The Pyrates Confraternity, officially known as the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), is the first confraternity in Nigeria, founded in 1952 at the University of Ibadan by 7 students known as the “Magnificent 7”: Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Olumuyiwa Awe, Sylvanus Egbuche, Ikhehare Aig-Imokhuede, Pius Oleghe, and Nathaniel Oyelola. With a strong nautical identity, they call themselves Sailors – “sailing on board the high sea”, with their final destination being “Tortuga”. Pyrates’ motto is “The Fewer, The Merrier”
The Pyrates Confraternity has various symbols, slangs, and structure. Their greeting slang and chant for help/backup is “Ahoy Seadogs”, often abbreviated as ASD among members. Their official colour is red, and they operate with a coded philosophy represented by the number 347: (3-Watch Words), (4-Compass Points), and (7-Rudder Blades). Their annual celebration is known as FOB (Feast of Barracuda), also called Karamba (KB) by some. The group’s symbolic drink is “Rum,” typically Squadron, and they worship a deity known as the “Heavenly Capoon.”
Pyrates’ internal structure is maritime-themed and hierarchical. The number 1 man is called the Capoon (CP), the number 2 is called the First Mate (1M), and the number 3 is the Second Mate (2M). Other important roles include: Scribe (SC), Fingers Mate (FM), BukSailor (BS), High Priest (HP), and Red Scorpion (RS). Their schools/locations are called Decks—for example, University of Ibadan (Jolly Rogers 1 Deck), University of Benin (Benbow Deck), and so on. National and international decks are led by the NC, which means “NAS Capoon”, not “Naija Confra.”
Some common slangs used by Pyrates include: Ahoy, Jelude, Okombo, Crossbones, Toes, KP, BS, Atupa, Di£ it, Beaming, SBS, Cove, and more. We’ll pause here for now and continue later. Non-cultists, “why join a secret cult when you can get all the secrets from Naija Confra?”
