How to save a culture

Ernest Akerejola

Nigerian Ernest Akerejola is mapping the relationship between his own language, Oko, and its society. Otherwise, both might disappear. His PhD is in Macquarie University’s Department of Linguistics, which he chose as “the best in the world”.

There are 400 different languages in Nigeria. According to UNESCO, 23 others have already been lost. Since language is the key to culture, this means that unique histories and social mores have also gone.

The language in the culture

“In my thesis, I’m describing the way people use language to construe their experience of the world,” says Akerejola. “A lot of virtues and moral values are taught within a language.”

The Ogori people are centred on a boundary town between Nigeria’s north and south. They used to be farmers, and the local industry was brewing an alcoholic drink. With the coming of modern industry, many have migrated to bigger cities. But Christian festivals and initiation ceremonies for girls bring them back to their heartland from all over Nigeria.

It’s at these times that the language flourishes. At present there are 60,000 speakers.  Akerejola is developing spoken Oko into a written version, through which he wants to develop resources for school education, as well as document history and customs.

There is a system of respect and mutual obligation built into the culture. A child addresses older men as Father or Uncle, and must not direct foul language at them.

There are many different words to describe a girl’s initiation into womanhood, with its special ceremonies. Bodies are painted and special clothes and beads are worn. There are words to describe these craft traditions.

A girl is the property of the whole society, and in return for its protection, she is expected to be chaste until she marries.

“We care for one another. We protect one another,” says Akerejola. “These values are integrated into the language.”

Reaching out to others

Akerejola has been at Macquarie for three years. In his work, he has used videos of native speakers from social events in Oko-speaking villages, and now has a “rich archive” of material which will be preserved through digitisation.

He has also established the Systemic Functional Linguistics Association of Nigeria, which has organised three conferences and made contact with other African countries and international bodies.

He pays tribute to Professor Christian Matthiessen for “moral and material support” in this.

“The Association will help others save their languages,” Akerejola says. “There will now be a snowball effect, with many in Nigeria wanting to come to Macquarie. Its resources are like a goldmine.”

Akerejola’s trail-blazing work provides a model for others who no longer need to stand by and watch their cultures disappear.

For further information, contact Professor Christian Matthiessen at christian.matthiessen@ling.mq.edu.au The Department of Linguistics website is at www.ling.mq.edu.au  

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