5:24 PM
This piece isn’t another briefing of how the Igbos came to be, or about their migration into the land that was destined to be theirs. This is about the uniqueness of a culture amidst the over five hundred languages that are spoken in this beautiful country of ours. This is about what singles you out amidst a crowd of diverse cultures in a room, what makes us worthy to be deemed as one of the three major tribes in Nigeria. An Igbo man in the East is in the region of his origin, and definitely identity around there is separated by communities and dialects. But an Igbo man who comes into a land of another tribe will agree that he finds a greater need to identify himself to his culture more than ever before. There is a need to remember where you came from when you’re surrounded by so many cultures and influences, to be able to beat your chest in the midst of it all and proudly say:
“A bu’m onye Igbo”
I spoke to a number of Igbo people before writing this, trying to figure out what it really means to be Igbo. To have those particular traits that stick with you even when you don’t have the accent or you’re not wearing your george or isi agu to church or even when everyone is used to calling you “Precious” and your mum only calls you “Agbonma” when she’s angry, and you don’t have the typical light skin Igbos are identified with to spot you out… To exist past the “face value” assessment and still possess those qualities that will still make people stop and ask,
“You be Igbo?”
To be Igbo means to be strong and resilient, daring and enterprising, hard working, and focused to the core; to be a risk taker. It means to be part of a business striving culture, to have a drive to be the best at whatever you focus your mind on; to be smarter than the average man, with a domineering nature.
To be Igbo means to be part of a rich culture whose ties are not bound by physical ropes, that makes you know that even though the Yorubas cook egusi it is quite different from your own egusi. And the fact that no matter how hungry you are you have to mold your garri for a split second before dunking it into your oha soup. Or the feeling of pride that runs through you when you and your ethnically diverse friends go out for drinks and you’re all eating nkwobi by the side. Food is definitely an element of culture.
When velvet came back in style, tell me you didn’t give your non-Igbo friend that triumphant look with the “akwa oche na him dey reign…” song ringing in your head. Dressing colorfully is very significant to the Igbos, in rich and bold fabrics.
Whether you’re throwing back a shot of schnapps just to keep your body warm during the harmattan, or buying ugu in the market to cook efo riro, you cannot deny that it’s all Igbo.
Igbo just like other cultures, have interchanged influences from time memorial’ facilitating unity and improving our ability to adapt effectively when living or relating amongst Igbo cultures. Just as we respect the Hausas for their unity and the importance they attach to trust, and their devotion to their religion, and the Yorubas for the way they love to enjoy life and their strong and enterprising nature, we value ourselves as Igbos because we are fearless and ambitious.
The Igbos love to have fun… erimeri. The new yam festival… it’s a very different one in the whole of Nigeria. The music of the Igbos in general is rich and vibrant, and they dance beautifully too; their ears connecting to rhythm regardless of distance. Even my little niece had her fingers wiggling to any form of music she heard even before she was a year old. I mean, look at Flavor. Enough said.
The Igbos love palmwine and kolanut… Oji Igbo. Traditionally, if you come to the house of an Igbo man and you’re not presented with kola it means you’re not welcome.
The Igbos love business so much. And everywhere they go they develop the place and making it the happening place with their businesses. Major market hubs like computer village, Onitsha, Tejuosho, Ojuelegba, Aba and so on were majorly developed by Igbo boys’ businesses. It is through business they express their creativity the most. They travel all over the world to do business. As a matter of fact, amongst Nigerian entrepreneurs, they’re the ones who do business the most in China.
The Igbos also love unconditionally, and take the concept of family very seriously.
The number one priority of an Igbo parent is family. An Igbo family man makes sure he gives his children the best of education, and for those who don’t want to go to school, he encourages them to learn a trade or a skill; and as a husband he makes sure his wife always stand tall among their peers. Likewise an Igbo woman prefers to quit her job to give her family the best and a proper upbringing to the children.
A true Igbo individual possesses a “never-die” attitude. He is industrious and self driven, and respects his customs and traditions. Out of the three major tribes, the Igbos are known to be the most widespread in all parts of the country. Igbos can be distinctively found in every part of the country, either supporting themselves in a community or hustling to make sure they achieve their aims. They’d always find a spot for themselves wherever they go, and that is why they earn respect anywhere they are.
You’re not Igbo because you happen to be born into an Igbo family. You’re Igbo because God gave you the privilege to be part of such a rich culture that gives you an edge over others in this rough world, because a true Igbo man knows how to hustle, and everyone knows that to survive in Nigeria, you have to embrace that hustle. Every culture has its strength and uniqueness, and it is essential to tap into them to unleash your full potential. Be proud of who you are.
What makes you proud to be Igbo? I have only said a tiny fraction of the countless reasons why the Igbos are distinct and special.
Even if you’re not traditional… even if you’ve never been to your village… don’t disregard the little you’re aware of when it comes to your culture.
Be proud to be Nigerian. Be proud to be Igbo.
Written By: Orien-tation via Tony E. Fancee
Phone: 08022519413
Twitter: (@VoiceOfFancee)
BBM: 332F530B
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C'mooon, don't just leave. U gotta say something ;)