₦airaland Forum

ChinenyeN: Alright, the topic seems to want to get back on track now. Good.

Odumchi, I appreciate your further explaining the "building blocks" and their role in what it means "to be Igbo", but to be honest, it doesn't quite explain why you would call Igbo a nation as opposed to an ethnic group. In my understanding, the "building blocks" and what it means "to be Igbo" as echo ethnic consciousness to me.

There are various sub-ethnic elements within the Igbo nation that are capable of being called "ethnic groups" (look at Ikwere). When these sub-ethnic groups unite to collectively answer "Igbo", then that makes them a nation.

When united, they are known as "Igbo" but when fragmented and alienated, they are known as whatever their sub-ethnic name is. That's why it's wrong for some to say that they are "more Igbo" than others.

Btw, how are you dealing with Sandy?

Antivirus92: no anambra man or nri descent is trying to overlord over other igbos. The truth still remains that the anambra/eri/nri people have a better understanding of what igbo is all about than most other people that claim to be igbo. The language,custom,tradition of igbos originated from nsukka -awka-nri-orlu axis, which many historians call the origin of igbo people. I have said it many times that the southern people are confuse about the term "igbo".

This is exactly what I mean. My friend, get off of your horse so that your eyes can see the ground and know things for how they are. There is nothing more obnoxious than telling someone that you know more about them than they do.

Ekwuo m o gwu.

Again ifejioku is an nnewi version of new yam festival, what is the aro version if not ikeji?

Nevermind the fact that it's a New Yam festival, the way Aro celebrates it is totally different from the way Nnewi celebrates it. Forget the fact that both groups are Igbo, Nnewi and Aro[chukwu] lie in entirely different culture zones.

I also think that this is a major problem that is threatening the welfare of not only languages in Nigeria but languages in any country where English is present.

In Ireland, the Irish are trying desperately to revive their language, Gaelic, which has been dominated and eclipsed by English, and in Nigeria we struggle with the same thing.

As a native speaker of Igbo, I have encountered people who recklessly mix English with Igbo. I've come across the terms "o dependiri" (it depends) and "m likiri" (i like) many, many times and it has caused me to wonder if we are slowly losing our fluency in our native languages.

I myself used to partake in this until I decided to help myself by asking questions when needed. What helped me the most was communicating with my non-English speaking relatives. I'm glad to say that I no longer mix English with my native language when I write or speak.

free_soul: mgebeke nwunye oha why not let the sleeping dog lie
alex will soon respond
you people selected a culture section eze
now no one is talking for us in thi section
we shall soon chose a rea eze to talk for us here
what is the need for a silent eze

we need a vocal and speaking eze in this section

Eze unu, Onlytruth, ka no na oche ya, o bu kwa ya?

Antivirus92: you spoke well by understanding what igbo is and knowing where you fall into unlike odumchi that tried to include even ibom people and their culture into igbo. But from the inner most research that i have carried out. Isu,oru,igbo are brothers(may be from the same parents) and they unitedly founded the igbo language,custom and tradition. So abagworo don't go away, you're our brother. I am not trying to chase away people but to make them understand that there is a clear difference between igbo and igbo claimers.

Antivirus92: Talkative! I thought that you're intelligent. How did you just listed the culture you copied from your non igbo neighbours and post them here as igbo culture. Ibini ukpabi,ekpe,nyankpe,okonko,ekpa etc are all not igbo culture but borrowed culture. So don't list them,they don't really count. Even you yourself know that they are not indigeneous to igbo people. They are from ekpa people,ibom people and so on. Ikeji and ifejioku are the same just different names.

The thing I don't understand is why you are trying to make it seem as if you, an Anambra native, is an overlord over all other Igbo who are not from Anambra or do not identify with Nri.

If you truly believe that anything different from what you are accustomed to calling "Igbo" is not "Igbo", then, my friend, I am sorry to say it but you know very little about the people known as Ndi Igbo. I advise you to open your mind before it's too late because mindsets like yours breed disharmony and confusion.

Oh, and by the way, Ikeji and Ifejioku are not the exact same thing.

Antivirus92: please can you sincerely explain how those different ethnicities later have similarities and please highlight more on the differences.

Let's compare Nri (northern) culture to Aro (eastern) culture.

Aro:
Ekpe/Okonko/Nyamkpe (Cross Riverine leopard societies)
Ekpo (an Ibibio masquerade genre)
Viewed Aro as the main religious center in the Igbo interland
Deities (Kamalu/Kamanu/Kalu/Kanu)
Traditional monarchy
Ikeji ceremony
Actively encouraged slavery
Unique village structure
Cross River attire
Sought the expansion of its economic influence
Dialect

Nri:
Nmanwu (an Igbo masquerade genre)
Title-taking institutions (Nze/Ozo/Ichie/Dim)
Alulugbada
Viewed Agukwu Nri as the main religious center in the Igbo hinterland
Deities (Amadiora)
Osu Caste
Priest kings
Ifejioku ceremony
Aside from Nri, and the other few exceptions, most groups in this culture zone were ruled by republican-style councils
Took little part in slavery
Sought the expansion of its religious influence
Dailect

Shared:
Market Days (Eke, Orie, Avo, Nkwo and Eke, Oye, Afo, Nkwo)
Belief in Chi/Chukwu/Obasi/Olisabuluwa
Belief in ancestrally mandated authority (Ovo/Ofo)
Belief in consultation of oracles/divining/communication with ancestors (Igba aja/Igba afa)
Belief in Ali/Ani

These are to name just a few. The list can stretch on...

achi4u: OKE_odumchi kedu nke na eme?

biko tinyekwa m na budgetti go o!

E tebeghi ofe ete ndi choro iracha ya aparalari efere ha bia.

agabaI23: Ndi Igbo ekenekwa m unu. ndu mmiri, ndu azu. Nke onye chiri, ya zara. Uwa di uto

Nwanna, o bu na-ezi. Uwa nka na-ato biribiri ka uńere.

NRI PRIEST: Umu-Igbo,ogini na eme ebea ? Virus nwa mama,kedu ebe itinyelu isi?

Nwa mama gi agaala dibia iga agwo ogwu.

Since this is the first of this type of contest, we will start modestly. Your prize is that your next thread created in this section will appear on the homepage (as long as it doesn't violate any of the forum rules).

Thanks for participating!

Antivirus, avutubee m agamu nmadi gi nza m pusara avo nne m!

I have met such people from some pats of Abia State, and Afiko, Ohaozara etc in Ebonyi state. At first I used to think these guys are pretending when they say Osu is not know in their town/LGA, I later found out that Osu does not exist in some towns and local government areas in Igboland

In Igboland, the osu caste is prevalent wherever Nri culture/influence is most felt, meaning Anambra and parts of Imo. It's non-existent in (I dare to say) all of Abia, most (if not all) of Ebonyi, Rivers, and parts of Delta.

ChinenyeN: Anyway, getting back on track, Odumchi, now, that we have settled on our definition, let us tie it back into our discussion, so as to not derail too much. How would you connect this "building block" understanding back into our determination of Igbo as either a tribe, ethnic group or nation? In my understanding, these "building block" qualities are only further indicating Igbo to be some kind of an ethnic group, as opposed to a tribe or nation.

These "building blocks" are common in all groups within the Igbo nation and are the basic characteristics of what it means "to be Igbo". The Igbo are not a tribe because we do not all share the same exact practices nor do we all share common ancestry.

Think of these "building blocks" as base elements just as carbon is the base element of nearly everything. Our diversity both linguistically and culturally is founded upon these "building blocks" which give us something in common with each other, therefore making us related.

It is completely natural for an ethnic group to think of itself as a nation as it grows in size and development. To draw a comparison, think of the modern-day nation-states England and France. Over a thousand years ago, these nations were referred to as ethnic groups, Anglo-Saxons and Franks, respectively. Through self-awareness, we Igbo have also begun to make such changes by learning more about ourselves and realizing that, although we are diverse, there are many things that we hold in common.

Igbo bu Igbo nma-nma nu o,

M si ka m bia kele unu otu dike si ekele arusi ma ogu bie maka nchebe ochebere ya na agha. Enyemaka unu nyere m na ndoro-ndoro ochichi a abughi obere ihe. O masiri m na si na mbido ya ruo njedebe ya unu so mu na azu, ya mee amaghi m ihe ozo m ga enyeli unu kafee ekele mu a.

Omenala Igbo bu na ebe obula anyi no, anyi ma achobe otu anyi si aghazi onwe anyi di ka nke a anyi na-eme kita. Ekpere m bu ka Obasi di na elu gbaa anyi niile umo anyi ga-eji ana aga na ihu. Eji m ohere a na-ekele Eze Nwanyi Ndi Igbo Nairaland maka onodi ohuru ya. Ana m ayo kwa Chukwu ka ya ekwekwala ka onodi ohuru anyi a laa anyi na isi. Ya yere anyi aka ka anyi di kwa ka anyi si di mbu; ka anyi na akwanyere ndi ife ugwu ka ha na akwanyere anyi; ka o nye kwa anyi amamihe maka ihe eji ama Eze abughi okpu o kpu na isi, kama o bu uburu Chukwu nyere ya.

Umu Igbo ndeewo nu o.

Ivynwa: Hold please-----I am voting Odumchi (confirmed that he doesn't go hurling hatred and stuffs at other tribes). I am wondering whether he is really 16 years old like someone mentioned, if he is methinks that is too young for such post. If he is really 16 I will rather vote EzeUche.

Nne, o bu gini?

O bu eziokwu na adi m afo iri na isii. Kedu kwan ihe ozo?

Was it not the late Eze Aro, Maazi Kanu Oji VII, that was coronated Eze Aro at the age of 17? Age is but a number and I don't believe people should be prejudiced because of it. For all I know, there's no way for you to verify my true age since we're online, so I don't see why such a negligible factor should be even considered when anyone can make up any age for themselves.

My people,

I thank you all for the tremendous amount of support and encouragement that you showed me before, during, and now, after the election. Everything from your thoughtful nominations to your congratulatory remarks have directly influenced the turnout of this election, which is not only in my favor, but in the favor of all those in search of the well being of we Igbo people.

I would also like to extend a special hand of thanks to our very own Ada Igbo, Ifyalways, who played a great role in persuading me to contest. I would also like to thank all of my fervent supporters, especially Ejine, Achi4u, Afam4eva, Gboliwe, Okija Juju, Odunnu, High_Chief, and any others that I may have missed. My special thanks also goes to the electoral board who are he brains behind this whole thing. The truth, as plain as it may seem, is that none of this would have been possible without the participation of you umu Igbo here on Nairaland.

I would also like to congratulate the Eze Ndi Igbo I of Nairaland, Maazi Onlytruth Ndudinaeziokwu, for a successful an ground-breaking year served as the representative of we Igbo people here on Nairaland. Unknown to many, his term has catalyzed the unleashing of a wave of sweeping reforms (both physically and electronically) in the way we Igbo people operate and channel our united voice online. As a member of his cabinet, I must admit that we, the cabinet (Point B, Face, Sam Ikenna, and a few others), under his leadership, attempted to address many of the real issues regarding Ndi Igbo today with the establishment of our website and the creation of E.N.Y.I. I would definitely like to talk more about this but I will leave that for the Eze. Once again, I would like to express how grateful I am that, this year, we were able to convene here and elect our representative as we did the following year instead of letting this entire thing die off in the shadows.

I cannot end by failing to congratulate the leader of Nairaland's Igbo women, Ogugua88, Eze Nwanyi Nairaland I. I hope that the both of us will be able to cooperate and find ways in which we can meaningly use our positions to properly and adequately represent our people.

What I would like to make clear to all is that I am an understanding person who realizes that the Igbo are not one people but a nation. We are a collection of related peoples who bare many things in common and as a result, our individuality is to be respected and celebrated alongside with our unity. As human beings, we each posses the longing for the opportunity to express our individuality and as a result cannot be expected to think the same way. The least we can do is to work together, as umu Igbo, to accept each other for our differences and to embrace the things that make us who we are.

Odumchi

(Biko nu aga m ede nke Igbo na oge adighi anya)

It's well-established that blood-relations don't play much of a role in this particular discussion, so let's ignore it and focus on the alternative definition that I presented.

It seems Nedu was the only one to arrive at the correct answer!

Nedu, come back and claim your prize so that you can know what you've won.

nedu210: 1. Igbo
2. Bini
3. Bini
4.ijow
5. Efik
6. Igala
7. Yoruba
@ odumch

Thanks for participating guys! We will have more of these soon in order to give you guys chances to win and also to promote the Culture section.

ifyalways: Reveal already!

Surprised?If I really put my mind to it,I'll be perfect na isu and ide Aro.

Lol, o ihe m vuru.

Mcdondayan: Monwo wu onye Amuvi. Nna wo

Nna wo o. Amaari m na umu Oke Igbo juru-eju ebe a aga a.

Chinenye, based on what I've seen, it seems as if, in this particular situation, your interpretation of the word "related" means sharing blood ties/ancestry.

As for me, it isn't the case. In my response to Mbatuku, "related" means sharing similar practices built around a central set of "building blocks" upon which the practices of the [Igbo] nation are founded.

These "building blocks" include (as Abagworo said): Ovo/ofo/owho, Igba afa/Igba aja, Ala/Ali/Ale/Ana/Ani, and etc). In the various culture zones, these basic beliefs have been expanded upon in varying degrees, resulting in certain beliefs and practices unique to certain zones/regions.

Here's a document that I believe would supplement what I wrote:http://books.google.com/books?id=LPqZQYiF4jEC&pg=PA15&lpg=PA12&ots=FCvZzcYgZn&dq=eze+aro&output=html_text

mbatuku2: For me, it's just a figment of the white man's imagination, a european invention. For example, there's nothing in common between me an ngwa man and ,say, a man from anambra, enugu, etc. The mentality is different, the values and goals in life are completely at variance.

There's every indication though that the original/actual Igbo people before the broad generalization by europeans still exist today.

This is where I believe that most people go wrong. Saying that the Igbo are a collection of diverse and similar peoples who vary in traditions and language is one thing, but saying that they are utterly unrelated [as you are saying now] is another thing. The Igbo peoples cannot claim that there is absolutely nothing that holds them together or ties them to each other. We [Igbo people] each have liberty in celebrating our uniqueness but when we get carried away is when we try to emphasize our differences and have them overshadow our similarities.

For example, you (as an Ngwa) and I (as an Aro) share our fair share of linguistic and cultural differences. If we were to meet in the street and converse in the purest form of our dialects, we would find it hard to understand each other (save for the few words/speech patterns which are found throughout Abia groups). Despite this, there are several concepts that you and I (as Igbo) can wrap our heads around that others (non Igbo) cannot. For example, without prior discussion, you would know the significance of the terms Chi, Chukwu, Chi oma, Chi ojoo, Ali nmuo/Ala nmuo, Ekpo, Ekpe, Ovo/Ofo, Omugwo, and etc. It is things like this that make you and I members of the Igbo nation.

You said that the mentality/world views of Ngwa and Enugu groups are different, but let me draw a comparison. The Nike (an Enugu group) are very much similar to the Ngwa in terms of hospitality and their view of foreigners. I was told that the Ngwa are a very friendly and hospitable people. This was confirmed when a family member of mine visited a particular village in Ngwa land. She was recieved warmly by her husband's people (even though she was an Aro and Ngwa people are said not to think kindly of we Aro) and was showered with gifts and presents. She found the language slightly different from what she was accustomed to hearing, but eventually, as we say in Aro, "o were ya azi" (meaning she got used to it). In addition to this, she discovered that it was customary in that town (and maybe in the whole of Ngwa) to give presents to foreigners/visitors.

This hospitality is mirrored in the welcoming nature of the urbanized Ngwa (Aba) who offer land to foreigners in order for them to settle down. The Nike are also the same way since they generously hand out land to foreign groups who develop and "open up" their land. That is why Nike lands, like Ngwa lands in Abia, are among the fastest urbanizing areas of Ali Igbo.

I'll leave this open for one more day before I reveal the answers.

ifyalways: Onye ogo anyi, mirima m, nnawo. Okwa aga ndi ogo anyi si ekele?

Oha ndi Igbo ekele m unu niile ozo,

Alichila m ka m he's unu na echechala m ihe m si m chee. O buru unu si na ochichi m bu ihe ga adi unu nma, ekwela m maka nani ihe m choro bu odinanma ndi Igbo na Nairalandi a.

Ekelekwa m unu ozo o. M ka ga ano ebe a na-ele.

Nairalanders make una no fall hand o! The prize is still unclaimed!

nedu210: 1. Igbo
2. Bini
3. Bini
4. Ibibio
5. Efik
6. Igala
7. Yoruba


@ odumch that number one is arochukwu but imo state all have it but i dont knw the part of imo that has it.

The number 5 is from abakwa festiva frm cross river state at nyoro event in 2004. The people in the pix are the ekpe group.

If that number 4 is not ibibio that mean it may be frm any of this tribe, idoma, tiv, or any tribe in jos or niger state.

You got everything correct except for number four.
Hm... I never knew that Imo groups had Aro masquerades.

Mcdondayan: Mazi. On 31st Dec at amannagwu round about

O di ka I wu onye Aro anyi?

Ndaa aga I mere? Monwo wu onye Amasu na ogo nde Ibom Isii.

Antivirus92: Back!

Onye gara ali nmuo, I lola?

Demdem: Meeeen, that Arochuchukwu masquerade looks heavy oooo. Cant imagine the pain the carrier may be going through Abi na spirit dey carry am?

The mask is hollow but despite that, this particular type is heavy and is only carried by experienced people. The bearer is flanked by two men who follow him just in case the worst happens.

ezeagu: I already saw the picture from Arochukwu so.

Let me try and guess the rest:

2. Is Queen Idia. Bini
3. Might be Bini, but could be neighbouring groups. I'll go with Bini.
4. Doesn't look Nigerian. Looks 'Bantu'.
5. Efik.
6. Tiv or other Bantu people.
7. Yoruba.

You're right about everything except for 4 and 6.

all4naija: @ Odumchi.

Is allowed to try a second time?

You can try as many times as you like.

bokohalal: Odumchi,where you now? I get am?

4, 5, and 6 are wrong. Lol

felifeli: What is the prize. I will not crack my brain for N100 recharge card.

O boy cool down. Just solve it an you will find out. Lol

Sagamite: Odumchi, number your pictures and add them as "attachments" so people would not have to quote, and be quoting, them leading to a legibly cumbersome thread of large pixs.

Thanks for the advice but I'm currently on a mobile device so I won't be able to do so. I apologize for any inconvenience.

deenlight: 1- Ekpo ibibio❌
2/3- bini
4- middle belt❌
5- ibibio/ anang❌
7- yoruba king

3/6!

Chai, Nairalanders make una no fall hand o.

Femsyn: 1. Arochukwu, Abia (Igbo)
2. Bini
3. Bini
4. Igbo❌
5. Ibibio❌
6. Northern Nigeria❌
7. Yoruba

You scored 4/7! Please be more specific and don't just say "Northern Nigeria".

all4naija: 1. Igbo
2. Benin
3. Benin
4. Igbo ❌
5. Ishekiri❌
6. Yoruba❌
7. Yoruba

4/7!

lancaster: Ekpererem Ekpo Aro!!!!

Correct! But what about the rest?

ifyalways: Tribe you said?what are we "winning" ?

2 and 3 are Bini/Ishan.

You will find out your prize once you manage to correctly identify all of them. Lol

However, you're correct about 2 and 3.

ifyalways: 1 looks Tiv. Middle belt. ❌

4. Igbo,Nanka. ❌
6. Dayokanu. . Yoruba, Oyo.

You answered 1/3 correctly.

Abagworo: 5 is Eastern Igbo. ❌
2 and 3 is Benin .
4 is Northern Igbo ❌
while 5 and 6 look Yoruba. ❌

You got 2/5.

Odenigbo Aroli: I know the rest but the third. Ify,you must have seen this somewhere for you to know exactly where in Igboland it came from. Exam malpractice!

Lol, are you sure? Then do you mind sharing with us?

ezeagu: 1. Is an ekpo from Arochukwu.

Correct!