The G5 Governors of Nigeria have been trumpeting cultural fashionista as they move from Rivers to Benue, Oyo, Enugu and now Abia. During a PDP campaign gala night last week, the five men showcased another style. As I look at this photo, I can see “jioji” – one of the most important classes of wrappers in Igbo tradition..Jioji is rooted in Igbo tradition and mythology and it symbolizes purity, valor, guidance and atonement.
When a young lady is being married, of all gifts, a jioji must be included; it is a symbol that I have come with a pure heart to make you part of my family. After warfare and going to the Ikoro (the highest enclave where only brave men are initiated), men are dressed in jioji. Also, during festivals, the men who guide the highest masquerades are dressed with some jioji. Traditionally, elders use the jioji for sacrifices. Largely, jioji is revered and it is more than a wrapper! (Painfully, during funeral rites, without providing jioji, nothing has happed.)
In ancestral Igbo, there is no space for trousers; you have oja and “iwa ogodo”. This design here is actually a Nollywood-like creation even though many have hailed it as a traditional Igbo attire. The designer cleverly avoided areas that would have caused problems for any politician: no red cap (a symbol of authority) with an eagle feather (blameless authority and respect). Also, no staff and elephant tusk (the highest level of social respect in Igbo Nation) were used. They only carried swords which are “common symbols” in Igbo Nation.
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If you read Chinua Achebe’s Okike, a collection which includes some of his important writings on Igbo tradition, and connect it to works of Prof FC Ogbalu, a dean of modern Igbo language and culture who super-headed Igbo Izugbe, you will weep for what Nollywood has done to Igbo culture. But do not blame Nollywood as they need to grow their markets. Interestingly, politicians have the memo: you can create evolving designs as part of modern culture. It is all good provided it comes with good governance.
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The G5 folks are auditioning for future role, this time as fashion ambassadors of Nigeria. Their own ‘jioji’ regalia is for political relevance, so substitute all the cultural meanings of what jioji and its constituents symbolize with political, and everything will fit in.
A win for our sociopolitical economy…