A VISIT TO THE KING
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to meet many African kings. In each case, we had an opportunity to bring greetings from our dear ones from home, an opportunity to preach the Gospel, briefly, and, to pray for the king and his family and his realm of dominion. Usually, the king ruled over a land area, ranging in size from one of our townships, to perhaps the size of one of our counties, though usually not so large. In each case, the king lived in what was known as a palace, but usually was not as fine or as large as the average American home, although there were exceptions. Since the turning over of British rule in Nigeria, and in most countries in Africa, the National government has wisely chosen to work with and cooperate with the local traditional rulers. These kings act like kings, they dress like kings, have a throne and throne-room, are treated like and respected as kings. Some of the kings are deeply committed Spirit filled and humble Christians. They try to work with the local governments and police agencies to maintain peace and order through out their areas of influence. They often act as judges to help settle disputes between family members, land owners, and other challenges facing the community. These kings have high chiefs, chiefs, village elders, and extended family heads under them which act as leaders or principle members of the community. Sometimes they are allotted a certain street or area by the king to help govern. The chiefs often act as counselors to the king on matters regarding the community, holding special council meetings for discussion. I have personally sat as a high chief among the chiefs, as trial held by the whole council to discuss the punishment of a certain community member for crimes or embarrassments committed against the community, or within community boundaries. The person in question was prostrating himself over and over as a sign of apology and respect for the king and the authoritative position of the council. They have something like this in practically every part of Nigeria, although they may go by different names, their functions are similar.
The country is comprised mostly of three main tribes with many other minority tribes and people/culture groups making up the balance. The first tribal group (among whom we have ministered the most) is the Yoruba. (Pronounced YÓ·roo·bah.) These people live primarily in the south and western regions of Nigeria. These people are very religious. Mostly Christian, some Muslim, and some animistic or traditional ancestral ritualism. These people are strong in family honor and bow to show respect. They have many wonderful proverbs that they use in their language. This one is used a lot when a wise elderly person has died: "The library has burned down." These are a very musical people and have excellent drummers of all kinds among them.
The Hausa are among the top three tribes in Nigeria. They live mostly in the north. My estimation is that they are split almost perfectly in religions; the Christians comprising half, the Muslims, the other half. These people are also very musical. Many of them deal in cattle and sheep, however, almost all of Nigeria is known for its agriculture.
The Ibo or Igbo, (pronounced EE·bow,) live primarily in the eastern parts of Nigeria. They are very strong in business and commerce.
Business in Nigeria is made through the sale of common household items. Trade in agricultural products like bananas, plantain, all kinds of citrus fruits, pineapples, many different kinds of melons, papaya, mangos, coconuts, palm kernel oil, peppers, cashew fruits and nuts, peanuts and peanut oil, avocados, yams and tubers such as their pounded yam (which has been their main staple along with imported rice,) and others including sweet yams, Irish potatoes, and cassava. Fish and poultry are also a large source of business.
Other tribes include the Calabar, Edoh (which some consider a sub-tribe/culture to the Yoruba), Kadara, Aquaibom, Efik, Folani (nomadic, ranging across northern and western Africa), and more than a thousand others too numerous to name.
Unfortunately, very few of the various people groups in Nigeria have the Bible or any part of it in written form. There are many thousands of villages where there are no Christians or Christian churches, villages that have not been exposed to the Gospel, hence are lost and eternally damned. As I said, we have ministered in villages where no white person has ever ministered. What an adventure!
Oil and precious minerals are also abundant commodities in Nigeria. Few people ever see the money from these resources, however. Only those with excellent education and influence can find job positions. Consequently, many Nigerian youth seek to be educated overseas. Although much of Nigeria is modernized, (with conveniences like light, computers with internet access, vehicles, television with CNN and radios, etc.,) there are vast regions of Nigeria where there is still the clash of simple, traditional living with modernism. People strive to catch up with the rest of the world. The resulting problems and challenges that occur are quite intriguing.