HISTORICAL/CULTURAL BACKGROUND
Before young Soyinka and co formed the pyrates, many traditional cult groups existed in all parts of Nigeria
In the south west we have the Ogboni fraternity which was a traditional cult group and in the later years the Reformed ogboni fraternity which have business association as intent, oro, egungun, gelede, eluku, agemo, sangbetto and so on
in the south east, the ozo and many age grade initiation into different cult groups
in the south south, egbesu was dominant
The basic characteristics are intimidation and secrecy
Parents took pride in their children especially the male stork being initiated and willingly provide materials for initiation .Initiation processes are sometimes to test endurance and can sometimes be difficult.Meetings are conducted in secrecy and in secret places
The uninitiate is regarded as an outsider and a coward
Various bloody rituals and claudestine activities are the norm
Sometimes they act as enforcer to the traditional institutions
They are responsible for capturing human beings for sacrifices and beheading a fellow human being is regarded as bravery
Insigna are usually bizarre items, they usually attack in numbers to burn and destroy the properties of opposing groups.so many bloody clashes abound and the perennial ololu and alapansanpa clashes in ibadan, Oyo state is an example
Women are usually treated with contempt.Revealing secrets are usually decisively dealt with
In Northern Nigeria, the cult groups have religious connotation
Much later our freedom fighters fathers formed their own cult groups as political associations
It is important to note that cultism is not peculiar to Nigeria or Africa. Outside we have groups like KKK
TO BE CONTINUED
I am not APC or PDP i desire the best for Nigeria.
WATCH OUT FOR MORE THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
salu Ayoola-PH
