Articles

Permanent URI for this collection

https://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/3412

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 27

Open Access
Archaeological Reconnaissance of Eggon Land, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2013-10-18) Ibeanu, A..M.; Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Open Access
Archaeology Of Nok, Benin And Igbo-Ukwu
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-10-05) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Open Access
A Consideration Of The Theory Of Evolution And The Biblical Narrative Of Creation In Genesis One
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2009-10-19) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
The age- long conflict between the evolutionist and the creationist schools of thought has remained essentially unsettled. The argument has even lost the admiration of the audience and consigned it to the both mere academic exercise. This discourse may be seen as one of such intellectual prodding’s. It may not necessarily be so. A careful assemblage of facts from Genesis and evidence from archaeology may create a difference as both will speak for themselves. This is the substance of this study.
Open Access
The Creation of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Its Impact on the Gbagyi Ethnic Identity, 1976 to the Present
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-10-20) Dalat, Gershom Danglah; Amago, A. Kudu
The life of man on the surface of the earth is characterised by experience, both pleasant and unpleasant, involving his relationships with his environment and fellow humans. These experiences, to a great extent impinge negatively or positively upon his socio-cultural and linguistic elements of his ethnic identity. This paper argues strongly that the creation of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the attendant influx of populations cutting across all socio-cultural horizon of Nigeria created a new sociocultural and linguistic environment around the Gbagyi ethnic group, with almost all different ethnic and linguistic groups in Nigeria represented. Thus, effective communication and cultural harmony among the settlers and between them and their host (Gbagyi) community dictated that language and cultural practice common to all the members of the "new community" be more frequently used. The effects as the study shows, was the coming into contact of these ethnic groups (Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani Igbo, etc) with the Gbagyi indigenous population. Through intermarriages, friendships, cultural borrowing, the Gbagyi original identity has been reduced to a multi-ethnic, society, with hardly any definable socio-cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Open Access
Cultural Factor in Establishing Democracy in Nasarawa State: Eggon and their Neighbours in the 21st Century
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-10-13) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Although culture manifests itself differently from one society to another, there is a common meeting point. Every culture seeks to create an orderly society of law-abiding members. Thus, since orderliness, law and order are important components of democracy, a very strong cultural nurturing is important for a successful democracy. This paper argues strongly for effective cultural reorientation among the Eggon and their neighbours in order to facilitate functional democracy in Nasarawa State. The process of achieving the success of this paper was anchored on the adopted methodology. A carefully prepared questionnaire was administered in the field and responses were matched against available written documents for corroboration. The findings show that functional democracy is developed and nurtured by an effective cultural factor.
Open Access
Cultural Festival And The Creation Of Effective Tourism Environment In Nasarawa State:
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-10-01) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Probably one of the fundamental objectives of tourism is to break the monopoly of the stressful business engagement of people. Thus introduction to prevailing physical centers of the entity, the aesthetic values of the society and cultural elements that distinguish the people as identifiable ethnic entity may serve as effective tourist attraction. This paper strongly believes that, the Eggon cultural festivals can create effective source of attraction to tourists, and the representation of the cultural wealth of the Eggon society. Thus, the questions: What are the critical elements in the Eggon cultural festivals? How can Eggon culturalfestivals be both a source of enriching the Eggon as well as enriching the mind? These questions dictate that few research (oral interview) be extensively employed for the purpose of objective documentation of the phenomenon.
Open Access
Cultural Resource Management and the Identity of the Nyankpa in Central Nigeria
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2017-10-15) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
There is a direct relationship between the way cultural resources are managed and the need to preserve the cultural identity of the society. In Nigeria, cultural resource management (preservation and conservation) of archaeological monuments has tended to ignore die identity of the people whose culture they are preserving. This paper argues strongly that the Nyankpa cultural identity has attracted very little ( if any) attention from archaeologists, and proceeds to examine the process involved in the management of cultural resources, for successful and purposeful preservation of cultural identity of the Nyankpa society. For the purpose of objectivity, a careful execution of oral interview based on equally prepared questionnaire, administered selectively was undertaken. The findings show that in several instances, cultural artifacts (either stored electronically or print) hardly reflect the identities of practitioners of that culture. This paper intends to challenge scholars to undertake further investigation of the phenomenon.
Open Access
Developing And Sustaining Natural AndCultural Resource Base For Tourism And Employment In Nasarawa State, Nigeria
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-01-22) Ambrose, W. Ogidi; Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Nasarawa State is one of the states in Nigeria that is endowed with natural and cultural resource bases, and this holds much potential for tourism and employment. A major setback for developing and sustaining tourism in the state rests on the fact that successive governments have not been committed to diversifying the state economy (especially the tourism sector) due to over-reliance on revenue allocation fi'om the federal government. This paper is couched on the premise that developing and sustaining the diverse natural and cultural resource bases in Nasarawa State for tourism will greatly accelerate employment and increase the socio-economic development of the state. The paper explores data from secondary sources, and adopts the content descriptive approach in the analysis of data. The paper highlights the diverse natural and cultural resource bases that abound across Nasarawa State; which include the famous Farm Ruwa Waterfalls in Wamba, Peperuwa Lake in Lafia, Hunki Ox-bow Lake in Awe, the Eggon Hills and Caves, Mada Hills and numerous cultural festivals across the state. The paper recommends that in order to atfract both local and foreign tourists all year round, there is need to fully commercialize the natural and cultural resource bases in the state. And this will be in line with what is obtainable in Western countries and some African countries like Kenya, Egypt and South Afi'ica where tourism has been well-developed and sustained.
Open Access
Developing Rural Based Tourism As A Strategy For Rural Development In Nigeria
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2010-12-20) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Every developing country> of the world is adopting one form of development strategy or another to achieve the transformation of its economic structure or attain national development. Nigeria, being one of the developing countries of the world is not left out in this global struggle. Therefore, this study adopted literature review with the aim of a ssessing tourism as a spring boardfor National development from the historical perspective. From the study, it was evident that tourism plays an indispensable role in national and local economies, particularly in terms ofpromotion of employment andforeign earnings. Based on this, it was recommended among others that Nigeria government should encourage rural base tourism development, since much of these natural and cultural resources that constitute our heritage and at the same time tourist attractions abound in the rural areas begging for attention.
Open Access
Ethno-Cultural Boundaries to Women and Children Rights in Nyankpa Society
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-10-04) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
The modem Eurocentric concepts of human rights often clash with traditional understanding of human rights in Africa. The conflict of these systems is glaring visible in the descriptions of women and children rights. This paper examines the idea of women and children rights, with the focus on Nyankpa people of Panda area of Nasarawa State. Considering this perspective, we look the difference in the conception of women and children rights in Nyankpa society and the modem European models. The research adopts an ecletic approach namely analytical and qualitative approaches. The study showed that the European conception of “Rights” is totally different from Nyankpa conception of “Rights”. What the European will describe as infringement on a women or Child’s Rights, may still be, by the Nyankpa traditional standards, within the permissible socio-cultural practice of the society. Thus, this paper, argued strongly, against the uncritical use of European concepts and their associated standards, for the understanding of Africa’s traditions.
Open Access
An Ethnographic Investigation into Charcoal Production and Blacksmithing in Keffi
(Department of History, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-04-17) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Since the pre-colonialist period charcoal and iron have been one of the major economic activities among people of Keffi area. Moreso, this, was a demonstration of their earliest forms of technological initiatives. In the pre-colonial Keffi, the people had acquired the knowledge of iron workings and their attendant charcoal production, and had combined both charcoal and iron for the purpose of their economic survival. A cursory survey of Keffi town today shows that the rate at which charcoal is being used trigger some questions such as: In addition to the use of charcoal for blacksmithing what other uses was charcoal put to? What are the sources of charcoal and how charcoal was produced? What was the relationship between charcoal and blacksmithing? These and several other questions constitute the focus of this paper. Findings, with close attention to the above questions show that there was (and still are) some critical relationships between charcoal and blacksmithing. In addition to providing fuel for the blacksmith functions, charcoal has been utilized for several other functions. These include roasting of yam, maize, meat, etc. Several sources were utilized to generate information such as oral interview administered across Keffi town, to a selected individuals (professional blacksmiths) and women roasting maize, yam, etc). This was because no single source is complete on its own. All sources of information check and balance one another. Earlier between 1902 and 1906, one of the act of colonial administration in northern Nigeria area, was the promulgation of a number of laws including the act on land (proclamation of crown lands) by which indigenous mining and smelting tin and iron ore were prohibited. Observing that the Nyankpa people were still actively, engaged in mining and smelting of iron ore which was “a step in the right direction” the administration decided to invoke the land Act which made it illegal to engage in such activities. The proclamation destroyed virtually all the iron smelting in Nyankpa land. The felling and burning of trees for charcoal was also prohibited. Any disruption in the production of charcoal was capable of affecting the entire working and stagnating the entire process of technological development of the Nyankpa people. Thus, having knocked out indigenous iron smelting and blacksmithing industry, the colonial administration contracted for the supply of hoes from Messrs Black more Ltd; which were to be used as part payment for wages and for the sale to the peasants. NAK SNP6/288/1912: Hoes Ordered by Mr. H.S.W. Edward from England.
Open Access
An Ethnographic Investigation into Charcoal Production and Blacksmithing in Keffi
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2021-10-11) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Since the pre-colonialist period charcoal and iron have been one of the major economic activities among people of Keffi area. Moreso, this, was a demonstration of their earliest forms of technological initiatives. In the pre-colonial Keffi, the people had acquired the knowledge of iron workings and their attendant charcoal production, and had combined both charcoal and iron for the purpose of their economic survival. A cursory survey of Keffi town today shows that the rate at which charcoal is being used trigger some questions such as: In addition to the use of charcoal for blacksmithing what other uses was charcoal put to? What are the sources of charcoal and how charcoal was produced? What was the relationship between charcoal and blacksmithing?These and several other questions constitute the focus of this paper. Findings, with close attention to the above questions show that there was (and still are) some critical relationships between charcoal and blacksmithing. In addition to providing fuel for the blacksmith functions, charcoal has been utilized for several other functions. These include roasting of yam, maize, meat, etc. Several sources were utilized to generate information such as oral interview administered across Keffi town, to a selected individuals (professional blacksmiths) and women roasting maize, yam, etc). This was because no single source is complete on its own.
Open Access
The External Factors in the Urbanization Process of Keffi Town from 1800 - 1900
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2011-04-09) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Open Access
Globalized Tourism And Rural Areas In Nigeria:
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2009-09-25) Dalat, Gershom Danglah; Emeka, E. Okwonkwo
The Rural areas possess the forces of attraction compelling movements from urban to rural, conscious and or unconscious. Such forces of attraction include “living” and "non- living macro and micro, etc. All these including humans constitute what the we refer to here as environment. The rural areas are only undisturbed (or not excessively disturbed) environment where both macro and micro elements are secured. This paper strongly believes that active tourism and beneficial tourism venture can only be undertaken with close focus on the rural areas. All that the rural area possess can be mobilized to create a huge rural gold-mine, with little effort.
Open Access
The Inter- Dependence of Sources of History:
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2016-10-06) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Historical reconstruction owes much of its contents and structure to the quantity and quality of the sources from which it derives. No matter the size and availability of sources. They cannot (each) produce a historical document independently. All sources are complementary and inter-dependent. It is the conviction of this paper that archaeology and oral tradition are two of such sources of history which c&n co-operate for the purpose of objective historical reconstruction. In this effort, a well-coordinated survey based on a carefully planned questionnaire was administered across some selected categories in both rural and urban setting. When the findings were corroborated with the archaeological evidence, a balance reconstruction emerged. Thus, the fact remains that no single source is complete in itself. There is the need for unity of sources to produce a fair historical document.
Open Access
Inter-Group Marriages on the Jos Plateau and Language Endangerment:
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2017-10-26) Amago, A. Kudu; Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Contracts between groups or individuals of distinct cultural and linguistic identities have characterized the life ot man from antiquity. In the process, some of them have either been absorbed as clans by the larger are relatively more influential ones, or have survived to conduct relationships or reciprocal basis, characterized by mutual cooperation, competition or antagonism, sometimes leading to conflict. On the Jos Plateau, the Kishi section of Rukuba and the Tariya ethnic group have lived together in a common geographical environment since the pre-colonial times, not however, devoid of conflicts. Today, there are obvious indications suggesting that the Tariya are fast losing their language to the growing linguistic influence of their Rukuba neighbours. Reports of interview conducted in the area reveal that inter-ethnic marriages between the Rukuba and Tariya have become a threat to the survival of the language of the latter. This is a curious ethnographic phenomenon, triggering the fundamental question: how and why marriages between the Rukuba and Tariya now endanger the existence of the Tariya language. This is the focus of this paper. The fear arising from this trend is that the loss of a language suggests strongly the loss of its speakers. It is hoped that by this revelation, the attention of scholars (etlinographic, linguistics, historians) and policy-makers will be drawn and effort made for a possible halt of the trend.
Open Access
The Keana Salt Industry: Origin and Development, From 1900 -2000AD
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-06-03) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
The salt industry is one of the viable small scale industries in Keana. It has been (and still remains) significant for economic development of Keana because the economy of Keana revolves around the salt industry. The salt industry strongly influenced the settlement pattern of Keana in the 13th century. Keana is situated at the south eastern extreme comer of Nasarawa State. It is roughly 26 miles long on an east and west major axis and 9 miles wide on a north and south minor axis. Keana is located in the southern flank of Nasarawa State, about 68 kilometres from Lafia, the capital city and nearly 50 kilometres north of the River Benue. It is an offshoot of the famous Kwararafa Empire. In what follows, we investigate the origin and development of the salt industry in Keana from 1900-2000 AD.
Open Access
Language As An Indispensable Aspect Of Cultural Heritage:
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2022-10-27) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Language is one of the most critical variables in defining the identity of any ethnic group. Some critical elements give a people their socio-cultural categorization; this define who they are, and what they do. The Nyankpa of Panda in Central Nigeria owe their cultural heritage to language and this plays a critical role in defining who they are. Through a textual examination of traditional oral forms like proverbs, dance, songs and riddles, obtained from primary and secondary sources, this study investigates the ways the Nyankpa language has helped to sustain the culture of the people. Globalization, modernity and the dominance of colonial languages have significantly contributed to the extinction of many African languages. For the Nyankpa language to survive against these factors, the people must be willing to use their language. The study strongly advocates the needfor the preservation ofthe Nyanlcpa Language through education and cautions against the disregardfor language polices in Africa.
Open Access
The Place of Re-Incarnation in Pre-Colonial Nyankpa Traditional Institution
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2021-10-07) Dalat, Gershom Danglah; Amago, A. Kudu
Reincarnation in most African societies occupied a significant position in making certain decisions. Firstly, it determine the legitimacy or otherwise of a traditional institution. Secondly, it determines the presence or otherwise of a particular craft in society. Thirdly, it determined the ritual significance of a particular family. A preliminary survey of the Nyankpa traditional society showed that the Nyankpa society had some special consideration for reincarnation. However, the origin and significance of reincarnation among the Nyankpa people remained the challenge of the present generation. Thus, this triggered three fundamental questions. Firstly, when and how did the idea of reincarnation develop among the Nyankpa people? Secondly, in what way(s) has this idea strengthened or weakened the fabric of the traditional institution. Thirdly, how can reincarnation count for the existing peculiarities in traditional societies. Getting answers to these questions required the use of two main methods of acquiring information and therefore answers. These were oral interview and the use of published works, such as textbooks, journals, magazines, etc. The findings have showed that the Nyankpa people use reincarnation to determine the legitmacy of the traditional institution. This has been the reason for according high respect to their rulers and the institution generally.
Open Access
Preservation Of Cultural Identity And Archaelogical Sites Through Conservation In Eggon Land
(Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-11-02) Dalat, Gershom Danglah
Cultural material has a concreteness that exists apart from ourselves, thus forcing us to consider its origin and disposition outside our own minds. With material received from the past, we are obliged to notice that it has somehow been preserved from the time of its origin down to the time we encounter it, and we are obliged to consider the future consequences of what we do with it. If we destroy it, we have consumed it for our private benefit, have taken it out of the public sphere, and so have removed the responsibility that others will encounter it as we have done. If, as archaeologists, we destroy to study and develop information and interpretations from it, we are faced with the choice of whether to keep that information private and let it die with us or publicize it in some way so that it can continue to circulate in human awareness. In all cases, then, the encounter forces us to choose, to take responsibility for either denying or providing the future with access to this resources information about it. If-we can promote in our society a spirit favouring the preservation of things from and information about the past, we will surely promote a more generalised awareness of our responsibility to create a liveable future. William D. Lipe