Source : Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu
The Igbo child needs to know that before colonialism, his ancestors developed the Nsibidi writings as a form of communication, that they were literate.
The Igbo child needs to know that some beautiful Arts, logic, philosophy, proverbs, music, etc that our ancestors formulated predates the British civilization.
The Igbo child needs to know that as far back as 4,000 years ago before the existence of the Roman civilization, our ancestors were already smelting iron and producing various kinds of tools in Lejja Nsukka, building Pyramids in Nsude Udi etc. During this time, some European tribes were still living in caves.
The Igbo child needs to know that our ancestors established orderly and organized societies with a unique pattern of government, and growing in various fields of life at their own pace before they were invaded and colonized. Not that they were jumping from tree to tree nak£d.
The Igbo child needs to know that our ancestors never fought religious wars.
The Igbo child needs to know that our ancestors worshipped God (Chineke) before the coming of the Christian missionaries.
The Igbo child needs to know that our ancestors developed various kinds of medicines that cured various kinds of diseases.
The Igbo child needs to know our ancestors formulated the Igbo language, invented the various Igbo delicacies we enjoy and take pride in today, and various aspect of our beautiful cultures we gives identity.
The Igbo child should also be taught that our ancestors were not perfect. That they practiced some barbaric culture which was common at the time they existed, based on the level of knowledge available to them. But very importantly, let them know that no culture, civilization, or religion that existed as at that time that was free of barbaric practices. This is because time and available knowledge affects the norms of every era.
when the Igbo child understands this, he’ll not grow looking down or condemning his ancestors. He’ll not feel inferior to his whites counterparts. He’ll not subconsciously accept that he owes the white people, or that ndi Igbo and our ways of life is inferior to that of the whites. He’ll not insult his ancestors, but rather will grow up to be proud of who he is, respect his ancestors, acknowledge their mistakes in other not to repeat them. And then, very importantly look for ways to advance what his ancestors already left for him in the field of science, technology, agriculture, culture and values, spirituality, etc.
The absence of these important precolonial histories in our schools is what makes many supposed educated Igbo people who couldn’t advance ordinary tool our ancestors invented for climbing of palm trees or our ancient blacksmithing art to be asking questions like “what did our ancestors produce”.
I think we are the ones that should be ashamed that we failed our ancestors.
The Igbo/African child needs to be enlightened. Our education curriculum isn’t helping matter.
Today an African child subconsciously feels inferior to ndi ocha. To the extent that even if Onye Igbo in USA invents something, once such invention reach our shores, the first thing that follows is the saying “onyibo bu agbara.” We subconsciously attribute anything superior to Onyibo, teach same to kids, and it’s funny many of us don’t know how dangerous such is to the psyche of our people.
All we need is a good government and and continuing from where our ancestors stopped, we will grow at our own pace and develop our society based on our own standard.
The Africa child/mind needs to be enlightened
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