February 1, 2008

Affiong ayong adat owo nka isang, adat ayong (Those who depend on the moon for their travel will always find a constant companion.)

Proverb by Atuekong Greg D. Udoka
Reflection and translation by Dr. Ezekiel Ette

Very few things are constant in the world. The Annang observed that seasons change and time flies. Humans are born and then they grow old and die, yet certain things in the universe seem to remain timeless and can be counted on. Unlike those in temperate and cold climates who sing the praises of the sun, the Annang praise the moon and look at moonlight as the epitome of bliss such that moonlight parties and dance competitions formed  the most anticipated social events before they were outlawed by the missionaries who saw them as sources of decadence and a force against their civilizing efforts. The Affiong parties were occasions where lovers looked forward to meeting. It was a time for the evening stories and it was in this social event that the older generation shared the stories of the land with the young. Young girls were given the name Affiong for the moon was a personification of beauty. Yet, it was not all fun. Traders and those who traveled the land took advantage of the cool breeze of the moonlight night to travel. Looking at the changes and decay around them, our forebears contrasted these changes with the permanence and constancy of the moon and concluded that those who do not put their trust in what is capable of changing, but depend on what endures instead will not be disappointed. 

What endures? As we go about the business of life and of living, each of us has a dream and a goal that seem to affect how we prioritize our lives. Such dreams are often predicated upon hope but oftentimes this hope is put not in our abilities, but on others. It may be our siblings, our parents, significant other or our spouse. Others put their hopes on money or other things that cannot be counted on to last. The result is that when these fail as they often do, we have nothing left to hold on to but if we have a foundation that allows us to replenish our spirits, we remain forever energized. The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Austrian composer is instructive here. Mozart wrote many wonderful music and made a lot of money but he was not a good steward of his money and seemed to have trusted that his talents would always bring him money. He died a very poor man and no money could be found for his burial. He was buried in an unmarked grave as a pauper.

Perhaps you sometimes wonder how you are going to make it from day to day in a world where change is constant. Our people observed that those who depend on the moon for their travel will always find a constant companion. What do you depend on? What is the compass of your life’s journey? Is it money, fame, or beauty? What is the source of your sustenance? Whatever it is, do not forget that there are very few things in the world that we can count on but we can count on love, faith, and hope in what endures and what gives life. May you find in your life’s journey today something that gives you hope in a bright future.

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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.