Living in two worlds
Oban cultural festival continue to improve every year both in content and outreach. This yearly fiesta has attracted people to Oban from near and far. What began as a humble community jamboree has gained immense popularity in Cross River state as a whole. At a time when the world is experiencing rapid disintegration of traditional ways of life, oban cultual festival can only be a very welcome initiative. So much change has been brought to bear on many of African societies through persistent and evolving technological advancement. There is no doubt that modern technology has helped to open up our communities to the wider world. Take for example the mobile phone. I was pleasantly delighted to receive text messages on up coming marriage ceremonies in Oban. This was not the case even five years ago. We are aware that modern technology has potential danger to alienate people from deep cherished cultural values. You wonder how many of our children to can identify with many of the cultural practices and beliefs in Oban. I believe oban cultural festival can help to filled such a cultural void experienced by our children today. There should be no reason why present generation of children cannot live in these two worlds- world of modern technology and their cultural world harmoniously. There is a saying in Ejagham that goes, 'Mone Njim ebae, mone njim esa, mone njim jit are nsung'.
Global platform to keep Ejagham wisdom and knowledge engaged with the rest of humankind. Ejagham culture is the oldest civilization of Bantu people.
