Umunko unveiled: How the village proves digital detox is overrated

DDM News

Spending an entire week without network in the village was a life-changing experience that defied the modern obsession with constant connectivity.

It felt like stepping into an alternate reality where life was simpler, richer, and infinitely more meaningful—a stark contrast to the endless scrolling and artificial interactions of the digital age.

The village greeted me with its tranquil charm, a landscape untouched by the rush of technology.

The days began with the sunrise, not an alarm, and ended with the calming sounds of crickets and distant drums.

Without the constant pings of notifications, I discovered an inner peace that modern life often obscures.

The week coincided with Christmas and New Year celebrations, adding a festive energy to the experience.

Cooking traditional delicacies like pounded yam, achicha, ayaraya and ofe-aku soup became a communal activity, filled with laughter and stories.

The meals were a labor of love, seasoned not just with spices but with shared memories and family unity.

What stood out about the village, especially a place like Umunko, was the abundance of natural resources that made life so unique and special.

From the rich, fertile land to the bountiful forests, the blessings of nature were evident everywhere.

Diaspora digital media DDM gathered that Umunko is famed for producing the best palm wine in Africa—a sweet, refreshing drink tapped fresh from the palm trees, unmatched in taste and quality.

Gathering under a tree with a calabash of palm wine in hand was a daily ritual that fostered bonding and gratitude for the land’s generosity.

Evenings were a revelation.

With no screens to distract us, we gathered under star-filled skies, narrating ancestral stories and cracking jokes.

The air was alive with laughter, and every shared moment felt profound.

It was here that I realized the power of human connection—raw, unfiltered, and deeply fulfilling.

Yet, this simplicity didn’t come without challenges.

There were moments of withdrawal—reaching for my phone out of habit, only to remember there was no signal.

But those fleeting frustrations gave way to a deeper understanding: the world doesn’t collapse when you disconnect; instead, it expands in ways you never imagined.

This experience wasn’t just a digital detox; it was a rejection of the notion that technology is essential for fulfillment.

True joy lies in the ordinary: the laughter of children, the smell of freshly tilled soil, the warmth of shared meals, and the stories that bind us.

Leaving the village, I felt a mix of gratitude and sadness.

I had uncovered a truth the modern world often denies—happiness doesn’t need Wi-Fi.

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