The Yellow Palm Frond as an Instrument for Restructuring and Resource Control in Ogba Culture: Imperatives for the Nigerian Project

Abstract

In Ogba culture, most properties are held as a common estate. Though, by dint of hard work, individuals and groups may acquire personal property through purchase or bequest. Among the people, there is a distinction between mine, ours and theirs. Similarly, there is a strict distinction in explaining concepts such as for me, for them and for us. On this premise, individuals, groups and the wider society feel morally bound and might be ready to go to any length to protect what is theirs. This paper examines the Ogba concept of restructuring and resource control. The study identifies and explains the yellow palm frond as one of the instruments used to agitate for and secure resource control in Ogba culture. The paper observed that at any scene where the palm frond is used, deeper meanings and explanations are insinuated. The purpose of this study was to identify, explain and interpret the yellow palm front as an instrument for resource control in Ogba culture. The paper employed the ethnographic approach in the discussion. The research observes that Ogba people scrupulously apply the yellow palm frond to achieve restructuring and resource control in society. The study concluded that this practice of resource control and restructuring could be of benefit to the Nigerian project if adopted and applied.