Nigerian tradition has a long-standing custom of honouring older people as a elementary side of our societal id. Igbo ikwuụ aka ọoto (kneeling to greet) and Yoruba dobaleẹ(prostrating) alongside Hausa gaisuwa (a respectful greeting typically accompanied by a slight bow or curtsy) present deep respect for elders via gestures of reverence in the direction of their knowledge and expertise.
Nonetheless, lately, a disturbing pattern has emerged: Current years have seen youthful generations resort to slapping older folks over minimal triggers. The transition to youthful folks slapping elders has generated discussions about varied root causes, together with diminished dwelling coaching and the consequences of social media. Many fail to recognise the highly effective affect of Nollywood, Nigeria’s thriving movie trade, because it shapes societal norms and behaviours.
Does the Nollywood movie trade promote a slapping tradition by deliberate design or accidentally? Understanding the movie trade’s depiction of battle and energy dynamics between generations will assist us decide its general affect on Nigerian social norms.
Nollywood’s movie trade might deliberately or unintentionally contribute to a tradition that normalizes slapping behaviour. Our evaluation of Nollywood’s depiction of battle, energy dynamics, and generational relations should embody its bigger impression on Nigerian tradition to deal with this difficulty.
Nollywood movies constantly characteristic the act of slapping as a repeated thematic elementThrough its storytelling, Nollywood displays the successes and challenges of Nigerian society and its intricate dynamics. The trade is a key influencer of cultural requirements as a result of it steadily magnifies particular behaviours via repeated showings and dramatic displays. Nollywood movies typically depict the act of slapping as a recurring trope.
Quite a few movies show slapping as a swift, dramatic technique for settling disputes or demonstrating energy. A mom slaps her disobedient little one. A spouse slaps her dishonest husband. A boss slaps an insolent worker. The youth strike an elder who reveals disrespect in the direction of them. Dramatic music alongside close-up pictures and exaggerated sound results enhances the slap, making it a memorable and emotionally intense second.
Whereas these scenes could also be supposed to entertain, in addition they ship a unconscious message: Bodily aggression within the type of slapping is a socially acceptable technique of exhibiting anger or implementing authority whereas demanding respect. Tv depictions of bodily aggression can lead youthful audiences with out dependable position fashions to consider that violence is an appropriate battle decision tactic.
The affect of nollywood on youth behaviourNollywood performs a vital position in shaping the views of Nigerian youth. Streaming platforms and social media have made Nollywood movies extra extensively obtainable than earlier than, permitting them to achieve thousands and thousands of viewers each inside Nigeria and internationally. These movies function leisure and academic materials for younger individuals who be taught cultural norms and social behaviour via them.
Younger viewers who repeatedly observe characters hitting their elders or friends might begin to settle for this behaviour as commonplace or one thing they wish to emulate. The stress on conventional respect and restraint values from globalisation and urbanisation intensifies in right this moment’s fast-paced trendy life society.
Nollywood movies steadily depict rebel and defiance as heroic themes for films that focus on youth audiences. Film characters who tackle authority figures by breaking guidelines and utilizing bodily pressure to defend themselves are often proven as heroes or anti-hero figures. The attraction of those storylines dangers prompting younger viewers to imitate these similar behaviours, which may be culturally unacceptable or damaging.
The blurred line between fiction and actuality Nollywood faces a problem as a result of its depiction of slapping creates an indistinguishable boundary between fictional narratives and real-world implications. Motion pictures depict slaps as occasions that result in vital outcomes, together with reconciliation, revenge, or an ethical lesson. The actual-world impression of slapping elders or friends typically leads to fractured relationships or authorized repercussions and should escalate to bodily violence.
Younger viewers who’re impressionable or lack correct steering would possibly fail to know the distinction between fictional actions and real-life penalties. For instance, kids who watch characters slap somebody in a movie would possibly surprise why they can’t do the identical.
Nollywood’s duty in shaping tradition Nollywood should perceive that its standing as Africa’s main cultural export requires cautious consideration of its societal impression. Although filmmakers have a vital responsibility to create participating narratives, they have to additionally acknowledge their place as guardians of cultural values. Because of this creators ought to current difficult topics via narratives that provoke thought as a substitute of copying behaviour.
Nollywood movies ought to display completely different dispute decision strategies via dialogue, mediation, or forgiveness as a substitute of exhibiting slapping as an answer to battle. By displaying completely different strategies of their content material, the leisure trade can advance higher options for managing anger and disrespect.
Nollywood’s movie trade can utilise its wide-reaching affect to stress conventional cultural practices and the importance of respecting elders. Motion pictures honouring these ideas whereas tackling trendy life’s difficulties can join generations and strengthen fascinating social practices.
The position of oldsters and educators Nollywood contributes to the event of cultural norms however shouldn’t be the one entity accountable for the growing slapping behaviour. Dad and mom, educators, and neighborhood leaders have the important duty of instructing youth about self-control and respect.To be continued.
Dr Oluwadele is an Creator, Chartered Accountant, Licensed Fraud Examiner and Public Coverage Scholar based mostly in Canada.
He may be reached through: [email protected]
