#PostADay Day 2 – Nigerian Confraternities: Names, Symbols & Deductions

Hello! Welcome to Day 2 of Saatah Nubari (@Saatah) and my #APostADay Challenge.

Day 1: Saatah wrote on Not Much…but there’s hope, and I wrote on Homogeneity and Heterogeneity of our Society

Day 2: Saatah wrote, like in a diary, on The Events of his Day. A good, honest account. This is my Day 2 entry.

Today, I’d like to write about a more controversial topic, Nigerian Confraternities. It is possible that I am ill-educated to do so but I will anyway; to learn is to be alive after all. If you have better information on the subject of this post please feel free to correct me.

Recently I have come across what we in Nigeria refer to as “confra” involved in massive re-branding on the web and social media. In the common sense, a confraternity is defined as “a brotherhood, especially with a charitable or religious purpose”. In Nigeria, most of our confraternities started as university fraternities but got ‘bastardized’ along the line.

While I have no problems with their “re-branding”, I believe it is important some consideration is given to why most of the larger society has a mistrust of them.

THE NAMES

Names of organisations, as well as individuals, help to craft an identity. We form first impressions for organisations based on the names they bear. Two of the oldest and perhaps most popular confraternities in Nigeria are:

Pyrates Confraternity/National Association of Seadogs (founded in 1952)
Buccaneers Confraternity/National Association of Sealords (founded in 1972).

These are the ones I’d refer to in my case study. I may understate the importance of this, but the Buccaneers Confraternity is recorded as a spinoff of the Pyrates Confraternity. Oh yeah, a Buccaneer is a pirate too, by definition.

What comes to mind when you hear the term “Pirate” or “Buccaneer”?

For me, different things come to mind. Rebellion for one. Rebellion against societal norms which are detrimental to the bulk of society is a good thing. The way a rebel, person or organisation, positions himself in society either helps or mars his cause. In this case study, I believe more of the latter has been done.

Another thing that comes to mind is Crime. Pirates recorded from all ages engaged in criminal activities such as bootlegging liquor, robbery, violent intimidation etc.

_Are these traits, associated with the names pirate and buccaneer, part of the guiding principles of Nigerian confraternities? _

This is a question to be answered.

Aside: Yes, every organisation has some bad eggs and the history of otherwise noble institutions could be tainted by such. For this I respect that both confraternities in my case study have denounced illegalities and withdrawn from Universities. This withdrawal has perhaps reduced cases of immature, over-zealous young people showing exuberance by involving in pissing contests.

THE SYMBOLS

To the uninitiated, an organisation’s symbols draw one in. Think of the effect the McDonald’s or Apple logo has when you see it. Now with respect to our case study, what are the logos of the Nigerian confraternity: both utilise modifications of the skull and crossbones (a.k.a Jolly Roger).

_What message do the symbols send? Do they align with the values of the organisations?

Aside: The Pyrates Confraternity uses an Anchor in the background of their logo and this symbol is one that can easily draw good meanings (cue in Christian “Jesus is the anchor of my soul”).

DEDUCTIONS

A lot can be said on this controversial topic and many already have foregone perceptions that are not open to change. I wouldn’t encourage that. Learning Is For Ever (LIFE) is a creed I try to abide by.

It is ****important that all organisations are clear and true to purpose. Nigerian confraternities have a lot to do in this regard.

In many cases, re-branding requires a complete overhaul: change of name and symbols. Hopefully, this piece has some impact.

For background and resources consulted see below:

N.B.: Websites of both case studies are highlighted earlier.

That’s it for today’s, no yesterday’s, edition. Thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Feel free to drop one here or on Twitter @ATamsSokari. Cheers!