#HallelujahChallenge

I've been a fan of Nathaniel Bassey's Music since I first heard him minister in Benin City five years ago. I was part of the choir that backed him up during some of his ministrations even though it was our church's show then. Don't bother looking for me in the picture; you won't see me - a black girl wearing black tends to fade behind lead backup singers. LOL. Anyway, I remember being so moved by it that all I could think about was heaven and being as far removed from the troubles of this world. Fast forward to last year during The Experience 11th edition hosted by House on The Rock. Although Nathaniel Bassey was visibly absent, foreign ministers like Micah Stampley and Donnie McCklurkin, couldn't help crooning his songs because they resonated with the vast crowd of believers gathered to worship.

Based on The Experience, it should come as no surprise that Nigerians are currently trending on social media with the one-hour midnight praise for 30 days (also known as the #HallelujahChallenge) initiated by Nathaniel Bassey which commenced on June 1st. But the one thing that seems to be standing out is not just the number or range of people turning up at midnight to sing praises to God for an hour; it is the ripple effect that it's making waves. Such as:

1. The numerous instant miracles and testimonies that began to pour in from people who participated.

2. The multiple mentions on social media (Statistics from Evolve Press: 10,000 posts with the hashtag "#HallelujahChallenge" and over 18,000 with the hashtag "#olowogbogboro") making it highly trendy in Nigerian and now globally with a mention from CNN.

3. The backlash (There is word going around that the movement was attacked on social media by a journalist, and there's been some outrage. But we'll come to that in a bit.)

4. The increasing number of News/blog reviews on the movement.

5. The genuine hunger for people to see God move in our Nation at a time where hate speeches and sectionalisation threatens to harm our national unity.

6. The building of a habit of spending time in praise and worship of the creator which in turn leaves participants spiritually fulfilled and positive minded mentally which is a good thing since the ease of falling into depression seems to be on the rise in the country and worldwide these days.

*This list will most likely increase by the end of the month, so it is not comprehensive.*

This is what I call a dream seed.

When the #HallelujahChallenge publicity started on Instagram, May 31st, I doubt Nathaniel Bassey had any inkling just how intense this would be, even though from one of the numerous pages attached to him, there is talk of how it's a manifestation of God's promise, "If you remember, We declared that THIS MONTH, God would do things in people's lives that will make GLOBAL headlines. Now, this is just a prophetic sign for you all. I repeat, what God is set to do in your lives SHALL MAKE GLOBAL HEADLINES in JESUS' name. Amen.THE OLOWOGBOGBORO himself(JESUS CHRIST) Goes Global." He's had to assign a worship session he missed while in flight in the US for RCCG convention to another worshiper to handle just to keep the momentum going.

This dream of sharing his worship time with the world via live streaming based on an instruction from God was a seed that has grown to touch lots of lives and will continue to do so till the challenge is over. Heck, it will even help build a culture of seeking to praise God among people so disillusioned and sure that God doesn't care for humanity anymore.

Famed Media Personality, Joy Isi Bewaji, tried to jump in on the action by raising another train of thought that should get Christians planning towards doing more than just 'feeling good' after communing with God and got tongue lashed seriously for her seeming insensitivity. Although she had a point, her comments were a bit ill-timed. If it had come at the end of the challenge or maybe if it was written without reference to the #HallelujahChallenge it might have been better welcomed.

The truth is, we all have a dream for a better Nigeria. And one thing our faith in God does is boost our confidence that we are more than capable of achieving it. When we reach out to God in worship, God reaches down to us with revelations and key insights on how we can succeed. And since God needs our praises more than our prayers, he always sends blessings our way through other human beings who make themselves willing vessels for his leading. If anything, a great nation is built by the combined working of all our dreams. If we all acted on our dreams and passions as much as we struggle with the current accepted norm, we would all have a better Nigeria.

Like I said earlier, this challenge is a dream seed. God might be a miracle worker but after the miracle, what next? We've all got to make him proud of us by doing what we know we can to make "His Kingdom Come, and His Will be Done" in Nigeria. Earth is our domain; it's up to us to live up to God's expectation of us which includes being hard working and resourceful to ensure his mandate for humanity is fulfilled.

So join in the #HallelujahChallenge. I know I will tonight. And watch God move beyond our limits to help make our dreams a possibility. When the challenge is over, get up and work like never before to ensure 'His Dream' of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost for our nation comes true (not joy in our wealth, success or personal pride).

Thank you, Minister Nathaniel Bassey for heeding God's call upon your life and opening the doors of heaven for God's mighty outstretched hands to remind us that we are not alone in our journey on planet Earth.

HAIR WORLD HISTORY

Fixing Cornrows with Attachments, French Braids, Weave-on and Dreads have become a vital part of the modern day African woman’s fashion. Even with chemical relaxers, hot combs and straightening or curling irons, most women can’t do without fixing their hair at least once a month.

Braiding which is actually the intertwining of strands of hairs into a complex structure or pattern overlapping a mass of other hairs, can either be done close to the scalp or loosely from the scalp. Long ago, People braided for different reasons such as to show distinction in religion, kinship, status, age, cosmetic adornment and ethnicity or cultural preferences. These days, it’s done mostly to change up one’s look without causing permanent damage to one’s hair. But this is not a new trend brought to Africa from the West. Hair plaiting is one whose roots are steeped in Africa. In doubt? Check out the cornrows on any Nigerian Nok terracotta artwork which dates as far back as 500BC.

History has it that those ancient wall murals or Stone Age paintings – artworks like the Sphinx – in Egypt and Algeria (Tassili Plateau in the Sahara to be exact) which dates back to 3500BC show early Africans wearing their hair in plaits. This is not to say people in Europe or America didn’t also have evidence of their hairstyles then.

Take the Native Americans (aka Red Indians) for instance. It’s safe to say that before the arrival of the Europeans to North America, the Red Indians had their hairstyles. It was usually divided from the centre of their head and braided to the sides with feathers, beads or ribbons from deerskins either at the tip or at the spot where the tip was looped into the loose segment of their hair.

The ancient Celtics, inhabitants of today’s British Isles and Western Europe, as far back as 750BC wore braids. Those of noble blood or heritage wore elaborate hairstyles while folks from the lower class wore theirs simply for functional work purposes. The Greeks and Romans are not left out in the use of braids especially the Flavian and Antonine era where with the likes of the Spartans and Greek goddesses show evidence of its use as early as 79 -192CE. Although, they had more elaborate up-dos which involved crescent-shaped wireframes cascading with curls in the front, and divided, braided sections at the back.

Even Chinese men at a point in time (actually it was during their imperial dynasty’s last days, the reign of the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912)), were mandated to wear their hair in braided pigtails and hide it under a ‘queue’ or be accused of treason. Don’t forget dreadlocks which the Jamaicans made famous, even though the first examples of such was seen in North Africa or among Maasai men from Kenya as far back as 15th century.

So you see, braiding is a universal concept even though proof of its origin lies in Africa. Braiding is not exclusive to natural hair, the use of Hair extensions or artificial hair integrations go way back to the source of braiding. Egyptians were known for wearing fringed wigs with braided and adorned strands hanging out from it. While in the Edwardian era, they were used to create pompadour hairstyles and elaborate ‘Apollo Knots’. By 1940s and 1950s more natural styles of hair weave returned and later in 1990s Asians learned how to mass produce them, and they became commonplace throughout the 21st century.

Braiding is also not exclusive to women only. History is full of men both modern and ancient who braided their hair from historical figures to athletes and musicians representing the hip hop culture.

Now you know the history behind plaited hair, feel free to use whatever style fits your face frame and express your personality more aptly.