We Are As Confused As Our History

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Africa's biggest confusion is not merely that colonialism distorted their history, but Africans themselves now disagree on what their traditions really were.


Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the 2026 WTO Open Day 

You think you know your culture? You have the traditions of your ancestors at the tip of your fingers? From the day of the Berlin Conference of 1884–85 to the conquest of Britain and France in your various countries, you have read and summarized everything like a book in preparation for an upcoming examination. I'm sure you can tell a few stories about the Arabian slave trade across North Africa.

In your brain, your account of these stories is the most accurate and empirical of all accounts. Of course, you read them in books written by scholars grounded in African history. So, you are not wrong when you describe yourself as an authority on African history.

However, have you noticed the recent misinterpretation of the norms, beliefs, and practices of the African people?

Everyone has a different perspective on a particular cultural norm.

In Igbo land, there is an influx of the omenana people who are clamouring for the renewal of the traditions and culture of the Igbo people. This they call "Go Back To Our Roots."

The somewhat sudden clamour for returning to the ancestral roots is led by men who parade themselves as scholars and professors of Igbo history. These people have immersed themselves in the study of the Biafran War (1967–70) through books like Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra by Chinua Achebe, and other books with the same theme.

These individuals have agitated for the separatist nation of Biafra. Their grievance stems from the perceived marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigeria.

However, the agitation for an independent Igbo (Biafra) nation is not the bone of contention. The argument is about the unhealthy ideas or practices paraded by these people in the name of Igbo culture.

Recently, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, attended the WTO Open Day with an entourage of masquerades. They were gyrating to the rhythm of drums played by exquisite men who understood the dance of the spirits.

Ordinarily, this particular action by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would have been celebrated across Africa, especially by her own people, the Igbo. Who wouldn't want to celebrate her?

The great daughter of Ogwashi-Ukwu and the illustrious wife of Umuahia, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is that woman whose bravery shakes the world. Her signature ichafu and two thick wrappers on her waist have become a trend in global fashion. Her economic reforms have contributed to strengthening trade across the globe.

So, she deserves every accolade for this beautiful action.

Unfortunately, this singular act of reverence for African culture met with heavy criticism in Africa. It was worse among the men of her ethnic group.

Men who have taken "Custodian of the Traditions" as chieftaincy titles criticized her for dancing with a masquerade, which is believed to be sacrosanct in Igbo land. Nollywood actor Ugezu J. Ugezu, in a Facebook post, said that he received insults from people because he appreciated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's outing. In the Facebook post, Ugezu explained how Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's singular act promoted Igbo culture. He went further to explain the rules of the masquerade cult. But even after all the explanation, the comments section was filled with men firing loads of insults at the Nollywood actor.

This only reveals the contradiction in our mindset. We accuse the West of ruining our culture. But we are the real problem.

We are as confused as our history.

The argument will always rage. We will want to dissect how our ancestors were able to marry wives and still have them bow to them. However, we forget that the womenfolk had cults of their own, which even made them part of the decision-making process.

In Igbo land, the Umuada are a group of indigenous women who coordinate the affairs of a community. These women ensured the peaceful coexistence of families and the daily activities of the community. Today, the Umuada still represent an institution of peace, law, and order in Igbo land.

Africa might be divided by politics and geography, but we owe ourselves the responsibility of rewriting what has been written.

It is our right to define what is truly ours. We cannot wait for rescue, which may never come. Even if we are rescued, we are still subjected to the darkness roaming the streets of our brains.


Chidera Onuoha.

Join my Substack community via the link below 👇

https://chideraonuoha.substack.com

Comments

shattereddreamsnovel.com said…
The freedom of Africa lies in her hands.
We alone can redefine our history, the way it should be.
July 31, 2026 at 2:08 PM
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