Kaduna International School (KIS) celebrated Nigeria’s 56th Independence Day in grand style. Students connected with their history as they showcased the diverse but unique cultures through cultural dance, attires, poetry, art and drama.
There was also a display of local cuisine including rice, beans, amala, tuwon shinkafa, abacha (mostly eaten by Igbo people), burabusko, waina, snacks, sesame seed, local candies and local drinks including zobo and kunun aya.
The blend was an attempt to expose the children to varieties of food available in the country.
According to Mr. Christopher During, the Academic Coordinator of the School, formerly called Aisha Mohammed International School, the celebration was organised to help the children connect to the past, appreciate their country and the uniqueness of culture.
He urged parents to keep their children connected to their history by exposing them to the norms, traditions and values of where they originate from.
During said: “A lot of people make mistakes by exposing their children so much to America, London and so on, thereby forgetting their origin. So, this kind of celebration is meant to redirect them. Some of us are reminded of who we are by our children. So, it is our duty as custodians of culture to remind them. Once a year, in Nigeria, our children should focus on their country.”
In this light a parent, Mrs. Ray, said: “We have allowed Western culture to influence us so much that our culture is gradually going into extinction. We need to teach our children about our culture, depending on where we come from. We can even teach them the culture of other people so that they can be exposed to other peoples’ ways of life.”
Hibbatullah Liman, in year five described the independence celebration as great.
She said: “I was part of the presentation. I introduced the people in my key stage. We represented Igbo culture. We dressed in Igbo attire with a blouse and a wrapper and for the dancers they wore a vest and a wrapper with beads on their heads. I learnt that all the cultures in Nigeria are special. And even if you are not from a particular culture, you should respect each other. I am Nupe, but I can only speak a bit, I am better in Hausa. I will keep disturbing my dad until I can speak it fluently,” she said.
