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•(Continued from last week)
By Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor
It is no more news as it’s already highlighted prominently in the previous discourse that nothing whatsoever/nobody including the commander-in-chief, the Hausa-fulani, the Yoruba, the British, any other group of mortals, ism or interest could be said to be the true enemy or problem of the Igbo. Our real problem is under our nose and within our resolve! In sober fact, the true reason for the perennial and unprecedented restlessness of the Igbo realm is simply serving as a supernatural signal or notice for the destined call to duty over the Land of Ham/Africa. You can definitely observe to your chagrin that among the numerous ethnic groups in this entity (Nigeria), Igbos have particularly been on their toes prior to the independence till date. Deep calls unto the deep even as nothing goes for nothing. And until the hen with egg in its anus drops it, there is definitely no rest! As it is today, the Igbo cannot help the noise, the press, the shaking, the bickering until the destined assignment is eventually squared up!
For everything that has along the line gone sour or awry, the Igbo should therefore muster courage to take responsibility forthwith. That is the only correct attitude and approach to performing the enormous duty placed on our lap by destiny. The irony of fate is that the people that seem to contend with us are helplessly looking up to us at the same time as their “messiahs” in the true sense of the settings otherwise they have literally little or nothing to bring to the table, hence they are apparently at home with the prevailing awful political, economic and security situation. They are never alarmed, perturbed, worried and therefore under little or no pressure unlike me and you! Their body language never denied the fact that they have developed thick skin and are helplessly used to the nauseating developments. Even as their overall mien and attitude betray uncommon solace in the face of want and abject poverty, one may be tempted to believe that they have gullibly accepted their fate in good faith since they have no clue of what else to do about what-have-you. One can only give what he has! In the midst of the unprecedented volatile situation are empirical proofs and evidences that an average Igboman has something always up his sleeves no wonder the prevailing petty jealousy. Yet, this is just the shadow of the real stuff we are truly made of!
We must willingly be on our way to going back to the drawing board and tidy up certain issues, put our house in order and we are good to go! Henceforth a spade must be called a spade no matter whose ox is gored as we must stop playing hide and seek game with the destined assignment given to us by a jealous God. While other folks in other climes could have their way anyhow, it is not so in our case just like the proverbial rat that went out with lizard in the rain. To us the rat the outcome is a disaster!
Our peculiar relationship with the Almighty (Chukwu Abraham or Abiama ) God as a people is nothing to write home about as we continue to habour “Achans” ( Joshua 7:1-26 ) in our midst. It is an abominable eyesore and defilement to the highest degree to condone idolatry coupled with mammonism (ego obara ) in the ( Camp of God’s heritage ) Igbo communities and society at large. Can we for the first time as a people with a peculiar destiny retreat to deliberately and consciously reconnect to our covenant God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in truth and spirit? This must be done to absolutely rekindle the dimmed light of our Progenitor Jacob, recover our genealogical/ancestral covenant, reconcile ourselves with the original intent and purpose of our God, and thereby restore our glorious heritage as a covenant and destined people. When we succeed in obtaining/recovering the lost wholesome communion/relationship and acceptance of God as a people, He will certainly make our detractors/enemies to be at peace with us. That is simply all we are invariably in dire need of right now and every other thing, name them will duly fall in line!
The essence of going this far is to critically initiate the process to reinvent and reinstate us in that particular place and position of assignment or duty predestined from the beginning of time. It is a matter of rediscovering our form and finding our rhythm for there is no competition in destiny! As soon as water find its level even the blind will realise that our supposed detractors were only used as available instruments to whip us into line. They are in the true sense not answerable to whatever ridicule or humiliating treatment meted to us as a people. An unseen Hand of a very jealous God has been purposely responsible for all of that!
Some key identification features of Igbo people
Outside spoken language/mother tongue, the checklist below could readily facilitate proper identification process in a bid to establish/clarify Igbo ancestry.
– Traditional male circumcision on the 8th day; Hallowed burial rites; Dowry/bride payment as part of marriage ordinances and ceremony; Raising offspring for a dead man by the next male sibling.
– Banishment for manslaughter (Oso ochu). Entertaining/accommodating strangers. – (Igba afa) Corruption of Urim and Thummim ( Deuteronomy 33:8 )
– Land regulations/administration with male inheritance ( ala obi )
– Tradition of wearing red cap (Part of ancient Jerusalem Temple service/worship outfit).
– Naming of towns and villages – Ivite, Ifite or Ihite: corruption of Ibrit in Hebrew meaning covenant; Ritual cleansing (ancient)
Some customary expressions
– Igbo kwenu! — YAH! ( ALLELU YAH!). Chukwu Abiama (Chukwu Abraham); Three times backhand handshaking ( ina aka ito ) – traditional hand shake in the names of: Eri, Arodi and Areli that make up the Igbo nation
Some common traits
Estimated population of the Igbo race at home and in the Diaspora is about 70 million souls
On the face of the planet: there is no major or thriving village, town or city where Igbos are not found; Survival instinct/grace remains a major mark of identity for an average Igbo person.
– Ability to accommodate and be accommodated is predicated on the average Igbo person’s universal attitude to life hence very social/interactive and peaceful.
– The air of pride buttressed by exuding of uncommon self confidence seem to place the Igbo on a vantage position over others.
– Being energetic and self assertive, the Igbo exhibit peculiar dynamism in every area of human endeavour betraying a domineering posture or mien; Quick to learn and to adapt to a new situation/environment; Very outspoken and usually knows what he wants; Prudent and at the same time very dexterous; Industrious with sound business sense and acumen; Brave and ability to grapple with challenges headlong; Very innovative and prospective.
Enthusiastic and forward thinking.
Politically republican; Anti-semitism.
Meanwhile, like every other Hebrew elsewhere, an average Igbo person naturally attracts a strong emotional attention either to be hated or to be loved. In the midst of never-do-wells your presence alone elicits passion of hatred just because you make such people psychologically uncomfortable as they feel intimidated by your mien, smart disposition, towering image and influence (the ominous root of the usual fear of your dominion ). On the contrary, you are celebrated and passionately appreciated by people who are forward thinking and properly disposed to positively take advantage of your endowment for excellence. This class of people are usually dynamic, upwardly mobile and highly successful as they key in to draw inspiration and results from your manifest potentiality for mutual/overall interest cum wellbeing.
So, it is never strange news that people of certain backgrounds around you are frantically overwhelmed by petty jealousy thereby exuding hate and more often than not unleashing their act of wickedness on you. In some instances Igbos are known to be innocently turned into objects of venting misplaced anger pointing to the known fact that there is truly inherent envy. In absolute certainty, that is exactly what it entails to be the real Igbo people we are!
IGBO KWENU!
•Evang. Dr Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor is of the Igbo Re-Invention Movement ( IRM ) True Recovery, Reconciliation and Restoration.
