A WEEK'S ITINERATION IN THE IBO COUNTRY BY MRS. T. J DENNIS 0F ONITSHA

In this epistle of religious adventure, Mrs T.J.Dennis, one of the pioneers of the Christian Missionary work in the Igbo land shares with us the experience she and her team had when they visited the Oka community, now Awka in Anambra State, underscoring in essence, the homely, receptive and independent-communal life of Ndigbo, deeply rooted in their culture and traditions.

By 2.30 a.m. on Monday we were again on our journey. The moon was nearly full and high in the sky. We were carried over the first stream we came to on the shoulders of the young men. The next stream was much more difficult to cross, as it was impossible to be carried, and there was no bridge, so we had to wade through it. The thick foliage of the trees quite shut out the light of the moon an the water looked black and still. It was horrid to feel one’s feet sink into the slippery mud at the bottom of the water. How terrified our mothers would have been had they seen us just then.

Our way now lay through the much dreaded Abam country. “Abam” is the name given to a confederacy of Ibo towns, the leader of which is the King of Aro or Umuchuku. This confederacy is formed for war and raiding purposes. It was plain that the native members of our party were afraid, for when Mr. Smith commenced to whistle they begged him to desist, and we glided along in dead silence. We passed several high trees in the branches of which platforms had been erected for defence purposes againt the Abams.

About 9 a.m. we drew near to Oka, and were cordially greeted by such of the inhabitants as we met on the road. Oka is by far the best and largest town in the Ibo country with the exception, perhaps, of the above-named Aro. The Oka people themselves say that it takes from sunrise to sunset to walk through their town, but this is probably an exaggeration. It is situated about forty to forty-five miles to the East of Onitsha.

The majority of the people are blacksmiths, and in pursuance of their craft travel to every part of the Ibo country, and even beyond its borders. There is scarcely a town or village without its small, primitive smithy, in which the Oka smith not only sharpens and repairs, but also manufactures from the iron and brass imported by traders the various weapons, tools, and ornaments in use amongst the Ibo people.

They never seem to be molested, and contrive to keep the peace with all their neighbours without fighting. They are never accompanied by their wives on their itinerations, and are seldom away longer than three months at a time. Before going to any town they sacrifice to their gods for two or three days that they may be kept safe from all danger, and that they may prosper in their work.

Most of the men we saw in Oka wore some English article of clothing. For instance, one man would wear a sailor-hat, another man a pair of trousers, another a waistcoat. We were surprised to see some of the young men carry whips similar to those used by carters in England. A great man were armed with Snider rifles, and carried themselves with a dignified air, or perhaps, more correctly, a sort of swagger, as though all the world be longed to them.

We were saluted by one young man with a most graceful bow and an English “Good mornin ," as he raised his sailor-hat. The Oka people certainly seem more civilized than their neighbours, probably because they travel about so much. From what I have said it will easily be seen that the Oka men would make excellent evangelists for the Ibo country, if only they could be converted to Christ.

The women dress their hair most elaborately. Some whom we saw had fantastic ornaments on their heads, not unlike the comb of a cock in shape, and reaching about an inch from the forehead right over the head to the neck. This erection was covered with some red material, and on either side were fastened six pearl buttons.

As we passed through the town we were struck with its clean, well-kept houses and roads. The people certainly take a great pride in having their homes nice. Each house stood in a compound surrounded by a high mud wall. There were small loop holes in the walls at equal distances, through which a gun could be fired in the event of an enemy attacking the town. In each compound also there was generally at least one high tree with a platform in its branches, from which a good look out could be obtained. We noticed also two large, square watch-towers, three times the height of ordinary houses.

When we arrived we were at once directed to the house of our host, who seemed proud to entertain us. As he was a chief of very high standing his house was an elaborate one. The walls were beautifully smooth, and painted over with all sorts of queer designs. The door, boxes, and other wooden articles were quaintly carved. Here we rested during the heat of the day, and in the afternoon went into a large open space, where we preached to the huge crowd which soon gathered around us. We did not disperse till dark.

On Tuesday morning we preached in several of the villages, and in the afternoon went to the ka market. This market is a very large one. The women from all the neighbouring towns come here to trade. There must have been 2000 women in the market when we visited it, and as soon as we appeared they left their goods and went to a respectful distance.

We sat down and began to sing some Ibo hymns, and they gradually summoned up courage to come near to us. After we had got them quiet, some of us preached the Gospel to them. How simply we had to speak to these people! They seemed to have no idea of sin. Everything is so new and strange to them, our appearance as well as our message, so it is no wonder they do not unerstand. Our work would be entirely hopeless if we did not believe in the Holy Ghost.

As we were speaking a lot of chiefs came and joined the crowd, and listened attentively. One man, however, with a most diabolical expression of countenance, jumped into the circle and excitedly addressed the people, saying that we came just to disturb their marketing and to spy out the land, and bidding them go back to their buying and selling. Very few obeyed him. The Rev. S. R. Smith said that any who wished were at liberty to go back to their business, but they preferred to remain and listen. A little later on, a chief, who had, I think, been drinking gin, came up and insisted on shaking hands with us, remarking, as he looked into our faces, “Oh, what noses!”

In the evening some of the chiefs began to grumble. It seems that our host had taken upon himself to invite us without consulting the other chiefs. This they, of course, resented. In fact, there was some talk about fining our host a cow, a sheep and a goat, which were to be sacrificed and dragged round the town to rid it from the pollution of our presence. One thing that annoyed them was that we ladies had come into their country wearing clothes, the custom in Oka being for the women to go almost naked.

The Rev. S. R. Smith sent a message to the chiefs saying that we wished to see them. So, early next morning (Wednesday), about twenty of them came. Mr. Smith told them why we had come, and explained that we had been invited, and had come expecting to be welcomed as friends. They gave a very ambiguous reply, and promised to call a meeting of all the chiefs of every village, and afterwards to send to us a deputation consisting of three chiefs from each village. After a little further discussion, however, they changed their minds and said they would go and see the king and bring back word from him. As we intended to start back to Onitsha soon after midnight, we told them to make haste.

Complete the article here: http://igbobia.com/?q=1899-letter-of-mrs-tjdennis-earliest-missionary-in-igbo-land-reveals-some-interesting-facts-about

Youngadvocate:

A WEEK'S ITINERATION IN THE IBO COUNTRY BY MRS. T. J DENNIS 0F ONITSHA

In this epistle of religious adventure, Mrs T.J.Dennis, one of the pioneers of the Christian Missionary work in the Igbo land shares with us the experience she and her team had when they visited the Oka community, now Awka in Anambra State, underscoring in essence, the homely, receptive and independent-communal life of Ndigbo, deeply rooted in their culture and traditions.

By 2.30 a.m. on Monday we were again on our journey. The moon was nearly full and high in the sky. We were carried over the first stream we came to on the shoulders of the young men. The next stream was much more difficult to cross, as it was impossible to be carried, and there was no bridge, so we had to wade through it. The thick foliage of the trees quite shut out the light of the moon an the water looked black and still. It was horrid to feel one’s feet sink into the slippery mud at the bottom of the water. How terrified our mothers would have been had they seen us just then.

Our way now lay through the much dreaded Abam country. “Abam” is the name given to a confederacy of Ibo towns, the leader of which is the King of Aro or Umuchuku. This confederacy is formed for war and raiding purposes. It was plain that the native members of our party were afraid, for when Mr. Smith commenced to whistle they begged him to desist, and we glided along in dead silence. We passed several high trees in the branches of which platforms had been erected for defence purposes againt the Abams.

About 9 a.m. we drew near to Oka, and were cordially greeted by such of the inhabitants as we met on the road. Oka is by far the best and largest town in the Ibo country with the exception, perhaps, of the above-named Aro. The Oka people themselves say that it takes from sunrise to sunset to walk through their town, but this is probably an exaggeration. It is situated about forty to forty-five miles to the East of Onitsha.

The majority of the people are blacksmiths, and in pursuance of their craft travel to every part of the Ibo country, and even beyond its borders. There is scarcely a town or village without its small, primitive smithy, in which the Oka smith not only sharpens and repairs, but also manufactures from the iron and brass imported by traders the various weapons, tools, and ornaments in use amongst the Ibo people.

They never seem to be molested, and contrive to keep the peace with all their neighbours without fighting. They are never accompanied by their wives on their itinerations, and are seldom away longer than three months at a time. Before going to any town they sacrifice to their gods for two or three days that they may be kept safe from all danger, and that they may prosper in their work.

Most of the men we saw in Oka wore some English article of clothing. For instance, one man would wear a sailor-hat, another man a pair of trousers, another a waistcoat. We were surprised to see some of the young men carry whips similar to those used by carters in England. A great man were armed with Snider rifles, and carried themselves with a dignified air, or perhaps, more correctly, a sort of swagger, as though all the world be longed to them.

We were saluted by one young man with a most graceful bow and an English “Good mornin ," as he raised his sailor-hat. The Oka people certainly seem more civilized than their neighbours, probably because they travel about so much. From what I have said it will easily be seen that the Oka men would make excellent evangelists for the Ibo country, if only they could be converted to Christ.

The women dress their hair most elaborately. Some whom we saw had fantastic ornaments on their heads, not unlike the comb of a cock in shape, and reaching about an inch from the forehead right over the head to the neck. This erection was covered with some red material, and on either side were fastened six pearl buttons.

As we passed through the town we were struck with its clean, well-kept houses and roads. The people certainly take a great pride in having their homes nice. Each house stood in a compound surrounded by a high mud wall. There were small loop holes in the walls at equal distances, through which a gun could be fired in the event of an enemy attacking the town. In each compound also there was generally at least one high tree with a platform in its branches, from which a good look out could be obtained. We noticed also two large, square watch-towers, three times the height of ordinary houses.

When we arrived we were at once directed to the house of our host, who seemed proud to entertain us. As he was a chief of very high standing his house was an elaborate one. The walls were beautifully smooth, and painted over with all sorts of queer designs. The door, boxes, and other wooden articles were quaintly carved. Here we rested during the heat of the day, and in the afternoon went into a large open space, where we preached to the huge crowd which soon gathered around us. We did not disperse till dark.

On Tuesday morning we preached in several of the villages, and in the afternoon went to the ka market. This market is a very large one. The women from all the neighbouring towns come here to trade. There must have been 2000 women in the market when we visited it, and as soon as we appeared they left their goods and went to a respectful distance.

We sat down and began to sing some Ibo hymns, and they gradually summoned up courage to come near to us. After we had got them quiet, some of us preached the Gospel to them. How simply we had to speak to these people! They seemed to have no idea of sin. Everything is so new and strange to them, our appearance as well as our message, so it is no wonder they do not unerstand. Our work would be entirely hopeless if we did not believe in the Holy Ghost.

As we were speaking a lot of chiefs came and joined the crowd, and listened attentively. One man, however, with a most diabolical expression of countenance, jumped into the circle and excitedly addressed the people, saying that we came just to disturb their marketing and to spy out the land, and bidding them go back to their buying and selling. Very few obeyed him. The Rev. S. R. Smith said that any who wished were at liberty to go back to their business, but they preferred to remain and listen. A little later on, a chief, who had, I think, been drinking gin, came up and insisted on shaking hands with us, remarking, as he looked into our faces, “Oh, what noses!”

In the evening some of the chiefs began to grumble. It seems that our host had taken upon himself to invite us without consulting the other chiefs. This they, of course, resented. In fact, there was some talk about fining our host a cow, a sheep and a goat, which were to be sacrificed and dragged round the town to rid it from the pollution of our presence. One thing that annoyed them was that we ladies had come into their country wearing clothes, the custom in Oka being for the women to go almost naked.

The Rev. S. R. Smith sent a message to the chiefs saying that we wished to see them. So, early next morning (Wednesday), about twenty of them came. Mr. Smith told them why we had come, and explained that we had been invited, and had come expecting to be welcomed as friends. They gave a very ambiguous reply, and promised to call a meeting of all the chiefs of every village, and afterwards to send to us a deputation consisting of three chiefs from each village. After a little further discussion, however, they changed their minds and said they would go and see the king and bring back word from him. As we intended to start back to Onitsha soon after midnight, we told them to make haste.

Complete the article here: http://igbobia.com/?q=1899-letter-of-mrs-tjdennis-earliest-missionary-in-igbo-land-reveals-some-interesting-facts-about

Hmmmm

I love Igbos

Men and women that sacrificed comfort and convenience and privileges and even their very lives to go wade into dangerous, unwelcoming terrains in order to preach, provide medicine, erase illiteracy from diverse ancient underdeveloped regions they visited.

They deserve a lot of credit.

oka people share ancestors with edos although i have no proof sha..They are very unique, in dose dayz its very hard to see a civilised town dat can boast of many blacksmith dat can produce war weaponz choose to live in peace wit dere neigbours, other towns or tribes will surely use it as an advantage to build an oppressive,bloody empire but dey used dere own craft to make money.infact am impressed wit dem.
Ibos are indeed peaceful people.

You have a nice website there igbobia.com


I think we are beginning to wake up now......



Cudos to you dont relent!!!!


I BU ODOGWU!

WeNoGoDie:
Men and women that sacrificed comfort and convenience and privileges and even their very lives to go wade into dangerous, unwelcoming terrains in order to preach, provide medicine, erase illiteracy from diverse ancient underdeveloped regions they visited.

They deserve a lot of credit.

I dey tells you


We Christian now are only joking with God

Honestly, these whitemen defied all odds ,sailed from Europe to Africa jungles to preach the gospel for the Salvation of mankind.
Many got killed by African tribes, some killed by animals while some were killed by disease.
They really made sacrifices.
They built schools, hospitals.
In fact, they were all about humanity.
But it's unfortunate that some people in the ministry today re just there for their personal gain in return.

WeNoGoDie:
Men and women that sacrificed comfort and convenience and privileges and even their very lives to go wade into dangerous, unwelcoming terrains in order to preach, provide medicine, erase illiteracy from diverse ancient underdeveloped regions they visited.

They deserve a lot of credit.

Bollocks ! They were on a quest to conquer and dominate, using religion as a front.

DIKEnaWAR:



Bollocks ! They were on a quest to conquer and dominate, using religion as a front.

Empty!

coolitempa:
This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians

Do you have to show us your inability to read and comprehend wtf you read? This your post and even equating it as what the article said showed you don't even know how to read whatsoever. I doubt you even understood wtf written up there. Agbero goat

Well then I'm not shocked. You Afonja are the biggest illiterate known to men. Una rather be agbero than go to school. Wtf do i except from a bunch of savages whose oba begged English men to come and colonize them to stop them from killing each other of like rats. I don't know why the British did as una asked, they should have allowed una to wipe each other of the face of the earth. The less black Savage monkeys in this world, the better.

WeNoGoDie:
Men and women that sacrificed comfort and convenience and privileges and even their very lives to go wade into dangerous, unwelcoming terrains in order to preach, provide medicine, erase illiteracy from diverse ancient underdeveloped regions they visited.

They deserve a lot of credit.

What credit. You think they did that sh1t for your benefit? You do realize colonization is the main reason why Africa is the mess it is today.

Get out of mental slavery/ colonization jor

coolitempa:
[s]This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians[/s]

Trash!!!
We know you were sophisticated prior to meeting the white men, in fact you colonised the whites..... Just Take your pathetic self to the loo, you urgently need to purge urself of stewpeedity before it colonises ur entire gray matter....yeye dey smell

Ikechu10:


What credit. You think they did that sh1t for your benefit? You do realize colonization is the main reason why Africa is the mess it is today.

Get out of mental slavery/ colonization jor

Colonization and missionary activity and totally different.

Mary slessor was a missionary that stopped the killing of twins in Calabar.

There are countless other such benefits from missionary activities.

Do you see how the two are different?

coolitempa:
This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians

your name must not pass one of this olabanjo, olanihi, olabimbo, olaoblong, olacone, olaafonja, olaofemmanu

Smoothie01:

Trash!!!
We know you were sophisticated prior to meeting the white men, in fact you colonised the whites..... Just Take your pathetic self to the loo, you urgently need to purge urself of stewpeedity before it colonises ur entire gray matter....yeye dey smell

Your invective only came short of screaming Afonja, which could have calmed your nerves. You needed to be reminded that the author of the write up was the latter set of missionaries to have visited igbo land. The very first set was led by Ajayi crowther(Afonja) who founded the first mission church, school, clothing materials & educational booklet of vocabulary that were taught igbos how to read & write... Now you see why the Yorubas are referred to as being sophisticated.
Truth is talking!

As usual, the Low self esteem people who always feel inferior to the Igbos has invaded this innocent thread to cause nuisance.

TimeManager:
Your invective only came short of screaming Afonja, which could have calmed your nerves. You needed to be reminded that the author of the write up was the latter set of missionaries to have visited igbo land. The very first set was led by Ajayi crowther(Afonja) who founded the first mission church, school, clothing materials & educational booklet of vocabulary that were taught igbos how to read & write... Now you see why the Yorubas are referred to as being sophisticated.
Truth is talking!

Oga keep ur so called "truths" to yourself... it's inconsequential... You should bother urself about ur sister that I quoted, you can't call my tribe barbaric and get a pat on d back...even tho I know ur native tongue is shaped to be so insulting

And btw don't gloat over the sarcasm in my comment , you and ur ilks are far from sophisticated....

ZZ22:
your name must not pass one of this olabanjo, olanihi, olabimbo, olaoblong, olacone, olaafonja, olaofemmanu

Olakankita

Smoothie01:

Oga keep ur so called "truths" to yourself... it's inconsequential... You should bother urself about ur sister that I quoted, you can't call my tribe barbaric and get a pat on d back...even tho I know ur native tongue is shaped to be so insulting


And btw don't gloat over the sarcasm in my comment , you and ur ilks are far from sophisticated....

After that the Yorubas had taught you how to read & write, gave you a taste of civilization among other sophistication, you have the effrontery to deride the Yorubas mannerlessly.. What a people!
Kiss the truth!

dokiOloye:
Olakankita

Olansikankit

TimeManager:
[s]After that the Yorubas have taught you how to read & write, gave you a taste of civilization among other sophistication, you have the effrontery to deride the Yorubas mannerlessly.. What a people!
Kiss the truth![/s]

More trash!!...
Teach urself some manners and ur sister that I quoted too...I've given you too much attention already...Swerve!

raymexx:
I love Igbos

^^ You can say that again!
And by the way, who wouldn't, except u are an........

coolitempa:
This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians

oh!
Your stupid skull is asking the air why lord lugard grouped us with these barbarians
But wen they wanted to carry their babaric selves and leave your country, was it not awolowo that made sure they stayed back??
On d other thread, were u not d same idiot calling pro biafrans deluded clowns saying that should forget biafra
Pathetic oblong skulled goat

coolitempa:
This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians

you are foolishly pretending u don't want to b in d same Country with "Igbo barbarians" .
IPOB is trying to leave your country for u...and u are d same bastard calling them names
Hypocritical ofe mmanu eating idiot

Smoothie01:

More trash!!...
Teach urself some manners and ur sister that I quoted too...I've given you too much attention already...Swerve!

Too much attention? ...Silly arse. If this was the manner in which Ajayi Crowther was received by your forebears, they wouldn't have benefited the privilege of what you now enjoy... Kid!
Truth is mine!

Smoothie01:

Oga keep ur so called "truths" to yourself... it's inconsequential... You should bother urself about ur sister that I quoted, you can't call my tribe barbaric and get a pat on d back...even tho I know ur native tongue is shaped to be so insulting

And btw don't gloat over the sarcasm in my comment , you and ur ilks are far from sophisticated....

Lol. The person u are refering as his sister is a man. He's the legendary coward esinwaju hiding under female name/handle.

coolitempa:
This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians

u don't want to b in d same country with them, ipob wants to leave or oblong skulls behind and u are calling them names, don't u want Igbo to leave u again?
Hungry Oshogbo bastard that wants to drink oil with her smelling mouth

coolie:
This article is pure and unadulterated truth of the backwardness of the iboes prior to meeting the white man.....imagine just over a hundred or so years ago, these people were still roaming the bushes just naked....why did lugard group us with these barbarians

^^
Pathetic transgendered u are here already? I will advise u to quietly crawl back to ur grand fathers' dilapidated hamlet in ur oshogbo slum to avoid embarrassment.

Hmmm

Ikechu10:



Do you have to show us your inability to read and comprehend wtf you read? This your post and even equating it as what the article said showed you don't even know how to read whatsoever. I doubt you even understood wtf written up there. Agbero goat

Well then I'm not shocked. You Afonja are the biggest illiterate known to men. Una rather be agbero than go to school. Wtf do i except from a bunch of savages whose oba begged English men to come and colonize them to stop them from killing each other of like rats. I don't know why the British did as una asked, they should have allowed una to wipe each other of the face of the earth. The less black Savage monkeys in this world, the better.

You should have ignored the imbeci.le
Go through his posts you will begin to pity him
Even his family have lost hope in him