GIRAFFING INTO OTHER WORLD FAITH BASED GROUPS: ASHUKU CULT-A TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD IN A TYPICAL JUKUN WANU TRADITIONAL WAKE-KEEP BY HRH DR SABO AJIDOKU EMMANUEL

 GIRAFFING INTO OTHER WORLD FAITH BASED GROUPS: 

ASHUKU CULT-A TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD IN A TYPICAL

 JUKUN WANU TRADITIONAL WAKE-KEEP

BY 

HRH DR SABO AJIDOKU EMMANUEL  

CAUTION 

For those who will find it strange, shocking and scaring the use of the word ‘cult’ can avail themselves by consulting the dictionary for some clarifications. This shall set them free from any conniption and allied phobia associated with the somewhat dreaded word –CULT.

Over times, death has become part of the human society. While reflecting on the scenario, that in which Adam and Eve transgressed the Divine law, by eating the forbidden fruit. It was an injunction, an interdict by God, warning them of the danger or the repercussion of the impending doom, or consequence (i.e death) that will manifest, if they faulted the order. But these occupants of the Garden, chose the recalcitrant way. Consequent upon this transgression, they were driven out of the Garden of Eden. This memorable tragic incident, majorly, registered the first spiritual and physical death in the world. As descendants of Adam and Eve, all mankind have inherited this befitting garment or robe, priced-prized death. Thence, the dead are always mourned for and sometimes celebrated. All books of wisdom and other ancient archival chronicles affirm this divine narrative. 

Eventually, this brings us to cultures and traditions of peoples of different nations. The Jews, the Arabs, the peopled Asia, Europe across the Atlantics, In Africa, etc are variations of thrilling, rich and robust cultures and traditions of tribes and races world wide. Out of this array of people are the Awanu, who belong to the riparian group of Jukunoid spread a long the length and breath of the Benue trough, predominantly. They are of the ancient and gigantic Kwararafa dynasty. People of civilized cultures and traditions with traceable similarities to the Yemenis, the Egyptians and a lot of good peoples of different races scattered all over the world. Wanu people acknowledge the realities of death, or final departure of an individual; a loved one, very amiable and dear to one’s heart, to a place known as ‘Akindo’ a place of no return. Though they believe in re-incarnation, they do not hold too tight to this belief except proven by divination with the use of ‘Anuku’- the practice of using some pieces of threaded calabashes as apparatus for establishing the metaphysical composition of the cosmos.

Therefore, in this part of the world, the dead are so valued that their memories can not just easily fade off or cease in the life of the family and also that of the community. So, the moment a person dies, depending on the caliber of the person, certain traditional and cultural obligations: rituals, rites, are observed. Equally, some forms of societal norms and values find relevance in the burial ceremonies. Of particular note, is the age, social, politico-economic status of the deceased person. This classification is based on the premise, which type of funeral accomplishment be conducted, whether elaborate or not. Usually, it is the passing away of a person of high reputation, men and women of marital status that are so honoured and accorded a befitting Ashuku cult festivity.

The Ashuku cult is an heathen ancestral spiritual mourning vehicle of lamentations. It evokes the memories of those who have become guests to mother-earth. There is no competent authority as traditions demand that can announce and declare mourning until the Ashuku threnody is heard from the shrine. In an event of a rumour of death, this prohibition sometimes, makes people to keep sealed lips.

It is pertinent to note that, the funeral requirement of a person of low status does not attract vigorous festivity. But in the case of those of the members of the inner circle (Awatsa), the Kings, the Queens, the aged, women of titles, theirs are highly honoured. Meanwhile, before the body (corpse) is lay to rest, it is usually placed on a catafalque. It is mostly constant with female corpses due to their peculiarities. This filial duty is to allow for emotional expressions as streams of tears descend down the cheeks. Professional criers are always at the arena festooned and garlanded with possessions such as vestments, clothes, fishing or farming implements to mock-immortalize, especially if the deceased was an elder. Playmates are also not left out of this celebration, till the funeral is over.

The Ashuku cult which is exclusively male affairs, takes place normally in the shrine. The occasion is always packed-full with so many activities in honour of the dead. Kings, Queens and some highly traditional titled occupants are always revered. Kings, Queens especially are given more days of mourning festivity. Their funeral rites are often exaggerated. These fantasies, full of allegory, the drums throbbing with pomp, consoling the souls of both the dead and the living. If one is low spirited, fears and fright will engulf the individual when the threnodies begin. They are always touching and inspiring to the soul. These are the immemorial songs of the deeds of the dead: of their names, good works, while they were on this planet. The threnodies extol their good virtues and pray that they will be rewarded in the hereafter. Those who did not merit any good name, the likes of witches, wizards and other persons of questionable characters are always cursed in the songs, released by Ashuku at the wake-keep.

Fascinating enough, only those who are vast in the use of idioms, proverbs and lexicon of the languages can appreciate their thematic meanings. The women who are outside the shrine shall join in the boisterous rioting ecstasy of sorrow in chorus. Its (shrine) restrictive exclusiveness makes it a taboo to women folk. No woman is ripe enough to see Ashuku. Any attempt can ignite the anger of the spirit world for a spontaneous death penalty, bareness or unending menstrual periods.  To avoid such a calamity, these cultural prohibitions must be observed, maintained and kept in check. Even the under-aged male children are not excluded due to their age barrier and vulnerability that may sometimes attract mild gravity of misdemeanour.  As the emotional feelings heighten, sometimes even the men cannot wait, but wet the cheeks with tears at the wake-keep. These lamentations shall continue through the night to escort the spirit of the dead to eternity. Culturally, the dead, it is believed that see the living souls. The living cannot. Only Sangoma Priests, that possess the spiritual powers and talisman to see beyond the normal eyes, can.

Ashuku is not an idol, neither is it a masquerade. It is all about songs of lamentations, prayers, goodwill messages for the dead. It is allergic to alcohol, pure and sacred.  Ashuku is a war-like outfit fighting injustices, immoralities and cannibalistic mannerisms. It refines, moderates the individual behavioural patterns. The inspiration from Ashuku is a high dosage of truth drug. It summarily hits the individual’s conscience for a spiritual rebirth etc. 

Well, the society is fast aging out, and there is little or none to show about the vestigial traces of Awanu Jukun culture and tradition today. The old orders are however crumbling and the new ones are emerging with a lot of modifications. The Awanu world is in conflict of cultural attacks as the sounds of trumpets blast the horizon and castles are cracking and are hurled and broken into smithereens. This new era of civilization and modernity has brought about the extinction of some germane societal values. As the exotic influences of some world leading religions are fast eroding and uprooting the pivotal beacons of the old civilization, this erstwhile hurly burly solemnities have been erratically massacred. It may interest you to know that some traditions of other people, of some religions have been imported, co-opted into some religions. For instance, the use of rosary or tasbah, veiling, footwears, cap, turbaning, durbar, make-ups, naming, ablution, fasting, pilgrimage, e-sermons, faith salutations, baptism, marabouts, sorcery, the soothsayer, lavished ceremonies, commercialism etc. In fact, all forms of primitive idolatry or the intellectual New Age paganism. And that is why some of these practices are still been challenged by some religious bigots, fanatics, zealots, and adherents of some Faiths.

The insinuation is that, not every aspect of the people’s culture are bad, and those of other people are good. For instance, in some faiths, people bear names of animals ignorantly and joyfully. That apart, the Lord Jesus Christ, as a Jew, during his days on earth use to attend the Passover- the Jewish tradition. Despite that, did he deviate from his vision-mission to the world? He was rather identifying with his people period. Do we (even) now discard the languages, different tribes that we are, for the languages, of the faiths, we profess?. (This is because language itself is an aspect of culture and tradition). Or do we go for the languages of those who brought these Faiths to us? 

Religion is the thing of the mind, a belief, it gives a sense of direction to or for an individual who is prepared and ready to practice it, towards making paradise. Just belief and do according to the divine instructions of the Supreme Being. A living Supreme Being not an idol, the one that is the Most Beneficent, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the Most High, the I am that I am, etc. Whatever adjective or name you ascribe you have the choice or indoctrination. All these are about the One that is Most Revered and has the superlative control all over all things. Therefore, go out to inquire, search and seek for knowledge even if it can be found in Sine (China), for my people perish for lack of knowledge. This is a divine persuasion, a challenge and an injunction to do so. 

In the light of the above, songs of lamentations or threnodies being produced at Ashuku wake-keep, teach or educate a lot about existence. As mortals, all shall die one day. Therefore, Ashuku mourning songs preach peaceful co-existence, love and harmony. It is a soothing consolation for the weak, giving assurances of making heaven for the clean hearted people. The songs frown at corruption and any form of sharp practices in this terrestrial life. 

With all these traditional and cultural pedigrees, Ashuku cult or confraternity, as suggested by some fast runners, would wish, it is made a laissez-faire. There should be no any form of restrictive exclusiveness where gender based biases, age as a barrier or obstacle, be expunged in toto. This argument though cogent, is not palatable enough, thus discarded. After all, other world religions, also have set certain standards for those who profess such Faiths. If you belong to any of such Faiths, just relax your mind, study your religion, know it and practice it as expected of you. If you consider it to be a fait accompli, alright, comme vous-voulez. But remember, existence is all about zero sum game. 

Whatever Faith you profess, at the funeral, you pay tribute, set a premium on threnodies, keep or observe vigil and or go for wake-keep. The only different is just the nomenclature of the Faith, its practices, or else what is happening at the corner is a replica of Ashuku threnody or threnodies, the rich cultural and traditional mourning extravaganza at the vigil or wake-keep. 

By and large, some of the Kwa group confraternity known to be Alago, Idoma, Agatu, Igede, Iyala, Etulo, Goemai, etc share this belief culturally and traditionally with the riparian people known as Awanu, a Jukunoid of the Kwararafa dynasty. May God protect His own. Amen. Shalom! Asalama Alaikum, Salema lec, Avosoh Shido Shizo Wa-i. Eshi ko Wuso Na Mngha Lah Te’seh.