Cultism is a secret organization formed by students while in school, most especially in tertiary institutions, with students of different ages.
Cultism derives its meaning from the word ‘cult’. An attempt to define cult will lead to the meaning of cultism. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (1975) defines the word cult as “a system of worship, especially one that is different from the usual and established forms of religion in a particular society”, while Chambers Everyday Dictionary (1985), defines cult as “a system of religious belief, worship or devotion to enthusiastic often excessive admiration”. Oxford Dictionary (2000), defines cult as “a system of religious worship that is expressed in rituals; the term here is defined as “a group of people engaged in a form of ritual usually under oath binding the members to a common cause such a group of individuals operate covertly in furtherance of their objective, which usually is detrimental to the interest of others”.
It is a group of people, which places a secondary need in the position of a primary need. It can also be any group, with emphasis on secret initiation or ritual for the purpose of group, help group protection but whose activities are clandestine in nature. Cultism is therefore a phenomenon that exhibits the attributes of a cult.
Cultism have been known to have caused many havocs in our tertiary institutions as members engage themselves in brutal killing of other fellow students, harassing of lecturers, raping, destruction of school campuses, making the school environment not conductive for learning.
One of the reasons people join secret cults is for power and revenge which ultimately leads to regret. Many students become members of secrets cult because of their thirst for power and authority. The lure for power can be illusionary. With the false mindset that this power can sway lecturers to tow their whims and caprices, women to bow before them and a respectable place among the students, and as such they nosedive into this act.
Some students join cultism on campus for protection, they protect themselves against oppression and intimidation on campus. Several people have been involved in cultism because the cult members always rob, harass and extort money from them, and they will have little or no choice than to join in order to stop further attacks.
They also join cult for fame and popularity. The notorious nature of cultist in school seems to give them unwarranted popularity. This false sense of popularity can lure the inexperienced into cultism. These cultists go around the campuses with flamboyant names that almost trademark their popularity. These grandiose can easily deceive the unsure into engaging in this act.
Furthermore, bad parenting has made some people join cultism because of negligence of some parents. Imagine a father who does not care for his child? A mother who does not even know whether her daughter feeds well? These deadbeat parents provide a hostile ground for their children. In a bit to compensate for a lack of parental love, many people see the perceived unity of cultism as a last hoorah to be part of a working family.
Cultism can possibly lead to loss of some family members related to the cultists. In some cases where a member is a “hitman” (One who kills) for the cult, his or her family members can be victims of a brutal attack. Particularly, when the wanted individual is on the run, the harmless family members who perhaps have no idea of their child’s involvement are most vulnerable to the counterattack as warning signal or luring the cultist out from his or her hiding.
Last December in Benin City, a man was shot dead because his child was a cultist and he ran away, when they got there he was nowhere to be found so they killed his innocent father. Tragic and unfortunate stories like this can serve as a deterrent to people who contemplate being part of this odious association. So often, if people knew the risks involved, they will stay away from it. Thus, it is paramount a proper enlightenment on the ills of Cultism is made available so people can understand the pitfalls of it.
Another way to curb or deter cultism lies with the parents. It can be reduced if parents enforce discipline on their children. Parents should adopt good parenting methods. They should create time for their children, and visit them at school. School authorities, on their part, should have high discipline and ensure the eradication of all forms of vices. The school should also enlighten the students about it through orientation and seminar.
The school has its roles to play too. They should be strict and tough measure against an individual who is involved in cultism, law should prohibit student and also adults, involved should be put in place. Bullying caused by cultist can be a nightmare but there are things we can do to prevent it. Hopefully, one day all students will be able to go school without fear of be bulled. One thing is certain; even those who do these unimaginable acts are young, vibrant and quite honestly, significant to the social growth and development of a society. The government should provide job opportunities to the deserving youths and place them in comfortable roles. That will be an indication that there is always an alternative to wrong doing and there is no profit in doing what will endanger you and your fellow human beings
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Sarah Okpako is a student of the Department of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University, Abraka
