Promoting Cultural Literacy among Children and Youths: Effiong Johnson's Drama in Focus

Abstract

The process of enculturation provides a platform for children and youths to become acquainted with their society's way of life.  This enculturation can be achieved through constant exposure of this class of learners to classroom situations where they can interact with relevant dramatic texts, cultural video films, arts and crafts, etc.

Culture is very relevant to any society because of its ability to promote and protect a people's identity and freedom.  The paper discusses the cultural contents of Effiong Johnson's play ‘Son of The Land' and its suitability in providing cultural ideas that can help boost development among children and youths. The paper therefore aims at projecting the positive aspects of the Ibibio culture, and by so doing, attempt to change the negative mindset of youths towards the adoption and dissemination of their culture. ‘Son of the Land' is chosen' as a typical text that reflects relevant aspects of the Ibibio culture that could be used in the classroom to expose children and youths to new ways of thinking. The study therefore proposes the use of culturally based dramatic texts as teaching materials for effective transference of cultural ideas.

 The study concludes that the rich cultural heritage of the Ibibio people of Nigeria (as reflected in their language, proverbs, clothing, religion, games, food, songs, rituals etc.,) contain elements with moral values and provide veritable resource materials for furnishing the younger generation with knowledge and new ideas that will help develop them and shape the society.