Esan Concept of Time: Esan Philosophy with Prof. Matthew Izibili
The concept of Time "Eghe" in Esan traditional thought: strenghtening the crooked edges
Introductory remarks
The concept of time, is of little or no academic concern to African people, Esan inclusive. There came a need to synthesize what is in African traditional Philosophy & Western philosophy, so to make for a proper understanding of African philosophy, by both African & non-African alike. Philosophers across the divide, have taken it upon themselves to study issues that are of philosophical worth or interest. Hence, concepts like Reincarnation, Predestination & of cause, the concept of time came most aptly under academic lens.
Historical account about time within the ambience of Philosophy, is stereotypically traceable to Aristotle's Physics. Here, time is defined as the number of movement in respect of "before" & "after". To him, Time is an attribute of motion. In this vein, motion is potently time. It only becomes actual time when its temporal succession is noted & measured by satient creatures. It is not a substantial entity which is capable of existing separately from other things.
It follows therefore, that time has no reality independent of the changes that substance undergo. Time is not a number but what is numbered. Before and after, if they are to refer to temporal relation, must mean before & after in time, rather than in the space transversed. In the light of the above, time is man made.
The thrust of this reflection is to challenge the most disturbing & disrespectful statement often used in most gatherings in our society about time being African. I know you understand what's the matter with African time... Lateness in configuration. Hmmmm. Is that sooooo?
The wheel of birth, life, death & rebirth, road emanation, fruition, dissolution, etc, are fundamental themes of African Philosophy or Philosophy in Africa, if you like. To say concept of time in Esan to the Occidental world, will at first seem unsound, bizarre & unworthy to mention. The reason for this expected reaction may not be unconnected to the way a good number of people within the Esan or African environment/ locale treats time.
It is a truism that there exist different expressions, aphorisms or proverbs which most times help to establish the idea of future time in Esan traditional thought. For example, this proverb says it all, " Oiye edeki, aresivi Uden", which means that the palm kernel that is meant for the production of native pomade or cream should not be cracked on the day that such ought to be processed & sold. Akha Kemu, ole ada ke, Ekhenre - if you get set for the market in good time, you will meet good produce to buy, etc.
Let's consider this one: "Aidenoto khe amen", this is interpreted as saying that the plot of land meant for farming should be prepared before it starts to rain. To be added, there are names that are time referenced. Ederibhalo, meaning there are days ahead. Agbontaen, literally, life is a long process; Edewede, the day is still young. Usubhealukhe, we live for the future, etc.
The idea as maintained by Esan people of Edo State help them in no small measure. This range from their consciousness exhibited especially during traditional festivals like the ones that involve sacrifices & associate rites. They will always be reminded of what happened in the past & be careful to prepare for the future, by conditioning themselves well.
As for the instruments for determining time, Esan approach is different from that of the Oyibos that uses clocks. Instead, Esan people use among others, the following : Luna months, sun rise & sun set, cock crow & seasons. In spite of the noticed diffrence btw Oyibos & Esan, time used to be valued, spent & no room for waste. Esan Elder, called Owanlen would say Eghe no gbera fo, okiede; this means, time as capital investment, once lost, can't be regained. This tallies with the Oyibos position that time & tide, waits for no one.
I'm tempted to ask at this pont: what is an African time about? From the foregoing, lateness is not & should not be part of our people as Esan. For the purpose of promptness, once a meeting is scheduled to hold within any of the communities in Esan, a certain amount is fixed to be paid by prospective late comers. It is a fine succinctly called "Oko" in Esan vocabulary. From the activities of an average farmer in Esan, one will appreciate the respect the people ought to accord time.
In the light of the above, " African" or "Esan" time, is promptness. Unfortunately, it has become a negative representation of the Africans & some have likened this trend to be responsible for the state of affairs in our communities.
Esan people should begin to see & treat time as a commodity that is priceless. Respect it, use it meaningfully & always remember that a 'miss-spent' time as a youth for instance, will bring regrets later. As an adult , respect time the more because you may not have surplus of it.
Ukpe kha khian, oifiegogo!!
Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom...
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| Prof. Matthew Izibili- renowned Esan Philosopher |
The concept of time, is of little or no academic concern to African people, Esan inclusive. There came a need to synthesize what is in African traditional Philosophy & Western philosophy, so to make for a proper understanding of African philosophy, by both African & non-African alike. Philosophers across the divide, have taken it upon themselves to study issues that are of philosophical worth or interest. Hence, concepts like Reincarnation, Predestination & of cause, the concept of time came most aptly under academic lens.
Historical account about time within the ambience of Philosophy, is stereotypically traceable to Aristotle's Physics. Here, time is defined as the number of movement in respect of "before" & "after". To him, Time is an attribute of motion. In this vein, motion is potently time. It only becomes actual time when its temporal succession is noted & measured by satient creatures. It is not a substantial entity which is capable of existing separately from other things.
It follows therefore, that time has no reality independent of the changes that substance undergo. Time is not a number but what is numbered. Before and after, if they are to refer to temporal relation, must mean before & after in time, rather than in the space transversed. In the light of the above, time is man made.
The thrust of this reflection is to challenge the most disturbing & disrespectful statement often used in most gatherings in our society about time being African. I know you understand what's the matter with African time... Lateness in configuration. Hmmmm. Is that sooooo?
The wheel of birth, life, death & rebirth, road emanation, fruition, dissolution, etc, are fundamental themes of African Philosophy or Philosophy in Africa, if you like. To say concept of time in Esan to the Occidental world, will at first seem unsound, bizarre & unworthy to mention. The reason for this expected reaction may not be unconnected to the way a good number of people within the Esan or African environment/ locale treats time.
To the Esan people, time is called Eghe & it is seen in three dimensional forms: An indefinite past, the present & the infinite future. The past is called "Eghe no gbera"; the present, " Ejayena", & the future which they see in two form: the near future - Usubhe, & indefinite future, which even goes beyond the end of life, they called it "Ariabhe".
It is a truism that there exist different expressions, aphorisms or proverbs which most times help to establish the idea of future time in Esan traditional thought. For example, this proverb says it all, " Oiye edeki, aresivi Uden", which means that the palm kernel that is meant for the production of native pomade or cream should not be cracked on the day that such ought to be processed & sold. Akha Kemu, ole ada ke, Ekhenre - if you get set for the market in good time, you will meet good produce to buy, etc.
Let's consider this one: "Aidenoto khe amen", this is interpreted as saying that the plot of land meant for farming should be prepared before it starts to rain. To be added, there are names that are time referenced. Ederibhalo, meaning there are days ahead. Agbontaen, literally, life is a long process; Edewede, the day is still young. Usubhealukhe, we live for the future, etc.
The idea as maintained by Esan people of Edo State help them in no small measure. This range from their consciousness exhibited especially during traditional festivals like the ones that involve sacrifices & associate rites. They will always be reminded of what happened in the past & be careful to prepare for the future, by conditioning themselves well.
As for the instruments for determining time, Esan approach is different from that of the Oyibos that uses clocks. Instead, Esan people use among others, the following : Luna months, sun rise & sun set, cock crow & seasons. In spite of the noticed diffrence btw Oyibos & Esan, time used to be valued, spent & no room for waste. Esan Elder, called Owanlen would say Eghe no gbera fo, okiede; this means, time as capital investment, once lost, can't be regained. This tallies with the Oyibos position that time & tide, waits for no one.
I'm tempted to ask at this pont: what is an African time about? From the foregoing, lateness is not & should not be part of our people as Esan. For the purpose of promptness, once a meeting is scheduled to hold within any of the communities in Esan, a certain amount is fixed to be paid by prospective late comers. It is a fine succinctly called "Oko" in Esan vocabulary. From the activities of an average farmer in Esan, one will appreciate the respect the people ought to accord time.
In the light of the above, " African" or "Esan" time, is promptness. Unfortunately, it has become a negative representation of the Africans & some have likened this trend to be responsible for the state of affairs in our communities.
Esan people should begin to see & treat time as a commodity that is priceless. Respect it, use it meaningfully & always remember that a 'miss-spent' time as a youth for instance, will bring regrets later. As an adult , respect time the more because you may not have surplus of it.
Ukpe kha khian, oifiegogo!!
Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom...
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