Several times I have had to painfully listen to some people talk as though we had no moral values in Igbo land or Africa in general until the Bible came to instil some morals in us.


As an unapologetic Igbo son. I wish to shade a brief light on this.


1) Before the European missionaries came to Igbo land to tell us about John 8:32 “Thou shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”
My Igbo ancestors had already told us “Eziokwu Bù Ndù” which means “Truth is Life” they equate the value of truth with the value of life. It couldn’t get more important than that.


2) Before the European missionaries came to tell us in Igbo land about Mark 12:31 “ Love your neighbour as yourself”
My Igbo ancestors already told us “Onye Agbata Obi Madu wù Nwanne ya” meaning your neighbour is your family. Your neighbour in traditional Igbo setting should be extended same family love as you exercise to your family.


3) Before the European missionaries came to Igbo land to tell us about 1 Timothy 6:10 “The love of money is the root of all evil”
My Igbo ancestors already told us “Ndu Ka Aku”, “Onye Nwere Madu Ka Onye Nwere Ego” and Ezi Aha Ka Ego” meaning, Life is more precious than riches and he who has people is wealthier than one who’s financially rich. And Dignity and Honour are better than money/wealth.

They placed more value in humanity over wealth acquisition, more value in life than wealth. More value in dignity, good name, legacy and honour than the value of money and riches.


4) Before the European missionaries came to Igbo land tell us about Romans 12:18 “Do all that you can to live at peace with everyone”
My Igbo ancestors already gave us the principle of “Egbe Bere Ugo Bere” “Biri Kam mbiri” and “Ndu Miri Ndu Azu” which are all principles encouraging and admonishing everyone to coexist, tolerate and live in peace.


5) But while the European missionaries came to igboland to tell us about Luke 6:29 “If one slap you in one cheek, turn the other one for him to slap”
My Igbo ancestors rather gave us the principles of “Aju Okorobia wù Ibe ya” and “ Ubochi amuru dike na mba Ka amuru ibe ya”
Which are principles and life philosophies encouraging one to stand up for himself and also reminding bullies to expect meeting their match and opposition.


The list goes on and on. In Igbo land and Africa in general, we had very good understanding of life, with a very realistic and existential approach to life.

Yes the bible contains some moral principles, but nothing new to us, we had better values and morals. The advent of the bible in Igbo land was to a large extent a distraction and obstruction, my opinion.

Igbo bu Igbo Mma mma nu ooh ✊���✊�

#CUD#

igbo Kwenu!!!

Astonmartin:
igbo Kwenu!!!

yaaaaaaaa