Research Article
Open Access
Harnessing Traditional Institutions for Social Control : A Study of Mumuye Vaa/Vaka (Indigenous Mystical Fraternity) in Taraba State, Northeast, Nigeria
Abstract
Prior to the invention of modern institutions of social control in Northeast, Nigeria, traditional Vaa/ Vaka (Hidden Association ) among the Mumuye of Taraba State has been in existence and proven to be efficacious in mitigating social ills compared to modern organs like police, military, civil Defence, immigration,judiciary, custom, road safety corps amongst others. The research is aimed at integrating Mumuye Vaa/Vaka with modern architectonics for effective social control in Nigeria. The paper made use of mixed methods of research approach combining qualitative and quantitative. Data were collected from oral interviews, participant observation , Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and books. The paper discovered that, modern architectonics of social control in Nigeria have not proven to be productive, sufficient and are at bay to cover a heterogeneous Nigerian society. Traditional architectonics like the vaa/vaka were more efficacious than modern architectunics mitigating social order . The paper further observed that, traditional organs of social order like the Vaa/Vaka are indigenously revered as symbolic ethnographic and cultural heritage of the Mumuye , whose activities remained secretive and sealed from non initiates especially women, children and strangers, and which also posed a challenge to being integrated in modern architectonics for social order in Nigeria. Vaa activities could also be dangerous if they go eventually go out of hand due to abuse and witch hunting by members of the cult in society. The research recommends that, positive aspects of vaa should be revitalised and integrated into modern architectonics for effective maintenance of social order in Nigeria. Custodians of Vaa , indigenous scholars and modern institution for the promotion of social order should be integrated to promote and mainatain social order in a heterogenous society in Nigeria now and in the future.
Keywords
Social Control, Mumuye, Nigeria and Vaa/Vaka
References
Arinze, S. “Towards An Authentic Nigeria Liturgy”.Shalom Proclaim Peace, 5. Enugu: Dora Prints Nigeria Ltd. 1983. Print.
Justine D. “Baptism And Initiation Among The Mumuye People of Nigeria”. (BST) Long Essay. Jos: SAMS, May, 1992.Print.
Dong, Peter Marubitoba and Rudanyuba, Alphonsus Isa. Ed. Excavating The Mumuye Heritage On Family Building And Ethics. Jos: Nigeria Bible Translation Trust, 2014.Print.
Detola, T,O. Man and Society in Africa .London: Longman,1983. Print.
Dauda, Pius Nyarere. Historical Sites in Dong.Kano: Olus Kreationz, 2013.Print.
Fairchild, Henry Pratt.Ed.Dictionary of Sociology. Totowa, New Jersey: Littlefield, Adams and Co. 1966. Print.
Group Six “Examine the Place of Vaa (Secret Cult) in your People’s Religion". Being A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfilment of Rel: 108: African Traditional Religion.Department of Christian Religious Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo, 2018.Print.
Gaiya,Musa A.B. "Inter-Play Between Religion and Culture in African Traditional Religions". Jos Studies,4.1,(1994).5.Print.
Goos, M. Manning et al."Explaining Job Polarization:Routine -biased Technological Change and Off Sharing".An Econ Re ,(2014). 26 Print.
Mbiti, John Samuel. African Religion and Philosophy. London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd, 1969.Print.
Martins, Hosea Nakina. “Myths, Rituals and Symbols As Architectonics of Social Control in Mumuye Society” Being A Research Paper Presented in Partial Fulfilment For Rel 709 – African Philosophy, A Postgraduate Course in the Department of Religion and Philosophy, Benue State University, Makurdi, October, 2010.Unpublished.
---.“A Phenomenological Investigation of the Mumuye Traditional Religion in Taraba State of Nigeria” Master’s of Arts Dissertation Submitted to the Postgraduate School, Benue State University, Makurdi – Nigeria, Feb. 2012.Unpublished.
Nyameh, J. Kotasori. A Brief At The Mumuye Communities In Lau Local Government Area. Jos: Padane Ventures,2006.Print.
National Open University of Nigeria. Course Material on Course CTH825-"Religion and Social Change". 2015. Print.
Nyazing, Peter Hassan. “Mumuye Burial System as Expressions of the African Community Spirit” (B.Th). Long Essay, Jos: St. Augustine's Major Seminary, May, 1998.Unpublished.
Nyabun, Mathias. Hidden Treasures of the Mumuye people: Mika Clan Perspective. Jalingo: Matty Press, 2014.Print.
---.The Mumuye Experience Review of Political Foot Prints A Posterity Measure. Jalingo:Marty Press,2019. Print.
Neyt, Francois. Mumuye. Paris: Galerie Flak, 2001.Print.
Sogwe, Vera."The Role of Digitalization in the Decade of Action for Africa".United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 7 September,2020. Print.
Walls, Levis L. Hausa Medicine: Illness and Well being in a West African Culture. Durham- London: Duke University Press, 1988.Print.
Www. World bank, org> program> all -afr-Retrieved on 26 June,2023. Web.
Justine D. “Baptism And Initiation Among The Mumuye People of Nigeria”. (BST) Long Essay. Jos: SAMS, May, 1992.Print.
Dong, Peter Marubitoba and Rudanyuba, Alphonsus Isa. Ed. Excavating The Mumuye Heritage On Family Building And Ethics. Jos: Nigeria Bible Translation Trust, 2014.Print.
Detola, T,O. Man and Society in Africa .London: Longman,1983. Print.
Dauda, Pius Nyarere. Historical Sites in Dong.Kano: Olus Kreationz, 2013.Print.
Fairchild, Henry Pratt.Ed.Dictionary of Sociology. Totowa, New Jersey: Littlefield, Adams and Co. 1966. Print.
Group Six “Examine the Place of Vaa (Secret Cult) in your People’s Religion". Being A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfilment of Rel: 108: African Traditional Religion.Department of Christian Religious Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo, 2018.Print.
Gaiya,Musa A.B. "Inter-Play Between Religion and Culture in African Traditional Religions". Jos Studies,4.1,(1994).5.Print.
Goos, M. Manning et al."Explaining Job Polarization:Routine -biased Technological Change and Off Sharing".An Econ Re ,(2014). 26 Print.
Mbiti, John Samuel. African Religion and Philosophy. London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd, 1969.Print.
Martins, Hosea Nakina. “Myths, Rituals and Symbols As Architectonics of Social Control in Mumuye Society” Being A Research Paper Presented in Partial Fulfilment For Rel 709 – African Philosophy, A Postgraduate Course in the Department of Religion and Philosophy, Benue State University, Makurdi, October, 2010.Unpublished.
---.“A Phenomenological Investigation of the Mumuye Traditional Religion in Taraba State of Nigeria” Master’s of Arts Dissertation Submitted to the Postgraduate School, Benue State University, Makurdi – Nigeria, Feb. 2012.Unpublished.
Nyameh, J. Kotasori. A Brief At The Mumuye Communities In Lau Local Government Area. Jos: Padane Ventures,2006.Print.
National Open University of Nigeria. Course Material on Course CTH825-"Religion and Social Change". 2015. Print.
Nyazing, Peter Hassan. “Mumuye Burial System as Expressions of the African Community Spirit” (B.Th). Long Essay, Jos: St. Augustine's Major Seminary, May, 1998.Unpublished.
Nyabun, Mathias. Hidden Treasures of the Mumuye people: Mika Clan Perspective. Jalingo: Matty Press, 2014.Print.
---.The Mumuye Experience Review of Political Foot Prints A Posterity Measure. Jalingo:Marty Press,2019. Print.
Neyt, Francois. Mumuye. Paris: Galerie Flak, 2001.Print.
Sogwe, Vera."The Role of Digitalization in the Decade of Action for Africa".United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 7 September,2020. Print.
Walls, Levis L. Hausa Medicine: Illness and Well being in a West African Culture. Durham- London: Duke University Press, 1988.Print.
Www. World bank, org> program> all -afr-Retrieved on 26 June,2023. Web.