An Assessment of Western Civilization and the Transformation of Igala Culture and Tradition

Abstract

Western Civilization, faith and institutions have had a profound impact on the religious and cultural aspects of Igala land, Nigeria. This article examines
the scope and character of that transformation, and in particular the centrality of Christianity, formal education and evangelisation as the main agents of change. Using historical and ethnographic methods and based on interviews and secondary sources, including books, journals, and theses, the paper explores changes in significant cultural fields, such as religion, tradition, marriage practices, burial rites, and indigenous knowledge systems. Results show a dual effect: Western cultural imperialism has stimulated modernization and social progress on the one hand, and on the other, it hastens the degeneration of once cherished Igala values and cultural heritage. The research suggests incorporating cultural education in school curricula and organizing cultural activities to uphold Igala identity. It finds that a proportionate stand of keeping the good traditional values while adopting some beneficial elements of Western society is fundamental for cultural continuity in a modernized society.