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Reviving Uli: Preserving Nigeria’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
September 10, 2024
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As Nigeria, a country with more than 250 ethnic groups continues to battles with challenges associated with her diversity, Museum Artists to make efforts to develop innovative strategies to promote understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Portrait painting of Nigerias foremost nationalists; Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa and Obafemi Awolowo. Here Azikiwe though of Igbo Ethnic group appeared in this art work wearing hausa/Fulani attire while Tafawa Balewa who is Hausa/Fulani but seen here dressed like an Igbo man. Awolowo, a Yoruba man on the other hand is seen dressed like a Tiv man. Photo credit; Tochukwu Ike
In Nigeria and many other parts of Africa, clothing can tell a lot about a person’s background and identity. Clothing is an important aspect of our culture. The way we dress re Clothing is an important aspect of our culture. The way we dress reflects not just the way we see ourselves but the way others see us. Story was told of a Ghanaian who travelled to New York for a conference and in a crowed hall he noticed a stranger dressed in kente attire.
Impulsively he felt a sense of brotherhood towards the stranger. Social psychologists believe that we inadvertently feel a sense of oneness with anyone who dress aligns with our culture. Subconsciously we see that person as one of our own. Nigerian politician take advantage of this during electioneering campaign but jettisons the concept soon after winning election.
Artists and Museum Education officers of National Museum of Unity explore this concept to promote unity among Nigerians. Portrait of important and well respected members of the elite class are painted wearing attires of another ethnic group. This, according to Harvey Fierstein is because, “Art has the power to transform, illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate”.
The Director General of NCMM, Prof. Abba Isa Tijani, though a Kanuri man is seen here wearing an Igbo attire (left). Professor Yemi Osibanjo a Yoruba man was panted here wearing Hausa/Fulani attire. Photo credit; Echem Ogbonaya and Tochukwu Ike
Founded in 1998 by Ike Tochukwu Aloysius, Art for Dialogue showcases diverse works by artists from Nigeria’s National Museum of Unity, Enugu. It promotes intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence, fighting against discrimination.
Ike bridges traditional Igbo art with contemporary forms, fostering understanding across cultures. Art for Dialogue advocates for inclusivity and social progress through museum education and initiatives aligned with UN SDGs, promoting dialogue through Art and Education.
