Tejekwelu ndi Nenwe.
Permit me to discuss this issue of great importance as we enjoy the Yuletide.
One of the many blessings of this season is the opportunity to unite and reunite with our loved ones and kins. As we do this, let's also involve our children. Take them to their maternal homes. Encourage them to visit their uncles, aunties, cousins, grandparents, etc. You may also take them to the graves of their ancestors they never met. Mention their names and what they stood for. We need to carry these children along. A lot of young people have ended up sleeping with their kins without knowing. You can imagine the emotional trauma/psychological damage this can cause. This is also destroying the value of unity and brotherhood we Igbos are known for.
Let me further illustrate this using the experience I had a long time ago.
It was sometime in October, many years ago. I was in yr2 and just came back home to spend the brief holidays with my grandmas.
Coincidentally, a distant cousin of mine also came home from Yankee. We've never met prior to this time. I was, on that fateful day heading to my village, Amabo, passing through Eke, I met with this handsome dude - tall, fresh, handsome; a kinda every woman's dream. He stopped me, telling me how beautiful I am and how he is interested in marrying me. I laughed in Swahili, asking him if it was the way marriage was being initiated in his village. Then, I asked for an introduction. Immediately, he mentioned his village and his father's name. I was shocked. He is my distant cousin without even knowing it. I insisted on meeting his family before starting any form of relationship.
Getting to his house, fortunately enough, his father and mother were at home. Immediately his father saw me, he shouted, "Superflash nwele m has come to greet me ooo". Then, I jokingly told him how my cousin declared his interest in marrying me. His father shouted, "Aaaah Ali Nenwe woooo! Tufiakwa!" And I stood there, giggling, watching him soaked in complete embarrassment mixed with perplexity!
This is a funny story but at the same time full of life's lessons. We were born and bred in far north. But my father made sure he disclosed almost all the people we have blood affiliation with. I may not have met you in person, but the moment you mention your name, kindred, and village, I automatically know whether you are kin or not. My parents took their time to educate us on these things, including family values, cultural heritage, Nenwe history, proverbs, etc.
Now, the question you should ask yourself as a Nenwe parent is, "How far have I gone in teaching my children Nenwe oriented values they ought to know?" But you can not do this except you have the interest or see the need to do so. The fact remains- whether you are back home for the Yuletide or far away in foreign land or across borders, teach these children what they need to know. Let's help in reviving and reinstating these dying values and close this widening generational gap.
Ekele m madu bu oha!
Happy Uka Nkwo.
Teacher Charity writes ✍️
THE COORDINATOR
CENTER FOR FOUNDATIONAL & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
NENWE ONLINE UNIVERSITY
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