Hair Care Tips and Hairstyles for Party-goers

April 21st, 2010

You can avoid hair styling buildup by rubbing a clarifying shampoo on dry hair weekly. This might sound a little different, but not adding water creates friction that will remove grime. After the application shower and rinse your hair as usual. This is called a hair facial.

How to star style sultry side braids:

1. Spray gel onto damp hair
2. Part the top half in the middle
3. Do two loose French braids on either side
4. Connect the braids
5. Secure with an elastic
6. Gather the rest of your hair into a messy bun

Try this treatment for flaky hair:

1. Dab a cotton ball in mouthwash, run it over strands. The astringent will help remove white specs when you don’t have time to shower
2. To keep off future flakes use a dandruff shampoo, and use a hair scrub weekly

How to keep hair color looking vibrant in hot weather:

1. Use a protective spray to shield the hair from UV damage
2. Use lightly shine-enhancing stylers (like serums) that attract rays
3. Wear a wide elastic headband to help absorb perspiration along your forehead that will dull the color over time
4. Work a color-protective leave-in condition into hair strands so the water will not affect your hair color

Create an elegant side ponytail:

1. Make a deep part on one side of your head and pull hair into a low, loose ponytail on the other side
2. Secure with an elastic
3. Wrap a small section of hair around it
4. Hold in place with a bobby pin
5. If you have fine hair, work in a thickening lotion to help the ponytail stay in place
6. Finish up the look with a shine spray

If you prefer a smoother finish on your elegant side ponytail hair style, use a paddle brush instead of your fingers to pull hair back.

Wear your hair in a classic, chin bun:

1. Blow out hair so it is smooth
2. Pull it back into a low or high ponytail
3. Secure with an elastic
4. Twist the tail into a bun
5. Tuck ends under
6. Secure with bobby pins

If you are in a hurry to get to the party, skip blow-drying and apply a leave-in condition to damp hair. Use a dryer with 1,850 watts or more to get the hair dry fast.

Do you prefer sexy, loose waves instead of wearing your hair up for parties?

1. Start with clean, dry hair
2. Make a deep side part and use a curling iron to roll 2-inch sections from the ends up to the middle of your head
3. Run your fingers through the curls to separate them
4. It is recommended to apply a thermal protector before heat styling your curls to prevent damage
5. Use a flexible-hold hair spray to make the style last without stiffness
6. For the curling iron: Use a medium-barrel iron to give you just-the-right-size curls

What if you have short hair or just no time at all to get ready for a party?

1. Slip in a flashy hair accessory
2. Keep barrettes, bobbys, and bands in place by misting with hair spray after they are secured

Where to find the products mentioned in this article:

• Almost any department or drug store as well as beauty house supply stores

Source: Cosmo Hair. Cosmopolitan [serial online]. July 2008;244(1):76. Available from: MAS Ultra - School Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 1, 2008.

Galluzzo S. Easy party-pretty hair.. Parenting [serial online]. December 2007;21(11):79-79. Available from: Health Source - Consumer Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 1, 2008.

vishal
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/hair-care-tips-and-hairstyles-for-partygoers-743778.html

Discover the Health Benefits of Surf Camps for Kids

April 19th, 2010

Did you know approximately 10 million kids go to camp each year? A positive summer camp experience can mean everything to a child. Sending your kids to camp is part of the American way of life. When you think of camp, you probably think of roasting marshmallows around the campfire and singing songs. But there is more to the camp experience than that!

Many people seem to considering surfing summer camps in addition to, or as alternative for, traditional summer camps. Surfing (or surf) camps offer all the important benefits that traditional camps offer, such as the opportunity to make new friends and increase self-confidence and esteem. But surf camps offer something more: incredible health benefits for kids.

Not only is surfing a total blast and easily learned with a qualified instructor, but when kids go to surf camp, they get a total body workout from cardiovascular exercise to arm and leg strength to learning how to increase their balance.

When kids paddle out on their surfboards toward the ocean to catch a wave, they are developing upper body strength (including their arms, chest and shoulders), plus they are getting a nice cardiovascular workout.

Then, when they are actually surfing, they are using their leg muscles and developing important balance skills.

There are several sites on the Internet to find surf camps for your kids. You can do a general search for “kids surf camps” on Google. Or, or you can visit a site-specific search engine like Surf Camp Search.com where you will find many available surf camps for kids and teens everywhere in the United States and abroad.

It doesn’t matter if your child is a beginning surfer or experienced and learning to pick up tips from a pro, there’s a safe and fun surf camp out there for you…plus, the health benefits can’t be denied!

Shelly Cartwright
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/discover-the-health-benefits-of-surf-camps-for-kids-734514.html

The Mini Mal Surfboard - A Surfers Guide

April 17th, 2010

Mini Malibu

Without a doubt the most versatile type of surfboard you can get is a Mini Mal. While based on the design of the early Malibu surfboards, the Mini Mal has a number of significant differences.

Firstly, As the name suggests it is several feet shorter than a regular Malibu. Mini Mals range in length from about 7 to 9 ft long and often have a double or triple fin configuration like that of a short board. It’s the shortened length and the fin configuration of the Mini Mal that primarily make it so versatile. If you are unsure exactly what length of board to get, then take a look at this matrix for more information.

The Mini Mal gives much improved performance over a regular Malibu while also offering greater stability than a short board. It is for this reason that many beginners learn to ride on a Mini Mal or progress to one after migrating from a soft board.

Riders of all skill levels can ride a Mini Mal. Many short board surfers also have a Mini Mal in their quiver for those days when the swell is too small or weak to properly propel a short board. Due to Its increased surface area and buoyancy, it is incredibly fast and easy to paddle. This is extremely beneficial for small days and beginners. It also means that you can sit further out from the beach and catch the wave earlier than other surfers. Don’t be fooled into thinking that these boards are for small waves only though, it is not uncommon to see people taking on a solid six foot swell on a Mini.

There are a ton of used Mini Mal surfboards available. Go to this site and type “mini” into the search box to view hundreds of new and used boards.

Andrew Stedman

PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIAN ECONOMY: DYNAMIC OR STAGNANT?

April 15th, 2010

Introduction

It has been viewed by some Eurocentric writers that pre-colonial West African economy was stagnant, subsistence and that it lacked real market status before British colonization. This argument stems from some anthropological perceptions (substantivist stand point) that the main sector of this economy was basically subsistence agriculture, which had been made stagnant as a result of application of simple technology without organized specialization. Production target is said to ensure human existence with little or no exchange as a result of limited output1. To this view, simple and non-industrial region, such as pre-colonial West African societies lacked certain necessary prerequisite for market economy and as such economic terms and theories should not be applied to explain their economic structure2.

The study therefore intends to unravel the pre-colonial Nigerian indigenous economy both in scope and structure and attempts to establish that it was dynamic and that it possessed real market status of high standard, given its characteristics. The study is divided into three major segments – general features of an economic system, structure of pre-colonial Nigerian economy and justification of pre-colonial Nigerian economy as a dynamic and market oriented economy. A market economy is the one in which decision-making is decentralized, that is market issues are mainly determined by market forces; that is, demand and supply. This is unlike command economy in which decision making is decentralized and controlled by an authority 3. In every economic system, there are three basic economic functions, no matter the nature, type and level of the government or economy4. These are, what and how much to be produced, how will it be produced, and for whom will it be produced. These implies that every economic system takes care of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Every economy system is tied to a political system through which people decide what their society desires.

A vital role of any economic system is co-ordination. It must see that individuals’ decisions about what they do are co-ordinated with the society’s wants and with what other individuals do. This co-ordination also includes, moral, social and political values, an economic integration which ensures that what an individual wants will not exceed what are available in the society5. This partly explains why there is no economic system that can easily operate successfully outside the socio-cultural context of its indigenous environment.

Given this background, it would be gainful to examine the structure and scope of pre-colonial Nigerian economy. The main spring and life-wire of any society are mostly referred to as its economic and human potentials. Nigeria does not take exception to this universal rule. The kingdoms, states and empires that existed in pre-colonial Nigeria were great and prosperous not only because of their sound socio-political institutions, but also as a result of the natural resources such as bountiful agriculture, trade and crafts. A close observation of the Nigerian terrain and climate reveals the diversity of its natural potentials which gave rise to economic viability and a variety of occupations. The structure of pre-colonial Nigerian economy rested basically and extensively on the nature of vegetation, household labour and the main components being agricultural activities, crafts, trade, and its transportation system.

 

Agriculture          

Agriculture is a primordial economic activity in Nigeria which formed the means of livelihood of the peoples and a strong factor for the rise of states and empires just as the case everywhere in the world. From the words of Evans – Pritchards “the first evolution that transformed human economy gave man control over his own food supply, man began to plant, cultivate and improve by selection of edible grasses, roots, and trees”6. This economic advancement has been described as “neolitic revolution”. Like in modern time, in pre-colonial Nigeria , a major determining factor for the choice of settlement was availability of favourable climate, free of epidemics, fertile land suitable for cultivation and grazing, congenial littoral environment for fishing and security such as absence of war and other natural and supernatural disasters. When these factors were lacking, people resorted to migration in search of comfortably habitable areas. Considering these phenomena, the reasons for shifting cultivation in planting in agriculture, normadism in grazing and itinerancy in fishing could be understood. In other words, ecological factors play decisive roles in human settlement7.

The form of agriculture practised and the crops planted were determined by the nature of soil and the terrain of the region. Shifting cultivation and crop rotation characterized agricultural practices in pre-colonial Nigeria , owing primarily to land tenure practice and lack of knowledge of highly mechanized farming. There were natural problems such as erosion, drought, pests and diseases. These problems were tackled locally, depending on individual communities. For instance, traps were set to catch birds and destructive animals in the farms and gutters were also dug to drain away water in order to check flood. Wetting of farms during drought had been an ancient agricultural practice among Nigerians. All these practices were not necessarily influenced by conservation as viewed by some western observers but the most effective and correct maintenance of soil fertility and assessment of the prevailing economic situation of the period8

In pre-colonial Nigeria , farmers depended on implements such as digging stick, hoe, cutlass and sickles. The common crops produced based on territorial specialization included, yam, okra, vegetables, maize, cocoyam, cassava, plantains, bananas, kolanuts and oil palm9. The independent growth and antiquity of agriculture in Africa and Nigeria in particular has been strongly proved by some African economic historians. Among them was Murdock, an ethnographer who argued that agriculture began in the upper Niger area among the Mende-speaking peoples in about 5000BC10 basing his research on yam cultivation in this region. While one cannot doubt the great antiquity of agriculture in Nigeria , we must, on the same note not rule out the possibility of cultivation of yams or other crops earlier than or around the period, (5000BC), in other parts of Nigeria . It is interesting to note that the diffusionist theory and hamitic hypothesis which tend to hold that all developments in Africa are imported have been proved wrong by the nature of agricultural development in the sub-regions11. While it is undeniable that some crops were introduced from other areas to Nigeria , it is evident that agriculture in Nigeria developed naturally and independently without foreign mechanism12. Whatever that was later introduced to it was supplementary to the existing system.

 

FISHING, HUNTING AND PASTORALISM

 

Fishing                                            

Fishing is an ancient economic activity in Nigeria . Its activities cover both the coastal and inland waterways and it was of tremendous economic value to the pre-colonial Nigerians13. Fish was one of the major articles among Nigerian commodities of trade. Fish of various kinds were either dried in the sun or smoked in order to preserve them for long or short distance market14. Fresh fish were said to be marketed mostly in short distance areas owing to the perishable nature and problem of storage facility. Professional fishing is characterized by craftsmanship and special skills, such as boat, canoe, paddle, float, buoy and net construction coupled with invention of a variety of indigenous fishing techniques and gear. Fishing in pre-colonial Nigeria till date engenders migration as many of its practitioners would have to leave their original settlements for better prospects elsewhere15. Fishing of the migratory type was very prominent among the Ilaje, Izon, Itsekiri, Efik, Jukun, Ijebu, Awori etc. From the pre-colonial period to date, the Ilaje are said to have been the most migratory, famous and professional both in inland and deep sea- fishing not only in Nigeria but in West and Central Africa16 . Around the early 16th century, fishing is said to be practised with rudimentary techniques and tools such as raffia materials, wood, and grasses ad with very limited scope17. By the late 18th century to early 19th century, most Nigerian fishermen had started developing improved fishing gear and techniques such as clapnets, castnets, ita, egho, asuren, ojijon, agada, ighee, iyanma, ekobi ufo, riro, 18 etc. Nigerian fishing economy was in this progressive stage of development on the eve of British colonization.

  Hunting                  

Hunting could be regarded as one of the earliest economic activities in pre-colonial Nigeria . It was very significant because, many people depended on it for economic survival at a stage of economic development. However, as time went on, hunting became a relevant supplement to agriculture19. Hunting in Nigeria during this period was of various levels. At lower level, hunting included setting of snares for birds, young animals, such as squirrels, monkeys, grass cutters, alligators, etc. Another level was hunting for larger animals such as crocodile, elephant, wild pig, antelope, etc. It was and perhaps, still, a belief in most local communities in Nigeria that hunting, especially at higher level, apart from special skills involves the use of charms and possession of supernatural powers20. Hunting was a reliable source of meat and animals skin for cloth, shoe and drum making. In addition to its economic value, it was a means by which foot paths and settlements were created before the advent of the European mode of road construction and town settlement. Consequently, these paths and hamlets later developed into roads, towns and villages. Hunters served as security agents by protecting people from attack of enemies or wild animals. Hunters also supplied animals and their special parts which have medicinal value among indigenous medicine practitioners21. Supplementary to hunting was fruit gathering. Collection of variety of fruits from the forest was an economic venture by some people, especially women in the pre-colonial Nigerian societies. Fruits and spices are important for food and herbal medicine hence, their demand was and is still high till date in Nigerian local market places22.

 

 

Pastoralism               

This was another economic practice in pre-colonial Nigeria . This is the rearing of animals, especially cattle, goats and sheep in commercial quantity by moving from one fertile land to another. As a result of infestation of the forest region by tsetse fly and scarcity of open land in the south, couple with the marshy nature of the plains, presence of rivers and creeks in the coastal region and the presence of open land in the north, pastoralism was mostly practised by the Fulani in the savanna region of northern Nigeria22. Both pastoralism and hunting are related to crop farming since they all directly and indirectly deal with animals. Though, mixed farming was not widespread, some form of symbiosis existed between the crop farmers and the postoralists. For instance, the droppings of the cattle formed manure to the soil which in turn supported the growth of crops while the postoralists depended on food crops of the farmers. Moreover, the production of cattle was a source of beef for the forest dwellers, the leather workers demanded the skin for production of shoes, bags, shield for war, quivers for arrow, harness for horses23 etc. Kano in northern Nigeria was famous for such skills. Pastoral activities were of immense economic value in pre-colonial Nigeria .     

 

Crafts     

A discussion of the development of crafts among pre-colonial Nigerians requires a description of their arts and industries at various levels. The major arts and craft works in which Nigerians were famous included; salt extraction, soap production, metal work, woodwork and weaving activities. This enormous development reminds us of the extent to which indigenous technology had progressed in Nigeria in pre-colonial period. It is evident that iron technology had developed considerably in pre-colonial Nigeria and this revolutionalized crafts and manufactures in Nigeria and indeed Africa24 .

Salt production was one of the mineral extractions, which was not available in most areas, but an important locally needed product and an import commodity of foreign merchants25. In pre-colonial Nigeria , production of salt at large quantity was naturally restricted to the coastal areas owing to the availability of raw material such as salt water. The method of production was by evaporation of seawater either by boiling or sunning. Among the coastal settlers in Nigeria, especially the Ilaje, Itsekiri and Ijaw, the process was by collecting seawater in a large clay pot, cooked it till it was dry, leaving white and solid substance at the bottom. This would be scooped, using a small basket to filter the dirt26. What remained was salt which could be to a large extent free of impurities. This industrial activity enhanced the growth of trade between the coastal and inland dwellers in pre-colonial Nigeria . In the inland region too, salt is said to be produced in perhaps relatively small quantity especially among the Jukun of the Benue region and the Igbo of the eastern Nigeria27.

Closely related to this pre-colonial economic venture was soap production. This was predominantly carried out by the Nigerian forest region settlers. The major raw materials for soap production were palm oil and ashes. These would be boiled together and molded28. In pre-colonial Nigeria for instance, various kinds of soap were produced. In addition to domestic and commercial purposes, soap also had medicinal value29. The Ose dudu (black soap) among the Yoruba for instance, is still used up to date for these purposes.

Two important aspects of pre-colonial Nigeria crafts which deserve attention in this study are metal and woodwork. A careful study of the Nigerian history would reveal that, of all crafts, iron working was most significant to the overall economic and political development in pre-colonial period. The iron age was the period in which Nigerians started to actively dominate and control their environments. The discovery of iron gave rise to the manufacturing of iron tools such as hoes, knives, cutlasses, spears, axes and these influenced higher productivity in crafts, farming, fishing and hunting30. Apart from the economic revolution brought about by iron smelting, it also equipped most leaders with higher and stronger political power. For instance, the possession of iron weapons influenced military growth and subjugation of weaker communities by stronger ones31. The introduction of iron to Nigeria gave rise to black smithing all over the region. The earliest proof of iron smelting in West Africa was Nok, a village in central Nigeria , northeast of the Niger confluence and the Benue Rivers and southwest of Jos Pleateau32. The Yoruba , Igbo (especially Awka people) and Uneme (in Benin ) were famous in iron smelting technology in pre-colonial era. The Uneme, for instance, are said to have developed black smithing before C1370 and iron is said to have played important commercial role as it was used as a medium of exchange (native currency)33.

An important mineral production in pre-colonial Nigeria was gold. Gold was mined, consumed locally and exported. It has more economic value than other products, as it was mainly an article of foreign exchange earning34. In the pre-colonial period, Benin and Ile-Ife were famous for bronze casting and reputable centers of tin production existed in Jos Plateau and that of zinc in the lower Niger and Benue Rivers35. It is however important to note that production was hampered by high level of wood artistry of symbolic cultural value.

Ife and Benin had been regarded as the most famous among west African states in the use of brass and bronze. In skill, quality and beauty, the antique bronzes of Benin is said to have equalled those produced in any part of the world­43. It was once claimed by some Nigerian writers that both the Nigerian art of bronze casting and its use to portray natural figures of  humans and animals was imported by Europeans, either by legitimacy or through smuggling. If this was real, it would indicate that Nigerian art had already reached an admirable and enviable status of world standard before the advent of the imported art. The vital view to be accepted here is that, although European imports of brass and bronze supplemented Nigerian artistic output, much  Nigerian works in these alloys predated the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century44.

Studies have shown that naturalistic figures had been found in the Chad region in the So burial sites before the 15th century. Also, early peoples not known to have worked in bronze and brass had produced similar figures in other media. The ancient Nok people for instance, produced replicas of human heads and animals of high artistic merit and value as well as stylized motifs in wood, clay, gold, and ivory45.

Trade and transport system were equally germane to the growth and development of pre-colonial Nigerian economy. The Nigerian peoples had organized both regional and inter-regional trade based on regional specialization of production which implies the practice of the principle of comparative cost advantage. They developed local transportation system of the use of land (head portage) and water ways (canoes) and some forms of media of exchange, such as barter, Manilla, brass, iron, copper and cowry shells46. The various states, empires or kingdoms in pre-colonial Nigeria developed to prominence as a result of organized trade and relatively good means of transportation. Organization of market during this period was largely influenced by the bountiful agricultural and non-agricultural production of the peoples. As a result of variety of supply of commodities to market places, there was departmentalization of goods, orderliness and periodic market system in Nigerian states such as pre-colonial Yoruba society47. However, poor transportation system hindered mobility, production and distribution of goods and services to some extent.

It could be argued that since production was beyond family consumption and there was exchange of inter-regional level based on territorial specialization, the pre-colonial Nigerian economy was therefore beyond subsistence level. It has equally been argued that the organization of the trans-Saharan and trans-Atlantic trade in which Nigeria was an active participant was international in outlook48.

It has been opined by some western economists that factors of production were not well-co-ordinated and that there was no division of labour or specialization in pre-colonial Nigerian economy. This appears spurious and misleading. In the African traditional society, males and females are intrinsically assigned to different special socio-economic duties in which each sex would excel (sexual division of labour). Specialization was admittedly applicable to many aspects of Nigerian economic activities. For instance, the coastal dwellers who specialized in fishing took net mending as an area of specialization, while some people specialized in deep sea fishing (Oko-Ota or Ade-Odo), others were skillful in inland or fresh water fishing (eremi). In both areas of fishing activities, there were still many departments of special skills49. There is a saying among the Yoruba fishing people of the Niger Delta, “Oghomayi emayi” (specialization and skill vary from one person to another). This shows the extent to which specialization and skill acquisition was acknowledged in some pre-colonial Nigerian societies.

Labour was very crucial in the production process and free labour was more economical hence, pre-colonial Nigerians recruited labour through their wives, children, slaves and relatives. In some cases, supply of labour was through communal assistance. One tenable reason for marriage of many wives among Nigerian men was to secure adequate, cheap and steady supply of labour. Adam Smith, in his Wealth of Nations affirms “a numerous family of children, instead of being a burden was a source of opulence and prosperity to the parents”50. This strongly reinforces the economic philosophy of African practice of polygany.

Land tenure system was practised to suit socio-economic requirements of the period. Admittedly, land was plentiful in relation to the Nigerian population51. Capital was raised through personal savings, borrowing from friends, relatives, co-operatives (egbe or esusu) or from family or community coffer.

A vital factor in the structure of pre-colonial Nigerian economy was entrepreneurship. This is an important factor of production in any economy at any time. It would be gainful to look into what an entrepreneur is in order to ascertain if pre-colonial Nigerians actually merited the quality. Some think of entrepreneurship primarily as innovators, others think of them chiefly as managers of enterprises, others again place major emphasis on their function as mobilizers and allocators of capital52. Hosetitz further argued that an entrepreneur is a business leader, who guides the action of a private productive enterprise and who makes the crucial decisions on the use of productive factors on their remuneration on the nature and style of commodities or services to be produced, and on the timing and other aspects of the production and marketing process53.

In the pre-colonial Nigeria , as in other parts of the world, other factors of production such as capital, land and labour were effectively organized and utilized for production. It therefore follows that all factors of production which existed would not be useful without entrepreneurs. The pre-colonial Nigerian entrepreneurs were rulers, chiefs, potentates, war chiefs, and other influential men and women who had enough wealth and power to mobilize other factors of production54. For instance, the Kano potentates organized the production of leather works, the Ijebu chiefs organized production of textiles, the Ilaje chiefs organized fish production, Ikale chiefs also organized production of farm crops. Madam Tinubu of Egbaland and Efunsetan of Ibadan also were among the notable women that organized slaves in their farms55. Distributions of goods were also made by Nigerian entrepreneurs by organizing long and short distance market bilaterally and multi-laterally within and outside their regions.

While it can be argued that most of the economic institutions and principles found in the industrial societies have their equivalence in non-industrial or simple societies such as pre-colonial Nigeria , it is still essential to note that, the factors of production and other elements in the structure of pre-colonial Nigerian economy such as agriculture and crafts had their peculiarities. Therefore, in order to make the work of economic historian and economist more meaningful to their audience, careful selection and application of relevant economic terms and principles are imperative.

 

Conclusion

Given the general features and myriads of sub-sectoral components of pre-colonial Nigerian economy, it is convincing that the economy was progressive in growth and responsive to innovation before colonization by Britain in the late 19th century. The study has shown that, pre-colonial Nigerian economy was a traditional African economic system in which production depended largely on families, communal efforts and professional groups or guilds. It should be noted that this traditional economic system, which can be referred to as “communalism” was intrinsically practised similarly in different autonomous regions of the geographical expression later known as Nigeria .

As a scientific analysis which relates to value-free nature of enquiry, the positivist stand-point reinforces the claim that, pre-colonial Nigerian economy was dynamic and market-oriented. It is the position of this economic philosophy that, the fundamental economic problem in any society, irrespective of place and point in history, is to provide a set of rules for channeling competition and resolving conflict among individuals who cannot satisfy all their wants given the constraints of scarcity. It has been argued by Roger Leroy for instance, that the aim of production throughout ages in the world remains the same and that human behaviours towards economic issues are universally similar56.

All these fundamental economic rules are said to be embedded in a framework of formal societal institutions such as laws and customs. The specific function of every economic system in any society would be, to take care of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services in order to create utility57. Pre-colonial Nigerian economy would not therefore, be an exception to these universal rules and principles. This study has in the light of these features demonstrated that pre-colonial Nigerian economy was dynamic, progressive and market-oriented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1.                A detailed discussion and critique of the substantivist and formalist views could be found in zeleza J. A, Modern Economic History of Africa Vol. 1 ( Senegal : CODESTRIA) 1993 Pp 15 –16.

2.                See A. G Hopkins , An Economic History of West Africa: London : Longman, 5 –9.

3.                Roger Leroy Miller, Economics Today, New York : Harper Collins College Publishers, 1996, 122.

4.                Roger Leroy, Economics Today, P. 122.

5.                David C. Colander, Economics: Irwin Burr Ridge Sillinois Boston , Massachusetts Sydney , Australia 1994, 60 – 62.

6.                G. T Stride, C. Ifeka, Peoples and Empires of West Africa, ( Hong Kong : Thomas Nelson, 1971, 158.

7.                S. W Wooldridge and W. G East, The Spirit and Purpose of Geography: London, Hutchinson & Co Publishers, 1951, 23 –24.

8.                See Ogunremi G. O “The Structure of Pre-colonial Economy” P 16.

9.                Ogunremi, “The Structure of Pre-colonial Economy”     P 16.

10.           G. P Murdock, Africa, Its Peoples and Their Culture History: London , 1959, P 64.

11.           G. O. Ogunremi, P 15.

12.           G. O. Ogunremi, P 15.

13.           Ehinmore, O.M “Fishing in South-Western Nigeria in the 19th Century: A Study of the Ilaje Fishing Economy” AAU African Studies Review, Lagos , First Academic Publishers, Vol. 1, No 1, 2002, 56.

14.           See G. T Stride, C. Ifeka, People and Empires of West Africa , Hong Kong: Thomas Nelson, 1971, P 159.

15.           Ayodeji Olukoju: “Fishing, Migrations and Inter-group Relations in the Gulf of Guinea ( Atlantic Coast of West Africa ) in the 19th and 20th Centuries” Itinerario, Vol. XXV, European Journal of Overseas History P 70.

16.           Ayodeji Olukoju, P 70.

17.           Interviews held with Kalejaye Eniola, fisherman, about 85yrs, at Odonla, 20/5/2006 .

18.           Ehinmore, Omorele M. “A History of Fishing in Ondo State , 1950 – 1997: A Case Study of the Ilaje Coastal Area” (M. A Thesis, University of Lagos , 1998), 19-24.

19.           See G. O. Ogunremi, “The Structure of Pre-colonial Economy” 20.

20.           Interview held with Ariyo Odegbemi, hunter, 92yrs, at Erinje, 10/5/2006 .

21.           Ariyo Odegbemi gave detailed value of various kinds of animals and their special parts in preparation of traditional medicine before and even after the introduction of orthodox medicine.

22.           Interview held with Ariyo Odegbemi.

23.           G. O. Ogunremi, P 21.

24.           Bassey W Andah, Nigerians Indigenous Technology, (Ibadan, Ibadan University Press, 1992), Pp 1-4.

25.            See G. T Stride, C. Ifeka, P 159.

26.           Interview held with Edema Mejebi, at Warri, 16/6/2006 , 94yrs, an old trader and fisherman. This fact was reinforced by Ehinmore Ajao, a palace historian and an old musician, 10/6/2006 , about 82yrs interviewed at Mahin.

27.           A. E Afigbo, “Economic Foundations of Pre-colonial Igbo Society” in I. A Akinjogbin and S. O Osoba (eds), Topics on Nigerian Economic and Social History (Ile-Ife: University of Ife Press, 1980), P 15.

28.           G. T. Stride, C. Ifeka, P 159.

29.           See Interview held with Ariyo Odegbemi, 10/5/2006 .

30.           Dennis Williams: “An Outline History of Tropical African Art” in Joseph C. A Nene and Godfrey Brown (eds), Africa in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, (Ibadan: University Press, 1966), Pp 60-65.

31.           Nene and Godfrey Brown, P 60.

32.           Thurston Shaw, “The Pre-history of West Africa” in J. E Ade Ajayi and Michael Crowder (eds), History of West Africa, (London: Longman 1971), P 69.

33.           See Dennis Williams, “An outline History of Tropical African Art”, in African in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, P. 65.

34.           G. O. Ogunremi, P. 22.

35.           G. T Stride, and C. Ifeka, P. 161.

36.           G. T. Stride, and C. Ifeka P. 101.

37.           Richard and Jon Lander, Journal of the expedition to Explore the course and Termination of the Niger , ( London : 1932), 197.

38.           G. T Stride, and C. Ifeka, P. 159.

39.           N. A.I, Ilaje Intelligence Report, Ondo Province , by R. J. M. Curwen, file No O. D 119, 1937, P 35.

40.           Interview held with Fibilia Majofodun, at Ereke, 12/6/206, about 80yrs, a fish trader and mat weaver.

41.           Dennis Williams, P 70.

42.           See Bassey, W. Andah for detailed explanation of Nigerian Building Technology, Pp 55-70.

43.           G. T Stride, and C. Ifeka, P 160.

44.           Stride and Ifeka, P 160.

45.           Stride and Ifeka, P 160.

46.           Toyin Falola, “Trade and Market in Pre-colonial Economy” in G. O Ogunremi and E. K Faluyi (eds), An Economic History of West Africa Since 1750, Pp 61-71.

47.           I. A. Akinjogbin, “The Economic Foundations of the Oyo Empire” in I. A Akinjogbin and S. O Osoba (eds),        Topics on Nigerian Economic and Social History, Ife : University of Ife Press , 1980, Pp 35-42.

48.           E. E Evans-Pritchard, The Nuer: A Description of the Modes of Livelihood and Political Institutions of Nilotic People, Oxford , 1940, P 77.

49.           See detailed discussion of different areas of specialization in fishing in O. M. Ehinmore, “Fishing in Southwestern Nigeria in the 19th century: A study of the Ilaje Fishing Economy” Pp 58-62.

50.           Adam Smith, An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations: London , 1901, Book 1, P. 29, cited in G. O Ogunremi and E. K Faluyi, An Economic History of West Africa Since 1750, P 34.

51.           G. O. Ogunremi, “Traditional Factors of Production in Pre-colonial Economy in G. O Ogunremi and E. K Faluyi (eds), An Economic History of West Africa Since 1750, P 33.

52.           Bert F. Hoselitz, “The Development of African Entrepreneurs” in E. F Jackson (ed), Economic Development of Africa, Oxford, 1965, P 86. Cited in An Economic History of West Africa since 1750.

53.           Hoselitz: “The Development of African Entrepreneurs” P. 87.

54.           G. O Ogunremi, “Traditional Factors of Production”      P. 39.

55.           G. O. Ogunremi, P. 40.

56.           Roger Leroy Miller, Economics Today, P. 122.

57.           Roger Leroy Miller, P. 122. 

O.M EHINMORE

Perfect Choice Of The Destination For Stand Up Paddle Boarding

April 13th, 2010

There is an increasing demand for stand up paddle boarding. This latest craze, which is commonly referred to as SUP, stands for Stand Up Paddle and is a cross between surfing and kayaking.  This new craze is a great way to experience the enjoyment of the surrounding nature. One of the most popular places for stand up paddle boarding is Juniper Island in Florida. Juniper Island is a good area to experience this new form of sport as the weather during the summer months is usually full of sunshine and gentle breezes, which makes it ideal conditions. The sport of stand up paddling is certainly taking off within this area.

Despite the economy being a bit tough at the moment, the increasing numbers of people that are experiencing stand up paddling are flocking down to the surf shop in order to get the appropriate equipment. There are a lot of surf shops that are reporting selling a record number of boards and some have even said that their sales have more than doubled. Surveys have shown that most of the people that are taken up with the sport are teenagers and young men.

There are a lot of people that are setting themselves up in order to teach other people the art of stand up paddling. One of the reasons that this craze has taken off so quickly could be because it is very easy to get used to and therefore almost everyone can learn how to do and also be able to successfully master this new sport. There is also a vast demand for this new sport in Hawaii. However, it is not really that new over there as they have been enjoying this type of sport now for about thirteen years.  There are a lot of instructors in Hawaii that teach people the art of stand up paddling, and the weather in this part of the world makes the conditions ideal.  

The art of stand up paddling is actually relatively simple and this sport does not actually require a lot of equipment. All you really need for this sport is a large ten foot surfing board and a paddle. That is actually pretty much it! The equipment ranges in price between one thousand American dollars and one thousand five hundred American dollars. If you are going to try the sport for the first time it is possible to hire the equipment. It costs between forty and sixty American dollars.Stand up paddling is not really a very expensive sport when you compare it to things such as water skiing, and this is a nice way to get out and enjoy the water in a rather economical way.  

Already there are some people that are avid paddle boarders. A lot of these people enjoy it so much because they are able to get out into the natural elements and it is a good way of keeping fit without actually realizing it. It is true to say that stand up paddle boarding is a very enjoyable sport.

Maria Roberto

Stand Up Paddle Board Fishing

April 11th, 2010

Paddling along the shallows you can see the shadow of the board gliding across the sandy lake bottom. It’s not uncommon to see a fish cruising along close to you… so why not seize the moment and cast a line out.

I’ve found that the stand up paddle board can be an excellent fishing platform. Where I live, we have hundreds of inland lakes around that are great for exploring and fishing. Some of the great fishing spots aren’t even accessible from a boat, but with a paddleboard you can scoot right up on a fishing hole without even being noticed. With the high vantage point of stand up paddle boards, you can see the fish about as far away as you can cast. It’s nearly a perfect situation.

Here is my typical paddleboard fishing excursion. For this example let’s assume we’re fishing for Bass. First I’d scope out the satellite layout of the lake on Google Maps. You’d be surprised how many times features of the lake will go un-noticed. Look for dark spots that resemble “holes”, or spots that look like steep drop offs around the edge of the lake. You’ll also want to take into consideration the time of day that you’re planning on fishing. Early morning and late evening are the best times to catch the fish.

When getting ready to go out on the lake, grab a backpack that has an external side pocket for drinks -most do have these. Test fit your fishing pole in this little pouch… You might need to make some small modifications to get it to stay in while paddling. Then put your lures, tackle, and anything else you plan to fish with in the bag.

When you get to the lake, scope out the wind direction. The wind tends to blow the warm top water to one side of the lake… in my experiences; the fish tend to stay in the cooler water. So paddle out to a spot that looks like it might have some fish. Weed beds or underwater debris can be a good place to start.

Reach behind your head and grab the fishing pole. Get yourself steady, and cast. You may have to repeat that process a few times, but with a little skill and a lot of luck, you’ll hook a fish.

This is the fun part… the fish will start pulling back. Sometimes, if you’ve got a decent fish on the end of the line, he’ll actually pull you around a little bit. -Really fun.

Good luck… and keep paddling!

Jonathan Gafill

10 Things to Do and 10 Places to Go to for Healthy Living in Los Angeles – Long Beach, Ca

April 9th, 2010

Los Angeles is located on the Pacific coast of Southern California and is regarded as the second most populous city in the US. Stretching eastwards at around 160 km, you could locate 100 independent cities which include Long Beach. While taking time out to enjoy the view, you may also look forward to healthy outdoor options.

1. Bayshore Roller Hockey Rink. This facility was made to give way for one of the sports gaining recognition these days which is roller hockey. You can find this rink between the ocean and Alamitos Bay. You will definitely get those hockey shoes on and enjoy the meaning of the game.

2. Long Beach Sportfishing. Fishing is an activity most people do for fun. Sportfishing is done in the same way but with the sports word attached to it. This simply means that you are bound to have a healthy manner of conducting it. As you are exploring the harbors of Los Angeles and Long Beach, you will have a taste of what it means to do salt-water fishing. Bring along your tennis shoes with you for you to have a safe catch.

3. Kayaks on the Water. This is a place which is open to both single and team kayakers. This is a convenient place to have the sports as there is little traffic along the waters. From the starting point, you may gear your trip to Starbucks, Naples island canals or even the wildlife park.

4. Peter Archer Rowing Center. Just like the Bayshore Roller Hockey Rink, this one is found along the Alamitos Bay. They conduct summer camps for both junior high and high school students. They offer instructions on the basics of rowing and the rest of the things you must know about the activity.

5. Skylinks Golf Course. Patterned after the custom eighteen-hole design of a golf course, the Skylinks Golf Course could be your partner in enjoying the outstanding greens as well as the refreshing fairways. This is a spot where you could practice the fundamentals of golf as well as enhance your existing skills.

6. Sunland Skate Park. This skating option could be found at the Sunland Recreation Center. The management will offer you all the things you need to protect yourself from playing like helmets and elbow and knee pads.

7. Temescal Gateway Park. If you want to work your feet out, the Temescal Gateway Park is one of the worthwhile places to spend your time. With their offerings of several miles for hiking, you will be led to the beauty of nature. There are surprisingly amazing views all around from canyons and creeks to waterfalls and a panoramic view of the entire city as well as the Pacific Ocean.

8. Angeles National Forest. This is an ideal spot for travelers as well as from people living within the area. They offer a variety of recreational activities. Picnic may be one of the best things you would enjoy from the place but you could extend your pleasure to swimming and fishing. Mountain bikers and equestrians may also enjoy this attraction.

9. Spokes ‘N Stuff Bike Rental. Whether you are a traveler who wants to take pleasure of the sceneries around Los Angeles-Long Beach or a local wanting to work out, renting bikes is possible in the area. This place will surely cater to your biking needs which will make you enjoy the action for a fee of $8 to $20 for the whole day.

10. Griffith Park Horse Rental. If you are craving to do an extraordinary activity that will make you see the wonders of the environment, you may have a horseback riding experience through this place. Your kids under 6 years old may have ponies for themselves as well. Just ask for assistance as this is a very delicate activity.

John C. Arkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/10-things-to-do-and-10-places-to-go-to-for-healthy-living-in-los-angeles-long-beach-ca-692147.html

Manly Beach Accommodation : Lodging and Dining Facilities for All Budgets and Likings

April 3rd, 2010

The glamour and glory of Manly beach accommodation is no mystery from time immemorial. It not only offers sunshine coast accommodation for all budgets, you cannot find a better romantic hide out with Beachfront accommodation including beach bungalow!

Whether it is a serene time or just a fun-filled excursion to heavenly landscapes – you can count on Manly’s budget accommodation for satisfying all your ideal tourism needs. Manly provides you with an ideal setting for a great trip with great food and the best sun. There is something for every palette!

Manly beach is a popular beach destination for tourists who visit Australia. The beach is well placed, as it is just minutes away from Sydney. The ferries known as the jetcat ply at regular intervals. This is one of the more easy going beaches in Sydney. The place is always bustling with people of all ages.

Manly beach being situated on a narrow peninsula, is surrounded by the sea on all sides and, offers both harbour and ocean beaches. Even better is when you are at one of the beachfront accommodation here. It is suited for a holiday with feel at home experience. With a huge tropical landscaped backyard, you are in for a treat if you stay at a beach bungalow in particular.

The beach bungalow is located just two blocks from the coast. It provides all the facilities at your beck and call. It’s a unique Manly beach accommodation converted into a number of self contained rooms. However, one has to share two bathrooms amongst eight rooms here. You will find everything you need to start your kitchen here, be it kitchenettes or utensils for all the cooking needs.

The beachfront accommodation has TV’s and microwaves in every room. You will also find already installed wireless internet service in most hotels for your ease. So if you have your notebook, it’s ready to be online. Else they also provide you with notebooks on hire. With a staff at your service at all times you will never face any problem here.

Manly is a nice place to shop and have some fun at the many entertainment spots located here. One has a range of activities to do at Manly. You can do Kayaking or go on a bike tour. Kayaks are available for hire at the beach itself. There are instructors to give you training before you get started. This is a wonderful way to explore the many areas of interest at Manly.

Smit Mathur
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/manly-beach-accommodation-lodging-and-dining-facilities-for-all-budgets-and-likings-705683.html

A Peek Inside Tulum

April 1st, 2010

Tulum means wall in Mayan. It has easily-accessible, gorgeous beaches, so one can have a refreshing swim after exploring the site… Tulum Mexico is the combination of a beach coastline, archeological zone, and town. You could say that there are three distinct zones making up what people commonly refer to as Tulum. The “Tulum Archeological Zone” is the first distinct zone. The ruins are small and manageable. Downtown tulum with a great offer in reasonably priced hotels but with high quality standards and more services than the Tulum hotel zone hotels.

Tulum offers some of the best reef diving and snorkeling in the Mayan Riviera, together with exciting and cave diving. The world’s second longest coral reef protects the bay and offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, swimming and exploring in our two sea kayaks. Certainly one will not be disappointed with their scuba diving experience in Tulum. Scuba diving is a great way to experience the underwater kingdom. It is believed that once you learn all about scuba diving, it will become a lifelong obsession.

The Mayan ruins of Tulum, only an hour from Playa del Carmen, undoubtedly has one of the most breathtaking settings of any city past or present. Tulum is one of the most visited of all Mayan ruins, and it’s also the only major Mayan ruin to be found along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline on the “Riviera Maya”. Today Tulum is one of the most visited of all. When visitors arrive at Tulum’s ancient pre-hispanic site they are able to see the buildings that in its time were the city’s main center ceremonial and political , monumentally encircled by the Mayan world’s best known wall. Around this wall, in an area that at the present time can’t be visited, there were a vast number of wooden and palm houses. El Castillo The Castle sits on a high point of the site, facing the ocean. His image appears all over the site, but his true name and meaning are not known. It’s quite tame in comparison to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, but it does have one overwhelming attraction: its location next to the sea. Templo del Dios Descendente - Temple of the Descending God depicts a diving figure, looks like a bee and is the same figure you can see depicted at other Mayan sites, including Cob. Tulum is without doubt the most exquisite ancient site in the Maya world and considered to be one of the most beautiful Mayan archaeological sites, Tulum is by no means the largest, but its location serves as a striking backdrop to its history. The only Mayan archaeological site to be in use at the time of the Spanish conquest, Tulum is the most important archeological site on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. It is one of the most visited of all Mayan ruins, and it’s also the only major Mayan ruin to be found along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline on the “Riviera Maya.”

If you want the comforts of home while enjoying your Tulum vacation, a beach house is perfect for you, your family or friends .There are beach houses that have ceiling fans throughout the house to keep things cool. Also they are equipped with energy It has one king size bed, a dresser, built in closets, and bedside tables and lamps, and a private bathroom to the rear of the bedroom. Some are tucked among the palms right on Tulum’s unspoiled beach just a mile north of the remarkable, heritage protected Sian Kaan biosphere. If you are looking to trade the go-go-go of city life for a quiet beach vacation, Tulum is the ideal place for you and your family to unwind and get back in touch with each other, and with nature. You have nonstop frivolous opportunities including the Mayan ruins, eco parks, wildlife, fresh water snorkeling, golf, horseback riding and a must visit to the lively town of Playa Del Carmen for people watching and shopping. . Within a few minutes drive is the Mexican village of Tulum and the small beach community of Akumal with all its restaurants, dive shops, information, shopping and markets.

EllaV
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-peek-inside-tulum-715220.html

10 Things to Do and 10 Health Places to Go to in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 30th, 2010

Philadelphia is regarded as the largest city in Pennsylvania and ranks fifth in the entire United States. It is situated in the southeastern portion of the state and on the west of the Delaware River. Traveling around town is always convenient. You may also get yourself active in sports and recreation centers found outdoors.

1. Fairmount Park. This is a roller-blading and biking spot all rolled into one. Biking will make your muscles relaxed while taking a view of the East and West River Drives including that of the Belmont Avenue. You may take a tour around town with your roller blades as well.

2. Schuylkill Banks. Boating is never the same along Schuylkill. They actually rent out kayaks for travelers and locals alike. If you want to train yourself with the sport, make sure you have a trainer at first but if you bet you are good enough, explore the waters while sailing.

3. Bucks County River Country. Situated 7 miles from the New Hope exit, this place is ideal for pleasures other than those you find while boating. Canoeing, rafting and even inner tubing from this site will lead you to the Delaware River. That is far enough for you to conduct such a healthy activity.

4. Pennypack Creek. If fishing is something that gives you satisfaction, Philadelphia gives you this alternative. This outdoor activity will provide you something to eat while looking forward to a more vigorous standard of living.

5. Walnut Lane. This 10-par 3-hole golf alternative is something associated with a driving range. You could have short games and enhance your skills through Walnut Lane. Make the best out of the moment as you start getting a means on how you could be physically fit.

6. Wissahickon Creek. Hiking from Fairmount Park could lead you to the pleasant view of this creek. Found to be several dozens of miles apart from each other, you will never get to miss the fun in Philadelphia. Better bring your friends along so you could not track time and make the most out of this healthful suggestion.

7. Blue Cross RiverRink. Situated at the Festival Pier, this skating rink will make you take pleasure in the said sport. You may not be a professional skater but your willingness to adapt to the activity will make you earn the benefits for a fit way of life.

8. Falls Bridge. This is actually the end of an 8.25-mile loop from Fairmount Park. The trails from this park could lead you to the Museum of Art up to the Schuylkill Bank’s eastern portion down to the Falls Bridge. A tour is rewarding while taking this non-traffic way.

9. Cobbs Creek. This creek is considered as one of the best selections to enjoy more of swimming. You will never run out of other places to swim into but a day spent at Cobbs is rewarding to your entire body as well. From time to time, you may relax as you take a look at the sceneries.

10. Robert P. Levy Tennis Pavilion. Amateur and professional tennis players could rent a court at this tennis pavilion. You may share the court’s fees with your friends who want to play the same sport.

John C. Arkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/10-things-to-do-and-10-health-places-to-go-to-in-philadelphia-pennsylvania-692151.html