Welcome (Underconstruction)

Onima Institute for Tradition and Development USA, Inc is a non-profit organization whose aims and objectives are education, research and to foster African traditions and development.  Some of our projects include working with young people in our community in Georgia.  Our concerns for young people extend to the youths in African towns and villages with much needed school supplies and financial assistance for tuition. We also assist community schools in these towns and villages with basic classroom equipments such as desks, and chairs including recreational materials such as school bands.

Onima Institute is also an outreach organization that is dedicated to assisting students in our local community by offering counseling, tutoring, motivating, and helping them to be of good behavior at home and in school.  To help in strengthening the youths’ ability to interact within the world that they are a part of, we offer free classes in African languages which include Edo, Etsako, Esan, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri, Owan/Onwan, Urhobo, and Yoruba.

Our Vision: The Preservation and development of Africa, including development of the indigenous cultures, traditional institutions, language and ideas through education, research activities, and fostering African traditions and Development including assisting the youths and the needy through humanitarian activities.

About Us

What we stand for; what we Plan to do; And Our Achievements so far:

The Preservation and development of Africa, including development of the indigenous cultures, traditional institutions, language and ideas through education, research activities, and fostering African traditions and Development including assisting the youths and the needy through humanitarian activities.

Our Mission: Education, research and development; humanitarian activities; assisting the youths in understanding African cultures and traditions in a way to make them become responsible citizens of the world while introducing the cultures and traditions of Africa to the Western World. These we will do with activities meant to bring about mutual understanding and respect between the peoples of Africa and the West, and thereby preserving the powerful indigenous cultures and customs of Africa for posterity.

Goals: a. Establish research centers for indigenous cultural studies; b. Produce books and children’s book in particular in indigenous African languages to enhance their teaching and research; c. Provide opportunities for American and other Western scholars; to conduct research in Africa; d. Foster cultural and educational understanding for mutual respect and peace; e. Set up youth academy/daycare centers for the teaching of African languages to young people and children here in the US and in Africa; f. Provide an opportunity for Americans to visit Africa periodically; g. Restore mother tongues essential in cultural development and preservation in Africa; h. Assist in the restoration & preservation of historical national monuments such as the Benin Moat; i. Study and investigate each of the notable masquerades in many in Africa and document them; j. Study the Chieftaincy tradition in Africa; k. Restore, promote, and document many of the cultural and traditional festivals; l. Conduct public lectures, seminars, symposia and workshops; m. Provide mediums for scholars and for public interactions:
1. Oral communication medium (Rural Radio Station/Transmitter) for public education; 2. An academic forum, peer review journal.

Academic Forum: The Journal for African Traditional Studies (JATS). The mission of this Journal is toprovide a forum for the examination of issues related to the cultures and traditions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the peoples of African descent while encouraging the promotion and analysis of the indigenous cultures and traditions of the people as a way to preserve the human nutrients for posterity.

Programs and Activities: Consistent with our Vision, Mission and Goals, as stated above, Onima Institute for Tradition and Development USA, Inc has a planed program of activities to assist in the stabilization of democratic governance in Africa. To this end are two Themes on the agenda. They are “Leadership and Human Development,” and “Strengthening the African Family.”

Onima Institute believes that bringing some African members of the ruling class in the various levels of human endeavors to the US, to acquire some knowledge and skills including exposing them to see what the human mind is capable of doing, will enhance their ability to do the right things upon their return to Africa. Therefore, in the Leadership and Human Development agenda, we have designed programs for the three arms of government including the media, law enforcement, African women, educators, business leaders, and financial analysts, etc., for those in these professions/avocations to come to our one week intensive training in the US and return to Africa to apply the knowledge and skills gained from our programs.

• In an attempt to meet local need for African language experts Onima Institute will run languages classes on 11 indigenous African languages.

• There is a prepared Proposal to write up the text books on the eleven languages to enhance the teaching and research here in the US and Africa where some of the languages are dying.

• Conduct workshops for the elderly as a way to assist their alertness and health.

• Assisting needy and indigent high school students locally, and in Africa where we have some on scholarships.

• Onima Institute conducts a sixteen week Study Abroad Program © in Africa. Courses covered include Contemporary Political History of Africa, African Culture and Society, African History and Folklore/Oral Story Telling, African Arts and Culture, History of African Arts, Arts since 1900, and African Music and Literature. A Student is expected to take only five classes to earn 15 units of credit upon return to his/her school in the United States, from Africa. Interested participants are to send for more details of this program.

• We run a guided two weeks tour of African interior. This is the “Etsako Guided Tour” ©. Participants will be guided to visit some of the most mystical Traditional Grounds and Sacred Places in traditional Africa. They include Ogba Inekeze, Mystical Ise, and Akazi Shrines; Usomorika, listen to ghosts beat their drums at Eda e gba Ake, Ogumogu Wonders, Ebemanwu Masquerades, Igboba and Agbi ancient dances performers.

• Igue Festival is over a hundred years old and it is celebrated every year by the Ogitso of Benin, Oba, and his high ranking traditional rulers and chiefs in the last two weeks of each year. Each day of the two weeks has its own activities performed in turns by each traditional ruler or chief at the Ogitso’s Sacred Ground and Palace. By special privilege Onima Institute has front role of seats for its guests. This is an alluring and healing festival in which foreigners look forward to see when they visit Africa each time.

Achievements

• Onima Institute has an In-house journal, The Journal of African Traditional Studies, (JATS) published twice yearly as funds permit. Our maiden issue was published in October of 2006 and donated to schools and libraries while few copies were sent to the universities, libraries and museums that have subscribed.

• We have maintained Onima Annual Lecture Series since 2005 in Africa. Each year, we select a traditional topical issue and give a lecture on it. In 2005, our topic was “Polyharmony,” a political and philosophical discourse on an African marriage system which saves a State from the payment of welfare checks to unmarried mothers and saves a State from having juvenile delinquency in its domain while ensuring that every child has a father because almost every marriageable female has a husband.

• The Theme for the year 2007 through 2008 is “Strengthening the African Family”

• Onima Institute purchased learning materials worth $1,500 and went to Africa in November 2006 through January 2007, and distributed to High School students and Elementary pupils in more than 15 institutions, in towns and rural areas.

• At the Partnership for Community Action, Inc as volunteer, we worked with some refugees from East Africa in 2004 and 2005 assisting them to resettle in the Atlanta area and Stone Mountain area of the City. We assisted some in preparing Business Plan to assist them to obtain small business loan.

• Organized funding for and send books to secondary (high) schools abroad.

• Participated as a volunteer in the coordination and development of a nongovernmental organization (NIDO) in the US aimed at developing a data base to assist the growth of US/Nigerian business and industrial relation (2004 to date).

• In November of 2006 through January, we were in Africa making donations of books and our maiden Journal, to universities and other schools in some towns and in the rural areas of Africa.

• As part of our community service, in 2006 and 2007, we volunteered at some schools in Clayton County, to meet and welcome students back to school while distributing pencils to them. We also volunteered to visit chosen schools, spoke with the pupils, read stories to them, and read articles of interest to them followed by questions and answers sessions. This was to assist the pupils and motivate them to be studious and become responsible citizens thereafter. Onima Institute is involved in this County School Board’s project every year and we are happy to be of service in the community.

• In its effort of promoting education and community awareness, Onima Institute successfully presented “Traditional Sounds and Rhythms of Africa” in a two hour presentation program, on Sunday, August 19, 2007 at the Auburn Research Library Auditorium in Atlanta Georgia. Admission was free to the public.

• We have letters of appreciation, certificates and awards from those who have come in contact with Onima Institute, and there are pictures showing some of our activities and efforts.

• Onima Institute for Tradition and Development USA, Inc is a member of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

Activities

Consistence with our Vision, Mission and Goals, Onima Institute for Tradition and Development USA, Inc has a planed program of activities to assist in the stabilization of democratic governance in Africa. To this end are two Themes on the agenda. They are “Leadership and Human Development,” and “Strengthening the African Family.”

Onima Institute believes that bringing some African members of the ruling class in the various levels of human endeavors to the US, to acquire some knowledge and skills including exposing them to see what the human mind is capable of doing, will enhance their ability to do the right things upon their return to Africa. Therefore, in the Leadership and Human Development agenda, we have designed programs for the three arms of government including the media, law enforcement, Africans women, educators, business leaders, and financial analysts, etc., for those in these professions/avocations to come to our one week intensive training in the US and return to Africa to apply the knowledge gained from our programs:

Local Agenda

• In an attempt to meet local need for African language experts, Onima Institute is planning to run languages classes on 11 indigenous African languages.

• There is a prepared Proposal to write up the text books on the eleven languages to enhance the teaching and research here in the US and Africa where some of the languages are dying.

• In order to bridge the gap in human understanding between the people of Africa and the United States, to allow for mutual respect, appreciation, and peace, Onima Institute conducts two weeks tours of Africa every year. These tours are designed to expose Americans to the various traditional grounds, African religion, and shrines in order that they may understand the true meaning of African heritage. Many attractions and, the price is very moderate.

• To allow some American students have international exposure and experience Africa, to appreciate the opportunities they have in the United States, Onima Institute designed a 16 week Study Abroad Program for university students. 15 weeks of the 16 are for a 15 unit of credits towards graduation upon their return to the US, and one week is for touring to see the wonderful nature of Africa and what its heritage is all about.

• Periodically, Onima Institute conducts workshops for the elderly as a way to assist their alertness and health in the community whenever we are able to receive funds or obtain sponsorship.

• Assisting needy and indigent high school students locally, and in Africa where we have some on scholarships.

Learning

In order to bridge the gap in human understanding between the people of Africa and the United States, to allow for mutual respect, appreciation, and peace, Onima Institute conducts two weeks tours of Africa every year. These tours are designed to expose Americans to the various traditional grounds, African religion, and shrines in order that they may understand the true meaning of African heritage. Many attractions and, the price is very moderate.

To allow some American students have international exposure and experience Africa, to appreciate the opportunities they have in the United States, Onima Institute designed a 16 week Study Abroad Program for university students. 15 weeks of the 16 are for a 15 unit of credits towards graduation upon their return to the US, and one week is for touring to see the wonderful nature of Africa and what its heritage is all about.

Periodically, Onima Institute conducts workshops for the elderly as a way to assist their alertness and health in the community whenever we are able to receive funds or obtain sponsorship.

In an attempt to meet local need for African language experts, Onima Institute is planning to run languages classes on 11 indigenous African languages.

Assisting needy and indigent high school students locally, and in Africa where we have some on scholarships.

Learning

Study Abroad Program IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Introduction

This is yearly academic tour to Nigerian communities who are little known outside the world. In addition to the academic base of this program, student participants will have the opportunity to visit some sacred places in the area of our current focus which at this time is Etsako. The Study Abroad Program was designed by Onima Institute for Tradition USA, Inc., a nonprofit corporation.

Etsako is a three local government council area in Edo State of Nigeria. They are Etsako East Local Government, Etsako West Local Government, and Etsako Central Local Government areas of the State. Local government areas are the equivalent of counties in the United States. Etsako, as a region constitutes nine clans with many villages, towns, and cities and, it has a population of 464,000 (1992 census figures).

The Etsakos are part of the ancient people of the world with unique history, cultures, and spiritualism, and Etsako is the home of the renowned former surviving Slave, Olauda Equiano, Gustavus, Vassa, the African, one of the few to commit their experiences to writing after having been captured and sold as slaves. However, there is argument as to the correct place of birth of Olauda Equiano which, this author says is Etsako.

It is my vision that this tour will awaken the young minds of our students making them more thinking and questioning humans. For as we think so we are and, thoughts, they say, are things. The period of covered by this program is 16 weeks or 4 months to take classes. Students will tour the Sacred Sites on an agreed time and day while in Nigeria. The Etsakos (literally, ones who file their teeth) are an Edo speaking people of Nigeria, popularly known in the Western and European world as Benin, (remember the ancient Edo, now Benin History). It must be mentioned that Benin City, which was the Headquarters of Edo Kingdom is now the Capital of Edo State. Historically, Edo land, later the Benin Empire, has had traditional link/tie with the modern day Benin Republic, because some rulers of the Republic had migrated from ancient Edo land in Nigeria. Benin Republic on the West Coast of Africa is relatively well known in the United States.

Purpose of This Program

This Program, first of its kind in this part of the country, Nigeria is meant to achieve the following goals, amongst others:

1. Foster a relationship between America and Africa introducing Americans to the heritage of some little known areas of traditional Africa;

2. Preserve the history of some of the indigenous peoples of the world;

3. Discover ways through which traditional ideas and philosophy may assist in the development of new methods in our technological age;

4. Experience traditional Africa;

5. Foster an understanding of traditional spiritualism; and

6. Assist some Americans to find their root in Africa, and rediscover themselves genealogically.

• Students who want to live with families may indicate so in their application. Onima will place such participants with host families where first hand knowledge of the African way of life may be experienced by student participants.

This program holds much for those who will participate in it. As an educational program, it is envisaged that, apart from the opportunity to experience learning in an African environment students will have the chance to breathe in unpolluted fresh air that is an expensive commodity in industrialized countries. And students also, would be able to enhance their knowledge of Africa and earn academic credits toward their respective academic degree programs upon their return to the United States.

Program’s Benefiting Students:

Students who will benefit most from the academic program will include, but not restricted or limited to those whose majors are:

History: There is much of African history that is not known and may never be known because it has been difficult to reach the interior to cover the whole of Africa. Students of History therefore, would have the opportunity to record family genealogies and community histories to help compile the history of this area. They would have the advantage of a close up and personal look into the annals of History.

Psychology: Psychology is the science of the mind; Etsako people with their culture and customs in their native environment is a laboratory of human and social psychology, for the American student of psychology.

Archaeology: Etsako and its environment, being a virgin land unexplored, holds much for archaeology, it is a land of learning and discovery, for students and archaeologists.

Political Science: Etsako with its people are a traditional society whose complex social traditions and system, are a school for students of politics. The traditions, the people’s behavior, and the cultural elements in the society demonstrate the similarities in western democracy and African democracy. Mass Communication: Student whose major is mass communication or journalism will have enough to learn and understand in the areas of the wonders of nature in Africa, history and psychology of the human mind, and experience. Student Journalists should be able to come back with enough notes to write informative articles about traditional Africa to the American public upon their return. This journey and the experience that comes with it arguably, would allow the would-be journalist to develop an art of open mindedness which will impact their future reportorial on Africa and the wonders and, the nature of the human personality.

Africa and African American Studies: Students of this discipline will benefit immensely from this program as it will give them greater insight into the similarities and differences of Africans and Africans in the Americas. The practical and observational experience will aid the students of this discipline to return to the US and challenge the remaining course of studies in the discipline, with the authority of first hand experience.

Anthropology: Etsako people have a distinctive culture that is changing rapidly under the impact of global contact via satellite television, the internet, cell phones and so on. Much of this culture remains unrecorded. If the function of tradition is not to live in the past, but to secure the future, students have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in the preservation of traditions — not only by helping to record them but by showing their appreciation and respect.

Philosophy: There is no doubt that students of philosophy would find Etsako culture fascinating because of the traditional belief system and the way the people think; and their relation with the invisible and the visible worlds, natural forces, and natural phenomena. Students of philosophy would no doubt be thrilled and eager to record these ways of thinking in order to contextualize this information in the broader literature of African philosophy.

Sociology: This is the science of society. Interviews with local government officials and traditional leaders would provide students with a viewpoint not easily available outside the country that could be contextualized in the broader literature on Nigerian society and politics

Physics and Science: How can a heavy stone remain on the top of the soil during rainy season when everything else is sinking, while the same stone goes six feet deep underground when the ground is harder during the dry season and there is no rainfall, every year? Students might learn to find out what is responsible for such an occurrence.

Royal Places to be visited include Traditional Rulers (Kings):

1. A visit to the “Ogitso” Oba of Benin and the Palace. The Palace was built in about the 14 th century, before the European invasion of the Continent.

2. A visit to Igun Street, a World Heritage Site, to see traditional bronze casting done, and a visit to the ancient Benin Museum.

3. The Palace of the Otaru of Auchi, at Auchi, the former headquarters of the entire Etsako region.

4. The Palace of the Eghiegbai II, of Ekphei, at Ugbekpe, Ekphei.

5. The Palace of the Okumhagbe of Uwepa Uwano, at Agenegbode.

6. The Palace of Oghieneni of Izerthue (Uzairthue), at Izerthue.

7. The Palace of Alemho of Avhianwu (Fugar) at Avhianwu.

8. The Palace of Oliola of Anegbete, at Uneme

Traditional Sacred Places to be visited

9. Ogba Inekeze, at Afasio in Uzairthue, where Oboh (Priest) Inekeze, ascended to Heaven about the 15 th, 16 th Centuries. Oboh Inekeze was healthy and sound when he ascended; what’s more, Inekeze sent a message to Earth on the 7 th day. The message is concrete and preserved at Ogba Inekeze at Afasio in Izerthue (Uzirthue) for all to see. What form of knowledge is this, and what is the scientific explanation for such a phenomenon?

10. Akazi and Ozuor, two wonders of nature in forms of shrines, at Azukhala. Akazi is a Stone and Ozuor, a River (spring water). It is important for our students to find out why Etsako people hold the belief that a stone and a river, Akazi and Ozuor are able to commend and sustain the righteous, but condemn and eradicate an unrighteous person.

11. IseShrine. Thisis a Mystical Lake at Ekwotsuor in Uweppa-Uwano. History says that the Spirit behind the Mystical Lake is a Lady-Mermaid who lives in the lake. The history says the Mermaid stopped appearing herself since she came to know that the British colonial intruders had planned to arrest her. Instead, her Messenger, a Crocodile now comes to the surface and the shore when invited by her Chief Priest, to accept or reject offerings brought by those who have come to give thanksgiving or others who come with problem of childlessness, barren or other kind of life and social concerns. A rejected offering is an indication that the supplicant’s “hands” are unclean. The Day of Ise is known in the Clan. What a puzzle for a student with an inquisitive mind!

12. Ikolo, the village of “Eda-ogba Akele” or “Eda-egba Akele.” This is a lake in which the ghosts of those who drowned in the lake in the ancient time are still being heard today beating the native drums that the victims were playing when the event occurred. Is this not capable of awakening the young minds of our students including adults, to become walking question marks and searching and waiting for answers?

13. Usomhorika in Akoko-Edo. Usomhorika is a mighty Hill and an ancient traditional Shrine. Imagine a situation in which the people that live on top of the Hill speak a different language from those who live at the foot of the same Hill.

14. Adaobi, an ancient Shrine is a man that has a Snake as its Spirit messenger. Oral history holds that Adaobi being a man is the husband of Ise. Adaobi is at Ivhianokpodi in Uweppa-Uwano.

15. The Grave of the Nigerian Mystic Lady, the Legendary Queen of Sheba. Yes, the Biblical Queen of Sheba, known in her land of birth, Nigeria, as Aleyo, Birikisu Sungbo. Her six months debate with the Legendary King Solomoniswell known. This visit, we shall make if time allows. The Grave is in a Rain Forest in Nigeria.

Other Places of Interest:

16. Ake Island. Ake Island is beautiful scenery at Ifeku in Ekphei.

17. Olifa. Olifa, a mighty and wonderful Fall in the famous River Niger, at Agenegbode in a serene setting. Mungo Park, the explorer died at the River Niger.

18. An open Museum of Arts, at Auchi Polytechnic, atAuchi in Etsako West Local Government Area. This is an open air field museum where Art students exhibit their final year projects.

19. An Important Feature of this Program is the Assessment by Students of Olauda Equiano Place of Birth – “Essaka.”

Students participants will have the opportunity to explore the place of Olauda Equiano’s birth, Etsako. In his famous Narrative, Equiano called the land where he was born, “Essaka.” Of recent, a famous writer says that Essaka is a derivative of Awka or Ezi-Awka in Igbo land. (See Edwards, The Life of Olauda Equiano, 1988, xxiii). This writer maintains that Etsako is what has been corrupted to “Essaka” by those foreigners who are unable to pronounce the “ts” consonant. (See Ojior, Etsako Traditional, Political, and social System 2001, p.151). This Program will allow participants learn to appreciate the distance between Olauda Equiano’s place of birth, “Essaka” for Etsako, where he was born and the River Niger, the closest river to his place of birth. Also students will see the distance from his birth place to the City of Benin which is the home of the Ogitso or Oba (King) of Benin which Olauda Equiano describes in his Narrative.

Academic Content:

This will consist of seven (7) courses in which students are to select not more than five (15 units). The seven courses include:

* Contemporary Political History of Africa

* African Culture and Society

* History of African Arts

* African History and Folklore/ Oral Story Telling

* African Arts and Culture

* African Arts since 1900

* African Music and Literature

As academic and non-academic educational yearly tours, students interested in the academic component are expected to meet the requirements to qualify to embark on this academic tour. While in Etsako, students are expected to listen to the Director of the program and the tour guides; take notes, observe, and ask questions. Students are also expected to take notes during their participation in group discussions that will be facilitated by the director at the end of each day of activities. Upon their return to the US, in addition to the five courses chosen, students are expected to submit their written individual personal report of between 15 and 20 pages, (double spaced typed), to their respective department of their academic majors to obtain a 15 hour academic credits.

Requirements

• A student must be a junior, senior, and have a major to be admitted into this program.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Have at least a GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in the student’s major field of study.
• Have a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff of their institution in which they are enrolled.
• Must be a serious student with an open mind willing to absorb new knowledge and experience.
• Must be willing to learn and adhere to any requirements that may be imposed by the director of this program, and should obtain written permission from their academic department who shall accept the credit they obtained from this program.

Security and Safety:

It must be asserted that security is an utmost concern for our American students, and guarantee for this has to be given to participants. Students and their parents have been informed that Edo North in Edo State is one the safest parts of Nigeria as a country of 36 states. It is unlike the life experienced in the big cities of the world such as Lagos, New York, Los Angeles, or London. The people of Northern Edo traditionally, are very friendly and hospitable. Strangers and visitors are generally highly welcomed and respected in this part of the world. American visitors to this area of Nigeria are safe and well as the traditional rulers, and kings will be waiting to welcome them. In addition, special arrangement will be made to have security among the efficient and effective tour guides who would safeguard the visitors in Ekpoma, Edo State.

Advise:

Any one who may wish to visit any of these Sacred Sites contained in this program, for the purpose of guidance and security, should ensure to first contact

Onima Institute for Tradition & Development USA, Inc
3866 Parnell Way
Ellenwood, Georgia 30294
USA

Telephone: 678-641-9939
Fax: 770-961-6102

Omoh Tsatsaku Ojior, Ph,D
Associate Professor of Political Science
Executive Director / CEO
Onima Institute for Tradition & Development USA, Inc

Learning^m

Knowing an Indigenous People of Africa: A Tour of Etsako In Edo State, Nigeria

As a guided tour, participants, apart from the opportunity to marvel at the wonders of nature, will breathe in unpolluted fresh air, and enhanced knowledge about traditional peoples of Africa.

Accommodation & Security:
Arrangement will be madeto house participants at the best available hotels at Auchi, the former colonial headquarters of the region. As far as security is concerned:it must be asserted that Etsako province like the whole of Edo State is one of the safest parts of Nigeria as a country of 36 states. American visitors to Etsako are safe. The traditional rulers, and kings will be waiting to welcome American visitors. In addition, special arrangement will me made to have security among the efficient and effective tour guides who would safeguard the visitors to Etsako.

Costs of this Trip:
A round-trip ticket to Nigeria on economy class, purchased well in advance is about $1,400/ $1,500. The cost for this program, excluding air ticket, for a two week stay in Etsako with accommodation , feeding on organic food items, smog-free environment, with all the local transportation, is estimated to be $3,000 (three thousand)

Cost of Visa to Nigeria:
The cost of Nigeria Visa is $120. There will be a processing fee of $50. .
Participants must obtain American passport on their own to be able to go on this tour program. Call for an application now; we must start to process visa and other preparations now. The trip is in December; it is Christmas time in Africa. Deadline to depart Atlanta for Nigeria is December 15. This is a beautiful andan auspicious time to be in Nigeria speaking about the weather and mobility.
Don’t miss this opportunity, limited spaces available. Call (678) 641-9939 NOW to book your place. Booking is strictly first come, first served. Call today for more information and an application form.
Do not waste time. Thank you .

Mail your request to:
Onima Institute for Tradition & Development USA, Inc.,
3866 Parnell Way, Ellenwood,
GA 30294
E-mail: onimainstituteusa

Africa Pilgrimage 2008 December Come with us to these sacred sites:♦ Usomhorika ♦ Eda Egba-ake ♦ Ise ♦ Olifa Falls in the Famous Niger River ♦ Ake Island ♦ The Museum of Arts at Auchi Polytechnic ♦ See the Ogumogu Wonders ♦ The ancient Ebemanwu Masquerades ♦ Enjoy the Igboba and Agbi Dance ♦ See Etsako Women Groups in their traditional performances, and much more

For more information, call the Director at 678-641-9939 ♦ Fax: 770- 961-6102

Learning

• Knowing an Indigenous People of Africa: A Tour of Etsako In Edo State, Nigeria

Benefits for Participants:
Participants of this program will be able to visit Usomhorika where people living on top of the mighty Hill speak a language different from the one spoken at the foot of the Hill; Eda egba–ake, a lake where one listens to ghosts beating drums; come to Ise, the beautiful Mermaid who now have a snake as her messenger in the Lake where she lives. American visitors will watch the mystic dances of the masquerades; Igboba and Agbi dances etc.

Additional attractions will include a visit to the following Spiritual Places:
♦ Ikolo Village to listen to ancient drums played by ghosts
♦ Royal Palaces of Kings in Etsako
♦ The Ogba Inekeze, Ise, & Akazi Shrines ♦The Grave of the Nigerian Mystic Lady, the Legendary Queen of Sheba **
♦ The Oba of Benin & the Oba’s Palace
♦ Investigate Olauda Equiano’s birthplace

Purpose of this Program is To:
1. Give opportunity for many Americans to find their root in Africa.
2. Foster a relationship between Americans and Africa introducing Americans to the heritage of some little known areas of traditional Africa;
3. Preserve the history of one of the indigenous peoples of the world;
4. Discover ways through which traditional ideas and philosophy may assist in the development of new methods in our technological age;
5. Foster an understanding of traditional spiritualism; and
6. Assist participants to rediscover them selves genealogically.

For more information, call the Director at 678-641-9939 ♦ Fax: 770- 961-6102

Learning

• Knowing an Indigenous People of Africa: A Tour of Etsako In Edo State, Nigeria

Africa : Birth Place of Man Africa : Birth Place of Man

Etsako in Edo State of Nigeria
An African Interior

Nigeria is 130 million population estimate. Etsako is a three local government council Areas in Edo State, one of the 36 states in Nigeria. Local government areas are the equivalent of counties in the United States. Etsako, as a region constitutes nine clans with many villages, towns, and cities. The population is 464,000 (1992 census figures).

The Etsakos are part of the ancient people of the world with unique history and cultures, and Etsako is the home of the renowned former surviving Slave, Olauda Equiano, Gustavus, Vassa, the African, one of the few to commit their experiences to writing after having been captured and sold as slaves. However, there is an argument as to the exact birthplace of Olauda Equiano in Nigeria.

Participants in this a two weeks guided tour will have the opportunity to verify Olauda’s Interesting Narratives, where he stated that he was born in Essaka (Etsako) in Edo State, Nigeria. The Etsakos (those who file their teeth) are the Edo speaking people of Nigeria, popularly known in the Western and European countries as Benin, (remember the ancient Benin History). It must be mentioned that Benin City, which was the Headquarters of Edo Kingdom is now the Capital of Edo State. Historically, Benin City was the traditional and the ancestral home of the rulers of modern day Benin Republic, in other words, the rulers of Benin Republic migrated from Benin City in Nigeria. Benin Republic is on the West Coast of Africa. This entire program holds much for all participants.

This Program was designed to quench the Spiritual yarning of those of Americans who have interest in the preservation of tradition and nature. You are welcome to call now.

This program is one of a kind. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with the traditional peoples, visit traditional Grounds to experience African Spiritualism.

For more information, call the Director at 678-641-9939 ♦ Fax: 770- 961-6102

Publications

To promote the major aspirations and ideals of Onima Institute, there is an in-house journal. The Journal of African Traditional Studies, (JATS) is published by the Institute with the aim to encourage the revival, promotion and analysis of the indigenous African cultures and traditions for the benefits of humanity. It is an academic peer review Journal that examines the issues related to the cultures and traditions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the peoples of African descent. The Journal is an annual. The original proposal was to have by-annual publications, but it has been decided that it will be more convenient with annual publication during this transitional period.

Below is the Table of Content of the current Journal of African Traditional Studies

Reflection for the preservation of Tradition

Community Social Responsibility & Social Changes in Traditional African Societies: Application to Contemporary Transitional African Societies

Polyharmony: African Marriage System

Some Traditional Marriage Rites in Nigeria
Traditional Marriage Customs in Umuaka
Traditional Marriage Rites in Etsako

Some Aspects of Yoruba Myths & Cosmogonies in Contemporary Printmaking

Gender Inequality: A Dilmma in the African American Community

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Editorial Policy:
The Journal of African Traditional Studies (JATS) is a scholarly journal devoted to the examination of issues related to the culture and traditions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the peoples of African descent. It aims at encouraging the promotion and analysis of the indigenous African cultures and traditions of the people. JATS is published once annually in the Fall, for now, by Onima Institute for Tradition and Development USA, Inc., a nonprofit corporation whose vision is the rehabilitation, revival, development, preservation, and promotion of African traditions, traditional institutions, language and ideas through research and educational activities. A refereed Journal, JATS publishes theoretical and/or empirical articles or treatises relating to our focused subjects, culture, traditions, and customs of Africa.

JATS is committed to the principle that knowledge of Self is the key to understanding others and bases for exchanging knowledge and ideas between different cultures. JAT S is thus intended to be a medium for providing a forum for scholars of all nationalities to explore, communicate and foster innovations in societal development as well as promotion and preservation of African cultures, traditions and customs.

The articles in The Journal of African Traditional Studies express individual opinions of the authors and do not represent the viewpoints of Onima Institute, JATS or its editors. JATS is committed exclusively to bringing to its readers a universal spectrum of ideas on the subjects, cultures and traditions of Africa, with thoughtful opinions by scholars, professionals and practitioners.

Editorial and business correspondence should be addressed to Onima Institute for Tradition & Development USA, Inc., Post Office Box 458, Ellenwood, GA 30294. A manuscript of a full article including references, tables, and figures, should not be more than 25 pages; double-spaced typed with the font of Times New Roman, 12 points (normal font) on standard paper with 1-inch margin. The paper should have an Abstract of not more than 50-100 words. All manuscripts, addressed to the Editor of the Journal, should be submitted in hard copy with the floppy disk to the above address, or in Microsoft Word for Windows XP or (2000) file as an e-mail attachment and should be submitted to the following addresses: editorjats@onimainstituteusa.org. Footnotes, using Microsoft, should be at the bottom of the page in which the reference or quote appears and numbered as they appear.

Manuscript will not be returned to the author unless they are accompanied by self addressed envelope and adequate postage. Manuscripts should contain the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the author.

Topics

Our Current Focus
Our current research focus is the eleven (11) text books that we are embarking upon in writing. The textbooks will be in: Etsako, Edo, Owan, Esan, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ezon, Hausa, Igbo, Isoko, and Yoruba.

When written, the test books in the above languages will enhance the teaching of the languages and other future research that may be necessary.

Literary Works

To introduce traditions and culture of communities in Africa To the Western World and preserve these powerful Indigenous culture and customs for posterity.

Our Vision: The Preservation and development of African traditions, Traditional Institutions, language and ideas, Through research and educational activities.

Goals

a. Establish research centers for indigenous cultural studies;
b. Produce books in indigenous African languages: children’s books and adult’s books
c. Provide opportunities for American and other Western scholars; to conduct research in Africa;
d. Foster cultural and educational understanding;
e. Set up youth Academy/Daycare centers for teaching African languages to young children at home and abroad;
f. Provide an opportunity for Americans to visit Africa periodically;
g. Develop local languages and preserve them;
h. Restore mother tongue in Nigeria, & assist to restore the Benin Moat;
i. Study and investigate each of the notable masquerades in Africa and document them;
j. Study the Chieftaincy tradition in Africa;
k. Restore and promote many of the local traditional festivals;
l. Conduct public lectures, seminars, and workshops;
m. Provide media for scholars and for public interactions:

1. Oral communication medium (Radio Station/Transmitter)
2. An academic peer review journal.

Members of the Board of Directors