My Town and Civilization by @lhorgic

It's feels good to be participating in this beautiful contest organized by my dear communinty. In this contest we are to talk about our towns and how civilization has affected it.Without taking much time,let me delve into my own part of the story...smiles.

Introduction

Indeed civilization has changed so many things about our culture and practices. There were things we met on ground but are no more even our native languages are now being replaced with a foreign one. Who do we blame? Well that's a rhetorical question.

What are some of the histories of your town before civilization?

I will be sharing with us some of the cultural festival and practices in Ibadan,Oyo state where I live. They include

• Oro

This is a sacred cultural practice in Ibadan. Oro is a festival that is celebrated by male that are born and bred in ibadan,Oyo state. This Oro is also celebrated in other part of the youraba speaking settlemests and it differs from one location to the other. The bottom line is women and non indigene are not allowed to see this oro. In other words,women and non indegene stay indoor during this traditional festival of Oro. Failure to do so attract the wrath of the deity.Oro shows up by make a whirring sound which to the yorabas signifies blessings upon the hearers.

• Oke Ibadan

Oke Ibadan means "the hills of Ibadan". It's a festival that connect the yorubas in this part of Nigeria. It bring them together to acknowledge the labour's of their founding fathers who founded the land on the hills and also to worship the goddess that that hill.

• New yam festival

The new yam festival is another celebration done in this part of Nigeria. It is usually celebrated in August. The significant is not far fetched,it marks the end of a season and the beginning of another. So they commemorate this day by gathering together to feast on yam. According to history,old yams are thrown away after the festival and then they start afresh with the new and it recycles like that.

Do the people of your town still keep some of the old practices.

Yes some of these festivals and practices are still being carried out but the turnout and vibe around it is gone. Civilization has opened the eye of many to the end that they no longer see reasons for these things anymore. A typical indigene no longer values these things. It won't be long before some of these cultural heritage and practices will be long forgotten because the handful of those preserving these things will soon be gone too. Take for example,the oke Ibadan festival has lost it vibe a long time ago as natives no longer visit the hills like they used to in those days to celebrate.

From history or as a witness, what are the things you miss about the old practices before civilization?

The togetherness of course.There is this communal feeling you have when you come together to celebrate. The reverse is the case today,everyone is now living for himself. Infact those that have joined the train of "civilization" have left their other counterpart behind and would not even have anything to do with them and their practices.

Do you prefer the changes civilization has brought to your town or vice versa.

Civilization is just like a double edged sword,it brought both the good and the bad. It is civilization that stopped the killing of twins and it still the same civilization that is is tearing our cultural heritage apart. Some of the things that have been long preserved by our father are gradually become the things of the past because of civilization. I think there should be balance to these things. This is the only way we enjoy it benefit and still have that which belonged to us before it arrival.
Thanks for reading through.

Regards:
@lhorgic♥️