Introduction
Anyone who learnt Igbo in Alaigbo and speaks it with relish will surely acknowledge its dynamism and the context behind words and phrased used or ‘deleted’ over time and place. An assault on a people is equally an assault on their language so much so that it is their definition. In this article attempt is made to use an example to highlight how religious imperialism i.e. imposition of Christian religion by force enabled reconfiguration of words and their meaning to the point of causing serious deficit of positive collective self-appreciation.
While the position of this piece is not an advocacy for Igbo’s puritanical linguistic supremacy, nevertheless interaction allows the language to set the foundation and compass for its survival beyond pedantic colloquialism. One must also acknowledge that interference with ontological cores of a people including but not limited to their belief in the name of ‘civilisation’ and ‘evangelisation’ only wins a massive battle over generations without firing further shots. By extension it must be asserted that Igbo language and culture doesn’t need or required validation of external knowledge system of any shade or colour including but not limited to Judaeo-Christian constructions. This doesn’t diminish the responsibility of Ndigbo to sustain, maintain and extended the functions of their language.
Divided House
There is no doubt that in many cases active use of Igbo language is given 2nd base treatment even by foremost Ndigbo including Chinua Achebe. Examples of these can be found in those days when pupils and students are penalised for speaking the language in school/class. While there is no law against it, many so called learned individuals frown upon their colleague who ‘don’t conform’ by speaking Igbo is select places and spaces. This is mostly characteristic in urban spaces in Igboland, Nigeria, United Kingdom and United States. One is looked upon as ‘ancien’, out-of-touch and backward. Many parents at home and in diaspora have no clue of passing the language to their next generation. Within many Christian denominations baptism is likely to be denied if the chosen child’s name is Igbo rejected on the basis that such is not a saint name. Only God know Ndigbo will get their own saints. What is wrong with Onwuchuruba, Agbawodike, Agbakwuruibe, Akalikpo, Okunamiri, Adanwanchaghara and etc? What is less theological and spiritual than Ekeledirichukwu, Chinasa, Chukwuma and etc?
Unfortunately the holy rollers leading these myopic campaigns aren’t those who brought the first instance religious package, rather the sons and daughters of the communities who have been ‘saved’ to see everything negatively including themselves by subtle proxy. Afoanu! The champions of devilishisation of Igbo essence including language!
Example
Igbo words associated with the profession focused on maintaining and restoring well-being is acutely under attack. No one has issues telling another they have an appointment with a doctor. But once an individual mentioned an appointment with Dibia, heaven muscles suddenly develop contractions. The first reaction is that of surprise, facial contortion, gradual distancing and then extended lips for the curious question. It doesn’t matter if the appointment is with Dibia Ogwu, Dibia Nshi or Dibia Aja? Even Ogwu in its state is equally under siege. What is wrong the word Dibia? While the origins of these reactions are known what is less known is the etymology of these beautiful words. Di denotes a root adjective indicating expertise or professional excellence in any field of human endeavour. Many have heard and used words like Dioche (wine tapper (irrespective of kind of palm), Dinta (hunter), Dim/Dinwanyi (husband) and Dinweulo (head of household). It is clear there are many derivatives of Di including Dibia which suggest expert at emergency or rapid response. Is this not what Accident & Emergencies around the world do?
Di is a powerful evocation with far reaching spread of positive meanings and influence on the material and immaterial, individual and collective, visual and visual experiences. Blind intolerance of Christian structure (not faith) based on hollow a-contextual re-interpretations which started with imposition on the back of unprecedented and timeless multipurpose violence and imperialistic impunity continues till this day. There is no doubt that this has borne positive fruit, for now.
The saddest aspect of these experiences now and in the future is that those at the forefront of delegitimising and eradicating Igbo words have not made extra effort to appreciate and understand structure, process and challenges of meanings. Rather negative generalisations continue to dodge the landscape. Some of these flawed individuals are ready to travel to China, India and Cuba to obtain the best treatment from their Dibia forgetting that whatever they paid for and receive in treatment is not wholly narrow in content and context. There is nothing wrong calling a medicine man/woman, doctor. There is also nothing untoward regarding appendix as mkpuru nke afo, afterall where is it located in the anatomy?
Reflect
There is no justification for self-destruction in delegitimising Igbo words, phrases and sentences. These are the essence of our collective existence and experiences passed from one generation to another in dynamic openness to wider interaction but not at its great cost. Languages die each die but their deaths are not hastened only be depopulation rather by the depopulation of their usage. One of the great legacies of former Soviet Union is the recognition of peoples based on their linguistic geographies. Not so bad for those who rejected belief in a higher being!
New effort must be invested to advanced contexts, meanings and legitimacy of Igbo words, phrases and general language anywhere at any time. As for those who are more focused on accent, this includes those plying their trade outside of Igboland, they should be reminded that the next big thing in global language is not European in nature or Latin in script. For the 1.something billion who use it every day it is perfect and complete so much so that if your interest collide with their needs, short cuts surely diminishes.
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