Perspectives Of Nigerian Ethnic Metaphors In My House Help Journal Of Development Communication And Applied Theatre (JODCAAT), Vol.2 No.5, July, 2025

Abstract

The numerous tribes existing in a nation can be a factor of strength and progress through distinguishable contribution of morality along the ethnic decent, but in Nigeria, one of the topmost challenges is dual loyalty which ethnicity comes first. The attempt to highlight the generalized outlook of each Nigerian tribe based on its image at the central stage has been escaping exhaustive critical
attention. Using qualitative method based on labeling theory of Howard Becker which focuses on the way people are stereotyped based on what is conspicuous in their cultural dispositions to others. The study analyze My House Help, a recent Nigerian movie with the intention of identify the various ethnic metaphors that each tribe is stereotyped. Findings show that each ethnic group has a generalized metaphoric denotation pointing at what the ethnic group mostly indulges in. the Igbos are portrayed as money-mongers, and wayo, Warris are Wafi, the Kalabari women are basket-nyash, Akwa/Cross are Boi-boi, Hausas are beg-beg, while the Fulanis are head-nodders. Each ethnic group attempts to project the values of its tribe by accrediting the best of their deeds to their ethnic background. The study concludes that the proper use of film medium can unify and promote Nigeria, indicating that filmmaking
should be restricted to only those who are knowledgeable with the socio-cultural fact of the ethnic outlook of the nation to mold it to a didactic instrument for social reform.