THE rich cultural heritage of Nigerian people came alive last weekend when the Igbo community in Berlin (Nzukoumu Igbo) celebrated 2012 New Yam Festival.The occasion dismantled ethnic and religious barriers as Nigerians from all tribes and tongues joined their Igbo friends in the celebration. Although, the evening was cold, Nigerians in Berlin defied the weather as they congregated in different colourful attires.The mood was that of jubilation and there were cultural performances ' music, dance and masquerade display. There were equally enough Nigerian dishes to savour. But the main programme for the day began with traditional breaking of cola nut.The rite was performed by the Patron of Igbo Community, Berlin, Chief Ben N. Mbadugha. While praying for the success of Nigerian community in the city, he reflected on the prevailing security situation and other social vices in the home country.Describing the phenomenon as unfortunate, Mbadugba called on the Diasporic Nigerians to also contribute their quota towards finding lasting solutions to the problem.Aside dinning and winning, he said the gathering would serve as a platform for the people to take stock of their performances during the year as well as address other issues of common interest to Nigerian community in the city.In his welcome address, the Chairman, Nzuko Umuigbo, Mr. Chris Asuluka, urged his people to fashion ways of strengthening the unity that is currently prevailing. He noted that their ability to contribute meaningfully towards rebuilding Nigeria lies largely in their unity of purpose.He hoped that Nigerians in Berlin would continue to serve as the nation's cultural ambassadors through the promotion of its rich and diverse cultural heritage.Speaking on the essence of the festival, Asuluka noted that it was to give thanks to God for protection and bountiful harvest each year.'The period clearly marks the end of food scarcity which took place due to yam planting. As in olden days, the festival shares no other events in the Igbo calendar with other celebration.'The New Yam festival period symbolises an important phase in the annual circle of life in the traditional Igbo Community and it is because of this cultural and traditional values that the festival is highly respected.'The event was chaired by Raymond Nduka of Nigerian Embassy in Germany. In his address, he admonished Nigerians to imbibe the attitude of appreciation and respect for one another.The highlight of the day was the symbolic cutting of the new yam. Some tubers of roasted yam placed on a tray pan were presented by the chairman, Igbo Community, Chris Asuluka to the patron of the group, Mbadugha, amidst cultural performances and masquerade display.Although Nigerians do not cultivate yams in Germany, Mbadugha stressed that the annual observance aims at reminding the Igbos of their age long tradition and the need to preserve them and further transfer same to the younger generations.When the coast was clear for the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, to deliver his keynote address, he reminded Nigerians in the Diaspora of their crucial role as cultural ambassadors.Thus, he urged them to join the 'dress Nigeria' campaign by wearing indigenous Nigerian fabrics to offices and other places of importance.'There is therefore every need for Diasporans to start looking inwards and not just adopting Nigerian designs and fabrics to their places of work but also adopt it for general purposes. By the time you dress Nigeria, it will help to give vivid expression to your patriotism and promotional efforts on our indigenous fabrics and styles', he said.He however expressed fears that like most Nigerians at home, who have totally adopted foreign dress culture, the Diasporans, in an attempt to understand the culture of their host country, may discard their indigenous culture. According to him, the only way to avert the policy of assimilation is to continuously hold on to the traditions, languages and the Nigerians' ways of life.'The unfortunate thing now is the wholesale assimilation of foreign dress cultures by Nigerians, a situation that has made the Nigerian local textile industry to crumble like a pack of cards.'If other countries in the world with similar multi-ethnic and multi-cultural diversity can project their cultures on the international scene, Nigerians in Diaspora can also showcase our dress culture and by implication, preserve them for future generations. The promotion of our dress culture in the Diaspora will not only revive and sustain the local textile industries but positively re-awaken cultural consciousness.'Speaking on the theme, 'Diasporans as Agents in the Promotion of Nigeria's Cultural Diplomacy: A Food for Thought', Ayakoroma described cultural diplomacy as a two-way avenue. While trying to nurture a favourable perception of one's country's national ideals and policies with foreign audiences, he stated that it also recognises the cultural identity of the target nation.'This includes the psychology, mentality, the way of life, customs, traditions and history of the people. Thus, the success of cultural diplomacy is dependent on intercultural dialogue and mutual respect.'Admiring patriotic dress styles of Nigerians at the event, NICO boss emphasised that the uniqueness of Nigerian dresses and the connections between dress and both individual and collective identities could be used by Diasporans to promote Nigerian lifestyle.
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