|
|
Landlord speaks: What Biafra means to us, Igbo *A Dialogue Between A Servant & His MASTER*
Ndubueze Godson III Chicago – USA Monday, May 10, 2004 Igbo, mma mma nu. Igbo ekene:
Is it not an all time low, an aberration if you wish when a visitor begins to question his landlord’s choice of name, enclave and existence? It goes to show the affront with which the Nigerian machine is getting accustomed to with their presumptuous posture on who should lead us to the Promised Land and what our name should be. My effort to enlighten yet another minority loudmouth who assumes it is his birth rite to abrogate and reprobate on the Biafra issue has taken yet another route. Let me risk a question, where do these strangers in our land draw the impetus, audacity, alacrity, effrontery, boldness, guts, balls, eche taram eche taram, and what have you? Isn’t it an insult in and of itself for a stranger to question the definition of our name and refusing to accept what we suppose it to be?
This will be a big and good one thanks to a Benin boy who arrogated to himself the right to question our choice of name… Biafra. He used an undercover name to insult our race on one of the Internet chat rooms. My initial attempt to educate, share and/ or inform this young lad was futile, as you will follow down the thread. This fella’s attempt was a direct assault on our existence despite the explanations from me and other well meaning Igbo about what Biafra means to us and how we got this beautiful historic name that send shivers down their spines each time it is invoked. The take no prisoner attitude of this writer was ever made clear to this chap no doubt he was taken care of quickly please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the trip. In this discussion, I tried to summarize his comments represented by BB followed by my response.
BB: He questioned not ask but doubted what Biafra mean literarily and below the writer tried to answer with the following explanations:
Biafra originated from the "Bight of Biafra" (West African Coastal Area)
BB: He came back still firing blanks by reminding me that the referenced book made no mention of the true origin of Biafra that the book instead dealt with slavery.
Again writer’s response, Biafra is a concept, an idea that appealed to us on the belief that we shall overcome our travails in the hands of the conniving Yoruba and their Hausa masters. What do the Yoruba and their Benin kindred call what Gowon/Awolowo attempted on the Igbo that preceded the war? Slavery that’s it! Like in the Bight of Biafra, we too prevailed on the bastards who felt they could exterminate the warriors. Didn’t Gowon brag he was going to obliterate Biafra in six months? I wonder what happened. Ten states of Nigeria ganged on the Igbo yet remained powerless until their British, Russian, American and French masters jumped in to rescue them from a determined army to their shock. Biafra is a historical name that served and continues to avail us just right. Can the foreigners in Nigeria get a grip?
BB: Insisted that the Portuguese word with Igbo mutation left them clueless and makes no sense to them
Writer:
BB:
Wanted to
know if I Would you give my child a name without knowing the meaning of that
name. Writer: Now you’ve shown yourself to be a mental midget indeed because people do make up names for their children, businesses, groups etc. What is “ING?” A name could also be formed with acronyms it’s a matter of style and choice. Are you ok? The moment the Yoruba jealousy in you subsides you will begin to appreciate that people are different as our chosen name Biafra, which gives you endless problems attest. By choosing to ignore your moronic writings the Igbo can begin to address the stealing your father obasanjo has taken to all time high. A new low if you will. You still haven’t made a squawk about the "Murder Inc" ran by obasanjo and the IG your kinfolks. Get a life!
I've always availed myself with the Internet technology and have willingly entered into dialogue/exchanges to learn or teach but I see this particular brouhaha is not gonna cut through your myopia. Therefore I'm not gonna dignify your animal rants forthwith it leads nowhere as the level of your gyration (round & round) increases with each explanation of the name BIAFRA. Tschuess, adios, au revoir, buh byeeeeeeeee! Dig?
I then posed a very cheap question (meaning of Nigeria & Lagos) to this chap a precursor unbeknownst to him of what is yet to follow.
BB:
Writer:
His admonition came by way of doing better than typing the word Biafra into a search engine.
Writer:
BB: He’s not interested in knowing what Biafra means to us in 2004 or why H.E. Emeka Ojukwu & co. chose this name he's only interested in its original meaning before 1967.
Writer:
BB:
Writer:
BB: He wanted to know what my reaction would be if someone asks what my name means literarily.
Writer:
"Omenuko"
an Igbo name, which one can easily explain was given to him by his parents based
on the timing of his birth due to scarcity of food or fund, is one example out
of many that could either be "defined literarily" or explained. Dear ‘friend’
let me now give you the answer you've desperately been looking for:
In the early eighties in Houston, I used to tolerate you guys but not today as I’ve come to the realization that you guys are bad news to Igbo cause the thought is made sweeter by the undeniable fact that my fellow Biafrans are beginning to also see you guys for what you are… TRAITORS!
BB: The chap totally lost it by insinuating that we didn’t have any business naming Biafra with Igbo sounding name since the people of Akwa-Ibom and Calabar and others are not Igbo speakers. Forgetting the name applied to the entire Eastern Region. He also questioned whether the early Europeans seek the opinion of the African inhabitants of that area before the naming it the Bight of Biafra.
Writer: Obviously it’s hard for you to discern otherwise you would have read where I said "Biafra is a Portuguese word with IGBO mutation." Take a minute and look up the word "mutation" if it means going this low. We have transformed it (BIAFRA) into whatsoever we like again do you have issues with that? Just as I could easily question why Ibadan, which as you know is not a Yoruba spelling exists. But as a true democrat Igbo that is, it’s not for me or any Igbo to question and choose for you visitors what name your gods are called.
BB: I was being questioned here why I made the observation that overwhelming numbers of Igbo share my opinion on my definition of Biafra.
Writer: I think you're being childish and petty by not recognizing the opposition your question drew. If I may use your standard did you get permission from other Nigerians before embarking on your fruitless venture to question why BIAFRA? Assignment for you: I'll like to know the names, towns, education and employment of all the Igbo who disagree with my assertion on Biafra. Sometimes ago you boasted about your German education and we know better. If we’re to assume this to be true then you should’ve known what SAMPLING means. Let me simplify based on the response you got on this forum with your foolish question "What is the literal meaning of Biafra," I can comfortably say the 40 million Biafrans you quoted will agree with me give and take .0001% that might be bribed by the Nigerian machine. In the U.S. when someone, a stranger, which you are to us (Igbo), asks why you chose a particular name or thing. For starters, you don't have to answer jack and when you do, that stranger’s response will be "ok, I see" even if he/she is not satisfied it's not the stranger's place to question. History was and still is behind our name I hope I've made us clear? I am sure you wouldn't mind telling us what part of the area called Nigeria you're associated with. The truth! Thank you young fella.
BB: The dialogue soon changed course and became about my being annoyed at all who disagreed with me on how to separate Nigeria.
Writer: I thought the whole dialogue was about a name and its "literal" meaning why the sudden deviation? You still don't see your insulting ways do you? It didn't take long for you to relapse, huh? You’re definitely hallucinating because at no time did I tell you I was "annoyed" based on how the Igbo should separate. I thought all this was about "literal" meaning of a name you lack the depth to understand instead you digressed into a whole new field. Look, I engage in Internet discussions to embellish upon my knowledge, as you well know education is a continuous process so here you have it. Inasmuch as I was disappointed and angry with ya, at this moment all is forgiven that is if you would quit your collective insult on the Igbo/Biafrans. Thanks for trying though.
Note: Tired of this chap’s play, I went on full offensive by questioning the literal meaning of Benin. No doubt you wont be disappointed.
BB: He came up with some nonsense about Benin having a very strong and powerful meaning however, its meaning is not the issue.
Writer: What a blank! You write well however, I'll give you "F" for effort due to your lack of understanding. I'll now be interested in this Benin thing but remember when matters of importance are being discussed by men it's not always a good idea for youngsters to indulge. Now, we will be interested to know the meaning of "Benin" which is not an African spelling. I've made the meaning of Benin the issue so let’s get busy, guys.
End of Phase 1
In round two I went for a kill remember this “I then posed a very cheap question (meaning of Nigeria & Lagos) to this chap a precursor unbeknownst to him of what is yet to follow?” Below is actually the trap.
Writer: What is the literal meaning of Benin?
Warning! Before any attempt to give me some gibberish, beware that Benin as is, is first and foremost un-African. Secondly, no matter your definition, source and all that I still will not be convinced that whatever you thought of it will satisfy me, aiight. Having said this, what is the literal meaning of Benin, who gave it that name, under what circumstance, how many people were present during this name initiation, the weather condition etc? Please!
What is the literal meaning of NBA an acronym based on the formation of letters? It has no literal meaning nil/zero/zip it could be Nigerian Bar Association or National Basketball Association or whatever one wants it to be. BB: Take note!
I can almost assure you that the word "Benin" has no literal meaning period. A name could be based on the diction, syntax, sound or general appeal of the word or letters. Those of us that live in the most civilized part of the world.... USA, know that African-Americans make-up names ex. "Lakesha, LaShonda, Tameka etc without real meaning though with African sound. And this is neither criminal nor illegal so please respect us, as you are too young to understand the Biafra experience.
BB: Sensing he had ran into a trap, pushed into an uncomfortable corner the chap started writing German and backward. A line he wrote in English made it clear that he does not intend to answer the question.
Conclusion: The moment the table was turned as you can clearly see from this Benin boy’s errant crap, he suddenly forgot to write straight with his backward replies. No need to answer my question was his unintelligent reply and every need for us the MASTERS to answer one posed by our subject and you wonder why that hopeless nation is not making any progress. Listen all the coco yam-heads who refuse to accept our reason for choosing Biafra as our name, which we have tried without success to explain. Back to my earlier question, “what is ING?” To the ever inferiority complex infested minorities of Nigeria it might interest you to know that there’s a cooperation in the U.S with "ING" (http://www.ing.com/) as its name. To them "ING" is a beginning not an end[ing] so here you have it, the ignoramus who dare question our identity. A name is what the owner perceives it to be because folks name their kids based on historical happenings and the like so we exercised that right to be known as Biafra, the dreaded word.
What in the world does “Alhaji” mean? I was told it means “visitor” yes visitor to their so-called holy land and definitely to Nigeria if this is not so it would then require every resident of Mecca Medina to have this stupid appellation. I bet the Benin/Yoruba/Hausa didn’t know this. For the interest of peace the Benin/Yoruba should allow us be before I steer the hornet’s nest to their disadvantage.
From henceforth we will challenge your out of control arrogant recklessness, your outright lack of respect, your pre-medieval outlook and your right to belong in my country. The Igbo spirit in me will not take a back seat to any foreign assault on my people. It is an Igbo ‘thang’ foreigners cannot understand so let me sign off by reminding these judgmental nincompoops, the scallywags to approach with caution. I repeat, who gave you the right to dare ask? Answer me boy!
“Onye akpala nwa agu aka n'odu; ma o di ndu, ma o nwuru anwu; onye akpala nwa agu aka n'odu-o!” Do not play with the tiger’s tail; dead or alive, do not!
What a dare to ask whence we cometh! To be continued with a slight variation in title…
Biafra now, yesterday & always!
|