What happens when a Nobel Laureate calls a language “torturous”—and then that same language is spoken in the most sacred place in the Catholic world? This powerful documentary explores the controversy sparked by Wole Soyinka, the cultural depth of the Igbo language, and the unforgettable moment Igbo echoed through Vatican City.
Featuring the legacy of Chinua Achebe and the global significance of Igbo identity, this story dives into language, history, rivalry, and pride—revealing why millions refuse to let their voice be silenced. From Nigeria to the diaspora, this is more than a debate—it’s a cultural awakening you need to witness.
#Igbo #Nigeria #WoleSoyinka #ChinuaAchebe #AfricanHistory #Vatican #LanguageDebate #CulturalPride #AfricanCulture #Documentary
00:22:04
source
Mazi Ngozi, surely, you may well know that getting award from the legacy of Alfred Nobel is not a mark of greatness.
At the relevant time African writers agreed amongst themselves to reject the Alfred Nobel prize.
Only,Oluwole Soyinka showed interest.
Oluwole Soyinka, like Omoyele Sowore was a foreign asset.
His books were hardly known and read.
He's no match to Chinualum Ogu Achebe and others.
You can't compare Achebe with Soyinka bro, Achene a professor of political literature while Soyinka a professor in comedy..
Why do igbos bother about none igbo validation!
Tell him that all the black inventors and professors alike who developed the western world were more so useful to the West and that is why they retain them and their names highly, but you Soyinka, the West discharged you back home knowing you are useless, not useful in many ways as a professor.
You are doing great for Nde Igbo.
Keep on keeping it on, my dear.
Powerful!
Take prof Soyinka serious then you will also take igboho and pst Adeboye serious and you may join him in drinking tea in heaven.
May you be bless brother
Bro also note that Igbo and yoruba languages have common similarities. For example the Yoruba Ifa you talked about is Afa in Igbo.Wole Soyinka of all people should have known this and lead for the peace this suggests.I don't know why Yoruba and Igbo don't see eye ball to eye ball.
chai… Repent and stop spreading hate!!!!! there are people from the same womb who hate each other… Grow UP!!!!
Nwannem, I respect your wisdom, knowledge, your analytical prowess, how you carefully chose your words and smoothly express them.
"Four different meanings, one word"?
Not!
It's "four different meanings" for FOUR different words …as it should be!
With the later invention of writing, some are misled to emphasize script and disrespect SOUND, which is the primary representation of language.
Oral Tradition IS the Mother of language presentation.
Writing is merely the grandchild that came to be when the human mind and communication fell below normal mode of operation.
A word is a collection of sounds; and so, every one of those different collection of sounds represent A DIFFERENT WORD!
The fact that those silly superscripts are used to represent the different tones is an unfortunate convenience.
The SOUND defines the word primarily; the script is merely an added convenience, or inconvenience in this case of superscripted AKWA.
In a properly created script, every one of those word would have its own clearly identifiable script, one without the silly marks.
He also said Hausa language is "looser" what does that mean. He is extremely arrogant. He won the award because of other African writers boycott
You lose your case from the get go when you try to use the edifice of homosexuality and pedophilia, of sodomizing and traumatizing of innocent children (vile vatican) to WEAKEN your point. lol
Considering that BOTH Igbo and Yoruba are both tonal/Melodious languages, It would be interesting to know what exactly Wole Soyinka meant by "Igbo being torturous" … as in 'more difficult to learn'?
Since the 'Prince' of Igbo History & Culture knows about both languages, how are they similar and how are they different, Igbo & Yoruba?
I know neither language; but I remain curious about BOTH languages; because I am suspecting that they are not mere man-made languages.
I'm pretty sure Yoruba is not man-made; but I would like to know more about Igbo. lol
I don't think the word torturous meant harm, I think it meant that the language is hard and difficult to learn and understand just like English language, but its pleasant to the ear
I don't think the word torturous meant harm, I think it meant that the language is hard and difficult to learn and understand just like English language, but its pleasant to the ear
So long as it tortures Soyinka the cultist, and the rest of the Yaribas
Igbo Amaka nwanne 😂❤
Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you, brother!!!
Soyinka is a tribal bigot. Yoruba people will sell Nigeria for their own personal interest. Fake tribe. They open their mouths without thinking. That’s a proof of a fake writer.
EVEN MORE THAN 45,000 000.00 PEOPLE
The only true direct descendants of Israel are Igbos.
That man is a bigot
Good job bro
Igbo is not torturous at all
It's unfortunate that people cannot understand simple linguistics Metaphor. Wole Soyinka,a novel laureate. Speaking to fellow intellectuals about a subject matter Linguistics. Uses notable languages in Nigeria to explain the difficulties of the various languages. He uses the word Torturous to elaborate on pain or difficulties to speak or understand these painful semetic languages. He went further to say that one is painfully lighter than the other. He chooses Yoruba,the one that was natural for him. Chinua Achebe always emphasized on the painful enunciation of words in Igbo languages. Is the same plight with the Yoruba language. I don't know why you guys turned this into a tribal abuse. It's pathetic!
Nonsense na em generation de torturous and the speaker all the language in Nigeria is unique abeg no paint the idiots good.
See how Igbo culture is observed across the Atlantic in the white-man's land without hindrance…but in our own country and continent, we are vilified and prevented in practising our reverred culture and tradition
Can we not work for the withdrawal of that award soyinka got?
And so what if he said Igbo is torturous? Guys please move on, nothing to see here.
Originality is the essence of true scholarship
person weh English torture in Nigeria till he became a tyrant; the armed forces should have taught him a lesson
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
For the avoidance of doubts, oluwole soyinka said that the Igbo language was torturous, not tortuous. There's a difference between the two words and he chose his words to a european interviewer carefully. Treacherous seed.
The same man that once said that he helped Tinubu important rice into Nigeria. Think about that. When was Tinubu known to be a rice importer? You all know what he's known for and that is not rice. So, instead of telling people what exactly he helped Tinubu to import, he chose to call it rice. I guess both can be white color. Anyway, neglect that discredited tribal bigot.
I don't know much about the early days Soyinka or what he stood for, but the later days Soyinka is visibly bigoted and partisan. Scarcely deserving of veneration
What do you mean by the greatest living writer? He is not. Please don't make such statement again bro..
Only ignorant and stupid people misunderstood what the professor said. More torturous = Yoruba is torturous, Igbo is more torturous = both languages are tonal and can be difficult to learn, one more than the other. He was not been a bigot at all. I however appreciate the narrator for pronouncing 'Yourba' correctly 😊. E seun o🙏
Dont mind that gbajue professort who taught that his old english and the nobel price he won in the 80s still have any relivance today.. He demonstred and marched the street of Lagos dujung Goodluch Jonathan with our `Jagaban Escobar and their so many fake and useless so called prophets and men and women of God.. Now that life is valueless under Escobar, all of them are dumb and deaf
My brother you are doing a great job. For me anyone listening and believing Soyinka can also believe Nigeria government.
His brother Tinubu has suffered and tortured Nigerians.
I wonder why you continue giving this bigoted man accolades & attention he never deserved IMO, Ignore the man. Unless this is a sponsored piece.
Thanks bro
put your discussion context. Soyinka was discussing tonality nothing else.
Wole Soyinka who's know the important of igbos in Nigeria, Great man wole God will continue bless you forever Amen 🎉
Wole Soyinka who's know the important of igbos in Nigeria, Great man wole God will continue bless you forever Amen
Wole Soyinka who's know the important of igbos in Nigeria, Great man wole God will continue bless you forever Amen 🎉
Unless I'm mistaken somehow, he was just expressing a point of view, I saw no malice in his expression at all, some languages are more difficult for some people than others, and that's a fact, so that should not be said?
Quite disingenuous of the Prof. As someone who learned igbo at a later stage in life, i can tell you that igbo is very musical and beautiful. Does prof Soyinka speak igbo? If not, how can he be seen as an impartial observer??
EVIL GRANDLODGE MASTER!