This paper, through a qualitative study conducted in Ajegunle, an urban slum in Lagos, Nigeria, dwells on the notion of urbanism as a product of urban-rural interaction. It specifically focuses on the rural elements in the urban, explaining how the rural is exploited for creating the network that is crucial for social and economic survival in cities marked by impersonal relationship. The paper further examines the ideology of home, explicating on the factors that make urban dwellers to construct their identity mostly in rural terms. The paper concludes by reflecting on the strong allegiance of Nigerians to their rural origins and the implication of this for a sense of nationalism.
Table of Contents
1. Urbanites and the ideology of home: Engaging with a sociocultural issue in Nigerian Cities
1.1 Ethnographic Setting
1.2 Urban-rural interface
1.3 The Idea of Home
2. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this chapter is to examine the concept of "home" among urban dwellers in Nigeria, specifically focusing on how migrants in urban slums navigate the connection between their urban living spaces and their rural origins. The research investigates how these individuals maintain social networks, preserve ethnic identities, and perceive their presence in cities as a temporary economic sojourn rather than a permanent settlement.
- The construction of "home" as a sociocultural and ideological phenomenon among urban migrants.
- The function of rural-based social networks and home associations in urban survival.
- The impact of the "indigene-settler" dichotomy and ethnic politics on the residency and political participation of urban dwellers.
- The role of informal settlements in mediating the urban-rural interface.
Excerpt from the Book
The Idea of Home
The study shows that most Ajegunle residents continue to identify with their rural areas of origin which they consider ‘home’ even though many hardly give any thought to returning to live at such places permanently. The various explanations for this orientation provided a rich inventory of key factors that include the prospect of the rural as the final resting place, the perception of life in cities as a kind of economic sojourn, and more importantly, the place of ethnic identity in Nigeria’s politics. Finally, there is also the aspect of urban poverty.
An informant, Emeka Nwachukwu describes “home in the following words: “my home is my final rest place…the place where I will be buried when I die.” Another informant shed light on the significance of being buried at a rural home. Mrs. Olorunlana expressed her sentiment in the following words:
God forbid that I will be buried in this place. Apart from the fact that this place is not my home, one should also consider what will happen in the future. We are all living witnesses to what happened in Maroko when the place was demolished and sand-filled. Those buried there no longer have identifiable graves.
(Mrs. Olorunlana, Personal Communication: 2009)
Summary of Chapters
Urbanites and the ideology of home: Engaging with a sociocultural issue in Nigerian Cities: This chapter introduces the theoretical framework of urban-rural dynamics and the ethnographic context of Ajegunle, examining how residents navigate their social reality.
Ethnographic Setting: This section provides a detailed background on Lagos as a metropolis and Ajegunle as an urban slum, highlighting the demographic and socioeconomic conditions of its residents.
Urban-rural interface: This part analyzes the conceptual shift from viewing rural and urban areas as separate entities to understanding them as a continuous social field sustained by networks and informal settlements.
The Idea of Home: This section explores the ideological construct of "home," demonstrating how it functions as a site of identity, ancestral burial, and economic aspiration for migrants.
Conclusion: This final section synthesizes the key findings regarding social networks, migrant perceptions of temporality, and the impact of exclusion politics on the Nigerian national identity.
Keywords
Urbanization, Nigeria, Ajegunle, Urban-rural interface, Home ideology, Social networks, Migration, Ethnic identity, Indigene-settler dichotomy, Informal settlements, Urban poverty, Cultural diversity, Citizenship, Exclusion politics, Rural origin
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the sociocultural issue of how residents of urban slums in Nigeria, specifically in Ajegunle, conceive of "home" and how they maintain ties with their rural origins while living in a city environment.
What are the central thematic fields addressed in the study?
The key themes include urban-rural interconnectedness, the role of social networks and home associations, the significance of burial rites in defining identity, and the impact of ethnic politics on urban dwellers.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The primary objective is to understand why urban dwellers, who live in cities like Lagos, continue to identify with their rural backgrounds and what factors—such as economic conditions and political exclusion—reinforce this continued attachment to the rural "home."
What scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized a qualitative approach, primarily relying on observation, sample surveys, and personal in-depth interviews conducted within the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, Nigeria.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the demographic setting of Lagos and Ajegunle, the theoretical definition of the urban-rural interface, the functionality of home associations in providing social support, and the ideological construction of "home" as a permanent resting place versus an urban economic sojourn.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The most characterizing keywords include Urbanization, Migration, Home ideology, Social networks, Ethnic identity, and Indigene-settler dichotomy.
How do home associations impact the lives of slum dwellers in Ajegunle?
Home associations serve as vital social support structures that provide financial and moral assistance, monitor member conduct, resolve disputes, and maintain cultural links to their rural villages, effectively connecting the urban slum to the home region.
Why does the "indigene-settler" dichotomy influence the identity of migrants?
It influences identity by creating a political environment where migrants are often excluded from local governance and political advancement, compelling them to look toward their rural "home" as the only space where they can exercise full citizenship and belonging.
What role do burial traditions play in the residents' concept of home?
Burial traditions are central to the "home" ideology; many residents insist on being buried at their rural ancestral homes to ensure they remain part of their cultural lineage, viewing the city only as a place for temporary economic gain.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Babajide Ololajulo (Autor:in), 2011, Urbanites and the ideology of home: Engaging with a sociocultural issue in Nigerian Cities, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/184592
