WHAT REALLY IS THE ISSUE?

Around here (where I live) Christmas is celebrated quite differently. But the issue I majorly have is that they don't allow pictures, especially from nonindigenes. I reside in a community known as Rumuokurusi or Rumuokurushi (depending on who's pronouncing it, the Igbo pronounce it as Rumuokurushi, and the indigenes pronounce it as Rumuokurusi). This is community are under a tribe in Rivers State Nigeria Known as IKWERE. Christmas in this community is celebrated differently from the norms I am used to, but before I talk about how they celebrate Christmas here, I would like to highlight that the Rumuokurusi community though small but has always tried to continue the old landmarks their ancestors set.

Image by Freepik

This makes certain things they do and believe strange to non-indigenes of the community. Despite the civilization that has taken place here, they hold tightly to their customs and traditions and do not take it lightly with anyone who defaults. It's really appealing how they do not like anything that puts them in the spotlight unawares. They show the world only what they want the world to see. This evening I came outside to take some pictures of how beautiful the environment was looking as they had beautifully decorated every street around, only to notice that there were people around monitoring those who would want to take pictures. I didn't bother to know what would happen to such people as I just got my phone and wouldn't want to lose it just yet.

This action is one of many norms that go on in the community, and for the Christmas tradition, I do not understand what business Christmas has with masquerades that make them beg and harass people anyhow. Even children around here put on the masquerades and use them to torment their per’s in order to get money from them. Today I saw a masquerade talking with an ice cream seller after seeing that the seller wasn't intimidated by his looks and as a result, did not remit any money to him. I find this act really annoying, especially with the way some of these people wearing the masquerades begin to feel like demigods and do as they please. Not even the police can do anything to these people as long as the festive season is on. You would see them going away with the goods of traders who do not give them money, or flogging individuals when they do not remit.

Image by Freepik

Another thing I noticed is that everything I just mentioned is fun for the indigenes of the community, even when it is done to them. They talk about it so beautifully that like I wished last year, anyone who cares to listen would wish they had participated. It's not as though it is all bad, I mean there are still enjoyable moments of the festivals and carnivals. The wrestling tournament is one I've found to be really interesting, watching the show of strength and all. But what's the point if the memories of these beautiful events will only remain with those who physically watched them.

THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE LEARNER'S PROMPT FOR WEEK 94 EPISODE 2