Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture - Culture - Nairaland
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Culture / Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture (4711 Views)
Obijackson Foundation Rejuvenates Igbo Culture With Face Of Okija / IGBO AMAKA! This 5 Photos Will Make You Fall In Love With Igbo Culture. (PHOTOS) / Western Blacks with Igbo Names (2) (3) (4)
| Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 11:59am On Jul 27, 2015 |
My main reasoning for starting this thread is to demonstrate that two completely separate cultures can have have striking similarities which could be cause by a variety of reasons. We could use these similarities and start wacky theories like the popular one we have for Igbo, but Christian stories isn't set in Japan so that probably won't happen. 3 Likes |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 12:08pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
true |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by kishimi8(m): 12:11pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
Watching how this your theory will unfold, keenly |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 12:11pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
Let's start with spirituality, the pantheon of gods in Japanese Shinto is quite similar to the Igbo gods, in fact you can find counterpart deities with similar powers and even back stories, and even Igbo sounding names. The first and obvious one is Aji-Suki-Taka-Hi-Kone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajisukitakahikone "The Japanese god of thunder, one of several. He was born noisy, and when grew up he became even more noisier. To quiet him, the gods carried him up and down a ladder (this explains the approaching and receding sound of thunder)." And he's related to the goddess of the sun Amaterasu http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/aji-suki-taka-hi-kone.html does that sound familiar? Amadioha "Amadioha ("free will of the people"  is a God of thunder and lightning. He is known as a god of justice who speaks through thunder and strikes with lightning. He is often associated with Anyanwu, the Igbo goddess of the Sun. Oaths are often sworn to him, which can carry deadly penalties when broken."Amaterasu "Amaterasu (天照?), Amaterasu-ōmikami (天照大神／天照大御神?) or Ōhirume-no-muchi-no-kami (大日孁貴神?) is a part of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion. She is seen as the goddess of the sun, but also of the universe. The name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning "shining in heaven." The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasu-ōmikami, is "the great august kami (god) who shines in the heaven".[N 1] According to mythological stories by the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the Emperors of Japan are considered to be the direct descendants of Amaterasu." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu does that sound familiar? Anyanwu "Anyanwu (Igbo: Eye of the Sun) is an Igbo goddess that is believed to dwell in the sun. Anyanwu was one of the principal spirits for the Igbo, often associated with Agbara, the holy spirit as they both dwelled in the sun. This deity was seen as the perfect image of what a human should be. Anyanwu is a surname given to people the Ibo, Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anyanwu "Amongst Ndi Igbo, the Sun was referred to as Anyanwu (An-yan-wew). This is a combination of two different words. The first word, anya means eye. The second word, anwu, means light. Together, the phrase reads as “eye of light.”" http://igbocybershrine.com/2011/08/17/anyanwu-the-eye-of-light/ |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 12:16pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
This is highly uncalled for. I wonder what worth this news will add to the igbos. 1 Like |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 12:22pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
AME-NO-MINAKA-NUSHI-NO-KAMI "The highest deity of the shinto pantheon and the first to emerge in Takama-No-Hara (the plain of high heaven) when heaven and earth were fashioned. He was born alone, reside in the ninth heaven and has always hidden himself from mortal eyes. A remote and vague figure of whom no images are ever made and toward whom no cult is directed. His name only appears once in the Kojiki and never in the Nihongi. Originally his identity may have been strongly influenced by Chinese religion. His name is linked closely with those of two other lesser primordial beings, TAKA-MI-MISUBI-NO-KAMI and KAMI-MISUBI-NO-KAMI." https://books.google.com/books?id=aqDC5bwx4_wC&pg=PA14 does that sound familiar? The High God: Chineke “Chineke molded the world; then Eke divided the world. Eke came out of the hands of Chi, so they became the same. They are the same mother. It is like the creation of the world: the world is one. That is the way Eke came out of the hands of Chineke. But they are the same. If it were only for the hands of Chineke no one would die a violent death. It is Eke who divided the world and after that people died in power [probably transliterated from ‘ọ́nwụ́ íké’, literally meaning “powerful death”, but metaphorically a painful suffering death]. Eke is the tricky one who portioned out these things. Chineke is straight and long, and he [no gendered pro-nouns in Igbo] made the lives of the people upright and good. Eke played this trick we are now inside.” [in notes: (Parts of creation stories related by the cult priest of Afo at Umuoye Etche)] [Igbo group in southern Imo, northern Rivers states of Nigeria]. [Cole:] Chineke (or Chukwu) [in notes: (In many parts of Igboland, as in Owerri, the high god is also called Chukwu, an ellision of chi and ukwu (“great”), but in Owerri Chineke is the more common usage.)] is the creator, the high god. Though distant and not the object of images or direct sacrifices in Owerri, he is often addressed by name in prayer and does receive offerings indirectly. He knows what people are doing but does not himself intervene or punish. The etymology of his name suggests that he is both a deity and a concept, for “Chineke” is a contraction of chi, na (“and”), eke: chi apparently meaning “god” or “soul”, with eke approximating “creation” or “division”. Chi and eke are also personifications, as suggested by the quotations above and the words of another informant: “Chi and Eke represent male and female. Chineke—I don’t know if he is a man or a woman. He is up, up, up, and we don’t see him.” Herbert M. Cole. MBARI: Art and Life among the Owerri Igbo (1982). p. 54. Indiana University Press. http://talesofthestarshipregeneration.tumblr.com/post/71320668007/the-high-god-chineke |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 12:27pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
Old practices: Twin killing in old Japan and Igboland. Science: Japanese Twins "Anthropologists have long suspected that in Japan twins are born less frequently than among whites. Confirmation has been difficult because Japanese mothers believe that to bear more than one child at a time is a bestial act, frequently try to hide multiple births by separate registry of offspring, even by infanticide. Investigators Taku Komai and Goro Fukuoka of Kyoto Imperial University pierced this veil of obscurantism, sifted hospital figures and midwives' records, found that Japanese twins are indeed scarce: One pair in 160 births, as against one in 87 among U. S. whites." http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,770452,00.html does this sound familiar? "In West Africa’s pre-colonial period, the Igbo people believed twins were a bad omen. Single births were considered “human,” but multiple births belonged to the realm of animals. When a mother delivered two healthy babies instead of one, the parents would leave one newborn to die in the ojoo ofia (“bad bush”) outside the town, or simply suffocate one." http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/274844/twin-killings-are-back-nancy-french "The representation of Igbo peoples as practitioners of twin abomination is very much part of a historical process in which missionary and colonial interest in twin killing as a sign of African atavism played a significant role. This article explores the historical record for information about twin abomination and twin murder, taking into account the paradoxical nature of twinship not only for Igbo-speakers but for the missionaries who wished to convert the Igbo and stamp out what they called "the demon superstition." http://www.jstor.org/stable/3773886 |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 12:29pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
The old Japanese language sounds so much like Igbo. (Did the child say apapa, groundnut? Lol.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn1VaremXV0 1 Like |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by bokohalal(m): 12:31pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
Igbo culture share so much with Jewish culture. Igbo culture share so much with Japanese culture. Japanese culture share so much with Jewish culture. Conclusion. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 12:32pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 12:32pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
bokohalal: Good conclusion. 3 Likes |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by kishimi8(m): 1:21pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
Waiting for yoruba counter thread, sango, oranmiyan, and the rest... funny thing is that Mankind has always worshipped that which he cannot not understand and that which scares him, , So if you check the Nordic tribes of northern Europe, and most of the tribes in Africa and Latin America, you will find the same pattern of object of worship. Bottom line is don't waste your energy trying to connect them, they all are connected |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by scholes0(m): 6:33pm On Jul 27, 2015 |
Very soon, some Igbos will say they are descendants of Japanese people who settled in West Africa thousands of years ago. never minding the imperialist nature of the Japanese who tried to build a strong East Asian empire by causing unbearable pain and suffering to Millions in the process.... until the Americans decided to nuke their asses. And then in some months from now, it will be Igbos are Russians...... 3 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ChinenyeN(m): 12:22am On Jul 28, 2015 |
I like this thread. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by absoluteSuccess: 9:13am On Jul 28, 2015 |
scholes0:Heal the world...don't dissipate your energy on the insight and feeling of another. Change your environment, don't let your environment change you. 2 Likes |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by scholes0(m): 9:33am On Jul 28, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess:  |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by bigfrancis21: 4:16pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
It is interesting to read this. I had read somewhere on the internet before about some similar Igbo-Japanese words. 1 Like |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ChinenyeN(m): 5:39pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
Ngwa apparently sounds like Chinese when spoken. I've had a number of Chinese speakers approach me, asking about the dialect I was speaking. They said it sounded eerily familiar to them, but could just not understand a word of it. 3 Likes |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 2:52pm On Jul 29, 2015 |
White people have asked me if the name Tochukwu is Japanese or something. It does sound so, somewhat. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by NiceHans: 7:46pm On Jul 29, 2015 |
I honestly think igbo sound as japanese and they bear facial resemblance |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 12:16pm On May 29, 2016 |
bigfrancis21: You did, on http://www.igbodefender.com/2012/07/25/similarities-between-the-spellings-of-igbo-words-and-anglicized-japanese-words-japan-language/ Mazuka- Japanese surname Azuka- Igbo name Iru- Japanese word meaning ‘to exist’ Iru- Igbo word meaning ‘face’ Ato- Japanese word meaning ‘after or later’ Ato- Igbo word meaning ‘three’ Ano- Japanese word meaning ‘say’ Ano- Igbo word meaning ‘four’ Ise- Japanese sacred place Ise- Igbo word for ‘five’, and also an Igbo word of meaning ‘amen’, usually said during the sacred ceremony of kolanut breaking Oka- Japanese word meaning ‘placed’ Oka- Igbo word meaning ‘corn’ Chikuwa – tubular roll of grilled fish paste. Also. ‘bamboo ring’ from the method traditionally used to mold it. Chi ka uwa- this Igbo phrase roughly means, ‘ He that is in me (God) is greater than he that is in the world’ Ocha-Japanese word meaning ‘tea’ Ocha- Igbo word meaning ‘fair’ Naze- Japanese town Nanze- Igbo town Ishi- Japanese word meaning ‘intention’ Isi- Igbo word meaning ‘head’ Obara- Japanese name Obara- Igbo word meaning blood Ka- Japanese word used to express doubt Ka- Igbo word used to make a polite request Ube- Japanese town Ube- Igbo word for the pear fruit Aki- Japanese town Aki- Igbo word meaning ‘palm kernel’ Amagi- Japanese town Ama gi- Igbo word meaning, ‘your town’ Ga- Japanese word used to connect nouns Ga- Igbo word meaning ‘will’ Anan- Japanese town Anam- Igbo town Chiba- Japanese town Chiba- Igbo word meaning, ‘to take something inside’ Chichibu- Japanese town Chichi- Igbo name Obinata- Japanese surname Obinna- Igbo name De- Japanese word meaning ‘at’ De- Igbo word meaning ‘to write’ Obata- Japanese Surname Obatala- ancient Igbo surname: surname of the Anioma kings during the Moremi Era Ogyu- Japanese surname Ogwi- Igbo surname Komachi- Japanese name Komasirichi- Igbo name Cho- Japanese word that means, ‘a person who is’ Cho- Igbo word that means ‘to look for’ Uke- Japanese word meaning ‘attack’ Uke- Igbo word meaning ‘evil attack’ Kara- Japanese word that means ‘after’ Kara- Igbo word used to express greatness Na- Japanese word used to express command Na- Igbo word meaning ‘and’ Uku- Japanese word meaning ‘to float’ Ukwu- Igbo word meaning ‘leg’ Ohba- Japanese surname Obah- Igbo surname (Oba is also an ancient Igbo royal title: one of the titles of the Anioma kings during the Moremi era was Oba Igbo) Obishi- Japanese surname Obichia- Igbo surname (Obishi literally means ‘head king’ in Igbo language) Nanka- Japanese word used to express disappointment Nanka- Igbo town Offu- Japanese word for ‘off’ Ofu- Igbo word for ‘one’ Ike- Japanese prefix used to strenghten an adjective Ike- Igbo word meaning strenght Ano- Japanese word meaning ‘say’ Ano- Igbo word meaning ‘four’ Aka- Japanese word for ‘red’ Aka- Igbo word for ‘hand’ Ara- Japanese feminine term Ara- Igbo word meaning breast Onishi- Japanese name Onyisi- Igbo word for leader Asa- Japanese word meaning ‘morning’ Asa- Igbo word meaning ‘fine girl’ Asaato- Japanese word meaning ‘to asert’ Asato- Igbo word for ‘eight’ Ani- Japanese word meaning ‘brother-in-law’ Ani- Igbo word meaning ‘land’ Ouchi- Japanese surname Oluchi- Igbo name Ozu- Japanese surname Ozu- Igbo town Akechi- Japanese surname Nkechi- Igbo name Nara- Japanese word meaning ‘if’ Nara- Igbo past tense of the word ‘go’ Asano- Japanese surname Akanno- Igbo surname Ne- Japanese word used to interject Ne- Igbo word meaning ‘look’ Iro- Japanese word meaning ‘colour’ Iro- Igbo word meaning ‘outside’ Ebina- Japanese surname Egbuna- Igbo surname Obinna- Igbo name Ibuka- Japanese surname Ebuka- Igbo name Sa- Japanese word used to explain obvious facts Sa- Igbo word meaning ‘to answer’Also the same word for ‘wash’ Ikina- Japanese surname Ikenna- Igbo surname Uboshita- Japanes surname Uboshi ta- Igbo phrase meaning, ‘today’ Abutsu- Japanese name Abutu- Igbo name Umeki- Japanese surname Umeh- Igbo surname Ishioka- Japanese town Isi oka- Igbo phrase meaning, ‘the cub of a corn plant’ Osumi- Japanese strait Osumenyi- Igbo town Neyagawa- Japanese town Ne ya a’gawa- Igbo phrase that roughly translates to ‘look he’s going.’ Obama- Japanese town Obama- Igbo connected town in the Kalabari area of Nigeria Ofunato- Japanese town Ofunato- Igbo phrase that roughly means, ‘One and three’. Oji- Japanese town Oji- Igbo river, i.e Oji River Tsujii- Japanese name Osuji- Igbo name Otsu- Japanese town Otu- Igbo town Ugo- Japanese town Ugo- Igbo word that means, ‘eagle’. Abukuma- Japanese river Akuma- Igbo town Asuka- Japanese town Nsukka- Igbo town Chuai- Japanese name Chuka- Igbo name Anato- Japanese town Ani ato- Igbo phrase meaning ‘third land’ Aruku- Japanese word which means, ‘to walk’ Ilo Ukwu- Igbo word which means to limp Nemuru- Japanese word for sleep Laru- Igbo word for ‘sleep’ Kata- Japanese word for ‘shoulder’ Aka- Igbo word for ‘hand’ Omu-Japanese town Omu- Igbo word for palm frond Onagawa- Japanese town O na agawa- Igbo phrase that roughly means,’ he/she is going’ Inuzuka- Japanese name Izuka- Igbo word for ‘week’ Iheya- Japanese town Ihe ya- Igbo phrase that means ‘his/her property’ Onomichi- Japanese town Ichi/Nnewiichi- Igbo town Hanawa- Japanese town Ha nawa- Igbo phrase that roughly means,’ they should go home’ Azuchi- Japanese town Azuka- Igbo name Eitoku- Japanese name Etukoku- Igbo name Chikanatsu- Japanese name Chikamatsu- Japanese name Shika- Japanese word Chika- Igbo name To- Japanese word for ‘and’ To- Igbo word for ‘grow’ Kenji- Japanese name Nkemjika- Igbo surname Takumi- Japanese name Akumi- Ancient name of the Igbos, currently used mainly in Afro America Suru- Japanese word meaning to ‘die clothes using a wooden mold’ Suru- Igbo word for saying one has ‘washed clothes’ Chikafusa- Japanese name Chikadibia- Igbo name Be- Ancient Japanese word meaning community Be- Igbo word meaning home Ze- Japanese word that indicates assertion Ze- Igbo word meaning ‘to avoid’ Zo- Japanese word that indicates assertion, but less forcefully than the word ‘ze’ Zo- Igbo word that means to ‘hide’ Amaya- Japanese nameAmala- Igbo name Ayaka- Japanese name Amaka- Igbo short form of the names Ndidi amaka and Chiamaka Haruka- Japanese name Aluka- Igbo short form of the name Akaluka Aki- Japanese word meaning ‘emptiness’ Aki- Igbo word for ‘palm kernel’ Arata- Japanese name Araka- Igbo surname Hajime- Japanese name meaning, ‘beginning’ Ha ji me- Igbo phrase alluding to making or creating something Note: the Japanese have two similar words for first son (Hachiro and Hachirou). Interestingly, the Igbos have two similar words for first son ( Diokpa and Diokpala). These Japanese and Igbo words do not have similarity in sounds, but their identical structure suggests deep-seated similarities in the DNAs of both cultures. Chiyo- Japanese name Chio- Igbo short form of the name Chigbogu Misakuchi- ancient Japanese religious festivalIgo chi/ Ilo chi- ancient Igbo religious festivals Note:According to Arimasa Kubo, a Japanese historian (in his article, “Israelites Came to Ancient Japan”), ‘People call this festival “the festival for Misakuchi-god”. “Misakuchi” might be “mi-isaku-chi.” “Mi” means “great,” “isaku” is most likely Isaac (the Hebrew word “Yitzhak”), and “chi” is something for the end of the word”. Looking at the two ancient Igbo religious festivals above, I think the ‘Chi’ at the end of the Japanese religious festival ‘Misakuchi’ refers to the same Igbo concept of Chi. According to Elizabeth Isichei- in her book, ‘Igbo Worlds’- Igo Chi means, ‘to offer sacrifices to ones chi, while Ilo Chi means, ‘a period during which people reaffirm their association. with their ancestors, personal spirits, and the divinities associated with everyday activities’. Oniye- Japanese word meaning religious sacrifice Onyinye- Igbo word meaning religious offering. Note:According to Kubo, we can still see the custom of the wooden pillar called “oniye-bashira,” which means, “sacrifice-pillar.” Today in Igboland, religious offering is called onyinye. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 4:22pm On Feb 02, 2017 |
ChinenyeN:Interesting that you haven't criticized the OP for pointing out similarities between Igbo and Japanese culture. Says a lot about your motives for criticizing similar posts from Igbodefender. Ride on. The internet is taking notes. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ChinenyeN(m): 8:58pm On Feb 02, 2017 |
igbodefender: Context, my friend. Context makes all the difference. 1 Like |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 11:42am On Feb 03, 2017 |
The internet is taking notes, my friend. There is a humongous difference between constructive critisism and critisism that takes a less than constructive hue. The latter is transparently obvious to all and cannot be camouflaged or concealed. Pedagogy must always be backed by concrete and not nebulous pronouncements. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ChinenyeN(m): 1:41pm On Feb 03, 2017 |
Igbodefender, until I see substantive reason to do otherwise, I will continue to treat you, your project and your writers poorly. This is not something I have decided upon lightly. After having seen your "works" and pseudo-scholar write-ups over these past years, I have concluded that your inclination for poor research is a disservice to the very same people you are claiming to defend. As such, your existence ought not be tolerated. So, context my friend. Context makes all the difference. 1 Like |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 12:51pm On Feb 04, 2017 |
@OP Kudos for this educative thread. The obvious ancient cultural linkages between Igbos and Japanese need to be investigated. |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by ezeagu(m): 6:30pm On Feb 05, 2017 |
igbodefender: That's the complete opposite objective of the thread. As written in the opening post, the thread serves as a demonstration as to how any two cultures in the world can share similar characteristics, norms and values despite being hundreds to thousands of miles apart and having no shared history at all. People can use these similarities to form any kind of k-legged theory of origin or relation between some unrelated groups. It's a direct response to all the far-fetched 'origin theories' surrounding Igbo people, whether it's Jews or Hebrews or Israelites or Israeli's or Egyptians or the "Ancient Biafra Kingdom". I can do a similar compelling comparison with Ancient Greece, some native American groups and people in Papua New Guinea, unless you're a follower of the late Catherine Acholonu who touted Igboland to be "Eden" then you'd see the how this exposes the problem of unsupported origin theories. A lot of people on this thread seem to have just jumped into the thread without reading the first post. 2 Likes |
| Re: Japanese Culture Share So Much With Igbo Culture by Nobody: 5:27am On Feb 06, 2017 |
I still commend you for the civilized, scholarly way you stated your point, even if it may be at variance with mine- unlike some others who will be hurling insults as if it the latest thing since sliced bread. Keep it up. You backed up your reasons with scholarly points not insults. Perhaps, that's what gives you influence and goodwill. |
(1) (Reply)
Ohafia, Abia State New New Festival / See The Fabulous New Look Of The Benin Palace And Old Look (photos) / The Kingdom Of Benin Was A Massive Slave Trader
(Go Up)
| Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 80 |