Igbo Idioms are the ornaments and the jewelry that beautify the Igbo language and make the listeners pay great attention to any talker that uses them. Such a person is held to a high esteem. They are words of wisdom part of which intelligence is measured in Igbo land. Wat butter is to bread, Igbo Idiom is to language and a speech in Igbo that has no idiom is like soup without salt. The Igbos are known to be smart go ahead people, figuring out the meaning of idioms from infancy plays definitely a role in that.
“A true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.” —Barack Obama “African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe.” —Toni Morrison Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.
In the realm of literature, where words weave the fabric of culture and tradition, Dandy Ahaoma Ahuruonye’s “The Whispering Poet: An Anthology of Igbo and Other Proverbs” stands as a monumental work. This encyclopaedia is not merely a collection of sayings; it is a treasure trove of wisdom, a bridge between generations, and a testament to the enduring power of language. Introduction “The Whispering Poet” is a meticulously curated anthology that delves into the rich tapestry of Igbo proverbs, alongside a selection of maxims from various cultures around the world. Ahuruonye, with his profound understanding of both local and regional proverbs, offers readers a rare insight into the roots of these diverse pearls of wisdom. The book is a celebration of the Igbo tradition, where proverbs are regarded as cherished patrimony, bequeathed by wise ancestors to teach and guide their progeny. Ahuruonye's introduction sets the stage for the journey ahead, providing a historical and cultural context for Igbo proverbs. He eloquently explains the significance of these proverbs in shaping Igbo identity, values, and worldview. The author's passion for his subject is evident in his writing, as he invites readers to embark on a journey of discovery and appreciation. The Igbo saying, “Ilu bụ ịnyịnya nke asụsụ Igbo; ya mere ọbụrụ na eziokwu na-efu efu, anyi ga-eji ilu Igbo chọta ya” translates to "Proverbs are the horses of the Igbo language; so, if the truth goes missing, we use Igbo proverbs to find it." Another Igbo saying, Nganga sịrị: Ọ gaghị ekwe omume. Ahụmahụ sịrị: Ọbụ ihe ize ndụ. Iche echiche sịrị: Onweghị isi. Mana obi takwunyere ha sị ~ Burugodi ụzọ nwalee ya! translates to “Pride says: It’s impossible. Experience says: It’s risky. Reason says: It’s pointless. But the heart whispered to them ~ Just try it!” These anthologies are defined by the way each proverb encapsulates the essence of truth and reflection, making them powerful vehicles for conveying wisdom. Review As already emphasised, Ahuruonye’s encyclopaedia is a captivating exhibition of historical proverbs of traditional Igbo origin, presented alongside proverbs from other cultures. This juxtaposition not only highlights the universality of proverbial wisdom but also underscores the unique cultural contexts from which these sayings emerge. The book is divided into sections that allow readers to explore proverbs with parallel applications, making it a versatile reference for both academic and personal use. One of the most striking features of “The Whispering Poet” is its comprehensive approach. The book reviews the history of proverbs from ancient Egypt to medieval Israel, and from the NOK civilisation to the Nri and Benin Kingdoms. This historical context enriches the reader’s understanding and appreciation of the proverbs, situating them within a broader narrative of human experience. Ahuruonye’s prose is both lyrical and scholarly, a blend that makes the book accessible to a wide audience. His descriptions are vivid, bringing to life the cultural landscapes from which these proverbs originate. For instance, he writes, “In the heart of the Igbo land, where the palm trees sway to the rhythm of the wind, proverbs are the silent whispers of the ancestors, guiding the living with their timeless wisdom.” Such lines not only paint a picture but also evoke a sense of connection to the past. The book contains over 400 original images from certified and authentic sources, adding a visual dimension to the proverbs. These images serve as cultural artefacts, as well as escorts, providing a tangible link to the traditions and histories discussed in the text. The inclusion of these visuals makes the book not just a literary work but also a cultural archive. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in Igbo culture, African literature, or the power of proverbs. It is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers alike. The Whispering Poet is a testament to Ahuruonye's dedication to preserving and promoting Igbo heritage, and it is a work that will continue to inspire and enrich readers for generations to come. Memorable Lines and Quotes “The Whispering Poet” is replete with memorable lines that resonate with readers long after they have turned the last page. Some of the standout quotes include: “A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.” This Igbo proverb reminds us of the importance of humility and perspective. “When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.” This saying speaks to the human tendency to desire what seems just out of reach. "Proverbs are the whispers of the ancestors, guiding us through life's challenges." "A wise person knows when to speak and when to listen." "The tongue is a powerful weapon, capable of both healing and harming." Yes; The Whispering Poet is more than just an anthology; it is a gateway to a rich and vibrant culture. It is a book that will leave you pondering its wisdom long after you have finished reading.
Achievement seems to be a first-class value in our world today. With the ongoing global debate on what constitutes identity, can we include achievement as one of the constituents? In the Igbo/African identity, the achievement instinct is basically innate. The ethics of this phenomenon needs an evaluation, aimed at improving the status quo. What is the plight of the Igbo/African "achieving" in the face of modern capitalistic tendencies? What has become of the many other values in her identity, which has been her pride as a race? How is her religiosity (which is inseparable from daily living) affected by "modernity" and its new trends of the achievement ethos? These are some of the issues that are addressed in this book with the conviction that theology, achievement and identity are continuity.
The book is devoted to Professor Ọladele Awobuluyi of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria. It contains forty (40) well-researched papers selected through a rigorous assessment process out of the many submitted for consideration. The papers are grouped into four sections: Language and Society; Formal Linguistics; Applied Linguistics; Pragmatics, Language Acquisition & Lexicography. We hope readers will find these papers useful in their continuous quest for invaluable knowledge in African linguistics.
In twenty-five chapters this book covers phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. The chapters are organized in four discrete parts: phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. They are uneven in terms of scope covered, length, the density of their contents and their degrees of difficulty. Each chapter ends with ‘Some References’ relevant to both the topic(s) treated in the chapter, in Igbo linguistics, and in general linguistics.
This book is a timely addition to debates and explorations on the epistemological relevance of African proverbs, especially with growing calls for the decolonisation of African curricula. The editors and contributors have chosen to reflect on the diverse ways of being and becoming African as a permanent work in progress by drawing inspiration from Chinua Achebe's harnessing of the effectualness of oratory, especially his use of proverbs in his works. The book recognises and celebrates the fact that Achebe's proverbial Igbo imaginations of being and becoming African are compelling because they are instructive about the lives, stories, struggles and aspirations of the rainbow of people that make up Africa as a veritable global arena of productive circulations, entanglements and compositeness of being. The contributions foray into how claims to and practices of being and becoming African are steeped in histories of mobilities and a myriad of encounters shaped by and inspiring of the competing and complementary logics of personhood and power that Africans have sought and seek to capture in their repertoires of proverbs. The task of documenting African proverbs and rendering them accessible in the form of a common hard currency with fascinating epistemological possibilities remains a challenge yearning for financial, scholarly, social and political attention. The book is an important contribution to John Mbiti's clarion call for an active and sustained interest in African proverbs.
This volume explores the nature, philosophies and genres of indigenous African popular music, focusing on how indigenous African popular music artistes are seen as prophets and philosophers, and how indigenous African popular music depicts the world. Indigenous African popular music has long been under-appreciated in communication scholarship. However, understanding the nature and philosophies of indigenous African popular music reveals an untapped diversity which only be unraveled by knowledge of the myriad cultural backgrounds from which its genres originate. Indigenous African popular musicians have become repositories of indigenous cultural traditions and cosmologies.With a particular focus on scholarship from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa, this volume explores the work of these pioneering artists and their protégés who are resiliently sustaining, recreating and popularising indigenous popular music in their respective African communities, and at the same time propagating the communal views about African philosophies and the temporal and spiritual worlds in which they exist.
