Nigerian film actor, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, has dissed out some words of warning, most especially to Igbos while arguing about the perception surrounding African traditions and their deities.
He has said the African deities are not demons adding that there is nothing wrong with traditionalism.
The Nollywood actor said this during an interview with BBC Igbo while speaking about how modern Christianity has worn away a great deal of the Igbo tradition.
According to him, the invasion of modern religion has demonized the existence of native doctors and African spiritualists who were often asked to cure madness and malaria.
During the interview, Udokwu also charged Igbo people to be selective with the traditions they abolish, even while embracing modern Christianity.
In his explanation, he said “As white people came to our land, they took away our artifacts, deities, insignia, and other valuables. If you look up the news, you find that they’re returning them because these statues are tormenting them.”
“The white people brought modern Christianity but included the part where we’re being made to pray in the name of some of their saints and adherents who have died. These are dead people we never got to know.
“If you pray in the name of white saints, make sure you include those of your home country. If your father is dead, know that he has joined the saints and ancestors that would do intercessory prayers for you wherever God is.
“It doesn’t amount to worshiping deities. And even worshiping African deities is nothing bad.”
“There are some customs that are not acceptable. Let’s stop those. And some have indeed ceased to exist. Let’s not dispose of both the baby and the bathwater.”
“Before the whites came, we had herbalists who treat various ailments. All of them were categorized as native doctors and spiritualists. The whites came and made us believe that native doctors are a bad omen.
“Today, where are those traditionalists who cure insanity, IBA, diarrhea before white people came? Open your eyes.
“I’m educated. I agree that sick people should use the hospital but let’s give what’s to Ceasar to him and what’s to God to him. Breaking kola is no different from the holy communion we take in church.
“The white people who told us these things are demonic are taking back their words because our deities they stole are tormenting them.”
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