Archaeology and Museum Studies

This paper examines ecocide in traditional African communities by using the Okun of northeast Yorubaland as a case study. The world is inundated with ecological crises of immense proportion of which traditional communities bear a huge burden. The global concern for ecological crises has inundated the world especially because humanity seems unprepared to challenge these crises. Data indicate that traditional communities such as Okun speaking people are affected badly by the ecological crises, yet, not much attention is paid to their plights. It is imperative therefore to examine the causes and effects of ecological crisis amongst the people. Methodologically, the study is a poly-analytical investigation of the menace of ecological crises among the Okun people. The study employs anthropological tools as means of investigation. Data collection was done by ethnographic fieldwork. The study identifies the various causes of ecological crises among the Okun people. Findings indicate that t...

This paper examines the effects of globalization and modernization in traditional African societies. It uses the Niger-Benue confluence area as a case study. The study underscores the fact that the area has come under the debilitating influence of globalization, westernization and modernization. This study clarifies, espouses and critiques globalization and modernization within the African milieu. Globalization and modernization have become, after colonialism and westernization, the greatest onslaughts on Africa. The study is an anthropological inquiry into the effects of globalization within the cultural milieu of the peoples of the Niger-Benue confluence area. In the face of global economic aggression and cultural violence against Africans and multiple economic abuses, political intimidation and collective violence of pauperization committed on the continent, the paper observes that, it is clearly emerging that there is need for anthropological study of the phenomena of globalizat...

This is an anthropo-ontological study of traditional sacrifice and its challenges. The research is ethnographic using the Okun, a sub-Yoruba group as a case study. This methodology is adjudged as best for the study of traditional societies which have come under the onslaughts of foreign influence. It uses qualitative research in which Participant-as-Observer, In-Depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used in data gathering. The paper adopts ethnography as research orientation because it is capable of examining the underlining phenomena of culture and structures of traditional religions. The study reveals the anthropological and ontological relevance of sacrifice in traditional religion of the Okun. It also examines the dynamism, resilience and vulnerability of traditional religion. The report is presented in narrative and descriptive ethnographic format. The paper opines that it is apropos that anthropological enquiry be made into traditional religions before they are com...

The history of the Jos Plateau area in the past two decades has been characterized by irresolvable crises and conflicts. These conflicts have multifactorial reasons like politics, religion, and economy. To this list the toponymic factor can be added. Indeed, for the past fifteen years since September 2001, intergroup relationships especially between the Hausa and “indigenes” or, what others erroneously see as Muslims versus Christians, have been marred by internecine crises. The result has been the destruction of lives and property, mutual suspicion, migrations, relocation of settlements, change in settlement patterns and re-naming of settlements. In light of this, the paper looks at one of the manifestations of this conflict, which is the counter-naming or renaming of some settlements in Jos Plateau area in order to claim historical ownership of settlements. This paper aims to prove that the current situation portends danger to national cohesion, development, free movements and ass...

Obsequies form the summit of rites of passage for human beings. It is in that light that proper disposition of human corpse is a hallowed tradition of all cultures. This paper examines traditional Yoruba and Jewish funeral rites and offers a comparative analysis. The rites of passage are well enunciated among the two cultures, in which birth and death form the hinges of human existence. The Jews and the Yoruba have elaborate funeral rites and they both consider burials as sacred duties which the community owes the dead. Methodologically, the study employs anthropological and archaeological data for analysis and they also form the basis for the conclusions drawn from the study. The data for the study were retrieved from the researcher's firsthand archaeological fieldwork experience in Israel and among the Yoruba. Findings indicate that both the Yoruba and the Jews place premium relevance on funerals. Obsequies among the Yoruba and the Jews portend sociological significance because they are considered as dutiful services to the dead and the community. The paper concludes by drawing attention to the anthropological relevance of funeral rites among the Yoruba and Jewish people.

The  study  offers  an  anthropological  perspective  on  aspects  of afroecology  of  traditional  African  societies, using  the  Yoruba  as a  case  study.  Data  indicate  that  the  world  is  facing  immense ecological  crises  and  that  unbridled  human  activities  have aggravated  environmental  destruction  to  a  dangerous  scale. However,  not  much  study  has  focused  on  afroecology  and  its dimensions  of  ecospirituality,  ecophilosophy  and  ecotheology. This  study  offers  traditional  African  approach  to  ecological sustenance.  Methodologically,  the  study  is  based  on ethnographic  fieldwork  among  traditional  communities  of  the Yoruba,  which  have  maintained  critical  aspects  of autochthonous  culture.  Findings  show  that  contemporary African  societies  are  bedevilled  by  monumental  ecological problems  and  as  a  result  have  lost  large  swath  of  their environment  to  the  assaults  of foreign imposed technologies and philosophies.  The  problem  is  compounded  by  westernization, globalization,  sinocism  (Chinese  influence)  and  influence  of foreign  religion  which  imposed  consumerist  philosophy  on  the people. This  study provides  scholarly field-sourced  approach to ameliorating  the  ecological  crises  that  menace  the  world.  The study  is  primed  for  its  scholarship  on  the  richness  of  the  Yoruba in  their  response  to  the  environment  and  its  sustenance.  This study provides scholarly field-sourced approach to ameliorating the ecological crises that menace the world. The study is primed for its scholarship on the richness of the Yoruba in their response to the environment and its sustenance.

This paper is a report on the outcome of the writer's participation in an international archaeological field school at Volcamonica, Italy. The aim is to examine petroglyphs and petrographs in archaeology and the applicability of using rocks as archaeological and anthropological data in the reconstruction of history and cultural studies. Theoretically, it is based on archaeological fieldworks and site investigations at Volcamonica. The data of the report are derived from direct archaeological investigation of severalpetroglyphs and petrographs at the sites. Data show palaeo-petroglyphs of several dimensions and features. Field findings indicate that the sites cover a very large area. Also, data reveal that the sites belong to several archaeological eras. Chronologically, the sites are of great antiquity. The study discusses the usefulness of petroglyphs in the reconstruction of history. The study concludes by making a comparative analysis with Nigeria and discussing the usefulness of petroglyphs in the reconstruction of history on a global basis.

Ethics, wisdom and folk science are integral parts of traditional African knowledge of which Ifa is the greatest manifestation among the Yoruba. However, these traditional integral parts of African anthropological realities have come under the assaults of foreign influence. This paper examines the concept of Ifa and its relevance as a medium of knowledge and ethics, wisdom and science in traditional African society using the Yoruba as a case study. It uses ethnography, which is acclaimed as most suited for the study of traditional communities. Methodologically, the paper employs anthropological paradigms of participatoryobservation, field notes and contextualisation. Data obtained from the study indicate the prevalence of Ifa practices among the people despite the influence of foreign religions, Western education and modernization. Findings reveal that Ifa is a veritable medium of general knowledge, morality and science for the people. The field report shows that the physical, psychophysical and metaphysical realms of traditional Yoruba people are saturated with Ifa. The people value it and see it as an authentic means of traditional knowledge. The paper concludes that Ifa portends real value if harnessed with modernization because of its valuable usage in traditional epistemology, science and wisdom.

This paper is a study of the people of Northern Yorubaland, Nigeria their culture and settlement patterns which have been shaped by the Fulani led wars of 1800s. The study aims to examine the ruins of war and the history of the series of wars that occurred in Northern Yorubaland from 1836-1897. Data show that these wars were the most destructive in the annals of the Yoruba people. Whole cities and communities were sacked and burnt, ancient settlements disappeared and their ruins became sites for Games Reserves or archaeological studies, people were enslaved enmass, new settlement emerged, and those who survived were subjected to starvation and death. Methodologically, the study involves archaeological investigations, collection of data, analysis of data and anthropological interpretations. Archaeological data from the field indicate extensive ruins and the anthropological data show far reaching consequences that are still visible today amongst the people. The paper highlights theeffects of the wars on the people of Northern Yorubaland and the entire Yoruba nation in general. The paper concludes that the study is germane to intergroup relations.

Nigeria is a modern nation-state, a creation of the British Empire. It is a richly endowed country, yet majority of its populace live in poverty. This paper aims to examine the relevance of cultural development in Nigeria's development strides which has been marred with marked failures, contrary to peoples' expectation of the country as the Giant of Africa. To achieve meaningful research, the study uses anthropological inquiry by which the traditional cultural norms of the people are distilled and examined in the light of a modern nation-state. Data indicate that Nigeria's development has been marooned on the ocean of uncertainties occasioned by political, socioeconomic and ethnoreligious crises. Furthermore, data obtained in the course of the study indicate that in the bid to achieve maximum development for the country, the various governments since Independence from Britain in 1960 have undertaken economic adjustment and political restructuring. Yet none has met the peoples' desire. The paper concludes by envisaging that cultural restructuring would be of immense benefit to the people of Nigeria.

This  research  is  an  ethno-historical  and  ethno-linguistic  study  of the  toponymical  crisis  of Lokoja  and  the  issues  surrounding  it Lokoja  town  is  an  important  historical  site  in  Nigeria. perennial altercations of giving interpretations to  the  name Lokoja The has taken  diverse  and almost irreconcilable dimensions among the component  ethnic  groups  in  the  city.  The  interplay  between  the different  ethnic  configurations  of  Lokoja  has  exacerbated  the toponymiccrisis.  This paper  employs ethnographic paradigms  and historical analysis as the means  of study. Thus,  it is en visaged that a combination  of  ethno-historical  and  ethno-linguistic  study  will help  to  bring  into  clear focus  the  origin  and peopling of Lokoja from  earliest  times  to  the  present.  This  paper  concludes  by identifying  toponyms  as  cultural markers which  establish  a  link between human  beings  and  the  thing  being  named  and  that toponyms  have implications for intergroup relations  and national cohesion.

There is no gain saying that archaeology and archaeological practice in Nigeria is yet to achieve the desired results, particularly as it is yet to fully meet the needs of the society, and largely contribute to problem solving in contemporary terms. This is seemingly not unconnected to the fact that the practice of archaeology in the country is faced with a lot of challenges, especially in the recent times. Thus, the aim of this research is to discuss the nature of some of these challenges and make some suggestions that can largely improve archaeological practice in the country. The research draws from past/recent concerns that have negatively impacted archaeology and its practice in the country. Much of the data for this research has been elicited from primary and secondary sources. The paper notes that the benefits of archaeology and its practice to Nigeria and her citizens are enormous and therefore, adequate to give all cultural heritage (CH) stakeholders a strong motivation tow...

The study examines ecospirituality and ethnobotany using traditional crops/plants of traditional Yoruba communities of West Africa. In this study, emphasis is placed on the interconnectivity of humans and the environment and on three specific crops namely, yam, kola nut and palm tree, which are considered as prime gifts of deities to humanity, are considered as extraordinaire crops and have pride of place among crops. Methodologically, it employs

This is an anthropological reflection on the current state of Christian theology in Africa.The paper makes a projection into the future of theology in Africa. The problem succinctly is that theology in Africa, if compared with other disciplines, has lagged behind in building the consciousness of Africans.The paper is based on anthropological methodology. Data analysis is derived from structuralist interpretation. Findings indicate that Christian theologians have not been doing what it ought to do in the consciousness of the peoples of Africa and that the problem is partly due to the poor anthropological background of African theologians. The study is significant because scholars in Africa need to examine the Africaness of their theology andcultural interpretations in their studies. The paper recommends the sustenance of anthropological study in African theology which Father Fidelis Egbunu has probed into in his writings.

The study offers an anthropological perspective on aspects of afroecology of traditional African societies, using the Yoruba as a case study. Data indicate that the world is facing immense ecological crises and that unbridled human activities have aggravated environmental destruction to a dangerous scale. However, not much study has focused on afroecology and its dimensions of ecospirituality, ecophilosophy and ecotheology. This study offers traditional African approach to ecological sustenance. Methodologically, the study is based on ethnographic fieldwork among traditional communities of the Yoruba, which have maintained critical aspects of autochthonous culture. Findings show that contemporary African societies are bedevilled by monumental ecological problems and as a result have lost large swath of their environment to the assaults of foreign imposed technologies and philosophies. The problem is compounded by westernization, globalization, sinocism (Chinese influence) and influence of foreign religion which imposed consumerist philosophy on the people. This study provides scholarly field-sourced approach to ameliorating the ecological crises that menace the world. The study is primed for its scholarship on the richness of the Yoruba in their response to the environment and its sustenance.

This paper is a study of the people of Northern Yorubaland, Nigeria their culture and settlement patterns which have been shaped by the Fulani led wars of 1800s. The study aims to examine the ruins of war and the history of the series of wars that occurred in Northern Yorubaland from 1836-1897. Data show that these wars were the most destructive in the annals of the Yoruba people. Whole cities and communities were sacked and burnt, ancient settlements disappeared and their ruins became sites for Games Reserves or archaeological studies, people were enslaved enmass, new settlement emerged, and those who survived were subjected to starvation and death. Methodologically, the study involves archaeological investigations, collection of data, analysis of data and anthropological interpretations. Archaeological data from the field indicate extensive ruins and the anthropological data show far reaching consequences that are still visible today amongst the people. The paper highlights theeffects of the wars on the people of Northern Yorubaland and the entire Yoruba nation in general. The paper concludes that the study is germane to intergroup relations.

Ethics, wisdom and folk science are integral parts of traditional African knowledge of which Ifa is the greatest manifestation among the Yoruba. However, these traditional integral parts of African anthropological realities have come under the assaults of foreign influence. This paper examines the concept of Ifa and its relevance as a medium of knowledge and ethics, wisdom and science in traditional African society using the Yoruba as a case study. It uses ethnography, which is acclaimed as most suited for the study of traditional communities. Methodologically, the paper employs anthropological paradigms of participatory- observation, field notes and contextualisation. Data obtained from the study indicate the prevalence of Ifa practices among the people despite the influence of foreign religions, Western education and modernization. Findings reveal that Ifa is a veritable medium of general knowledge, morality and science for the people. The field report shows that the physical, psychophysical and metaphysical realms of traditional Yoruba people are saturated with Ifa. The people value it and see it as an authentic means of traditional knowledge. The paper concludes that Ifa portends real value if harnessed with modernization because of its valuable usage in traditional epistemology, science and wisdom.