Nigerian culture has a long-standing tradition of honouring older individuals as a fundamental aspect of our societal identity. Igbo ikwuụ aka ọoto (kneeling to greet) and Yoruba dobaleẹ(prostrating) alongside Hausa gaisuwa (a respectful greeting often accompanied by a slight bow or curtsy) show deep respect for elders through gestures of reverence towards their wisdom and experience.
However, in recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged: Recent years have seen younger generations resort to slapping older people over minimal triggers. The transition to younger people slapping elders has generated discussions about various root causes, including diminished home training and the effects of social media. Many fail to recognise the powerful influence of Nollywood, Nigeria’s thriving film industry, as it shapes societal norms and behaviours.
Does the Nollywood film industry promote a slapping culture by deliberate design or by accident? Understanding the film industry’s depiction of conflict and power dynamics between generations will help us determine its overall influence on Nigerian social norms.
Nollywood’s film industry may intentionally or unintentionally contribute to a culture that normalizes slapping behaviour. Our analysis of Nollywood’s depiction of conflict, power dynamics, and generational relations must include its larger impact on Nigerian culture to address this issue.
Nollywood films consistently feature the act of slapping as a repeated thematic element
Through its storytelling, Nollywood reflects the successes and challenges of Nigerian society and its intricate dynamics. The industry is a key influencer of cultural standards because it frequently magnifies specific behaviours through repeated showings and dramatic presentations. Nollywood films often depict the act of slapping as a recurring trope.
Numerous films display slapping as a swift, dramatic method for settling disputes or demonstrating power. A mother slaps her disobedient child. A wife slaps her cheating husband. A boss slaps an insolent employee. The youth strike an elder who shows disrespect towards them. Dramatic music alongside close-up shots and exaggerated sound effects enhances the slap, making it a memorable and emotionally intense moment.
While these scenes may be intended to entertain, they also send a subconscious message: Physical aggression in the form of slapping is a socially acceptable method of showing anger or enforcing authority while demanding respect. Television depictions of physical aggression can lead younger audiences without reliable role models to believe that violence is an acceptable conflict resolution tactic.
The influence of nollywood on youth behaviour
Nollywood plays a crucial role in shaping the perspectives of Nigerian youth. Streaming platforms and social media have made Nollywood films more widely available than before, allowing them to reach millions of viewers both within Nigeria and internationally. These films serve as entertainment and educational material for young people who learn cultural norms and social behaviour through them.
Young viewers who repeatedly observe characters hitting their elders or peers may start to accept this behaviour as standard or something they want to emulate. The pressure on traditional respect and restraint values from globalisation and urbanisation intensifies in today’s fast-paced modern life society.
Nollywood films frequently depict rebellion and defiance as heroic themes for movies that target youth audiences. Movie characters who take on authority figures by breaking rules and using physical force to defend themselves are usually shown as heroes or anti-hero figures. The appeal of these storylines risks prompting young viewers to mimic these same behaviours, which can be culturally unacceptable or damaging.
The blurred line between fiction and reality
Nollywood faces a challenge because its depiction of slapping creates an indistinguishable boundary between fictional narratives and real-world implications. Movies depict slaps as events that lead to significant outcomes, including reconciliation, revenge, or a moral lesson. The real-world impact of slapping elders or peers often results in fractured relationships or legal repercussions and may escalate to physical violence.
Young viewers who are impressionable or lack proper guidance might fail to understand the difference between fictional actions and real-life consequences. For example, children who watch characters slap someone in a film might wonder why they cannot do the same.
Nollywood’s responsibility in shaping culture
Nollywood must understand that its status as Africa’s leading cultural export requires careful consideration of its societal impact. Even though filmmakers have an essential duty to create engaging narratives, they must also acknowledge their position as guardians of cultural values. This means that creators should present challenging subjects through narratives that provoke thought instead of copying behaviour.
Nollywood films should demonstrate different dispute resolution methods through dialogue, mediation, or forgiveness instead of showing slapping as a solution to conflict. By displaying different methods in their content, the entertainment industry can advance better solutions for managing anger and disrespect.
Nollywood’s film industry can utilise its wide-reaching influence to emphasise traditional cultural practices and the significance of respecting elders. Movies honouring these principles while tackling modern life’s difficulties can connect generations and strengthen desirable social practices.
The role of parents and educators
Nollywood contributes to the development of cultural norms but is not the only entity responsible for the increasing slapping behaviour. Parents, educators, and community leaders have the essential responsibility of teaching youth about self-control and respect.
To be continued.
Dr Oluwadele is an Author, Chartered Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner and Public Policy Scholar based in Canada.
He can be reached via: [email protected]
