The origin of cultism was traced to the Seadog confraternity (a.k.a Pyrates), founded by Wole Soyinka and six others
Cultism is the activities or practices of a group of people with one common spiritual, religious or philosophical belief. The group of individuals involved in these practices is known as a cult. In general sociological studies, the term cult has been subjected to a whole lot of controversial and divergent definitions. But most cults are referred to as secret cults. They are called that because their activities and practices are hidden from the public and non-members.
Confraternities in Nigeria began in the '90s. Pyrates Confraternity was the first in Nigeria, it was created as a social organization for promising students. Professor Wole Soyinka and a group of six friends namely, Ralph Opara, Ikhehare Aig-Imokhuede, Sylvanus Egbuchie, Nathaniel Oyelola, Pius Oleghe, and Olumuyiwa Awe formed the Pyrate Confraternity at the University College Ibadan (now UI).
They called themselves the magnificent seven, they observed that the University was populated with wealthy students associated with colonial powers and a few poorer students striving to be accepted by the advantaged students in their manner and dressing, and social life was being dictated by tribalism. According to Wole Soyinka, the Pyrates wanted to differentiate themselves from "stodgy establishment and its pretentious products in a new education institution different from a culture of hypocritical and affluent middle class, different from alienated colonial aristocrats".
The magnificent seven
All these things prompted the Magnificent Seven to form the Pyrates Confraternity and their goal was to differentiate themselves from the conventional establishment.And also to support social justice and human rights in Nigeria. The Pyrates Confraternity activities were nonviolent dispute resolutions and fighting against elitist nonsenses and pretenses . For almost twenty years, the Pyrates Confraternity was the only fraternity in most Nigerian universities.
The association adopted the motto "against all conventions", their logo is the crossbones and the skull.
Members adopted names such as "cap N blood", "long John silver", they are also known as the national association of seadogs (NAS)
The Pyrates was popular among students even after founding members moved on. Membership is open to ANY promising male student irrespective of tribe or race but the selection process was stringent and most applications were denied.
What Soyinka started is not the same as what is on the ground in Nigeria Currently.
Fraternities exist in Universities around the world.
Bush, Clinton, Obama and Cameron all belonged to Fraternities in University.
In Nigeria, modern/current Fraternities (especially the unregistered ones) are purely evil.
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