October 1, 2007

Isideghe nnaanga mben usung ikwereke asuuk- anam akwere (Until the farm work beside the road is over, there is no end to the greetings of passers-by).

Proverb Supplied by Fr. John Bosco Ekanem, Ph.D.
Reflection by Ezekiel Ette, Ph.D.

The Annangs have greetings for nearly every activity of life and each activity is in itself a greeting made possible by the addition of a few phrase. Thus the word “Tuum” can be added to a verb that makes it a wish of goodwill and hence a greeting. In the same way “Asuuk” can also be added to an adverb which also makes it a wish of goodwill for an activity that is ongoing. Today’s proverb acknowledges that such a greeting by passer-bys to one working beside the road can be distracting, for the worker must stop to acknowledge all the greetings as required by the rules of the Annang cultural etiquette. Until the work is completed, the proverb says, the greetings would continue. Public task or whatever is manifest attracts public inquiry. Prying eyes and curious questions arise when an activity is known widely. Such inquiry with all that it brings may be distracting, disturbing and capable of derailing plans. The occasion for using this saying might have been as a reminder to people that activities that are known are likely to bring public scrutiny and to encourage individuals to be careful in their public personae.
In a way we are all working besides the road for our lives are like a mirror shown to the world. They reflect who we are and others walking by inquire about how we are doing. In a way, we too live in a world where we are constantly disrupted by the greetings of passer bys. Social scientists have long known that each society has certain expectations of the individuals in society. The society expects us to sit after a certain time, then crawl, walk, attend school, graduate become adults and perhaps raise our own children. When we fail to achieve these developmental tasks many are quickly labeled a failure. The pressures of achieving these tasks can be tremendous and as a result many are disillusioned and suffer from enormous stress. The fact is that no matter what we have achieved, the expectations of others will continue. Our society will expect us to have a bigger house, a more expensive car, offer more scholarships and throw bigger parties. We do not have to live our lives by the dictates of the expectation of others for as the saying goes, such expectation continues to mount and increase in intensity so long as life continues.
Today we celebrate the independence of our nation, Nigeria. In a way today's saying is also relevant for as long as the ills of the society continue, we shall continue with the struggles of how to live.
Thomas Crombie once wrote that no one is free until we have mastered our souls and control our spirits. You cannot be free if you live just to satisfy the expectation of others. You cannot be free and cannot truly live if you pay more attention to what others say than listening to your spirit. The fact is that as long as life continues, the distractions would come, the expectations would come and unless you are focused others are willing to tell you just how to live and what to do. Remember, you cannot do everything and therefore trying to satisfy everyone is impossible. Do your best and do not try to reach other’s best for that may be impossible. Our wish for you today is to heed the words of our ancestors that until the farm work beside the road is over, there is no end to the greetings of passers-by.

 

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Annang Wisdom is an inspirational letter produced as a service of the Annang Heritage Preservation Project. No part of this publication may be transmitted, forwarded, copied, stored or recorded without the permission of the Annang Heritage Preservation Inc. Please send all comments and requests to ancientwisdom@annangheritage.org.