What a celestial world of art!

“If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it” (Act 1 Scene 1). Good music indeed gladdens the heart. This resonated in the first question that was put to the president: “Why do you love the Art industry?” The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan […]

“If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it” (Act 1 Scene 1). Good music indeed gladdens the heart. This resonated in the first question that was put to the president: “Why do you love the Art industry?” The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan responded that Art brings together people from different backgrounds to such an extent that it can prevent conflicts and promote love, unity and peaceful coexistence. The Psalmist invites human beings to celebrate and praise God with all types of musical instruments  (Psalm 150, 3-6).
A good musician is an artist who creates from antiquity and the signs of time a melody that gives joy. The Church uses music in the liturgy to raise the mind and heart of worshippers to God. No wonder St. Augustine affirms that he who sings well prays twice.  In social and cultural gatherings music adds joy to the events and activities of the day. The angels are portrayed as wonderful musicians in the Bible. Luke captures this in his narrative of the Annunciation: “And suddenly with the angels there was a great throng of the heavenly hosts, praising God and singing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to people who enjoy his favour” (Luke 2, 13). Music, dancing, drawings, painting, drama, poetry, sculpture, craft and most art works have a universal language of peace, quiet, relaxation, calm and “antidote” for stress, distress and exhaustion. In occasions of Music and art exhibitions, people do not normally think of religious extremism and war. God is the master artist hence, “the heavens proclaim the glory of God and the skies shows forth the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). Although Islam has different rules guiding music and dancing, lyrics that are not obscene and vulgar are permitted. In world history, some works of arts and poetry have been encouraged and promoted by some Muslims.
A world devoid of fun is hell just as a world of comedy is a celestial home. Generally, people who have no sense of humour are feared to be dangerous. Julius Caesar told Mark Anthony that he feared only Cassius because: “He loves no plays, he hears no music…. He does not smile…therefore such men are very dangerous” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2). It was Cassius who was actually planning his execution. He even convinced Brutus, the best friend of Casaer, who eventually gave the deepest stab that made Caesar cry: “Et tu, Brute” (and you too Brutus). Indeed, “There is no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust” (Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4). This statement of Duncan to Malcom could also apply to people who hate humour, antiquity and the value of history that is portrayed in art.
A world that has lost the sense of culture, art, tradition, music, tourism, festivals and healthy entertainments is prone to hatred, violence and total loss of human value and dignity. This model of ugly world is accepted by extremist terrorists. On Thursday February 26, 2015, Kareem reported the destruction of ancient artefacts at Mosul museum by ISIS fighters in Iraq drilling and smashing statues with sledgehammers in bid to crush what they call non-Islamic ideas. The Mosul’s central museum with priceless artefacts had existed for thousands of years in the Middle East dating from the Assyrian and Akkadian empires. Kino Gabriel, one of the leaders of the Syriac Military Council in a telephone interview with the Guardian from Hassakeh in North-Eastern Syria lamented that, “The birthplace of human civilisation is being destroyed.”  He wept that the tragedy is the loss of the entire world.
Islamic State also destroyed thousands of books and manuscripts in Mosul libraries claiming that the Assyrians and Akkadians are polytheists. The representative of ISIS described the prophet Muhammad’s destruction of idols in Mecca as an example. According to Mardean Isaac, an Assyrian writer and member of “A Demand for Action,” (an organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of the Assyrians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq), “When you watch the footage, you feel visceral pain and outrage, like you do when you see human beings hurt.” A professor at the Archaeology College in Mosul confirmed to the Associated Press that the two sites depicted in the video are the city museum and Nirgal Gate, one of several gates to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire.  Amir al-Jumaili told the AP that “with the destruction of these artefacts, we can no longer be proud of Mosul’s civilisation.”   This is described by many people as war on the ancient history and the right of future generations of all ethnicities and religions to the memory of their ancestors.
The presidential interactive session with the Nigerian SHOWBIZ STARS re-echoed the urgent need to promote tourism in the country. In Nigeria, culture is reflected in art, dance, folklore, language, literature, mores, music, governance, as well as the environment. Through archaeological findings, some Nigerians could read about Nok region in the Northern part of the Benue River whose Culture flourished from 500 BC to 200 AD in extensive use of iron. Through artistic preservations we now know the bronzes sculptures from Ile- Ife and Benin that has existed over a thousand years. These are recognized among the most advanced cultural treasures of Africa. Through artistic preservation we also know about the Igbo-Ukwu bronze works in Anambra State. Dr. Ladi Kwali has a hostel named after her in University of Ibadan in memory of her art works. The times Sir Victor Uwaifo used to take us to his art gallery in Benin City was a nostalgic moment for us to recapture the strength of our past heroes and traditional leaders. The art and culture of Nigeria should today remind us of the love and peace our ancestors once shared. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Amadu Bello and our ancient nationalists worked for the sustenance of Nigeria’s independence even though they were from different regions.  They could have drawn their inspiration from the traditional folk heritage that were preserved in art works.
Today, Nigeria is in the world map of arts with great men and women of art like Professor Wole Soyinka (who won the Nobel Prize for Literature), Chinua Achebe, Ben Okri, Chris Abani, T.M. Aluko, Cyprian Ekwensi, Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa, Adebayo Faleti, Femi Osofisan, Kole Omotosho, Zulu Sofola, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Amos Tutuola and the present day artist in the Nolly Wood (who have given a global look to Africa Magic) along with our youths who are today self employed in the music industry. (cf. http://www.cometonigeria.com). We have so much to loose if we allow religious fanaticism and extremism to destroy our cultural heritage just as we can make our world a celestial home if we respect the good values of our ancient past through art and culture.  
Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and Consultor for the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City ([email protected]).