ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ELEMENT OF AKBC RADIO PROGRAMME “AFE MBONO”

ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ELEMENT OF AKBC RADIO PROGRAMME “AFE MBONO”

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

• Background to the problem

A society is a community of people, living in a particular country or organization. Therefore, every society has it’s own peculiar norms and traditions, which differentials it from others and is usually passed un-adulterated, from one generation to another.

The inhabitants of the geopolitical entity known today as Akwa Ibom State have their own ways of life also known as culture, and with  this, they have tried to preserve for future generation. Indigenes of the state are the homogenous group believed to have originated from a single ancestral stock; with major language of the people in Ibibio, which is understood by all, but with some variation in dialect among the Annang, Eket, Ibeno, Itu Mbon Uso, Mbo, Okobo and Oron. However, the Adonis have a language of their own. Culture is said to be a body of stored knowledge, characteristic ways of thinking and feeling, attributes, goals and ideas. It is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, and habits acquired by mass as a member of society. (Iwe, 2005:p.54).

For the purpose of this research, culture is seen as an aggregate concept, characterized by distinctive spirit, way of life, devices for living and attainment of group of people. A culture should cope with some Universal problems and events. For a group to maintain it’s solidarity to establish a orderly way of life and to satisfy the biological needs of the members, it should perpetuate it.

Akwa Ibom State is known as nationwide, for it’s rich and enviable cultural heritage, which is characterized by it’s authentic institutions and patterns that epitomized in their menu, housing and dressing. Indigenes of the state share similar festivals, folktales, songs, plays and dances. They also share common philosophies, belief in cults, oracles  and mythology; while placing premium on the ideas of truth, liberty, social justice, achievements, hard work, dedication, unity, honesty, loyalty and peaceful co-existence. Ahmed, et, al, (2009) refers to culture as all the way in which the members of a particular society or community behave. It also includes their beliefs, language dressing, work of arts and craft. The tools they make, the technology they develop and the institutions around which their lives and activities are organized. This is whole the social concept comes in.

The word “social” concerns the organization of relationship between people and the communities. This means that every society has evolved it’s own ways of maintaining social order. People know their rules and responsibilities and this ensures political and economic stability. The traditional authority is greatly respected, while sanctions-either through the attachment of stigma or ridicule of defaulters in songs are placed following infringement and insubordination by the people. Certain social instruments are also put in place to ensure that the people behave properly.

Effiong (2011:p.22) points out that, in Nigeria; a close relationship is maintained between the performer and audience through local drama. The traditional dramatist used drama as an outlet to protect the norms and values of his cultured belief. Programme is the presentation and representation of life, not as it is liked, but as it is experienced through imagination on stage before an audience or spectators initially, programme was performed  gradually moved from the village square but with the advent of western civilization, programme gradually moved from the village square to the theatre and from there to television. Programme  in Nigeria is one of the ways Nigerians try to express themselves to teach life’s lessons, tell stories about events and incidents warm against social vices and teach morals.

In Akwa Ibom State, “Afe Mbono” is a local programme presented by chief Idung, Ifia Akai, Uto Akpene Uwem Ikpaha Eduok and Anwan Uto.