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Showing posts with label Nigerian culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigerian culture. Show all posts

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Some Nigerian Americans & Some Other Black People's Opinions About The Yoruba (Nigerian) Word "Akata" (from a 2025 Nigerian American YouTube podcast)



 

One54 Africa and godfreycomedian

Dec 9, 2025  #one54 #nigeria #darrylvega

American Nigerians Called Akata

 “I get a lot of slack from Nigerians for not being a real Nigerian.” – Nigerian American comedian/actor] Godfrey [Daneschmah]

[…]

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcxast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America."...

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a Dec, 2025 YouTube podcast and presents selected comments from that podcast about the meanings and uses of the Yoruba (Nigeria) word "akata".

Some of these comments include the newly coined acronym "FBA" (Foundational Black Americans) and its definition of the English language word "tether".

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the One54 podcast and all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/ataka-is-mean-spirited-word.html for the  October 2011 pancocojams post "Akata Is A Mean Spirited Word".

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/11/comments-about-referent-akata-other.html for the 2017 pancocojams post "Comments About The Referent "Akata" & Other Excerpts From A 2005 Book About Africans Perceptions Of African Americans by Godfrey Mwakikagile"

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE WORD "AKATA" FROM THIS PODCAST'S DISCUSSION THREAD

(Numbers are given to these comments for referencing purposes only)

December 2025

1.@live.life.on.purpose
"1:33 mark. Nigerians are jealous of those who made it out of Nigeria.  Got it."

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2. @kevinanith2713, February 2026
"jealous of what๐Ÿ˜‚"

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3. @powderedtoastfacekillah734, February 2026
"@kevinanith2713ask the jealous Nigerians"

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4. @helenodiah9420, March 2026
"​@kevinanith2713exactly. Naija we do not envy eachother. We celebrate ourselves"

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5. @nahnotatall4291
"4:15 = AKATA moment"

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6. @AmeriNiiji1983, January 2026
"Godfrey spoke on Africans especially from his country xenophobia"

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7. @helenodiah9420, March 2026
"​ @AmeriNiiji1983 he spoke on  South African. Nigeria has no xenophobia. We welcome. People say we are too welcoming. Get your story straight."

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8.@Blackhaze3000, March 2026
"Attitudes like that was why African countries and many other black nations will never grow. Too busy judging and fighting with other black people who might be different from them instead of fighting with those other folks who are robbing ya’ll of your resources."

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9 @helenodiah9420, March 2026
"@Blackhaze3000 Akata was never meant for Americans. It was for Africans who left the country and came back after many years. It simply means.  "Wild cat" it is not that serious. My friends call me "Akata " whenever I return home and we just laugh and merry. You guys ruined it on the US by spreading lies that it is a slur. Is "black panther" a slur. Since when?"

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10. @helenodiah9420, February 2026
"This term was originally intended for Nigerians who have returned to their home country and exhibit altered behaviors. My own siblings use this term with me, and it is not indicative of jealousy. Rather, it reflects a change in accent that has occurred due to living abroad. "Akata" translates to "Wild cat," similar to a black panther. It is not meant to be taken seriously. The dissemination of misinformation in America, suggesting it refers to cotton pickers or slaves, has unfortunately distorted its original meaning."
-snip-
This commenter repeated these same comments multiple times in this discussion thread.

**
11. @Johncampy
"I was born in lagos and lived there for 9 years . I still get told my accent is foreign ๐Ÿ˜‚"

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12. 
@health2u605
"The word 'akata' never has been, and never will be used derogatively. Why would anyone want to twist a word used in referencing America to mean a disparaging way of referring to someone, or a group of peoples, other than he or she harbouring a malevolent desire to spread hate, disdain, division and derision.

In Southwestern Nigeria there are essentially two main ways of referencing the white man's territories: i) *Ilu oyinbo*, literally meaning 'the white man's country'; and  ii) 'Akata,'  comes into the wider picture in order to distinguish between Europe and America; they are both referred to as 'Ilu oyinbo,' to know which one of the Ilu oyinbos is being talked about, the affectionate term 'Akata' is always used for America, and never ever used in a derogatory way.

Whoever came up with such a mischievous misnomer should just go get a life, get closer to his or her roots (where they happen to be an 'original Afro descendant in America,) and learn how the culture functions.  ✌️๐Ÿคœ๐Ÿค›✌️"

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13. @mussiedebrezion8198
"Oh yes it has and still does"

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14. @jameswatson5807
"
@mussiedebrezion8198  it is like woke where the meaning is twisted. Akata in Nigeria is not derogatively,  the odd thing is in the UK.

Nigerians and Jamaicans had beef  way back in the 70s and 80s yet we have never heard of the word.  Akata we only found out via social media recent.

 Akata It is the name for a wild cat called a serval that has no home but it is used to mean a Yorรนbรก person who doesn’t know the language or culture, that meaning has been extended to African Americans or black people in general.

Akata- African American, Kokoye- Hispanics, Oyinbo- white people."

 **
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15. @mussiedebrezion8198
"
@jameswatson5807 akata is a derogatory slang for fbas ,i had Nigerian friends tell me this๐Ÿ˜‚ personally and they were yoruba like my friend sunday ,I'm Eritrean i know this personally and even us Eritreans call fba barya which means slaves many times unfortunately so the lies have to stop period"
-snip-
"fba" = "Foundational Black American", a newly coined referent that is used by some people who were formerly known as African American"

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16. @jameswatson5807
"@mussiedebrezion8198  You did not read my comment because I stated  the word "Akata used in Nigeria is not derogatively"

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17. @jameswatson5807
"
@mussiedebrezion8198  The slave thing makes no sense, when Africans enslaved each other. So it makes no sense."

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18. @mussiedebrezion8198
"@jameswatson5807 let's be honest ๐Ÿ˜‚I'm tigrinya from Eritrea and we have never been slavs and we have written language since millena something the rest of Africans don't have since only recently"

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19. @tok1879, February 2026
"@mussiedebrezion8198 I'm Yoruba. And if your friend truly exists, he doesn't know what he's talking about. I've stopped using the word only because of the way African Americans perceive it but it's purely descriptive. It can be used both negatively and positively."

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20. @roybabineaux5353, February 2026
"@tok1879 you guys have never used it in a positive light when you use akata towards black Americans and it could be Malcolm X or Martin Luther King Jr. Let's not start lying now be real with yourself you have never heard Nigerians use akata in a positive light towards black Americans it is always in a negative light and that is a fact."

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21. @tok1879,  February 2026
"@roybabineaux5353 i don't know who you are. And you don't know who i am but it's crazy you're this certain as to how I used the world. The word as we used it was an adjective. You would hear usages like " I have 3 best friends: one is kokoye, one is akata and the last is naija." Or "my akata wife is gorgeous" it is purely descriptive. There are definitely usages that are negative as well just as you can use adjectives like "black" in a negative manner. I don't think that makes the word "black" a derogative word."

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22. @roybabineaux5353, February 2026
"@tok1879 you have a song from a Nigerian called stay away from the akata. And you say the akata are dumb and stupid you have never ever use it in a positive light ever. Let's not lie anymore to yourself the cats out the bag. To us akata is like calling us the n word they are one and the same now and if you use it in America you might get you teeth knocked out."

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23. @tok1879, February 2026
"@roybabineaux5353 there's no way you're this slow. I was today years old when i find out about this song from 5 years ago with less than 60k views.

Again I'm not arguing that there are no misinformed views that SOME Nigerians have towards black Americans even though there are going the other direction as well, what I'm saying is that the word akata is descriptive. It's very possible to use it in a negative manner.

Also you seem to be set in your conclusion as to what the true usage is. So i probably won't be responding to you anymore. Enjoy."

**
24. @eon001
"Same in the UK. And I've even heard about grown Nigerians that spend a few years living abroad, and they get called Akata."

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25. @Whatupna
"@executivs

And it's used in a derogatory manner as Godfrey demonstrated but if that's what y'all want to call your own people then good go on and do it but don't call other people that who don't want to be called that"

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26. @SttsSttts
"Or you are just a foreigner or adopted foreigner culture. My brother is full blown Rwandese but he was born in Germany, does not speak or understand our culture, everyone calls him German man or foreigner here๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚, it's not because they are jealous."

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27. @corey22beardable
"​@SttsSttts jokes come with a form of truth and jealousy"

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28. @SttsSttts
"@corey22beardable it's not jokes though. Its the true. There is a cultural part in african nations that binds us all together. If I came and act or behave like German you will be treated like one. Culture is more important than looks in Africa I believe. This is why our parents make the effort for us to learn our culture, language and traditions even in foreign lands."

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29. @JohnWick-gl6mw
"@SttsSttts  Well said sir  ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช"

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30. @kevinanith2713, February 2026
"@corey22beardable  I'm Nigerian and jealous of what๐Ÿ˜‚"

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31. @juggmaneyatta4426, February 2026
"@SttsSttts im black american (Mississippi), but my grandfather was louisiana creole, he always talked to us about our african ancestors. Even taught us to speak kouri vini as well as bambara and french. I tell my friends all the time the problem comes when we as Americans visit african countries and expect american things and we behave as many americans would if those expections arent met"

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32. @StephanieMiller-z2q, February 2026
"@kevinanith2713if you didn’t make it out of Nigeria then you are deemed to be “jealous” if you did, then this doesn’t pertain to you"

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33. @killmongermyhero1169
"So wait they tell us to connect with Africa and go back home, but from the sounds of it Africans believe fleeing over here is the come up ๐Ÿค” so what am I missing"

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34. @James-x2y5u
"The U.S. is our home. We ADOS/FBA can't "go back" to a home the ancestors of some of our ancestors were ripped from but we as their descendants, never knew. There is value in connecting with the African descendants of our ancestors who weren't transported to North America, and if some ADOS/FBA want to remain in Africa for awhile, that's their choice. They are in the home of our ancestors, but their birth home is the United States of America."
-snip-
The referent "ADOS" (American Descendants Of  Slaves) was coined shortly before the referent "FBA" (Foundational Black Americans). Both of these terms refer to part of the population that is commonly called "African American". 

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35. @TessaMac-n9n, February 2026
"@James-x2y5u our ancestors were SOLD into slavery."

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36. @Keith-b6w2f, February 2026
"Because they ignorantly believe all of us are from Africa which isn’t true dark skinned people are everywhere on this planet"

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37. @LexRuger718, February 2026
"@Keith-b6w2f  Oh you one of them with an identity crisis"

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38. @Keith-b6w2f, February 2026
"@LexRuger718 far from it ๐Ÿ˜‚"

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39. @007ohboy, February 2026
"@Keith-b6w2f Its adorable...you think youre a Native American.

What happened to being Egyptian? ๐Ÿ˜‚"

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40. @Nickademas1, February 2026
"@007ohboy uh the mockery is a sign of your own ignorance. Please do research, these ideas while sometimes slightly misguided, are not so far fetched."

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41. @007ohboy, February 2026
"
@Nickademas1 research BS? DNA is a thing. But dont let science get in the way of a good vibe, Dr Yakub. ๐Ÿ˜‚"

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42. @Nickademas1, February 2026
"@007ohboy you've cleared up absolutely nothing then started arguing with yourself..."

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43. @killahroundz457, March 2026
"@007ohboy  oh you poor sweet summer child  you didn't know the DNA ancestry tests are for entertainment purposes only. Those aren't actually accurate you can look it up"

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44. 
@MsNathelia
"What do they call the British Nigerians?"

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45. @Henrymuglier92
"British Nigerians are referred to as "Britico" when we visit relatives back in Nigeria"

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46. @401Orisa
"@Henrymuglier92 Britiko was more recent and was more popular amongst older Lagosians who could differentiate between an Americana and Britiko. Akata is a general term and used more often.  An average Yoruba or Nigerians would label anyone whether Afro Asian, Afro Britiko or Afro American as Akata first. I gets called Akata daily as well. In short anyone who speak English with foreign accent even those born in Nigeriaare labeled as akata ๐Ÿ˜‚"

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47. @401Orisa
"The same. Everyone born overseas are called Akata or JJC. Akata basically means Panther in Yoruba but derived for Black Panther party chapter in Nigeria. It isn’t derogatory at all but some just hate it and paint it as such"

****

January 2026

48. @powderedtoastfacekillah734
"So basically Nigerians who use that word are jealous of Nigerian Americans"

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49. @Moe_Lester_fromUptwn, February 2026
"Yep. Same with nonblacks using the N word as a Slur; insecurity, envy and you said it, jealousy."

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50. @badoousain9817,February 2026
"I don't know what it means specifically, but from my understanding and explanations I've heard,  it's not entirely jealousy - it's more like delineating - saying you're not born and raised in Africa. Your own family members can call you that, so it' not entirely derogatory"

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51. @Losomosso94, February 2026
"They are really jealous of black Americans when you think about it…

How they going to jealous of Nigerians and ignore the real group of blacks that made it all possible ?

Yall try hard but will always fail unless you keep it real every second every minute about black Americans"

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52. @powderedtoastfacekillah734, February 2026
"@Losomosso94 that’s not how it works

Nigerian Americans want to show that they’re also Nigerian…and Nigerians are gatekeeping because they think Nigerian Americans had it easier

You had to try hard to misunderstand the conversation as badly as you did"

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53. @Losomosso94, February 2026
"@powderedtoastfacekillah734 Nigerian Americans definately have called black Americans akata … talk that

You misunderstanding on purpose

And we all know why when it comes to black Americans"

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54. @powderedtoastfacekillah734, February 2026
"@Losomosso94 well go comment on that video…this video is about Nigerians and Nigerian Americans, sir"

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55. @TyTyBryant,February 2026
"@powderedtoastfacekillah734 it is stop lying"

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52. @powderedtoastfacekillah734, February 2026
"@T @TyTyBryant u could simply read the video title and avoid looking this way"

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56. @TyTyBryant, February 2026
"@p @powderedtoastfacekillah734 hat’s your opinion. I only deal with facts over here"

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57. @powderedtoastfacekillah734, February 2026
"@TyTyBryant  but…the FACT is that it literally says “American Nigerians” in the title, not Black Americans

But by all means please continue whatever you think you’re doing"

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58. @TyTyBryant, February 2026
"@powderedtoastfacekillah734  akata is used on blk ppl too by Africans so what’s the point."

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59. @powderedtoastfacekillah734, February 2026
"@TyTyBryant  the point is my comment has to do with the topic of the video and you can’t stay on topic"

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60. @TyTyBryant, February 2026
"@powderedtoastfacekillah734 I guess… just know Hamites and Israelites are not brothers just because they both have different shades of brown"

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61. @JosephHenry-x2z, February 2026
"@Losomosso94 yes I'd say so as a Liberian yes its a little jealousy and a little confusion. Go to these countries in the villages and see how they live, you'd think the projects in America is super nice after leaving.. so for us it's like you have all of this and still complaining. To us it's like your rich friend talking about idk what to eat my parents order too many different food while you had 2 hot dogs and ice for dinner"

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62. @Losomosso94, February 2026
"@JosephHenry-x2z I understand … i wish they picked morally strong leaders and geo political partners and built their sovereignty unite and unite Africa like a the AES… black Americans need you guys we have no power here. Global influence but no structural power"

Yah Bless"

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63. @MarloBanfield, February 2026
"@JosephHenry-x2z  The point is, whether you are in America or Africa, our people should not be enduring such suffering for the benefit of everyone else. We are stronger together!"

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64. @owohscorner
"I'm Bi-ethnic. My mother is Black American, and my father is Igbo-Nigerian. In the 80s and 90s, ALOT of West Africans congregated in the American south– not the deep south like Louisiana, but Virginia, the Carolinas and upper Georgia. And a lot of West Africans, men and women, mixed and married with the Black Americans in those areas.

Honestly, it could be an entire Anthropological study."

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65. @juggmaneyatta4426
"In places like louisiana and Mississippi west africans were there a bit longer because of the port of new orleans and france and spain controlling the territory at seperate times. I can trace my family all the way back to 1781 before louisiana was a apart of the US"

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February 2026

66.@Cinquemendy9906
"In the Manjaku dialect (West Africa) Akata means to make it, to overcome, to reach an other side-shore-place-position"

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67. @Mo1683
"Stop lying. That’s the main issue, that it’s always purposeful misinformation"

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68. @13579hee, March 2026
"​@Mo1683 no, the truth of the matter is that they really don't even know the origins of that word"

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69. @killahroundz457, March 2026
"@Mo1683   but thats just simply not true tho, theres over 3,000 native languages in africa ,i wouldn't be surprised if  the same word has different meanings to different languages."

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70. @meesh2015
"@Ghe608
Every Caribbean parent and every African parent need to send their children home for summertime or winter time or both every year so they understand ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿฟ"

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71. @big-aimpalancapricenationi3217, March 2026
"If they can afford it.

My family couldn't although I got to go home once."

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72. @doublepromo8240
"
Strange how "akata" is a popular word now because the movie ":Sugar Hill" with Wesley Snipes and Michael Wright was released in 1994 and there is a scene where to African men tell Romello (Wesley) and Raynathan (Michael) "we cannot do business wiith akata."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybfv_17pyGo "

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73. @Mo1683
"Yet they always play dumb with it being a slur for Black Americans"

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74. @d.7203, March 2026
"@Mo1683 the movie was written by a Black American who doesn't speak Yoruba"

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75. @mrmystery871
"Akata is not a bad word. It came from the nigerian students in US universities in the 60s during the civil rights movement. Akata in yoruba means a panther. It was first used to describe the black panther group of that era. Nowadays it is used to describe all black americans whether nigerian american or not. As long as you are born and grow up black american, you are akata."

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76. @Them_kids_momma
"I suggest you not call Black Americans that."

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77. @MangoSlade
"Godfrey is still a tether!!!!"

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78. @boomboombaby9140
"
A tether is a person that comes from or has ties to another country that looks down on , questions roots not accepting the truth , disrespectful to the people that made it possible for them to enter the country.๐Ÿ˜ฎ"
-snip-
This definition of "tether" is from the FBA lineage movement.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/10/what-word-tether-means-to-foundational.html for the 2024 pancocojams post "
What The Word "Tether" Means To Foundational Black Americans (FBAs)"

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79.@Moe_Lester_fromUptwn
"@boomboombaby9140 a tether is a wolf in disguise, godfrey isn't that. He calls out the bs"

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80.@MangoSlade
"@Moe_Lester_fromUptwn That tether is against reparations!!!!!"

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81. @BronzeSista, March 2026
"Godfrey is right.  On one post on Instagram.  We talked about how Godfrey stood on business, and he make us laugh. A Nigerian man said Godfrey is not one if us.  He doesn't even act like us, and he does an accent thats not a true Nigerian accent.   We Black Americans lit him up! You don't have the authority to tell  Godfrey he's not Nigerian.  We have to defend Godfrey because he is also American"

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82, @voba2558, March 2026
"That guy is akaterian, means that guy is from abroad"

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83. @warrenbfeagins, March 2026
"Every benefit and privilege FBAs have was paid for with Black blood and bodies in the ground. We were an enslaved MINORITY. Nigerians are a free MAJORITY, yet tell us about what we should be doing??? I appreciate what Godfrey is TRYING to do. Some will get it. I'm afraid most won't. These lessons Godfrey is trying to teach are about 60 years too late. Delineation gatekeeping and vetting is here to stay. FBA fam. ♥️๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿฟ"

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84. @TheGhettoPhilosopher
"They asses lying because Many of those aficans that are here also say stay away from the akata and its not their own kind. They mean the Americans that were slaves Cynthia Orivo should be calling herself akata but when she used it it was specifically for us."

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85. @TheGhettoPhilosopher
"@helenodiah9420 man stfu with that tether bs. Tether had one meaning now it has another. Idgaf what you say it meant. Now it's a term about black Americans. Don't mess with the akata don't sound like don't mess with your fellow tethers. Save that lame explanation to someone who is new to akata"

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86. @JoeyIsaiah, March 2026
"
The mindset in these comments is disgusting, we all need to come together as one instead of fighting each other keeping the distraction going, I'm garifuna-honduran American, when my parents came to America in the 90s and how most PEOPLE SEE AMERICA is how it was marketed as "THE LAND OF THE FREE" what Americans have to understand is that in our homelands the corruption is overt and the GANGS have taken over, hec our police walk around with rifles not pistols and you're saying stay home and figure it out? ARE YOU DUMB???? THINK LIKE THIS, America will soon go through the overt corruption and that's when civil war begins and when that starts there's not enough firearms to hold anything down, what they'll do is bac out their A.i powered firearms to put everyone in chec, then what's going to happen? THE AMERICAN WILL TRY TO LEAVE AND IMMIGRATE IN ANOTHER PLACE AND IMAGINE IF THAT PLACE HOLDS THE RHETORIC OF "FIGURE IT OUT IN YOUR HOMELAND" that is why that thinking is detrimental, now for the people who aren't Americans you have to understand and RESPECT THE BLAC AMERICAN for all of their work that people like you and I benefit from while they get no credit so their anger will always be justified, the fighting NEEDS TO STOP and we all need to come together in peace and fight THEM together instead of separate, we first fight bac in America by becoming self sufficient and STOP THE HEAVY CONSUMERISM"

****

March 2026

87. @graphicsRat
"From the tone of the word Akata I know it's a Yoruba word and the first time I heard the word used it was by relatives in the US who would tell stories about being timid and an African American (Akata) arriving on the scene and putting their foot down and getting the situation sorted out. The word suggests someone that either no-nonsense, sophisticated and not very traditional African. It is not intended to be a slur."

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88. @meesh2015
"Its actually a slur. Its a yoruba word that basically means animal that doesnt care for its kids."

****
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Sunday, November 30, 2025

Comments About Nigerian AfroBeats Singer Burna Boy Getting Cancelled In The United States (November 2025)


Kwadwo Sheldon Studios  and The Breakdown With KSS, Nov 27, 2025
 
Is Burna Boy facing cancellation? Kwadwo Sheldon Studios examines the situation, exploring a recent concert incident and its widespread social media fallout. The video analyzes the artist's response and the ensuing debate, including reactions from prominent media figures. Ticket sales and concert attendance are also discussed.

*WARNING- This podcast includes one example of profanity.
-snip-
In this podcast this West African podcaster frequently refers to Burna Boy by one of that award winning singer's nicknames  "Odogwu". AI Overview indicates that "Odogwu"[is] An Igbo word meaning "great warrior" or "hero," [that was] given to Burna Boy] for his role as a symbol of African excellence."

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a West African (Ghanaian?*) YouTube podcast about Nigerian singer Burna Boys being cancelled** by his fans living in the United States.

This post also presents additional comments about why Burna Boy is getting cancelled in the United States from Africans and from Black Americans.  .
.
The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and linguistic purposes.

In addition to documenting this incident and its fall out, I'm interested in archiving the similarities and differences between what different populations-particularly Nigerians outside of the United States and Black Americans- have to say about this subject,

I'm also interested in documenting how these populations talked about this subject (i.e. the vernacular words, phrases, and sayings that were used.)

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the podcaster whose podcast is showcased in this post.
-snip-
*The podcaster's name "Kwadwo" leads me to believe that he is Ghanaian.
https://pvamu.libguides.com/c.php?g=1434869&p=10652498
"The Akan people use the Kwa language group’s system of timekeeping, which is based on a six-day week (‘nnanson‘), with the seventh day inclusive. In Ashanti homes, Sunday-born males and females are named Kwasi or Kwesi and Akosua respectively (meaning ‘associated with the universe’); Monday-born are Kwadwo or Kojo, Adjoa or Adwoa (meaning ‘associated with peace’); Tuesday-born are Kwabena or Kobi, Abena (meaning ‘associated with the ocean’); Wednesday-born Kwaku or Kweku, Akua (meaning ‘associated with spider/Ananse’); Thursday-born Yaw, Yaa ( meaning ‘associated with the earth’); Friday-born Kofi, Afia or Afua (meaning ‘associated with fertility’); and Saturday-born Kwame, Ama (meaning ‘associated with God’)."

**Here's an excerpt of an AI Overview write-up about "getting cancelled":
"Getting "cancelled" means withdrawing support from a public figure or company after they have done or said something considered unacceptable, often leading to public shaming, boycotts, or job loss. This phenomenon, known as "cancel culture," is largely fueled by social media, where individuals or groups call for others to stop consuming a person's work, buying their products, or following them".
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burna_Boy f
or information about Burna Boy.

****
There are LOTS of YouTube podcasts about Burna Boy being cancelled by Black American fans, West African fans, and other fans in the United States. Here are two other podcasts on that subject:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPGzsJH_k4M "Burna Boy Cancels 5 U.S. Concerts Over Low Ticket Sales… Learning the Hard Way" published by Mercy Inegbu Tv, November 30, 2025.

**
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxc1oXURQDE "
Black Americans Cancel Burna Boy Like They Did To Tyla "❌ #amercia #burnaboy, published by Moments With Miracle,  Nov 28, 2025 "Americans Cancel Burna Boy Like They Did To Tyla ❌ Don’t Mess With Americans"

****
ONLINE COMMENTS ABOUT BURNA BOY IS GETTING CANCELLED IN THE UNITED STATES

The write-up that is given as Online Source #1 is from a Black American woman.
 
Many of the comments in the discussion threads for this post's second and third online sources appear to me to be from Africans-and particularly West Africans from Nigeria and from Ghana.

The write-up that is given as source #4 is from a Nigerian man.. .

ONLINE SOURCE #1:

From .facebook.com/61554367323373/posts/nigerian-artist-burnaboy-is-facing-heavy-and-well-deserved-backlash-in-the-us-af/122236821686145577/ "Burna Boy is facing heavy and well- deserved backlash in the United States  

Your Problematic Faves's Post [retrieved November 30, 2025
"Nigerian artist #BurnaBoy is facing heavy and well deserved backlash in the US after throwing out a fan who dozed off during his show. The incident sparked outrage, sent his ticket sales crashing, and even forced multiple tour dates to be canceled and plenty of people say they aren’t surprised given his history of allegedly getting physical with fans.
And honestly, I wasn’t feeling him anyway after he made those comments about Black Americans not having a culture, so I couldn’t care less now. This is one downfall I’m absolutely enjoying. Pride comes before the fall, and I wish him the worst.
The woman he ejected later spoke out on Instagram, saying the situation has only worsened her depression. Actions have consequences I hope she sues for emotional distress."

****
ONLINE SOURCE #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVb3Ejt0-Ec

These selected comments are from the discussion thread for the showcase video that is given at the top of this pancocojams post

All of these comments were published from November 27 to November 30, 2025.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. @Kubolor
"One thing about the states, they will elevate you and drop you like u never existed ๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
Reply
2. @MaSin-ih2yz
"Nope, they drop u when u start fooling around"

**
3. @abdullahclementabdulshekur6736
"he deserves whatever that's coming his way, these musicians sometimes think they are gods"

**
4. @lawdbilly
"And he doesn’t respect his African fans he kinda needed this humbling"

**
Reply
5. @BDSCLOTHING-Daniel
"Even Nigerians fans self he doesn’t respect them"

**
6. @kingpingh
"Sheldon make i tell you something... Everyone who had bought tickets before the show requested for a refund due to the cancel culture ๐Ÿ˜…"

**
7.
@intercepted2825
"
Nigerians will embrace him when he gets back"

**
8. @Jays_on
"I don't know why I'm happy for this"

**
Reply
9. @EhijieBarkley
"Because you are full of hate change your way bro๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
Reply
10. @kwame_senyo
"Yes because we blacks always love to see peoples downfall"

**
Reply
11. @Jays_on
"@EhijieBarkley not that bro .. it's just his actions towards his fans."

**
Reply
12.@Jays_on
" @kwame_senyo what will his downfall do to me? I don't even care about him rising or falling. I care about the way he treats his fans"

**
Reply
13. @2xdarkij498
"You're not alone, I hate people with ego, you see the replies? These people are foolish when it involves a people that are black dier black people like people downfall when the person is African but when he do this to other continents dier we no dey hope for downfall sia. Dem dey do the same to yamal dier you no go talk burna boy you dey come talk"

**
Reply
14. @emmanuelonyesoh125
"@kwame_senyo Ghanaians always want to see naija downfall,it's won't happen, nigeria artist will always be ahead"

**
Reply
15. @brotaku8619
" @emmanuelonyesoh125  Nah bro, has nothing to do with that. We love Nigerian music. But Burna was dead wrong for that. And even more wrong for playing victim and not apologizing."

**
16. @elizabethenyonamdotse8146
"Pride goes before a fall๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
Reply
17. @NielSalvy
"The Bible never lies"

**
18. @Kubolor
"Lmao burna boy thinks he’s Chris brown or future ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚."

**
Reply
19. @Whoischisom
"No, he thought he was Breezy and Drake combined.๐Ÿคก"

**
Reply
20. @Kubolor
"@Whoischisom Lmaoo"

**
Reply
21. @Goodymaddok
"Even they would get cancelled too ๐Ÿคง"

**
Reply
22.@orlandonurse3466
"He wish he was ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
23. @brudexgh1
"He could have handled the issue different and would have even gained more fans. I knew he will pay for it"

**
24. @mavisgazeglah123
"If he's okay sacking his fans from his show, he should be okay if these fans don't show up for his concert"

**
25. @NewsCaffey
"They sarve him right that is why we cancel him in South Africa ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ"

**
26.  @sylvesterowusu6648
"Pikin wey them no teach for house, na outside them go teach am"

**
27. @AndrewsOpokuMensah
"Waiting for 4 hours before artist performs

Why ano go sleep?๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
28. @dashingmanuel
"I don’t know why I’m very happy.  He needs a lesson in humility. His attitude stinks and needs an attitude adjustment"

**
29. @britcstar
"Exactly"

**
30.@jaybaba1122
"I beg make I ask for refund for the Atlanta concert before Burna slaps me because I yawn ๐Ÿฅฑ"

**
31. @iam._Tesla
"Odogwu dey overdo these days"

**
32. @Candywine970
"It’s good paaa ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘next time he go learn sense, he figa say he reach, MJ (Micheal Jackson)self when he got something wrong he come out and apologize to his fans , ofui"

**
33. @simeonmyom21
"As a Nigerian i am proudly supporting this, he should be cancelled with immediate effect, that ๐Ÿฅท has done enough. We Nigerians have cancelled him already sha."

**
Reply
34. @europeanpatriot21
"But Burna Boy is still at the top of the Nigerian music charts. Greetings from Germany"

**
35. @thekusiwaa
"Yeah I remember South Africa saw this first and cancelled him we were all sleeping then ❤❤"

**
36. @michaeladdo7422
"He should clear off.... we won't go to his nonsense concert ever...."

**
37.
@doe22us
"he is in serious trouble, i saw a half hearted insincere apology smh, this dude is quite foolish to be honest"

**
38. @yawcrazy
"We need to bring him back down to earth and remind him that he’s nothing without his fans"

**
39. @NanaAko-r5f
"Pride comes before a fall๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

Everything about his character screams village artist ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
Reply
40. @emmanuelonyesoh125
"Village artists??? Even in next 30 years to come no ghana artist can come close to burna boy level"

**
41. @Ivan-Grace
"Eminem even commented not  cool"

**
42. @ammaokyere2906
"Most of his fans are American and European youth.  They are very social conscious and will not tolerate bad behavior.  He is being held accountable"

**
43.@adn3815
"Burna boy is the only Nigerian artist that really went mainstream in us without putting his fellow Nigerian artists on. Couldn’t be wizkid,davido, kizz daniel tiwa etc

Idk who in Africa hurt him so bad that ni&ga* needs to heal up."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment. 

**
44. @Iam_BahDaDAN
"As ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌNigerian.. We support this. We Nigerians don't support nonsense. He should be ❌cancel so he can learn the hard way."

**
45. @reuyigroups
"We still love you bro. Put yourself together and move on.. its ur carrier. Don worry"

**
46. @ehisehis4444
"Burna boy insulted and disrespected Nigerians, call us broke and Nigerians place a curse on him which is working and manifesting now.  We carried him on our back but now he thinks he’s bigger than Nigerians . A child’s that says his or her parents will not sleep, he or she will not sleep as well.  Very soon he will lose home and away.

He says he’s the greatest after FELA but FELA did not behaved like this. FELA was a preacher and a freedom fighter for his people and African ."

**
Reply
47.@europeanpatriot21
"How is it then that Burna Boy is still at the top of the Nigerian music charts? "

**
48. @KonaduGraceYaa
"Is not only USA Charlie when it come to canceling of artists Asian countries they will cancel you right now but Africa we will pampering them for them to take us as fools because they know that they will get  some fans outside"

**
49. @Kojosuccess1232
"I remember one Nigerian telling me in Dubai, Burna will be canceled by 2026 . Is like some of these people can see in the future"

**
Reply
50. @MaSin-ih2yz
"Naaa it easy to predict because of his attitude, but he westerners believe ur fans make u" 

****
ONLINE SOURCE #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj__ntzDb0U

"Black Americans Successfully BOYCOTT Burna Boy & His Houston Concert Flops" #us #africanamerican

twinshangout kenya, Nov 27, 2025

All of these comments are from November 22-November 30, 2025


Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. @MichaelAkim-b8s
"Burna boy is very foolish he will learn the hard way"

**
Reply
2. @rIcH-fOrEvEr-c5j
"Since fame got into his head, he started behaving like a superhuman smh ๐Ÿคฆ"

**
3. @grettersmart4194
"Very good ๐Ÿ‘ all stupid behavior dey do  in nigeria ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ you can't do it here in the USA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ."

**
Reply
4. @Msboochie2
"Unless you’re American, like Kanye.  Kanye started that bull, and you all accepted it.  Let’s not act like there’s not an abundance of stupid behavior American artists do here in the USA and beyond."

**
Reply
5.
@joeljoshua-w4e
"When Americans or other foreign musicians do it, u guys say nothing. Let Burna Boy be"

**
6. @I.am.someone.from.somewhere
"I don't understand people sometimes, he shouldn't even be allowed to send someone out unless the person is causing a nuisance. She paid to come watch u, whether she sleeps or not is not ur problem, heck, u can even try to help if u can, she might have had a long day and came to ur concert because that's what would make her feel better.

It's a privilege for anyone to pay to come see u.

That should be the thing of pride, even tho the person was sleepy, she still came out for u.

This goes beyond Burna.

Celebrities sometimes go out of line, u see them broke shaming, or trying to oppress or show you're better than the people, the same people who helped put u there."

**
7. @zara-b4v1f
"I’m a Burna fan, but his arrogance is out of control. Saying he only wants rich fans? Coming from Africa and behaving like this? It’s the audacity for me. When someone forgets the soil that raised them, life has a way of reminding them — and the reminder is never gentle.”

**
Reply
8. @oluwatoyinbiodun
"This one na your headache he don make money go make money oo๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
Reply
9. @SamuelOduro-rn5zb
"As if we don’t remember this same burna when he was always around shatta wale in Gh and nobody even knew who he was man’s fame just came and it hasn’t even been long but this arrogance is crazy!!!!"

**
10. @Mrnobleprinze1923
"I guess he gonna know the importance of fans and how fans got the power to elevate and bring him down.."

**
11.@amosvictor5298
"Pride comes before a fall"

**
12. @SimonPeterMendy-c6n
"Pride for what.. this artist do forget that the fans made them who thy are.. never forget wr ya come from.."

**
13. @abrahamseb5592
"I was at his concert in Oakland. Although it was filled up but not completely sold out. I know a lot  of people that refused to buy his tickets because of that incident. He needs to calm down. America is not Nigeria"

**
14. @esiamawarripikin1951
"Why are people waisting their money on burna boy?

Nonsens"

**
15. @eno6529
"He should allowed her to sleep after all she paid  for it"

**
Reply
16. @Borgabobotv
"True"

**
Reply
17. @PurpleChamelion-iy2xe
"Can you imagine the amount of fans he would have gained from having a dialogue with her and showed empathy to her?

That would have gone viral and would have benefitted him massively.

Instead, he chose pride"

** 
18. 
@breal6076
"These guys make the money ๐Ÿ’ฐ & forget the people who put the in position ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿฝ‍♂️"

**
19. @OlowoobaRamson-we6rf
"Make burnaboy dey very careful ooo Americas don't joke ooo"

**
20.@Wallstreetartistry-POD
"He must ask Tyler from South Africa ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ. Americans don't play."

**
Reply
21. @RonnieBertin
"Tyla"

**
22. @StephanieIdah
"Someone bought ticket with her hard earned money

Then u talk to her like that as if it's free"

**
Reply
23. @taiwoidowu2854
"Even if the tickets is free, did he have any right to disgraced her in front of the fans? They should hit him where it hurts, his pockets. This is America ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ jack.๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…"

**
24. @nanaharuna5643
"The way Nigeria ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ behaved when they are out of Nigeria is bad think they are still in Nigeria"

**
Reply
25. @daphnesmith1686
"Yesssss! They soon discover the Difference ASAP"

**
26.
@jalasky46
"Burna boy should know Americans don't play. He's got to be careful! This is America bro."

**
Reply
27. @RilwanOwolabiShittabey
"they will cancel him

he his very arrogant,he need to learn from Wiz"

**
Reply
28. 
@Thepassporttraveler
"He knows now ๐Ÿ˜‚"

**
29. @dinhos2000
"We've seen American artist doing worst than what Burna boy did, and they were never cancelled"

**
Reply
30. @SamuelLaka-qm6ou
" @dinhos2000 Burna Boy is a Nigerian disrepecting an American, that is the difference. Americans are gonna looking out for their own against a foreigner. We cancelled Burna Boy here in South Africa as well, but he did not care because he still had Americans and Europeans. But now Burna Boy is goona learn๐Ÿ˜Š"

**
31. @taiwoadebunmi2818
"My fear is that he shouldn't use his pride to cause problems for other African artists because other Africans already labelled us as problem causing troubles for other Africans."

**
32. @richwallay
"Pride and then, Fall...Period oh"

**
33. @abilykocide965
"That behavior of his led South Africans to refuse to let him enter their country a few years ago 4 a  show they boycott it"

**
34. @Lulu-wv1nt
"Nigerians will learn to be humble outside of Nigeria"

**
Reply
35. @cg6705
"Yes, they need to"

**
Reply
36.@remiwilliams3209
"@cg6705 I'm a Nigerian but I hate arrogance. "

**
37.@GeekByDan
"Moral Lesson - America isn't Nigeria ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿป๐Ÿ”ฅ"

**
Reply
38. @lydiamcdougal6837
"Yes"

**
Reply
39. @sonson55329
"He shouldn’t even treat anyone like that regardless of the country!"

**
Reply
40. @african-history-fountain
"That's a stupid thing to say. Such behaviour is not accepted in Nigeria EITHER. No artiste does that in Nigeria.

This is all about Burna Boy's personality. Leave NIGERIA out of it, with your complex."

**
Reply
41.@candymae1215
"@african-history-fountain  I heard he kicked someone in the head"

**
Reply
42. @Whatyoulookingattho
"Moral lesson - don’t bite the hand that feeds you! America, Africa, Caribbean, china it doesn’t matter…. Understand who feeds you!!!! Humble yourself you are not bigger than the majority (the broke) and he’s seeing that ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿพ‍♀️๐Ÿคท๐Ÿพ‍♀️"

**
Reply
43.@GeekByDan
"@Whatyoulookingattho Exactly! ๐Ÿ’ฏ"

**
44. @aaronettsexton4459
"I'm  going to say this again fans can make you or break you your choice"

**
45. @keldrickscrews5416
"The universe will humble him."

**
46.@redvelvet9876
"Finally, Black America is waking up.  Delineation is the key."
-snip-
In the context of this comment, the word "delineation" means distinguishing where Black people come from (i.e. the ancestry of enslaved Black People who are referred to as "Foundational Black Americans (FBA) and Black people from Africa, the Caribbean, or elsewhere.)

**
47.@GodwinNtekim
"I be burna boy fan but I want odg to change his attitude toward fans ๐Ÿ˜Š"
-snip-
"Odg" is a shortened form of "Odogwu", one of Burna Boy's nicknames.

**
Reply
48. @dillionwon6587
"honestly just for his own good because he should accept the fact they made him who he is today they are like his customers as well"

**
49. @Illathoughts1
"Yeah I’m Black American and we pretty much done with Afro Beats it’s was cool but it all sound alike. That’s happens to all artist in the Black American market we move on if you don’t innovate." ** 50. @StayCalm-u9m
"This is honestly how you will know it is actually the people that make up a country. Americans won’t take his rubbish, but if na Nigeria, Nigerians most likely no go react.

Na why this country be as eh be so"

****
ONLINE SOURCE #4
From https://www.facebook.com/groups/275114380263865/posts/1519691782472779/

African History Group  ·

Mighty African History
Admin, November 29, 2025
"Burns Boy faces the reality of cancell culture

Burna Boy has repeatedly said Nigerians did not make him, and that he rose to the top because of foreigners. To a large extent, he is right. Now, since we did not push him up, the least we can do is not pull him down.

Seeing the anti-Burna trend among some Nigerians really saddens me. I am indifferent towards Burna Boy and cannot even name one of his songs. But he is a Nigerian, and he deserves my solidarity. Being Nigerian ought to count for something! But sadly, many of us, as Nigerians, derive an unhealthy satisfaction from destroying what we did not build.

Even if the young man is having challenges overseas, we as a people should not be part of that storm. We should nurture and help him overcome any issues he may be facing.

Think back to when Tyla faced heavy criticism from African Americans who tried to cancel her after she described herself as a 'South African coloured', which set off a storm in America, where she was labelled an uppity African. Don't you recall how South Africans stood by her and fought back? They took to every platform to hit back at Americans, saying that her self-identification as 'Coloured' was correct within the South African context, as South Africa is famously a rainbow country.

Isn't that what we as Nigerians are meant to do for Burna Boy? We ought to call for understanding of his actions during his tour and make people understand that it was not done with ill intent, but is just part of the Nigerian aura, which we can sometimes take too far as a people.

Whatever Burna's perceived failings, we can address them internally and secretly. But when we lead the anti-Burna Boy chorus, it makes us look like animals who devour their own young!

I remember how some of our people tried to turn on Rema, the wunderkind, just because he was seen smoking! Can you imagine? As if the boy joined a monastery and is meant to live as a monk.

Just cigarettes and those who did not contribute to Rema's growth were vibrating with anger. Meanwhile, how many American stars have been torn down by their populace because they were seen snorting hard drugs? Few to none!

We often wait for people to die, like MohBad, before we show them love! While he was alive, how many of us even knew MohBad?

Think back to all the positive image rebranding that came Nigeria's way because of Burna Boy, known internationally as the African Giant. Do we want to lose a giant because of a Lilliputian foible? Does that even make economic sense?

Many foreigners only have a positive image of Nigeria and Nigerians because of people like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Nollywood stars. It is in our own enlightened self-interest to protect these brands.

Anyway, I am quite satisfied that since we did not make him, we cannot break him. The latest talent in the giant will act as his repellent against the intolerant, even as he remains defiant.

Says Reno omokri"
****

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Sunday, November 7, 2021

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman & The Nigerian Saying "Naija No Dey Carry Last"



BT SportNov 7, 2021

Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington shared a moment of respect after an incredible second fight at UFC 268.

Usman triumphed by decision at #UFC268.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and information about the Nigerian saying "Naija No Dey Carry Last" that he is known for uttering after some of his competitions.

The Addendum to this post provides information about a 2016 book entitled "Naija No Dey Carry Last".

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Kamaru Usman for his accomplishments and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT KAMARU USMAN
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamaru_Usman
"
Kamarudeen "Kamaru" Usman (born May 11, 1987) is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion. Usman was also The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner. As of September 27, 2021 he is #1 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[7]

Background

Usman was born in Auchi, Nigeria.[11] His father was a major in the Nigerian Army and his mother was a teacher.[12][13][14] He has two brothers, Kashetu and Mohammed, of whom the former is a Doctor of Pharmacy and the latter is a mixed martial artist.[13][15] Growing up with his mother and two brothers in Benin City, Usman struggled with the conditions in his environment during his childhood.[16] Usman's father Muhammed Nasiru Usman, who became a pharmacist in the United States, brought his family into the country when Usman was eight years old, immigrating to Dallas, Texas.[17]

[…]

Wrestling career

Usman started wrestling in his sophomore year in high school, at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. Because Usman's wrestling coach at the time had trouble pronouncing his first name Kamarudeen, he got the nickname "Marty" when he joined the team and it stuck with him during his amateur wrestling career

[…]

2021

Usman was once again scheduled to defend his title against BJJ World Champion Gilbert Burns, on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256.[74] However, on October 5, 2020, It was reported that Usman had pulled out from the bout, citing more time needed to recover from undisclosed injuries[75] and the bout was postponed for February 13, 2021, as the headliner for UFC 258.[76] Usman defended his title for the third time, as he won the fight via technical knockout in the third round, surpassing the record of the former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre for the largest win-streak in the division with thirteen.[77] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[78]

For his fifth title bout, Usman rematched against Jorge Masvidal for the UFC Welterweight Championship on April 24, 2021 at UFC 261 in Florida.[79] He successfully defended his title after knocking out Masvidal in the second round, becoming the first one to do so in the UFC.[80] This win earned Usman his fourth Performance of the Night bonus award.[81]

Usman rematched Colby Covington for the UFC Welterweight Championship on November 6, 2021 at UFC 268.[82] Usman retained his championship, being declared the winner via unanimous decision.[8]"...

****
TWEETS ABOUT KAMARU USMAN'S WIN AGAINST COLBY COVINGTON [Nov. 6, 2021]

https://twitter.com/search?q=Usman

SuperSport Trophy

@SuperSportTV

[drawing of Flag of Nigeria] ๐€๐๐ƒ ๐’๐“๐ˆ๐‹๐‹ [drawing of Flag of Nigeria]

Nov. 7, 2021

The 'Nigerian Nightmare' Kamaru Usman beats Colby Covington via unanimous decision to retain his welterweight title at #UFC268 [emoji of Fisted hand]

**

D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball

@NigeriaBasket

Nov. 7, 2021

THE KING. Naija no dey carry last.

Congrats to our friend!

@USMAN84kg

****
EXCERPT FROM A MAY 2021 ARTICLE ABOUT KAMARU USMAN
From https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/why-ufc-welterweight-champion-kamaru-usman-say-naija-dey-carry-last-mean by Rafael Bandayrel,18 May 2021
"UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has uttered the phrase "Naija no dey carry last" a couple of times in the octagon. However, most non-Nigerian UFC fans don't have the slightest clue as to what the line means.

So, what does Kamaru Usman's catchphrase mean?

The five-word Pidgin phrase is a popular Nigerian saying that serves as the unofficial national motto. In English, it loosely translates to "Nigerians strive to finish first."

In an interview with fellow Nigerian and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, Kamaru Usman revealed what the motto means and how significant it is to him:

[Pancocojams Editor; This conversation is from a video embedded in that article and also embedded on twitter May 17, 2021]

 Emmanuel Acho

@EmmanuelAcho

The true Nigerian came out of me on live TV when talking to the greatest fighter on the planet,

@USMAN84kg

I had to ask, “What does Naija no dey carry last mean to you?” ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ

"It means the world to me because growing up, I used to hear that phrase, hear that saying all the time. And I never really knew what that meant until I got to the point where I was able to compete. Because it means, at the end of the day – and it ties into so many things – it means at the end of the day it doesn't matter what's going on. It doesn't matter how much obstacles, how much pressure, or how many things are weighing us down. At the end of the day, we ain't going to be last."

Kamaru Usman blurted out the phrase after finishing off Gilbert Burns to defend his crown. Earlier in his career, Kamaru Usman used the same motto after dominating Brazilian legend Demain Maia at UFC Fight Night 129.

According to 'The Nigerian Nightmare', the phrase grew more meaningful to his life as he soared to new heights of success.

"We're still gonna struggle, we're gonna fight for everything that we've got. And we'll never come in last place. So that means the world to me when I get to say that because now, I'm in the position to where I'm a symbol of hope for my people," said Usman.

Kamaru Usman's domination

Kamaru Usman is the owner of the longest winning streak in the history of the UFC welterweight division. The Nigerian equaled octagon legend Georges St-Pierre's record of 13 consecutive wins after his win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258. Usman broke his own record by knocking out Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, taking his winning streak to 14.

More than that, Kamaru Usman is only two wins away from overtaking Anderson Silva's winning streak and three victories shy of dethroning Jon Jones as the record holder for the longest winning streak in UFC history.”
-snip-
The words in italics were written that way in that article.

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ADDENDUM: INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2016 BOOK ENTITLED "NAIJA NO DEY CARRY LAST"
From https://www.amazon.com/Naija-No-Dey-Carry-Last-ebook/dp/B01CUXLFXU Naija No Dey Carry Last: Thoughts on a Nation in Progress by Pius Adesanmi (Author), Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 11, 2016Publisher ‏ : ‎ Parrésia Publishers Ltd. and Worldreader (March 11, 2016);  Language ‏: ‎ English

"Naija No Dey Carry Last is a collection of essays detailing Pius Adesanmi's observations, thoughts, and reactions on Nigeria. As a public intellectual, Pius Adesanmi has taken on both quotidian and 'hallowed' issues and made them accessible to the reader. The reader is served, as it were, not just the facts, but the tongue-in-cheek opinion of the author's obviously intellectual capacities.

Divided into three parts, Naija No Dey Carry Last first tackles recent political history. The second part titled, “In The Beginning Was The Word,” uses the English of the King James version of the Bible to parody Nigeria's incongruent realities. The last part is a series of open letters in which the author tackles the funny metonymies of the most populous black nation in the world.

[…]

About the Author

Pius Adesanmi is a Professor of English and African Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. He is the internationally-acclaimed winner of the inaugural Penguin Prize for African Writing in the non-fiction category in 2010. He has also won the poetry prize of the Association of Nigerian Authors. He is one of Nigeria's leading public intellectuals and is one of the first leading African academics to use social media as a classroom to test out his ideas and engage with Nigeria. He is a connoisseur of palm wine and French wine, thinks in Yoruba and Pidgin English but writes only in English and French.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

2017 Research Excerpt About Mami Wata Beliefs Among Igbo In Nigeria (with comments about Mami Wata from the discussion thread for Larry Gaaga's video "Egedege")

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a 2017 journal excerpt about Mammy Wata beliefs among Igbo people in Nigeria, West Africa. 

This post also provides selected comments from the discussion thread of Larry Gaaga's 2021 YouTube video "Egedege".

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, religious, cultural, and educational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the researchers whose journal article is quoted in this post. Thanks also to all others who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click 
https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/10/igbos-memories-of-theresa-onuorah.html for Part III of a three part pancocojams series on "Egedege". Note that besides the comments from the discussion thread for Larry Gaaga's "Egedege" video, a few comments from other discussion threads in that compilation refer directly or indirectly to Egedege and Mami Wata.  

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/01/excerpts-about-meanings-of-color-white.html "Excerpts About The Meanings Of The Color White In Seven Traditional African Cultures" to read other excerpts about Mami wata beliefs and carving descriptions in West Africa,

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JOURNAL ARTICLE EXCERPTS
From http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-94222017000300076

On-line version ISSN 2072-8050
Print version ISSN 0259-9422

Herv. teol. stud. vol.73 n.3 Pretoria  2017

The disappearing Mammy Water myth and the crisis of values in Oguta, South Eastern Nigeria

Lawrence N. Okwuosa; Nkechi G. Onah; Chinyere T. Nwaoga; Favour C. Uroko

Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nigeria

[...]

Introduction

The era of myths has been variously described as the pre-logical time in human's history when people believed in gods and goddesses, whose existence and powers were merely the figments of human's imagination. Popular understanding views this to mean that myths are untrue and without any historical backing (Anyacho 2005:12). This kind of submission makes so little of the human spirit, which conceives truth in various ways, especially from its functional aspect. According to Armstrong (2009):

myths may have told stories about gods, but they were really focused on the more elusive, puzzling, and tragic aspects of the human predicament that lay outside the remit of logos. Myth has been called a primitive form of psychology. (p. xi)

As psychology, a myth was aimed at forming people's mind. Before African cultures succumbed to the dominant external cultures and, now globalism, myths were one of the most reliable sources of education, communication, character moulding, installation of peace and unity in the community. Okpewho (1983) narrates that the real basis of myth is not thought but feeling, in it the sensible present is so great that everything else dwindles before it. Hence, it formed part of the unwritten codes of human behaviour written in people's hearts and transmitted from one generation to another unbroken. As this was done in the spirit of communal duty, people's sense of origin and future were formed and sustained. They were drawn into communion with their forebears, who represented their past and in a way their future. Then, for Africans, there was no existential dichotomy between the past and present generations with myths. The different ages were nourished by the same knowledge source. They were expected to act and behave alike with regards to the culture and tradition of the land. This is because according to Mbiti in myths lies a rich wealth of ideas, beliefs, values, literary expressions and the exercise of human imagination (Anyacho 2005:13).

Taking these things into consideration, it is obvious that if Africa's cultures have abandoned the myths that nourished and sustained them like their forbearers that they would not act and live like them anymore. They are bound to fall to the basic principle of change, which is the only permanent thing in life. But what are the possible consequences of this change? What could be the nature of this change? Would it allow for the essential continuity between the past and the present that has sustained African societies in terms of the African identity and the rich African cultural values?

The choice of Mammy Water myth and Oguta people is critical in the sense that though the myth is well known among the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria, her abode is Oguta Lake. It is a myth, which in the past greatly influenced the people's social, ethical and religious life. This was extensively documented by Flora Nwapa, Nigeria's First Lady of Letters and a native in her masterpiece, Efuru written in 1966 (Nwapa 1966). In her over 20 years of study of Mammy Water in Igbo Culture, Jell-Bahlsen's subject matter was the Mammy Water (Ogbuide) of Oguta Lake (Jell-Bahlsen 2014). Even though these studies tried to bring into limelight the myth's importance in the people's lives, no real study has examined the possible effects of its disappearance in the town. In view of this, there is the need to investigate the social, ethical and religious life of the people without the goddess.

The course of this research would include the following: studying the general understanding of the myth in Oguta, identifying Igbo values that are inherent in the myth, fathoming factors responsible for the disappearing of the myth, the resultant crisis of values, the way forward and conclusion.

The Mammy Water myth in Oguta cosmology

Oguta is an ancient lake town in Igbo land. Because of its water link with the famous River Niger, it became a big economic centre for palm products, yams and fish (Agorua 2015). The people's belief and worship of Mammy Water is as old as the history of the people's sojourn in the land. According to oral tradition, it was the goddess of the lake that chose the people. In the early 19th century when the town was migrating from the old Benin Empire, a certain fisher man Eneke Okitutu, strayed in his fishing expedition and found himself in the lake. He was moved by its glamorous beauty and fish that he went home and mobilized his people. They succeeded to ransack Awa people who were the original inhabitants of the town (Ofili 1998).

The goddess of the lake Mammy Water is known to the natives as Ogbuide or Uhamiri. She is described as a black beautiful woman with the tail of a fish and long black hairs flowing down her shoulders, which she combs with a golden comb. Around her neck are pythons. She is very wealthy and used different kinds of fish as firewood (Nwapa 1966:146). Unlike the other deities in the town, which are worshipped by specific families and villages, she is worshipped by the whole town. She is the reference point in the people's daily life. In the past, as soon as a child was born, it is fed with water from the lake and the mother before resuming her social life put her legs in the lake (Nwapa 1966:33). This rite is performed when somebody dies. The dead person is washed with water from the lake water before burial and the partner at the end of the prescribed mourning period takes his or her bath in the lake. The lake is believed to be the entrance and exit points of every human life in the town. In fact, the natives are called Ndi Mmiri [people of the lake]. The woman of the lake, as the goddess is also called, is worshipped as the goddess of fertility and productivity. She is believed to give barren women children after they agreed to serve her (Jell-Bahlsen 2014:29).

With the bond established at birth, all the natives are believed to be connected to the goddess. This notwithstanding, she has her strict worshippers or ministers, whom she chooses and empowers. Among them are Eze Ugo [the goddess' priest], Eze Nwanyi [the goddess' priestess], Dibia Mmiri [water herbalists], Ogbuides [the goddess' reincarnates], Dada [chosen ones], Nwa Mammy Water [a special devotee], ndi egwu amara [lake dancers], etc. These special worshippers besides having the lake water as shrines in their homes are to keep her taboos. Some of the taboos as recorded by Nwapa (1966) are:

Orie day is her great day. You are not to fish on this day … you should persuade others not to fish. You are not to eat yams on this day. (On this day too) You are not to sleep with your husband (wife). You have to boil, roast or fry plantains on Orie day. Uhamiri likes plantains so much. You can even pound it if you like. When you go to bed, you must be in white on Orie nights. You can sacrifice a white fowl to Uhamiri on this day. When you feel particularly happy, or grateful, you should sacrifice a white sheep to her. Above all you will keep yourself holy. When you do all these, then you will see for yourself what the woman of the lake would do for you. (p. 151)

Other ordinances include forbidding of the killing or eating of aquatic tortoise, crocodile, and python, that are her favourites animals. Menstruating women, mourning widows and widowers and people under oath are also forbidding from bathing in the lake. Likewise, teenagers are not allowed to bath with their clothes in the lake (I. Ezeugo, pers commun, 12 March 2015).

Besides giving children to women, the woman of the lake is known to make people especially women wealthy. She protects the town from invaders, diseases, and misfortunes. The lake naturally serves as a protective shield for the people from invaders. It is believed among the natives that people with dangerous charms, murderers, adulterers, rapists, thieves cannot cross the lake without any negative consequence on them. According to oral tradition, the goddess protected the town during the Nigeria-Biafra war in 1968 by capsizing all the enemy's gunboats that ventured into the lake to attack the people (I. Ezeugo, pers commun, 12 March 2015).

Fundamental Igbo values in the Mammy Water myth

The myth of Mammy Water is adduced as a religious belief. Like every other religious belief in Igbo culture, it is a gift from Chukwu [God] rich in traditional values. Some of the values easily discernible from the myth are given in the following.

Respect for life and human dignity

Life, among the Igbo people, is considered the highest gift from the Supreme God, Chukwu. Every other gift from God is founded on life and among all the things that have life human being is the most precious thus buttressing the name Mmadu, which means the beauty of life. Human life is very precious that the murder of a relation, suicide, euthanasia, and abortion are considered abominations and desecration of the land.

To portray the inestimable value of life among the Igbo people, we have Igbo names like Ndubuisi [life is supreme], Ndukuba/Ndukaaku [life is more precious than wealth], Ndudi [with life there is hope], Ndubueze [life is king], Nduma [life knows all], Ndulaka [life decides all], etc. In the same vein, to show how close human life is related to God, we have Igbo names like Chibundu [God is life], Chinwendu [God owns life], Chilendu [God is life's provider], Chikwendu [God wills life], etc.

Because of the value attached to life, the people perpetuate it via procreation and the belief in reincarnation. These are two basic beliefs that the Mammy Water myth propagates. The goddess, as we have pointed out already, is known for giving children to barren women. Her ordinances are pro-life and deter the natives from doing anything that might endanger other people's lives. Her disdain for death is unequalled in the sense that anything dead does not pass through the lake without appeasement. In this culture, euthanasia, abortion, capital punishment is unheard of. They are intolerable and merit immediate punishment from the goddess. On the contrary, Christianity, though it does not support the above vices, tends to be merciful to the offenders (Mt 5:7).

Gender sensitivity

Igbo culture is adduced to be patriarchal by nature and tends to limit the operational sphere of the womenfolk (Achufusi 1994:159). On the contrary, this is not the case in Oguta. Even though in some Igbo communities, some women are priestesses, the office is majorly dominated by men. In the mammy water cult in Oguta, it is purely all women's affairs at the top cadre. The Eze Ugo who is a male priest is an exceptional case. In fact, in the history of the town, only one man has held the position and he was the father of the Eze Nwanyi, Ifunaya Ezeugo (I. Ezeugo, pers commun, 15 March 2015). Mammy Water's ministers and strict members are mostly women and they are abundantly blessed. This is what the native doctor explained to Efuru, a new recruit of the goddess, concerning her calling in Nwapa (1966):

You are a great woman … It is a great honour. She is going to protect you and shower riches on you. But you must keep her laws. Look round this town, nearly all the storey buildings you find are built by women who one time or another have been worshippers of Uhamiri … Uhamiri is a great woman. She is our goddess and above all she is very kind to women. (p. 153)

Invariably, the myth recognises and promotes women in the society. Mammy Water is the symbol and patron of women's wealth (Jell-Bahlsen 2014:145). In fact, Oguta women, who are more successful traders than their husbands, are believed to have received their wealth from Mammy Water. Because of this, they are socially and economically independent and mobile. Even today, Oguta women may marry other women for her husband or marry wives for her son. Following Mammy Water's requirements of sexual abstinence for 2 years after a child's birth, an Oguta woman would at most bear two children in 6 years. This practice has been adjudged beneficial to women and puts lesser burden on the family (Jell-Bahlsen 2014:143, 250).

Recognising the physical weakness and vulnerability of women, the goddess never failed to protect Oguta women at their moments of needs and against exploitations. A good example is the story of an Oguta girl whose pot of soup was tampered with by another patient in a hospital at Onitsha. After crying, the girl prepared another pot of soup with fresh fish from the lake. As usual, the thief went again for the soup but this time in the attempt to take fish from the pot, her hand hooked to the fish's head in the pot of soup. She cried out in great pains and was thus caught red-handed. The Oguta girl on seeing what has happened started singing and praising the goddess in these words: 'The woman of our lake has fought for one of her daughters today' (Nwapa 1966:130). The general belief of the people is that the woman of the lake protects not just the women and children but everybody. It could then be said that the myth is the champion of gender equality against the Christian impression that women are merely a rib of man (Gen 2:22) and his helper (Gen 2:18).

Promotion of respectable togetherness

In Africa, the community is the supreme custodian and strength of all. The individual person belongs to the community who forms and guarantees each individual's identity. In view of this, the individual person believes what others in the community believe (Mbiti 1969:67). This is the case in Igbo land, where the individual is regulated and measured according to the acceptable norms of the society. A person's importance and dignity are measured according to his or her integration into a given community and active participation in its beliefs and traditions.

In Oguta, the rallying point for the community in terms of identity, beliefs and occupation is the lake and its goddess. They derive their identity from the lake as Ndi Mmiri. They also derive their sustenance as farmers, fishermen and traders and social norms for peaceful coexistence from the ordinances of the lake goddess. For example, despite the fact that the lake is the people's centre of interaction, there are basic norms to uphold in order to curb immoralities in the town. For example, men and women, even when they are married, are prohibited from swimming together in the lake (Nwapa 1966:137), going out together at night (Nwapa 1966:118) and kissing in public (Nwapa 1966:122). Furthermore, anyone who killed his kinsperson atones for it till death (Nwapa 1966:151), anyone who stole was sold into slavery (Nwapa 1966:176) and anyone who took a false oath and died of it was thrown into the evil forest (Nwapa 1966:183). In this way, a healthy togetherness was built that guaranteed everyone a safe space to operate. Women, men, and children have their different but complementary roles to play in the house, farm and society. According to Achebe (1958), Christianity has touched the things that have united the traditional people making the centre not to hold anymore for them. Christianity in Igbo land is multifaceted. It has different denominations whose doctrines contradict themselves and put their members at loggerheads.

The Sense of the sacred

In Igbo traditional culture, profanity does not exist. Everything is sacred because everything belongs to the gods or inhabited by the gods. The Igbo existential experience is one that involves fully the participation of the divinities in various ways. Hence, Igbo life is roundly religious and sacred. It is the same value that the myth of Mammy Water creates in the life of Oguta people. The woman of the lake is their daily companion. She is revered at all times, at birth when people are happy and at death when they are sorrowing and invoking her help. Accused persons swear in her name to prove their innocence while the guilty dread mentioning it. The belief is that wherever her shrine is enthroned the place and the people involved must be pure and honest. Hence her ministers, Eze Ugo (the priest), Eze Nwanyi (the priestess) and Dibia Mmiri (water herbalists) in order to be effective must avoid evil. They cannot divinise anything if they commit evil or work effectively for a person who is evil. Evil blinds them from seeing the gods (Nwapa 1966:152).

With the myth, the people are conscious of their relationship with the gods and their dead ancestors, especially with regards to the observance of the numerous rites and ordinances prescribed by the lake goddess. Christian understanding of the imperative 'subdue and lord over the earth' (Gen 1:28) creates a dichotomy among created realities. Christians kill at will local totems to exhibit this dominion against the tradition of the local people (Achebe 1958:112).

Factors responsible for the disappearing Mammy Water myth

Western civilisation in its varied forms has been blamed for the cultural change in Africa. According to Omirima, the village gossiper in Nwapa's Efuru, said that: 'The world is changing. It is now the world of the white people. We and our grandfathers don't seem to count these days. We are old' (1966:194-195). Ajanupu another prominent character in the celebrated novel reiterated this: 'Only school children are ignorant of our customs and traditions' (Nwapa 1966:212). The fact remains that culture clashes and changes are inevitable phenomena in the world that is continuously turning into a global village. In this situation, one culture freely and gradually assimilates qualities from another or one culture is enforced on another based on superiority complex or supremacy theory. In the later case, inestimable values are lost with the negation of people's unique life experiences and beliefs.

In the case of the Oguta people, formal Western education and Christian religion were craftily introduced to displace the people's cultural practices and traditions. This religious colonisation and foreign incursion affected greatly the Mammy Water myth.

Formal Western Education: Ukeje (1978:2) defined education as a process by which people are acclimatised to the culture into which they are born in order that they may advance. In the simplest language, it is the process by which people are prepared to live effectively and efficiently in their environment. Using this as the benchmark for our study, we can say that education is a process of self-discovery, which includes the mastering of oneself and environment. Through education, one becomes not only useful to oneself alone but also relevant to the entire community of provenance. Resultantly, education enhances community values.

Prior to the advancement of the colonial masters in Nigeria and the arrival of Christian missionaries, each ethnic group had its own traditional form of education based on its own culture and tradition. The curriculum that is informal comprises developing the child's physical skill, character, intellectual skills and sense of belonging to the community as well as inculcating respect for elders and instituted authority and giving specific vocational training and the understanding and appreciation of the community's cultural heritage (Imam 2012:182). The family system played an important role in this form of education. Grandparents most of the times had the duty to look after their grandchildren and in this way inculcate to them the customs and tradition of the people. Obviously, the wisdom, ageless cultural values and traditions of forbears were effectively passed to the younger generation.

With formal Western education, the priority shifted from local content preservation and enhancement to that of sustaining the interest of the colonial masters, which was mostly commercial. Enwo-Irem (2013:165) noted that the motive behind the introduction of formal education by the colonialists was not really aimed at enhancing the development of their colony Nigeria. The colonial agents had a series of problems in administrating the people and in the exploitation of natural resources in the land. They had the problem of acceptance of the colonial agents in some parts of the country and that of language barrier in areas where the local people appeared to have accepted the colonial agents. So they decided to use education to tackle some of the problems and not empower the people to be self-reliant, confident and proud Africans, who would uplift their culture and tradition.

Because the interest was more on educating vital personnel who would service the chains of production in the colonial administration and serve as internal eyes and ears, a kind of saboteurs, for commercial and economic imperialists, the scope and standard of education received by the natives were limited. They were trained merely as gardeners, carpenters, masons, tailors, clerks, interpreters, catechists and local school masters (Nwankiti 1996:36). These 'chosen' few were made to feel privileged and important over others. Armed with the power of a foreign language that others did not understand, a well-paid job and the connection of the masters, they became little 'lords' over their own people, in imitation of their arrogant and rapacious colonists. They started treating their people, especially the village heads and chiefs, with scorn and even challenged their authority. To undermine the local powers and demonstrate their superiority over them, the learned natives started undermining the cultures and traditions of the people without any reprimand from their colonial masters. Consequently, the individual interest was enthroned over the communal interest. The traditions and customs were eroded. Seeing this new-found liberty and the largess that goes with it, so many people, especially those who felt disadvantaged and deprived in the society, embraced Western education as a way of emancipating themselves. A new culture was enthroned displacing the people's culture and tradition.

Consequently, according to Jell-Bahlsen (2014:1-2), local myths were seen as old garbage, fetish, pagan and meaningless ramblings of primitive minds that have no place in the modern world of science and technology. They were seen as imageries without the capacity whatsoever to salvage man or help him discover the true meaning of life. Hence, colonial research was slow to accept the notion of an African water goddess. The conquerors of territories were more interested in the earth than in water they could not control and whose importance they would not fathom. Yet, African villagers have long known about the importance of water and its goddess to their existence, survival, and well-being. Though women bring children and life into this world, there is no life without water and the goddess that guarantees it.

The colonialists' reluctance to learn from the natives or incorporate their culture into the new emerging culture is an old rhyme recited everywhere in the black African continent. It shows the culture of obliteration, which the Mammy Water myth was subdued. By discrediting the myths as credible educational sources, the natives were denied not only a didactic means akin to their cultural nature but also a unifying link with their ancestors. By discrediting the myths, the people's worldview and values were debased.

Christian Religion: Christianity in Nigeria, as anywhere else in Africa, was motivated by the will to evangelise and extricate the people from the devil's jaws and eternal hell fire. With this objective, Christian missionaries in Africa worked tirelessly to substitute African Traditional Religion (ATR) with Christianity. There was no design for religious dialogue, enculturation or acculturation. To justify their mission, according to Ugwu and Ugwueye (2004) ATR was contemptuously described as native, pagan, heathen, juju, fetish, animism, idolatry, primitive and polytheism. It was associated with anything denigrate like witchcraft, ghosts, hobgoblins, charms, superstitions, evil omens, magic, etc.

This dialectical approach employed by the missionaries which negated any form of dialogue with the people in terms of ethos, socio and religious values, in their proclamation of the gospel, put the gospel and the recipient culture at loggerhead. There was complete derision, condemnation and destruction of Africa Tradition Religion's native rites, arts and artefacts by overzealous churchgoers. Shrines and native places of worship were burnt and sacred observances violated. Sacred totems were killed (Achebe 1958:112). Mammy Water was not spared. Awfully, the act of demonising the other, which happens to be the Christian tactic, was employed on the myth and it was roundly condemned. She was called a mermaid and queen of the coast. Jell-Bahlsen (2014:237) revealed that diverse water gods and goddesses were all lumped together as 'mammy water' and branded as 'aquatic evil spirits'. The term Mammy Water was used as a simplified synonym for all water deities and, moreover, placed on the same level or associated with physical properties such as barrenness, accidents, untimely death, etc.

The resistance by the natives was not enough to forestall the incursion and destruction of their culture by the combined efforts of the missionaries and their nationalists, the colonial masters (Achebe 1958:114). Native culture and tradition yielded to the demands of the gospel involuntarily and cosmetically. The result is that today many Africans are inwardly more Traditionalists than Christians. In their different Christian denominations, they have imported certain aspects of ATR like songs, titles, clapping of hands and superstitions. Some of these Christian believers in their moments of crisis seek help more from the native religion than from Christianity."...

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SOME COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR LARRY GAAGA'S VIDEO "EGEDEGE" THAT I BELIEVE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REFER TO MAMI WATA

These comments are all from 2021 and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

1. Oseni Enemayi Michael
"
This Woman did a good job in the Chorus,I don't understand Igbo bit the rhythm is mad gan.๐Ÿ˜"

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Reply
2. Martez Uwa
"She own the original song , the song is more than 30yre old , what she is saying in the music is it’s time to have fun and who will come and dance with me , this is a moonlight music in the olden days , where people come out at night and gather to dance together mostly when there is a full moon ๐ŸŒ•"

**
3. The Watcher
"Wow. very soon your pastor will tell you this heavenly song is inspired by evil spirit and you stupid fool will follow him or her. Igbo culture is divine.  egedege all the way"

**
4. nnaji emeka
"It’s great to bring Theresa out for the new  generation to know and see her . It’s good to put her image out to many youth who grew up to know her as ( mami water) musician that she’s just a good musician without any negative name attached to her . Much respect ."

**
Reply
5. Maryjane Okpala
"๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ growing up i was legit scared of her songs unto mami water๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ chai   See what i was missing"

**
6. Tiktok funny kings and queens
"Dis woman is not far from mami water ๐Ÿ’ฆ aswear her voice is too beautiful ๐Ÿคฉ"

**
7. Soughtafter
"That maami water ish is So true๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ"

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