The Rise of Traditional Worship: Fear of Progress or a Return to Roots?
The Rise of Traditional Worship: Fear of Progress or a Return to Roots? Culture, the essence of a people’s way of life, is inherently beautiful. It shapes identities, connects generations, and forms the backbone of society. However, I believe culture is not static—it evolves and improves over time. While I hold a deep respect for tradition, I also recognize the need for harmful practices to be left behind. Culture should be progressive, adaptable, and responsive to the present.
Lately, there’s been a noticeable trend among our youth: a growing desire to return to ancient religious and cultural practices. This resurgence of idol worship and traditional rituals raises important questions. Is this return driven by a genuine desire to reconnect with ancestral roots, or does it reflect a fear of modern progress and innovation?
What strikes me as particularly odd is how many who advocate for this return to tradition simultaneously embrace modern technology. For instance, I’ve seen native doctors—Dibias—using social media and smartphones to denounce Western values, the very tools of the modern world they claim to reject. It’s puzzling to see this contradiction. They condemn Western religions and cultural imports, yet their practices mimic Christian rituals—they establish churches, collect tithes, and claim to follow ancestral ways. But is this truly how our ancestors lived?
We cannot deny the damage done by colonization and imperialism. Western influence brought its share of negative impacts. However, does this justify replacing Christianity with a pseudo-traditional religion that mirrors it in structure? Many of those advocating for a return to these primordial practices seem less interested in true cultural revival and more fearful of progress. Are they simply retreating to what feels familiar because they struggle to keep up with modern society?
Culture should never be an excuse for regression. Harmful practices like the killing of twins, the subjugation of women, or the burying of kings with human sacrifices were once part of our culture, but they were rightly abolished. If we are to honor our traditions, we must also recognize when certain practices have no place in the modern world. Returning to our roots should not mean embracing outdated, destructive customs.
It’s particularly troubling to see an increase in dangerous practices disguised as “cultural revival.” Some individuals are promoting disturbing activities online—rituals involving animal sacrifices, exploitative rites, and even ritual killings for wealth. These acts are not reflective of the values our ancestors stood for. The rise in ritual killings and the harvesting of human organs in pursuit of quick wealth is a frightening trend. Is this truly the cultural revival we want?
This obsession with quick wealth, epitomized by the dangerous practice of preparing “Okeite,” is a stark deviation from the hard work and integrity that once defined our communities. Has fear of advancement driven these individuals to pursue shortcuts, abandoning the ethic of earning through honest labor?
Our society is at a crossroads. While it’s important to embrace and celebrate our heritage, we must be wary of regressing into barbarism under the guise of tradition. It’s vital that we reject harmful practices and move forward with thoughtful innovation. Culture evolves—it should inspire progress, not serve as a crutch for those unwilling to engage with the modern world.
One example of this misguided thinking is Mr. Mathias Ezeaku, a vocal proponent of returning to traditional religion. He argues that Christianity and Western values brought nothing but evil to Africa. But I would ask him—who brought modern education? Who introduced hospitals and advanced healthcare? These are Western innovations that have greatly improved our lives. Why, then, paint the West with a broad brush of condemnation when many of their contributions have benefited our society?
The youth of today must understand that clinging to outdated, harmful practices in the name of tradition is not the way forward. We should embrace progress and civilization while thoughtfully refining the aspects of Western culture that don’t serve us. Even Western societies are continually evolving, adapting their cultural practices to better align with the present.
Culture is not static. It grows, it changes, and it should be a force for positive development. We must resist the temptation to retreat into the past out of fear of the future. Instead, let us carve out a path that honors our traditions while embracing the opportunities of modernity. It’s time for every reasonable voice to speak out against the resurgence of destructive practices and champion a more enlightened, progressive vision of our cultural identity.
