Aderemi Suleiman Ajala

The Changing Perception of Ageing in Yoruba Culture and Its Implications on the Health of the Elderly

Abstract The incidence of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, dwindling income generation, and pattern of urbanization has serious impacts on ageing in many societies especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence has undoubtedly changed the perception of ageing and the roles of the elderly in these societies. Specifically there is rapid ageing and increased mortality rate for the elderly. The elderly people are now saddled with the responsibilities of caring for HIV/AIDS orphans and widows, and still living on dwindling income generation. Many other adults who are supposed to act as supports for the aged have drifted to urban centres for employment. Thus, the aged are faced with tremendous problems. Generating from the above are: what are the risk factors associated with ageing? What are the impacts of such risk factors on the conception of ageing? Do those risk factors have impacts on the roles of the elderly? How far has the care and quality of life of the elderly been influenced by those risk factors. To answer these questions, an ethnographic fieldwork was conducted among 277 respondents in Yoruba community of Southwestern Nigeria to examine the changing perception of ageing due to the presently imposed risk factors against the elderly in that community. The study employed a triangulation of key-informant interview, in-depth interview, and focus group discussions. The study revealed that there exist many risk factors against the wellbeing of the elderly people. Thus, the perception of the ageing has changed from peaceful retirement to crises-ridden stage of living. Some of the crises include neglect of the elderly, poor feeding, and poor health status for the aged. Thus, the aged can no longer play their roles as social reformers, and as the custodians of the people’s culture.

Identity and space in Ibadan politics, western Nigeria

The democratic consolidation in Nigeria is threatened by ethnic politics in which Nigerians struggle to contest and win elections outside their ethnic domains. This situation aggravates political marginalization and exacerbates ethnic conflicts and exclusionary politics in Nigeria. Through qualitative methods of study, this paper examines the construction of political identity from ethnic nationalism and legitimization of space, by explaining how space and identity influence Ibadan politics. The study establishes that the Ibadan indigenes, that is, the bona fide indigenes of Ibadan, employ their civic nationalism and municipal consciousness as strategies for politicization, while the non‐indigenes in the city perceive themselves as being in an unfavourable position with regard to having equal and equitable access to political powers in the city. The practice endangers equal participation in democratic politics, and leads to poor performance of the political elites in this Yoruba community.

Cultural Determinants of Care and Support for People Living with AIDS in Yoruba Communities of Ibadan and Ilesa, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This paper examines social and cultural factors influencing care and support for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in two selected Yoruba communities of Southwestern Nigeria. The increase in morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS especially in Nigeria is attributed to poor attention giving to PLWHA. Reasons for this poor attention seem to be relative on culture basis. Among the Yoruba, the cultural conception of HIV/AIDS and the perception of PLWHA by the people, have negative impacts on care and support for PLWHAs. Despite the various attempts to alleviate the burdens of HIV/ AIDS on PLWHAs, the problems continue as a nightmare in that society, and contribute to an increase in the number of people down with HIV/AIDS. To understand the problem, an ethnographic study was conducted in Ilesa and Ibadan where 217 respondents were interviewed through the combination of key-informant, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and case study analyses. Data revealed that Yoruba conception of HIV/AIDS and the peoples perceptions of PLWHAs create barriers against better care for PLWHA. In addition, it was revealed that poverty, illiteracy and inadequate hospital facilities constitute other hindering factors affecting better care and support for PLWHAs.

Forced Feeding Practice in Yoruba Community of Southwestern Nigeria: Evidence from Ethnographic Research

Abstract Despite health policies on child care, forced feeding is still a widespread practice in Yoruba culture. It is not clear the factors sustaining the practice. This study describes the practice and highlights the factors responsible for its continuity despite advances in medicine and health transition. Ethnographic data were collected in Aiyedire community, examining the biographies of mothers, through focus group discussion with women and men categories, key informant interviews, and case studies. Data revealed that the practice is sustained through gender stereotypes, traditions, and peer influence of mother-in-law. Reasons advanced for the practices include the perception that child will have intimacy with mother, and child’s poor attitude to better food and medication. Gender dynamics exists between male and female as the practice is female role. Respondents do not have the knowledge of the health implication of the practice. It was concluded that public enlightenment programme targeting mother and the significant others identified in the study should be put in place.

From kitchen to corridor of power : Yoruba women breaking through patriarchal politics in south-western Nigeria

Since the 1990s, a number of socio-cultural agencies have played a significant role in the rise of Yoruba women in civil politics. Amongst these are the increasing value of monogamy and womens greater access to Western education; the culture of first ladies in government; and female socio-economic empowerment through paid labour. Despite their increasing participation, women are still marginalised in elective politics. Using the ethnographic methods of key informant interviews, observation and focus group discussions and a theoretical analysis of patriarchy, this article examines gender relations in Yoruba politics and in the nationalist movement in south-western Nigeria. The rise of Yoruba women in politics in south-western Nigeria is discussed, along with the factors influencing womens participation in civil politics. The study concludes that patriarchal politics still exists in the Yoruba political system. Factors inhibiting the total collapse of patriarchal politics in south-western Nigeria include the nature of Yoruba politics; women being pitted against women in politics; gender stereotypes and household labour. Thus, to make Yoruba politics friendlier to all, it would be desirable to create more political openings for women.