By Edikan Ekanem.
Neo-colonialism as defined by oxford advance learner’s dictionary is “the control or dominion by a powerful country over a weaker ones (especially former colonies) by the use of economic pressure, political suppression and cultural dominance.
For the purpose of this work, our scope is limited to cultural dominion as the crux of the matter. In bringing out the thrust of the piece, some inferences will be drawn from and around the state where appropriate.
Language, culture, grooming, delicacies and norms are among the outstanding identifying marks of any given society in existence.
Language has served plethora of purposes from the biblical times till now such as means of communication, identity and protection. It does more than that; it brings unity, harmony and cooperation in a concerned society.
However, certain questions come to mind. Is the above still obtainable in the present day Akwa Ibom? Do we still value our own cultures, delicacies, languages and grooming? Does it mean that the cultures and languages we are mimicking are better or more important than ours? What could really be the cause for such a shift in paradigm?
It is a sad observation that the negative impact of neo-colonialism in our languages is extremely alarming. We pay little or no attention to our own indigenous language even when its importance are clearly seen and orchestrated, at the same time displaying repulsive and appalling attitude towards it.
If we love our languages half of the way we long to know foreign languages especially English, Akwa Ibom would have moved further by now.
But does it mean that our own language does not worth celebration and recognition? Does it mean our love for Akwa Ibom languages cannot be nurtured to grow? Ukang nnyin, isanga iben affong aman ayin ikim ino ada?
In Pentecost 33 C.E, the 3000 people were baptized because they heard the gospel on their own native languages which helped them fully grasped the real meaning of the scriptures. Jehovah our God does not exalt one language above another and never will do such. -Acts 2:41.
Following the above, how many Christendom churches in Uyo capital city and in Akwa Ibom state at large still preach with our own native languages for the clear understanding by the congregation? Have we not been hearing how our elders are complaining of not being carried along in church programmes by way of throwing our language into abyss?
Conversely, does it mean that an ardent lover of his Akwa Ibom language will not know English language? Does it mean that an individual can no longer be a bilingual or multilingual because he loves his native language? Or does it further imply that a lover Ibibio will lose his fluency and eloquence in English Language?
Nditö Akwa Ibom, eben akebebre adikid ntuk eyen ekpad ke itöñg, isanga die ikpono ndibe-ukod ikan ifukö? ukang nnyin esesio awo aying, Ekponoimö, Ediöñgseyene, Anieatim, Imöimböhö. Anam die ndien yak nyin ididuk utö ufun usem ikömbakara ami? Inuen afudoke ke anyöñg, mkpad awöd isöñg, mbök yak nnyin ikudo atabong asua ayin isöñg ima adidung.
The importance of indigeous languages cannot be over emphasized but situations are worsened when our sons and daughters who are eschewing, condemning and disregarding Ibibio language are incompetent in English language. Ukang nnyin mbök, nsutö uwa ido ami? Akparawa asetip usung mkpö iba? Akpadiök tutu.
Well, to know more on why proper attention should be given to Akwa Ibom Languages, you may wish to read an article entitled “Akwa Ibom languages in our contemporary society: the need for Revival” by the same author which is available in Google.
Meanwhile, our language is our pride, lets restore for our own good.
What then is our attitude towards our indigenous names? Do we still value and treasure it? It is sad to know that most parents vehemently kick against naming their children our indigenous names with their unquestionable best known reasons.
But why then do our adults take delight in changing their Ibibio names to English, persuading and attacking others to join the trend? What added advantages do individuals have in adopting English names? Some of our mentalities seriously need to be purged.
Concerning our delicacies, do we want to mention the alarming ebb in our native delicacies? Is it not clearly seen that the credence that Akwa Ibom people had in cooking native and the most palatable foods is swiftly declining and diminishing?
How many of our 21st century children can boost of cooking our own delicacies correctly? Do we still teach our children how to prepare or do we think it will make them look primitive?
Concerning our grooming and dressing, how many Akwaibomits can be easily known among others by way of their grooming or dressing?
It will not take a minute to identify a Yoruba or Hausa man in the midst of people because their dressing will speak for them. What is then wrong with our dressing or does it mean we do not have a mode of dressing?
Is it ridiculous, shameful and clueless in our own part to adopt English wears and English language on our own traditional marriages in the name of being formal and official.
Who are we more formal than? What positive effect of these formalities have we seen since its adoption?
With due respect to our people, there is no sense in us wearing suits to our traditional gatherings, it portrays intellectual incapability. Why are we claiming to be more catholic than the pope?
If Akwaibomts are not known and recognised by their names, delicacies, language or dressing, what else will be known for? It is high time we started thinking positively towards our own languages and good cultures.
With this article, I humbly urge the executive governor of Akwa Ibom state his Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom state house of Assembly, the honourable commissioner for culture and tourism, traditional institutions in Akwa Ibom State, pressure groups concerned Akwaibomits to rise and let us collectively fight neo-colonialism in Akwa Ibom State.
Let’s join our hands together and support Amb. Mike Umoh, the Ambassador of Akwa Ibom Culture, the CEO of Epistle signature and Epistle Dance Academy, the Initiator of #Bringbackourlanguage motion in Akwa Ibom state house of Assembly in his quest to restore our language and our culture as he deserves more encomiums.
Ukang nnyin, yak iyem inweiwen ebod idaha ayio adikime mi ooo (lets search for the dark goat in the day time).
If we do not kill this myopic mentality regarding our values now, we will be dump-founded in the near future when our identity will be completely exterminated.
#Bringbackourlanguage
Long live out culture
Long live our languages
Long live Akwa Ibom State.
Edikan Ekanem is a student of University of Uyo, a contemporary writer and a columnist. He can be reached at 08130015006 or eddy4jah@gmail.com
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