It was quite interesting to spend the last long vacation among the Idoma people of Benue-plateau region of the t country. I went to Otukpo, to be precise, to spend my holiday with my friend, Adinoyi. The fact is that I enjoyed every bit of my stay in Otukpo because everyday, I was exposed to a different culture, tradition and ways of life of some people quite different from mine.
Benue-Plateau region, prior to my visit to Otukpo, had been just a mere geographical region on the Nigerian socio-political map. In fact, the first idea I had about the culture and belief of the Idoma people came to me through my intimate friendship with Adinoyi. But then, it had remained abstract until I had the opportunity to travel with him to Otukpo during the last holiday.
I had a whiff of the people's culture and tradition the first day Adinoyi and I got to Otukpo. Our journey from Lagos to otukpo took the whole day as we started off on the journey very early in the morning and got there around 10.00 pm in the night. Immediately, we got there, I was introduced to the people living in the neighbouring huts surrounding Adinoyi's parents. Soon after the introduction, adults and small children who had gathered listening to moonlight tales came around the but Where I was and they started singing and dancing welcoming me into their midst. I was surprised at the spontaneous outburst of songs and dancing but my friend told me that it was how the Idoma people welcome their special guest. I was fascinated by the hospitality of the people which I later discovered was part of their life. It was their tradition to make their guests comfortable by providing all convenience for the guests. Despite the fact that we got to Otukpo late in the night, sumptuous meal was prepared for me and I had to eat sitting among the villagers. This happened every time I had to eat. They justified this act of eating among a large crowd of people as a demonstration of the spirit of communality.
Another custom of the people that fascinated me is their belief in hardwork. My hosts believe that a guest should be regarded as a guest for two days after which he would be invited to go to the farm with them. I found this custom very interesting. On the third day of my stay among the people, I had to go to the farm with my friend's father and I worked in his farm with the traditional hoe of the Idoma people called 'Abele'.
Their mode of dressing is very simple and fascinating. Their young girls and women go about in simple garments made from heavy local fabrics similar to Ghana's 'kente. The men put across their bodies wrappers usually of white stripes on black background and tie the wrapper in knot on their right shoulders. This mode of dressing always leaves half of their chest bare which they claim is a display of their manliness. The old men and adults among them usually complement their dressing with a walking stick, On the bodies of the young ladies and women, there are tattoos which they regard as embellishment to their beauty.
In terms of courtesy, the Idoma people cannot be found wanting. They stoop and squat to greet each other and in one greeting, they would ask about the welfare of everything that one has, including one's pets. This always takes some of your time and the people will squat and stoop in greetings every time they see you in a day.
The most interesting aspect of their life is that an Idoma adult male has to demonstrate his capability to protect his spouse. His manliness will be put to task during the traditional marriage rite. He is flogged on his bare body by a team of strong men until there are lacerations of sore caused by the strokes of cams he receives on his body. The suitor's ability to withstand the flogging will demonstrate his ability to protect his spouse.
I so much love the tradition. custom and the way of life of my hosts that at the end of my stay in Otukpo. I had to shed tears when the departing entertainment was being staged in my honour at the town's arena.