THE BASSA CULTURAL VALUES AND CIVILISATION: LESSONS FOR THE 21st CENTURY NIGERIAN YOUTHS.

The Bassa ethnic group from time immemorial has cultural respect not only for constituted authorities but all elderly people, irrespective of age, sex status or position in life. Respect for those in authority leads to a total obedience that the Bassa man or woman has for any authority, be it governmental, religious, social or cultural. Such respect by the average Bassa man or woman is never in doubt. This, in pre-colonial period accounts for the peaceful coexistence of all people in Bassaland as well as the smooth running of any organization in the land, even though, as it is known all over the world, there must be a few recalcitrant elements whose actions and general behavior may run counter to the good and peace of the community. The Bassa man or woman is always conscious of the law and order of the land and is therefore always trying to obey it if it is for the general good of the community, even, sometimes, against odds that may face him or her or may be against his or her personal interest, future progress and development. Antithetically however, things are worrisomely fast falling apart. This is the thrust of this paper.