₦airaland Forum

re@lchange:
nwokem ebee ka igara umu igbo na egbusi onwe ha ebea
nna oburu na ichorozi ichi ikwue ka anyi chupu gi ebea
asokata eze anya ekpulu nkata niru we gwa ya okwu

Nwanne m nwoke, abu m onye ije. Anaghi m ano otu ebe aligili mana ana m ahu otutu ihe na-eme.

Asi m gi wetuo obi wee ndidi maka anaghi eji aka okpoo arunye na ite ofe oku.

Ify, ano m na uzo ugbua. Agam eji nwayo asaachiri gi ihe I dere ebe a. O di ezigbote nwute na otu oke ochucho si eburu umu okorobia anyi ebufu ha.

shalomigbogal: I used to be one of the most patriotic Igbo girls ever, and I used to always 'rep' being Igbo, taught all my white friends about Igbo etc. Despite my parents not teaching me Igbo, and the culture etc - I was willing to learn. However, I am 18 now and I feel like my expecatations have been shattered. I went to Nigeria last summer, and it was a complete mess. Sure, there are a few great parts - but the majority, especially Igbo lands have HORRIFIC roads which can lead to awful car accidents, it is dirty, smelly, very poor living conditions it is just awful. It made me stop taking my life in the UK for granted. Nigeria really is a complete mess and I really do feel sorry for the majoirty of people who live there as the majoirty of people are really struggling. What type of rubbish is it that a country which produces oil, can not even have electricity 24/7? It is terrible.

Nigeria had so much potential, I used to want to work in politics there etc but to be honest, I really have just given up on that country. The only thing that ties me there now is my family, and I love the african dress Apart from that, nothing... its really sad..

SO I ask, are you a proud igbo / nigerian? I used to be, but I am not really anymore.. there isn't really anything to be proud of. I am proud of myself as an individual, not of the country. Even things like family etc - my family is all split and divided, and I come from a really messy family - so I only have myself to thank for being a good person...

So you mean to say that you're going to forsake your identity simply because things are not how you imagined them to be?

Why not start working to help build Nigeria (and your family) up? What good would it do Ndi Igbo if all of our young sons and daughters, the very people upon whose shoulders our future rests, thought this way?

Ndi uke m na-atu mu egwu o.

What does Nwakisi (Ngwa) mean? A friend told me it has to do with boldness.

Dudu_Negro: Odumchi,

you could have used a far better analogy than the wealthy chinese chasing an unattainable american dream.

first, this chinese has no american roots and so would be considered an immigrant to the american soil.

second, these people blyss is talking about have roots in the african soil and so they will not be immigrants but rather resettlers - sons and daughters of africa. they have right of ownership to be here, but the question is where?

Speaking from a political perspective, being "sons and daughters of Africa" is totally irrelevant. Being born as an African American doesn't guarantee land ownership rights in any part of the world.

Like someone said earlier, Somalia with all of its poverty and problems would never secede a square foot of land for such a purpose. What Blyss is talking about seems like the "back to Africa movement" that gave birth to Liberia (just without the natives, that is).

third, the current political sovereingties in africa are the result of land grab, none of the countries have an indigenous charter of statehood....they are legacies of colonial institutions created by foreign powers.

fourth, there's a bill currently sitting in the nigerian national assembly titled reserved grazing land. this bill is intended to do exactly what you opposed in the bold, i.e. disposess people of their ancestral lands and zone it off as a national grazing land for a special interest group.

fifth, if this bill passes into law, then we will have precedence to use as proof that a colony or reservation can be allocated for special interest groups to run their business and life.

If such a bill does come into legal existence, Nigeria would still wield control of the reservation(s) (which will still remain part of Nigeria). It's just like the Native American reservation system in the US, if you ask me. This is totally different from seceding land to form a living/breathing independent country which will have its own constitution, its own laws, and its own military.

I still believe that this is imoossible. They're better off buying an island somewhere in the Pacific.

Honestly I think it's impossible. Just as wealthy Chinese businessmen cannot buy a section of the United States in order to establish a new country, it cannot be done anywhere in Africa.

Why? Simply because the people of Africa regard land very highly. If you were to come in and attempt to buy my father's land and use it to set up a sovereign country void of any of my father's children, don't be surprised if i began plotting against you lol. Just as those Africans you mentioned found such an idea disrespectful, I too also find it as such.

Just imagine asking an American if you could purchase a state and use it to establish your own sovereign state free of Americans...

úkwù means hips.

ụkwụ means legs.

.

This goes to show you how worthless earthly possessions truly are. What good would all of her riches have done her, as she danced on the boundary of death? Hopefully, this experience would've taught her a powerful and certainly unforgettable lesson.

IgboUK: If a girl is Igbo, but born and raised in London - she speaks Igbo, knows the igbo culture etc well - do you consider her as Igbo?

this is me, but sometimes i feel like an outsider

Kedu ihe mere o ji diri gi otu a?

These are the reasons why I'm saying it could be either Ngwa or Mbaise:

First of all, Pastor Apiriwa says "otu a ka o di" (that's how it is) whereas an Owere person would say "o kpa o shi ri".

Secondly, he not only mentions several Ngwa personalities, but he also says "O kwa na Aba ka anyi no".

Furthermore, he exclaims "Chileke" whereas an Owere person would say "Chineke".

In addition to this he says "Anyanwu na agbara anyi na Mbaise anyi".

I doubt it's Owere.

demiladeola: Ekaette (igbo) shld do the magic

Ekaete is Ibibio/Efik and not Igbo.

Does anyone know what dialect is being used in this song? When I first heard it I suspected that it was from somewhere in Imo (like Mbaise), but now I'm leaning towards Ngwa. Besides, they said something that sounded like: ishi ya alaa afuta (isi ya anaa puta) which sounds like pure Ngwa to me.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQF5UXRoMDI

Here's an interesting documentary I found that discusses the Igbo-Bini-Yoruba relationship/mythology.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpIjEskV_g4

It would be much easier for us all if there were a single thread dedicated to posting and discussing documentaries, so please feel free to post any interesting links you may have here.

It's interesting to see how people's opinions on the issue of slavery has changed over time. [Generally in West Africa,] In the days prior to the European interruption, slavery was seen as an unquestionable economic tool that led to the foundation of complex and successful societies. Today, it has been vilified as an evil, barbaric and savage practice and has been termed "the shame of humanity".

What do you guys think about pre-colonial slavery?

(I'd like to make it appear as if I am in no way in support of nor against slavery, and would like to analyze it from a neutral perspective)

NRI PRIEST: Yea,we dont have a synchronized calenders but the days,weeks and months are all the same.

I'd say the only thing that's really "the same" is the concept of four market days (Eke, Orie/Oye, Afo/Avo/Awho, Nkwo). Aside from this, everything varies from region-to-region.

Abagworo: I was merely making a suggestion. We don't have to do the "Igu aro" with Nri, but we can make the Igbo calendar a recognized one by harmonizing it. For example the "ikpirikpi ogu" has grown to become a symbol of Igbo culture while it is barely practiced in Northeastern Abia State alone.

Ikpirikpi Ogu is still taken seriously oo.

ChinenyeN: I don't know about Igbokidi, but I know in Ngwa and surrounding communities we have the name Nzewata. If I am to make an educated guess, I'd say that Izenwata and Nzewata are for all in intents and purposes, the same name; making southern Igbo the likely origin.

As for the meaning; I will have to inquire about it, but what I do know is that the meaning of nze deals with some form of deference or privilege (among other things). I can't say for sure though how much of that actually applies to the name. I'll have to find out.

Thanks. I appreciate the detailed response. As for Igbokidi, I believe the origin is northern (Enugu).

ogugua88: [size=13pt]Odumchi, guess what?! The dictionary's back! *jumps for joy*

http://www.rogerblench.info/Language/Niger-Congo/VN/Igboid/IGBO%20Dictionary.pdf[/size]

Ekene dili Chukwu! Ife oma adigo!

Nne, expect an email from me this weekend.

What's the meaning of Izenwata and Igbokidi? Where does the name Izenwata originate?

Eze Promoe: [color=crimson]I won't like to argue further, so that we don't go into Nri/Aro debate. But you shouldn't be ignorant of the fact that this is the accepted fact generally and even international. This is also regarded as the most accurate calendar.[/color]

Nwoke m, it's not about Nri vs Aro. What I'm trying to say is that the Igbo do not have synchronized calendars. For the most part, only nearby communities share the same calendars. Today can be Oye day in Nnewi, whereas in Igirita it can be Awho.

I ghotala ihe m na-ekwu?

Eze Promoe: [color=crimson]^I bet you it is. Now tell me does the Nkwo, Eke, Orie, Afor market days have influence on all Igbos or not?[/color]

It's true that we all have various versions of the four market days, but that doesn't mean that our calendars are the same. The calendar observed in Afikpo isn't the same as that observed in Nkpor; Feb 18 might be the start of the Nri calendar, whereas in Afikpo it might just be an ordinary day.

Eze Promoe: [color=crimson]Ndigbo, what I'm saying is that we should not let our culture die completely. February 18 is just like a normal day today in many places in Igboland today, but the truth is that Feb. 18 is where the Igbo new year starts. Let's set a standard and celebrate our culture come Feb. 18 as our 'aro ohuu' [/color]

I like the initiative and the idea behind this, but then again, there really isn't a universal Igbo calendar.

It would be utterly shameful and disastrous if the Niger Bridge were to collapse (Chineke ekwekwa ihe ojoo). Serving as one of the few bridges (if not the only) that link the East and the Midwest, the bridge is extremely important both economically and politically. Imagine what would happen to the multitude of Onicha businessmen and businesswomen if the gateway to their markets in the West collapsed? Scarier yet, imagine the resounding impact it would have on the rest of the South East's economy...

Anyway, if the federal government continues to neglect its duty, I hope that Delta and Anambra can collaborate to either repair it or build a second one.

According to this, mirror is ùgègbè in Onicha dialect.

The purpose of names in the Igbo culture(s) is to not only serve as means of individual identification, but to also serve as a channel through which ideas, events, and people are remembered, and thereby immortalized. Traditionally, our ancestors believed that names had a significant effect on one's disposition and destiny. For example, a child named Ojiugwo (debtor) would most likely accumulate an assemblage of creditors, whereas a child named Omekannaya (one who acts like his father) would most likely grow in the footsteps of his father.

Traditionally, names were also awarded based on a family's tribulations and experiences. A family with a history of multiple stillbirths could name their first surviving child Onwuegbule (let death not kill) or Onwuchekwa (death should wait), whereas a prosperous and wealthy child could name their daughter Obianuju (one who comes in a time of plenty) or Obiageri (one who comes will eat).

In the case of Ogbenyeanu, it is possible to say that it was awarded to children in families that sought rapid social elevation. Today, although it is rare to see such a name as a first name, it is safe to say that it carries no social implications simply because the modern-day Igbo mentality towards naming patterns has evolved.

Ndaa je wo

Thanks for the responses! If you guys could also post pictures, it'll be nice.

Kandiikane, I'll definitely look up that Facebook page. Mcleo, I'll try to post a sketch of a tux soon so that you can give me more advice from there.

Welcome to Nairaland, Loominate.