The Sad Fading Away of the Rich Ibibio Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions

In the past, idiomatic expressions and proverbs were regarded as the wisdom and soul of the people especially for the Efik and Ibibio's ethnic group. This proverbs and idiomatic expressions have long served as the heartbeat of our culture, wisdom, and oral tradition. I still remember during my early childhood, my grandparents used to sit us down and tell us some stories and asked us to say what we have learned from the story. Sometimes story about the Tortoise as a cunny animal or stories about a lion as a brave animal. This were some good times that binds more family bond stronger. Created unity and love among siblings and taught us some ethics and morals.

In our today’s world, it is such a pity that these once-revered treasures are gradually fading away, almost unnoticed. What was once the pride of elders, the glue of community conversations, and the moral compass of generations is now becoming a memory, rarely heard and even more rarely understood. The modernized world and the Western civilization has taken over the rich culture and way of life of the African. More domestic violence, broken marriages, disregard to the elders and lot of social vices.

The Ibibio's were known for their rich proverbs, which were more than just a words. They are poetic capsules of truth, reflections of communal experiences, and tools of persuasion and correction. For instance, a proverb like "kudot eyen ke ofongidem akpamkpa, baha amidukeme", meaning “One shouldnt places his or her hope on the properties of the dead Incase it doesn't size you”, this Proverbs teaches about not having hope on someone but instead, one should be responsible, hardworking and acquired his or her own wealth. Such expressions often held deeper meanings and were used to subtly pass advice and correct behaviors.

Another example is , "Eyen ubuene ase okob ekpat ke nte ubok eseme." Meaning, a poor child should always hang his or her bag where his or her hand reaches"

This teaches that " One should live within their means and avoid striving for things beyond their financial or social capacity".

These were rich sources of advice and teachings all In one action and word.

Now the question is; Where are we now?. Sadly, we are losing these invaluable tools of communications and also their place in society.
The younger generation, influenced by Western culture and digital communication, now grow up speaking mostly English or Pidgin. Parents no longer pass down these sayings as part of daily conversation.

FOLK SONG

Another rich Akwa ibom Proverbs were most times put into songs, now called " folk songs".

Folk songs/forktale have long stood as powerful vessels of history, wisdom, emotion, and communal identity. Far beyond mere entertainment, Ibibio folk songs reflect the values, struggles, celebrations, and philosophies of a people deeply rooted in their land and belief systems. Today, as we witness a shift in cultural expressions due to modernization, it becomes even more important to reflect on the true value of these traditional songs.

Ibibio folk songs are not random chants. Each lyric carries layers of meaning. Whether sung during festivals, funerals, marriage ceremonies, farming, or moonlight plays, these songs always reflect something greater the worldview of the Ibibio people.

This folk song I am presenting first teaches the importance of showing gratitude to God the creator of everything, greeting and showing respect to elders. After the greeting, the song tells a story about a bird that cries at night because the forest is frightening. However, when the bird was given the opportunity to live closer to people, it turned into a devouring fowl. As a result, it is now called a 'fowl stealer.

MORAL LESSON

This song hold a powerful message and warning , that one should be careful when rendering help to someone seeking for here. Here is the wisdom in the song.

1. Respect and Greeting of Elders:
   The opening of the song emphasizes that respect begins with simple acts like greeting elders. This sets the tone for good behavior and humility in a community.

1. The Bird’s Cry in the Forest:
   The bird symbolizes someone in hardship or isolation. Its crying at night reflects a plea for help, attention, or mercy due to its difficult situation.

1. Being Brought Closer to People:
   The bird is given a chance brought out of hardship (the scary forest) and brought into a safer, better place (near people). This represents an opportunity, grace, or a second chance.

1. Turning into a 'Devouring Fowl':
   Instead of appreciating the help, the bird misuses the opportunity and becomes destructive. This shows betrayal of trust, ingratitude, and abuse of kindness.

1. Called a 'Fowl Stealer':
   The community now labels the bird for its wrongdoing, showing that actions have consequences, and a person’s name or reputation changes based on their behavior.

Conclusion:

The need of reigniting the use of idiomatic expressions in our Ibibio culture is not just a call to preserve language, but a call to revive our identity, values, and ancestral wisdom. These expressions carry deep meanings that teach morals, guide behavior, and connect generations. If we lose them, we lose a vital part of who we are as a people. Therefore, every effort to bring them back through storytelling, music, education, or creative challenges is a step toward keeping the soul of the Ibibio culture alive for generations to come.