Cultural Conceptualisations of COVID-19 among Peasants in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper analyses the cultural conceptualisations of COVID-19 among peasants in three ethnic groups in southern Nigeria and how the conceptualisations framed their responses to preventive protocols and vaccination measures. The qualitative study hinges on the Conceptual Metaphors strand of Cultural Linguistics, a framework which examines the relationship between language and culture. Data was collected from purposively selected peasants during focus group discussions and key informant interviews. It was then subjected to content and descriptive analyses. Findings revealed that the peasants conceptualised the disease as: the white man’s; of the Chinese; of the rich and educated; of city people; punishment from the gods; common flu; advanced malaria; and a new strain of tuberculosis. They also conceptualised it as political propaganda by a corrupt government aimed at looting public funds. Such conceptualisations downplayed the severity of the pandemic, thereby preventing people from adhering seriously to COVID-19 protocols, such as regular washing of hands, use of face masks, and social distancing. The peasants also conceptualised COVID-19 vaccines as poison, the virus itself, and a calculated attempt by the West to wipe away African countries from the global space. The erroneous conceptualisations, which were mainly borne out of ignorance, illiteracy, cultural belief systems, and conspiracy theories, informed the nonchalant attitude of such peasants towards vaccination against the disease. The nonchalant attitude has grave implications for public health and the total eradication of the disease in Nigeria, and, by implication, other parts of the world.