Everyday is Halloween in Nigeria

What’s really good people?

We are down to the last few months on the calendar already and what an odd year thus far. The weather people are even calling for possible snow in the forecast in some places including here in the DMV this weekend (NWO)! This is Halloween week so you know there is going to be some fun and buffoonery all going on around us at the same time. So whatever you do end up doing, just be safe and keep that third eye open out there at all times.

OK people; let me get focused…

Here in America; Halloween is only second to Xmas when it comes to spending. In fact billions of dollars is spent on Halloween each year to celebrate a holiday that honors ghouls, demons, ghosts and anything that goes bump in the night dangerous or even evil. I myself too have participated in the festivities on numerous occasions with my friends over the years but as I get older, it just does not do it for me anymore.

So I got to thinking this week, how did this entire Halloween phenomenon come about anyways? My quick research pointed to Halloween deriving from the Druid religion in the Celtic culture back in Ireland over 2000 years ago. Immediately, I said to myself is this impossible?

Now am not saying EVERYTHING originated or started in Africa, and I sure do not want Africa to take credit for something so futile and senseless like Halloween but FACT is FACT. Something about that just doesn’t seem right… A Halloween in Nigeria???  But the more I look into it, many African and Nigerian customs do have elements of Halloween in them.

For example, the bonfires that are associated with Halloween here in the western world originated in Africa from ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices made years ago to appease the gods. I can easily recall as a youth witnessing several festivals where slaughtered cattle were thrown into flames as a means of repentant or celebration. Africans have sacrificed animals in many instances for centuries to insure that their crops would prosper or for the rain to come. The idea was that some type of spirit would speak through the head of the village and be able to forecast the future. Now of course after the crops blossomed and the rains came, people danced and partied the night away full of joy.

As for the costumes; I can’t think of one ritual back home where people did not dress in elaborate attire. Different forms of masks, colors and original pieces mark the occasion and excitement in the crowds. Many African societies see mask as mediators between the living world and the supernatural world of the dead, ancestors and other entities. The masks become the attribute of a dressed up dancer who gives life and word at the time of the ceremonies. Back home in Nigeria where am from (IDIMU Stand Up!) we would have these festivals that heads of the participants would in disguise as spirits and demons as they told stories, read fortunes and danced up and down the streets in the villages. We called it Odun Egun (Aygoon) in my Yoruba language.   

Trick or Treat; asking and begging for money from strangers back home in Nigeria is common practice. This is a constant you deal with from when you wake up; there is somebody at your front gate. On your commute to work; little kids are in the middle of the roads and your local police officers with their random “Check-Points” are all trying to make a dollar. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence and the way of life in Nigeria for so many not a means to rack up bags of candy and sweets.  

Tricks are made for Kids...