Steemit Engagement Challenge Week 2 || Share your Country's Culture
INTRODUCTION
Greatings dear steemians, I'm here once again to take part in the steemit engagement challenge week2 and today I will be taking about; share your country culture.
In my country Nigeria there are three major ethnic groups which are the Yoruba's from the western part of nigera,the igbo's from the Eastern part and the hausa's from the northern part of nigera. I'm from the northern part of Nigeria Taraba State to be precise, in Taraba State there are 16 local government area and all the local governments have there own languages and culture.Today I will be sharing my own culture with you guys that is the mummuye culture.
According to the history of my culture,the mummuye were enslaved by the jukun empire as such there where pushed out from their current locale from the 17th century. However the gain there independent back after the war between the Fulani's and the jukun in the year 1893.Since then the mummuye remain independent from the jukuns and the Fulani's even though the Fulani's still lives among them.
The mummuye language has the largest tribals groups in Taraba State and they are found in some local government area of Taraba State which includes; zing, yorro,Bali, Lau, Jalingo.They are widely found in many parts of the neighboring states.They mummuye believe and follows the traditional religions (belief that non-living object have spirit) they believe in different types of gods and spirit, which the sun(La) is the supreme being. Each of the village on mummuye land has a (tsafi) house where they keep images of their god's and sacrifices are also done there.the skull of the ancestors are kept by the clan leaders,this elders are called worshipers also the men have verious cult dealing with the ancestry,unseen power and drinking. During ceremonies horus and masks are worn,and dances are performed at their cultics rituals.one of the believe of the mummuye people is that there is no life after death.
Mummuye masks
Source
MY FAVORITE FESTIVAL
In mummuye land there are several festival like the yam festival, Belle festivals and more.all are being celebrated in a unique way, but my favorite festival is the Belle festivals which is normally organized by the traditional religions Leaders called the (shon lansi),The celebration do take place every first month of the year that is January,but normally they starts by burning of the hills by setting fire in the bush to burn the ceremonials hills between yorro and zing local government area by the (kpaapo people) then after some weeks,the zing subclans will set their own fire and this is usually done in January 14th at the end of corn and millet harvest.
The ceremony starts with burning of bush around the hill on the eve of the festival, which the fire will continue burning till the next day. On the day of the festival all the shrines are kept clean and very neat, all the skull are purified,and women prepare different types of food, drinks and share it with friends and family after that the men and the women will go up to the hill where all the ritual and the hunting will take place and the this hunting is performed by the men.
During the occasion men and women dress in the native dress and beautiful beads, the native clothes is called Lantan, the men dress in the traditional shrouds and some of them dress with the Lantan alongside with there quivers and bows to demonstrate how to hunt.
The occasion is being lead by the Chief priest,he prays and chants by calling the names of the ancestors who were before him, All the skulls of those Chief priest who died long time ago will be brought out for remembrance, the ritual rites are performed until it's done before everyone will go back to the festival ground and continue with the remaining activities which are traditional dancing competition from the twelve subclans, after the computation they all come in line dancing after each other that is the most sweetest part of the festival that I love the most
Another one is the shooting and racing competition where the young ladies run a race to see who is more stronger than the other, and the compete to shot at a target, after the competition the best shooter will be announced as the the winner and will be given an award as the best shooter of the year.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion,the mummuye culture has been one of the best culture in Taraba State, people from far and near do come purposely to witness the festival every year.also the land is very fertile when it comes to farming of different types of crop, indeed the mummuye land is blessed and I'm so lucky to be called mummuye.
I want to invite @josepha @chris1994 @josantos @pridomina @simonnwigwe to come and participate in this contest.
This was so good to read! Thank you for all the information and photos. I was so fascinated by it.
Oh gosh! I’m not a good shooter and I always came last in athletics so I don’t think the race will be for me 😊
🤣🤣🤣you can learn ma'am because the race is very easy. Thank you for your kind comment I really appreciate.
Nah! I will leave it to you young girls 😊
🤣🤣🤣ok ma'am
Wow, complete write up from the origin.
Traditional festivals are always just so interesting. From your write up, I can imaging all the emotions this brings🤗🤗🤗. It will truly be a privilege for me to attend one day.
Before I forget, I adore the attire 😇
Thank you very much my dear, I will be so glad to host you when ever you come.
💃💃💃
😁😁😁
Wow, your cultural attire looks very beautiful dear, it looks exactly like the igbo attire, i must say your festival celebrate every first month of the year is really an interesting one. I wish the best in this contest.
Thank you very much for your comment I appreciate
I love the hunting part. Hope they catch bigger animals during this process. I can see able men ready to display. Best wishes.
🤣🤣yes they do, thank you for passing by
I love this culture, you have done beautifully very well @yakspeace, your culture is admiring, i love such festivals but unfortunately we don't do that in my land, I am really impressed with this culture, i wish to be part of the next year's festival or i should possibly get a husband from there😜
🤣🤣🤣no problem my dear, husband will never be an issue you can come at anytime we have young handsome men in my place. Thank you for your time and kind comment.
Smiles...Thank you too.
You are welcome.
It is interesting to see one of Nigeria’s rich culture thriving.
You have enlightened us through your post.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Good luck with your contest entry
Thank you for reading my article I appreciate
Your article about favorite culture has gotten me interested to visit your state to experience this mummuye culture. Thanks for sharing with us!
You are welcome sir, and I tell you anytime you visit you will enjoy your self well. Thank you for your kind comment I really appreciate.
Okay, would also like to meet you so that you will take me round taraba state
No problem dear, that won't be an issue. It will be nice meeting you as well😊
One thing I admire the most about Nigeria is their respect for culture, and I must admit that here in Nigeria we have unique cultures and believes. Festival celebration is always one of the most respected event in every community, and from your pictures, I can see how beautiful and unique the belle festival looks like. I really enjoyed reading every bit our your article dear. Keep it up
Thank you very much for your kind comment indeed Belle festivals is the best in the mummuye land.
This is great. This type of festival needs brave men to make it interesting. I wish I could get a chance to witnessed this great festival. Ladies shooting bow and arrow? This is really interesting and signifies bravery. Thanks for this great piece, I really enjoyed reading your post.
Thank you very much for your kind words.
My culture my pride, you have well explained everything alot about the mummuye culture. Belle festivals is always the best festival and I love attending every year.
Yes oooh, it's always the best my dear. Thank you for your kind words.