s diverse cultural heritage.

The renowned playwright criticised the tendency of some Nigerians to label their own traditional spiritual and cultural practices as “fetishism” or “primitive,” while admiring similar traditions in other countries. He argued that what is often dismissed as fetishism is actually a complex form of symbolic and artistic expression, which is respected elsewhere.

Citing Barbados as an example, Soyinka noted that masquerades and traditional dances have survived there and are celebrated. He said such ignorance about African traditions amounts to a misunderstanding of global spirituality.

“What a day like this means is very simple bring your own spiritual wares to view; bring yours, and I bring mine,” he said. “Godhead is one, but there are many parts to Godhead. So construct your part and leave me alone to construct mine.”

In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi, said the state has kept its heritage alive through local songs, folklores, and traditional cuisines such as edikang ikong, atama, and afia efere.

He noted that all 31 local government areas showcase their cultural heritage during the annual Christmas Village Festival. The governor also highlighted ongoing efforts to boost tourism, including the renovation of hospitals to support medical tourism, as well as the development of the Ibom Air fleet and the Maritime and Blue Economy in Oron.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anietie Udofia, called on residents to embrace their roots and take pride in the state’s rich cultural identity.