What Makes The Igbo people different from other tribes in Nigeria

What distinguishes Igbo is their intrinsic value system. Unfortunately, today, many Ndi Igbo believe what makes Igbo unique is their energetic pursuit of money.

Disturbingly, many who are returning to Odinani Igbo are not returning to embrace and reflect the highly distinguished Igbo value system. Rather, they are ‘going back to the their root’ with hope it will help them to acquire money.

Consequently, there is little difference in the mentality of an Igbo Christian and Igbo Odinani practitioner.

Money has been so elevated in today’s Ndi Igbo that the deep value system that made their ancestors philosophers, spiritual adepts, observers of nature, republicans are hardly found in Ndi Igbo of today.

One of the foremost values of ancient Igbo is, Ome ife jide ofo. This means in whatever you do, stand on truth.

Truth was highly revered more than anything to the extent, Ozo institution, the most noble class in Igbo society of old, was nothing but an assembly of men of truth.

Today, the words of onye Igbo, old and young, especially those in business, politics, even religious set ups, cannot be relied on.

The ugly impression out there is that an Igbo person can do anything for money. When fake products are mentioned, the first suspect that comes to mind is an Igbo person.

Moving on, our Igbo ancestors built their lives around, Ometalu ya bulu. This principle that clearly reminded them, you must reap what you sow, restrained them from indulging in damning acts that will attract curses upon their house.

Today, many Ndi Igbo have replaced this value system with forgiveness of sin.

Modern Ndi Igbo are prone to commit all manner of sin with hope that their sins will be forgiven once they ask for forgiveness.

Our ancestors feared the retributive justice from the mother earth, izelu mkpu ani. They were careful not to heap untold hardship upon themselves and their children because they believed you must reap what you sow.

Igbo value system was built on these two principles, Insistence on Truth (Ome ife jide ofo) and Karma (Ometalu ya bulu).

It is on these two principles that societal order and behavioural traits were formed. Thus, our ancients developed the habit of being restrained and philosophical in their approach to life.

They were not quick to lie.
They were not quick to say what they were not sure of.
They were not quick to dispossess others of what’s rightfully theirs.
They were not quick to engage in wars when there was a peaceful alternative.

Men and women that exemplified these two principles were most revered and respected in Igbo communities. And those that turned their backs on these principles were treated as outcasts.

But what do you have today?

Do you see these vital Igbo values on Onye Igbo or do you see their love and respect for money?

Our people will say, Ife gbulu ya bu azu di ya na ime. Igbos of today are looking outward instead of inward to know the reason for their decline in all spheres of endeavour.

Stop searching! Our problems lies inward not outward.

You cannot place money above values and expect to be respected by people or nature who know the true order of things.

Written by Nze Tobe Osigwe (Ezeikolomuo)