Even though Nigeria has recently seen a more active conversation around the issue of sexuality and gender, these conversations are played out on the premise of sentiments, morality, religion and assumptions rather than on facts. But it is facts and not assumption that can put things into perspective.
The argument against homosexuality in Nigeria has been on the premise that it is “un-African” and hence not part of our culture. The other premise used is that since it is not part of our culture, therefore it is “un-biblical”.
Since the introduction of modern
religion into Africa, there has been confusion between the real African
identity vs enforced identity.
This confusion has also found its
way into the discourse around cultural identity. The modern
understanding of what really is an “African culture” has created a basis
for identity misunderstanding not just in Nigeria, but the whole of
Africa.
It was not only religion that played a role in the misconstruction of “African Culture” in the 21st
century. With the coming of colonizing, African identities were
systematically washed away. Africans were made to believe through
western education, politics and religion that anything African is not
fit for purpose and therefore demonized in most of the cases.
However, unlike culture, identity is more on a personal individualist level. Identity could be strongly interwoven with culture.
I remembered when I first came to
the United Kingdom, as a Nigerian. There are certain things in my
culture that were not permitted within the English culture. For example,
the English could not understand why I have to eat certain food with my
fingers.
However, that lack of cultural
understanding has not taken away from me my gender identity as a man nor
has it eroded my sexual identity as a gay man.
Therefore, how then does the
argument used by Nigerian religious and political class as regards
sexuality and gender fit into the actualization of fundamental human
rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people?
Prior to colonization, there are
evidences to prove that Africa was never a “heteronomative” society. In
“African Sexualities: A Reader” Sylvia Tamale argues: “African sexuality
lies in ancient histories that live through girot, ighyuwas, imbongies,
jellies, igawens, guewels".
As a young child with deep interest
in my culture, I was really fascinated at the eloquences with which
histories are passed on from generation to generations in Africa through
the power of poetry and oration.
I remembered in 2005, as part of my
research in sexuality and sexual identity, I came across the famous word
“Adodi”. This translates as “anus fucker”. The fact that there is a
language for sexual behaviour explains that there are indeed people that
are considered as such.
Aside from that, many of African
arts (it is important to note here that while Africans were never seen
as writers, the one fact that can never be taken away from us is that
fact that we are artist. We tell the story of our lives through our
sculpture, painting and drawing), have shown the celebration of same
sexual relationship before the colonization of the continent.
African arts has had huge influence
on the Greek art and even more so the roman arts. These arts that not
only promote but celebrate sexuality has African culture and identity at
its core.
From Igbo Ukwu, to Benin and Ife
art, Nigerian art works celebrate the existence of same sexual
relationship, not as seen as “homosexuality” in modern terms, but as a
process of nurturing the acceptance of dualism of sexuality.
In religious setting, most Nigerian
gods actually have dual sexes. Take for example ESU who is neither man
nor woman, male of female. Shango, the god of thunder is dressed as
transvestites, wearing skirts with earrings on both ears and braided
hair. Obatala, though a male god is subtle, emotional and sexual.
Even more interesting are the female
gods. Oya the goddess of the ocean and Yemoja the mermaid are said to
have used their sexuality to conquer men. They were not just seductive,
but they exhibited a level of romantic affinity for each other.
Then the question will be, what
happened? Ben Anderson in “The Politics of Homosexuality in Africa”
examined the written literature of colonial observation of same sexual
relationship in Africa.
According to him, examples of famous
western sexuality historians like Staples, Davies and Whitten tend to
disregard pre-colonial homosexuality in Africa as a forced, accidental
‘phase’ rather than a cognitive choice”.
Anderson noted that in an article in
1982, Lamb argued, “it is curious by Western standards that
homosexuality in Africa is virtually unknown.” He stated further that
“Africa’s traditional is rigidly heterosexual”.
As a student of African sexuality
and gender identity, I know this is not true. I am not alone in my
argument, Dr. C. Otutubikey Izugbara in a paper titled “Patriarchal
Ideology and Discourses of Sexuality in Nigeria” explained that
“evidence, indeed suggests that, in many cases, homosexual practices,
while not always explicitly discussed or identified as such in larger
public imaginary were often treated with more tolerance in pre-colonial
Nigeria than during and after colonial period”.
In the book “The origins and Role of
Same Sex Relations in Human Societies” James Neil buttressed my earlier
assertion that in Nigeria homosexuality is rooted in our traditional
religious believe. He stated, “members of the a spirit possession cult
among the Hausa in northern Nigeria practices cross-dressing and take
the passive role in homosexual intercourse”.
Lyn Ossome in her contribution to
Queer African Reader edited by Sokari Ekine and Hakima Abbas further
dismissed the perceived westernization of homosexuality on the continent
of Africa. In a contribution, she argued that the notion that “there is
no homosexuality in Africa” is a false claim “often accompanied by the
similarity insidious accusation that homosexuality is a ‘western
perversion’ imposed upon or adopted by African population”.
In the book “The construction of
Homosexuality” Greenburg documented the existence of same sexual
relationship in diverse African communities including Nigeria.
Also Davis and co in “The Cross-Cultural Study of Human Sexuality.
Annual review of Anthropology” argued that “a wide variety of homosexual
behaviour is reported”, they also documented “the use of artificial
phalli” between two women as a “compensation for rare heterosexual
intercourse”.
Two notable anthropologists have not
only documented behaviours, but they have also shown acceptance even to
the level of marriage. First of such is William Naphy in his
well-written book “Born to be Gay”.
In it, Naphy captured the process of same gender marriage with the
medium of paying bride price. He claimed, “it is clear that customs
involving woman-woman ‘marriages” (in which case bride-price and dowries
may exchange hands) is extensive”. He dismissed argument against same
sex relations in Africa as ‘ludicrous and to suggest that a practice
which is so widespread and yet differently constructed is anything but
indigenous. Even more so Naphy considered any argument by white
Europeans against the exhibition of same sex relations between Africans
as racism.
Another interesting take on beyond
sexual behaviour to actual exhibition of relationship is ‘Boy wives ad
female husband’. According to Anderson, this book in its research “also
effectively demonstrates the existence of same sex love before the
arrival of the white settlers”
But let us for a second agree with
the proposition of Staples that exhibition of same sexual behaviour in
pre-colonial Nigeria was a phase. The question we then have to ask is:
where did they learn this phase? Who and what influenced the occurrence
of this phase among what the western academia will refer as “primitive”
people.
There are possibly two answers to
these questions. Its is either we argue that Africans are of lesser
human and therefore happened to experiment occasional sexuality, or that
actually, homosexuality like every other human traits is inherent in
all people irrespective of race, gender, or age.
If you agree with me that
homosexuality is very African as much as it is Nigerian, then the
argument put forward by both the western and the African opposition to
homosexual behaviour is flawed.
273 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 273 of 273Have u eaten? U dis hungry tin who has gt no life telin som1 who has made it nids a Life!!! LWKMD u make me laff...who nids help btw u two? Get a Life Stupid!!! Nuisance
Homosexuality is part of human nature, which means whether your nationality or culture is irrelevant. The differences start to play out depending on the cultural teachings. Nigerians are just foolish and ignorant when it comes to this topic. Quite hypocritical too. Instead of you to face your government about the things that matter and affect your standard of living and future, you're rejoicing at a ban on gays that does nothing for the average citizen. Are gay people a separate group of people from straight people? No. They're your family members and friends. be careful what you rejoice over fools.
Whew#Stupidity Dwellls in u jst like Peak milk advert ...Stupidity is in u @ its Peak!!! Skank plz goan drink Acid
Madness dt iz worryin u and ur family!!! U dis mentally Deraild lisnan or watevr ur fuckd trashy name is calld!! *Middle finger*
Ok! Atigbo u like to poke ass mumu. Oshii....NEXT
Tonywretchd...na ur papa haus b4? Moneky like u av u given ur life to christ? R u holy? Leprechaun tony u r d worst disgrace to ur family and nigeria!!STFU and kindly take poison and Die slowly!! Oloshiii
@Anon 6:48pm, "they" or "We"? Idiot faggot like u!
Gbemi pls shut d f up! U sound like a retard! Stupid Gay!
Lol, that shit never gets old...adam n eve not adam and steve lol. Stupid fuck!
There are over 400 species of animals with homosexual tendencies. do ur research!
Emike u Bloody Fool...life aint abt Sex tru d Anus he's talkin abt Freedom and Equity for LGBT not jst Sex bcos I knw uv got no Brain @ all and u talkin tru ur anus! You diz Nymphomaniac ur head is filld wt Sex and notin mur, Useless Fowl evry1 can't b like u Yerima's Broda.
Let the gays be gays and the lesbians be lesbians and let God above be the judge.i believe that when people genuinely find Jesus they would realize that certain things are not right in the sight of God and they would stop.see us talking as if furnication is not a sin too.which most of us to on a daily basis.let Bisi be talking his own there and propagating the gospel of faggoticism let God be the judge!
I was NEVER molested! Yet here we are. Don't bring up 'studies' u cannot back up. My very first crush was gay. U r forcing ur biblical beliefs on people who. Just want to be who they r. So why can't we defend our selves. We wouldn't need to if our ppl were'nt so closed minded.
There r gay animals honey 400 species strong...wht kinda biology do they teach?
Well said!
U dis omo ale jatijati cussing pple's generations here won't u go and hang ur sef? We will neva accept u faggots in Niegria so kill ursef!
Anon 9.30pm, u r d brainless idiot here! Ur folks shld cover their faces wherever they are right now. Faggot oshi
I second that!
Well said!
There r gay animals honey 400 species strong...wht kinda biology do they teach?
Proudly Bisexual, u don't lyk it, pls go and die, I dnt give a flying fuck! If Any Hypocritical moron shud curse me, it will return to u and ur household a hundred folds! Fake ass Mofos!
Leave gays be gays let lesbians be lesbians let God be the judge!na then know.afterall heaven is not for everybody!please let them leave their lives how they want it.and to the woman that said she does not like masculinity in general, I wonder where you will be if you mom didn't like masculinity!Nonsense!
Leave gays be gays let lesbians be lesbians let God be the judge!na then know.afterall heaven is not for everybody!please let them leave their lives how they want it.and to the woman that said she does not like masculinity in general, I wonder where you will be if you mom didn't like masculinity!Nonsense!
STORY!!! Na u be gay jor liar!
Wisdom!
I wish I knew dat anon that's on every1's nerves, I 4 personally treat ur fuck up. Were ur parents gay?
So bcos ur gay spokesman gave his stupid lecture in Berlin automatically means he has made it? U r not only a deluded fag u r also a moron! We will NOT accept ur kind here so kill ursef!
@Anon...9:47...We are he to stay!!! U heard it clear u dumb Numbskull ...Idiot Peasant u r too!! Eject Reject skreppo lousy Animal
Just imagine me and my fellow guy, animals better pass gay pple oo. Who is stupid enof to reply me?
Ur fada is d fool here
See painment oooo..lol. Anon 9:40pm I knw u r d same faggot replying evry1 here n me too wnt leave u alone! Bug off! We ain't going down south! We will not accept gayism
Anon 7:11pm so bcos u r bisexual we shldnt hear word abi? Biko park well
Lol my thots exactlly
I pity 4 dat boy
Bisi,I hope you visit this blog....First of all,you didn't do your research well.I am an anthropologist(though not popular)and I can tell you authoritatively that all the points you posited stem from surface discoveries not indepth research...I hate it when gay people try to send a pill down everybodys throat,they know they are wrong in their dealings,that is why they r trying so hard to be relevant...My dear,wipe all the feaces you have gathered all these years and look for a natural way of doing things.Its not African neither is it Nigerian....Be very careful Bisi,the gods of ur village are waking up with whips.
Roflamaoo... Make God deliver us... We homos plenty die for Naija... Every where we dey! Every corner... But I don't support gay marriage... I am married with kids , and I still bang men! Bisi, don't bother about Naija.. But continue, ur recognition dey rise! We do this ish behind closed doors! Anyways.. Make I just dey observe haha
Denrele is that u? Insulting everyone that says No to homosexuality. Denrele! Lol!
Hmmmmm, the end time is truely near.....May God forgive him because he I̶̲̥̅̊s̶̲̥̅̊ ignorant and don't know he has sin.
Homosexuality has been around in african culture? So has thieves, wife snatchers, Killers, in fact all manner of funny people. Are you now gonna support evil because it has been around? Bisi is an embarrassment to the vagina that bore him. If you grew up feeling sexually attached to men then treat it as an illness, not a thing to be celebrated.And my dear Linda, truth be told this Blog is increasingly sounding like a pro homosexual blog.How can you publish a whole article written by a Nigerian gay man? That sounds like tacit support to me, using your medium to give them a voice. Be careful, we have a law that is against homosexuality and those who promote them. Don't let yourself be arrested and jailed for nothing, unless of course you are one of them. A word is enough for the wise.
y r u so bitter.. So disgusting. Dont take God for granted.. U did not just wake up by miracle,it is by his grace
Pls guys stop reserving ur comments tell this gays that here its no go area. God that bastard should have organised that talk here idiot
Dis Guy is talking shit.. Its Gangster to be HOMO.. Its Crazy.. Its a Sin ... Anywayz No mata Ur lecture .. It Cant Be Part Of Nigeria...SUKA...
oshisko. Not even going to bother reading. I don't care what you do in your bedroom, that's your business. Don't push your stupid propaganda down our throats. I don't go about telling everyone that cares that I'm straight and neither should you. Keep your private business, private. Thank you. Btw, no its not rooted. It's alien. How do you sleep at night? Jeez!
I hav always bin open minded to a lot of things, virtually almost evrything...well said, I reserve my comment, don't want to b stoned alive.lool
@gbemi...i'm sure u are an homo! Cos immediately u guys belong,quran or bible will become a story of "enidence" oloshi omo,kaaa da fun o.
D guy actually got facts to back up is points . Whether de r not cooked up facts is a story for another day. Most people who are sayin they have the rights to do whateva de want to do since they are adults dont know they are opening the.flood gates for Pedophiles, beastility and all manner of sexual perversion. Make research online and u will c pedophiles claiming they are born this way and they cant control thereself. They are already trying to form groups and already claiming human rights and equality. I jst pray GOD will help humanity not to make a mistake which is irreversible all in the name of human right and equality among all people.
Yes o,i read some all i can say is......na im own ancestors na dem be gay......in fact AMADIOHA must hear this
Too many grammatical errors in that piece. T he guy was unable to substsantiate or illustrate his claims. My philosophy is To eah his own. Homosexuality has always been with us and is also practised by some in boarding schools
We used to not share our businezs and secrets until Oprah came along and made it more acceptable. Attitudes are going to gradually change as Africans become more enlightened. Then our LGBT Community will be more comfortable being themselves and coming out of the closet. It is not anybody's business how 2 ADULTS choose to live their lives and do in the bedroom. I've seen videos of people being forced to have sex and being forced to walk through the village naked because they committed adultry. When we learn that it is none of our business and people have a right to live how they wish to live we would be a more civilized society. We should not subject others to our religous beliefs. If you want a good example of the problem that poses, look at sharia in the north. What do you think of the stoning of someone for committing adultery which is a sin according to the bible? Live and let live. To each his own. Govt and other people have no business in people:s bedroom. What about oral se
Live and let live. To each his own. For those of you that give or perform oral sex is that not a sin after all the mouth was not made for that. What of heterosexuals that have anal sex nko. We and the govt have no business in other people's bedrooms. What do u think of stoning under sharia law for adultery. We will eventually join developed nations in protecting people'rights. Only then will we become a more civilized continent.
O boy,I don see goat before ohh. She goat making gestures of a man goat ready to mate another she goat. I still don't understand it till this day... Mysteries of the world.
Mich u jst wrote everythn dat needs to be written on dis man's long letter!u hit d nail on d head.1000 likes.....Iphie
Classic!!!
LOL at the comments! They reflect the current state of Nigeria. WOWWWWW. What an embarrassment these comments are. People wonder why Nigeria doesn't know progress??? Because of the nonsensically oriented mentalities that are running rampant. Mental enslavement is very real. Nigerians love to worry about the wrong thing and continually fail to use critical engagement. This is the perfect reflection of why Nigeria looks the way it does and will continue to remain that way. Lololol...laughable comments. So sad!
LOLOL at these comments. The perfect representation of why Nigeria looks the way it does. Nigerians LOVE to focus on the wrong things and place their energy in the wrong places...this is embarrassing. Why care so much about someone's sexual orientation but allow leaders to rob you blind and treat you as third class citizens on your own land??? LOL you want to get all up in arms about this but allow the roads to remain they are and sit in the dark...literally. A country with crude oil has no light...how does that make sense? But the people are worried about homosexuals. What an embarrassment!!!! Wonder why Nigeria doesn't know progress??? Because of the nonsensically oriented mentalities that are running rampant. Mental enslavement is very real. Nigerians love to worry about the wrong thing and continually fail to use critical engagement. This is the perfect reflection of why Nigeria looks the way it does and will continue to remain that way. Lololol...laughable comments. So sad!
Effects of homosexuality is already showing on him! look closely, he looks sick! I'm not hating but I think gays should consider the effect more than the enjoyment. From past experiences from homos, the anus elapses, cos God didn't create the anus for sex! Please lets try to love our bodies!
Lobaloba, u are so pathetic. Carry gay matter 4 head lyk it pays. Ode!
Sorry it's already accepted in SA.
He mislead his audience. Outside of ancient Greece, can homosexuality be linked to the central identity and culture of any country? And Nigeria of all places? I don't think so. Core, no. A facet, yes.
The young man said some animals are gay and he is now preaching how good it would have been if we humans could descend low to animalistic reasoning and behavior., how foolish!
Judging from the preponderance of anti-gay comments on this thread, I think Mr (Abi na Miss) Alimi has his (her) answer....Nigerians will absolutely not tolerate gay people. Even if it existed in the days of our ancestors as Alimi claims, it was also viewed as abnormal back then.
Stay in Britain were it is normal for 2 men to be together and raise kids. It is against the law here and you must respect that or leave.
it is foolhardy to see a homosexual desire to have children adopted from a heterosexual relationship. it simply does not add up. the depravity is going to the extent that they will start getting attracted to their household pets, God save them.
This guy is sick. Devil himself. U will burn in d lake of fire. Ur words hold no water. Go to hell where u belong.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The most bizzare comment is from the married gay man w kids, 10:43. How can you be against gay marriage if your heterosexual marriage is a farce? Ur using ur wife and kids to cover ur true nature.
AWWW! nd his STUPIDITY just brought him 2d front page of LIB, his straight frnds shld keep an eye on him he could earn u more money u knw, one catch na 70k or him go jail nd b4 u knw it bank accounts r smiling. Am sure his writeup aint for humans animal can read if they want 2. rubbish!!!
I wished most of u commenting on this LGBT listened to Joyce & N6 of cool fm. We would have gotten a broader orientation and better way of bringing back our lost brethren back to reality. We don't need to discriminate them, rather accept them and show them love. At the same time gradually reawaken there senses to the normal way of doing things.
tghe guy is lucky he doesnt have a dad like Marvin Gaye's dad. e for don die teytey
Yeah right! Dear friend, I must say that you Shd go to a correctional facility. I m not trying to insult but homosexuality is against anything that sensibility and human nature stands for.
What is this world turning into sef???? Homosexual is a taboo in Nigeria and will never be encourage. Women way dey sweet die na em man go dey touch man !!!chiaa God forbid... Anybody cut in the act of homosexuality should be killed instantly... What rubbish
He is as stupid as his sexuality, what does he mean by Igbo Ukwu art celebrating Homosexuality, if its deeply rooted in his native yoruba tribe, then he should speak for his tribe, though I know that this is highly unlikely, well he is a fool, cos even the westerners he is presenting the papers know that all this his dumb presentation is a pile of concocted and misguided facts.
He has gone far by disrespecting the concept of our culture in with respect to rejecting homosexuality. Or what is he trying to say? that almost the population of Nigeria, over 90 percent who reject and refuse to accept this wicked act are less intelligent than he is? Or that they are less educated than he is? This is the height of nthe insult, well he better remain wherever he is, because once he steps his doomed foot into this country, he will be as dead like yesterday.
So angry, the fact that he dragged Igbo culture into this, mr man if u love ur life just remain wherever you are.
Thank you Mich...You just said it all. there are more important things to agitate for...
For real oooo Aye n se..... truly!
Swear down.
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