EXTREMISMS OF FEMINISM IN IGBO TRADITIONS AND CULTURES

Abstract

This paper is informed by recent happenings in the name of feminism or rightly put, with the recent obnoxious slogan that anything a man can do a woman can do better. The contemporary unhealthy struggle for equality between male and female folk informs this paper. A particular on-line videoclip showed an Igbo masquerade, popularly called Mgbadike, romantically rocking a woman while dancing together with her. In another eyesore of a video-clip, a masquerade was videoed holding a woman, shamelessly asking her for her phone number amidst vulgar and uncomplimentary luring comments. These are few factual contemporary extremes of feminism in Igbo traditions and cultures. Moreover, we must note that feminism is never in contest with masculinism if there any form of struggle as regards masculinity. Today than ever, there is great rise in disregard to gender roles all in the name of practise of feminism. A total disregard to gender roles and sheer neglect of traditional institutions based gender roles is not feminism. Its simply contemporary contradiction and mere bastardization. These extreme practises contradicts feminism. Feminism should not stand against culture nor tradition. Unfortunately, feminist movements are simply against tradition and culture. Tradition is feminine. Tradition is masculine. And vice versa for culture. Tradition is at best cultural as culture is traditional.