Esan Philosophy in Perspective: the doctrine of Aregbe Iyoha
Iyoha practice in Esan: its gains and pains
By Prof. M. A. Izibili*
I have been thinking about the future through the past, in recent times. This lock down period & the pronouncements from the Federal government of Nigeria to the citizens as well as other unfolding events in our dear country in the COVID 19 period, has left me with no other option than to look back into history to attempt a reconcilatory exercise on whether some of our ways of life in Esanland which were thought to have been over taken by events, perhaps, due to modernization, are not here with us just now. Then came to my mind the "Aregbe Iyoha" practice of yesteryears. This urge & push became stronger in me after listening to the plenary section of the National Assembly as reported last night over an agendum by NTA: to give an accelerated passage of the presidential request for a loan running into billions of naira or dollars.
The Esan people are avid inventors of names. Unlike the Occidental world, names means much more than mere tags. Granted that some people in Edo State bear the name Iyoha or Oghuma as the case may be. An Oghuma ( a war captive) & Iyoha is more or less like two sides of the same coin. They are like twins in Esan names typological groupings. By the time they are presented as tripplet, the name Igbon (a confirmed slave), will be added.
Yesteryears, parents hardly give the above names to their children. Hence, they are part of unpleasant experiences of the parents in retrospect; a reminder of a sort, if you like. For the purpose of easy comprehension in my reflection, an IYOHA is that individual who has entered into an agreement (painful though) with a "strong man" primarily to bail him out of an overwhelming life challenge with the solemn pledge to serve the said "strong man" so long as it pleased him while relying on his terms.
In Esanland way back, circumstances beyond an individual's control, made some people run out of their communities to another & willingly surrender their rights to another person ( some times total stranger) with the hope of getting their problems solved. It could be financial, protection, health, etc challenge. But, l need you to think about the name: Ijesoimen. ( there's no one place that is good).
This brings to mind these two strong statements commonly used in Esanland:
1. "Aigheghe ne, okpokpo zune" (No one runs for the sake of running. It is a challenge that warrants it). Agbonkhese comes to mind here...
2."Oria haregbe Iyoha, onoria oki kio obhokhan" (Once anyone surrenders his right to another, such immediately becomes a child).
Granted, that at the time Iyoha practice lasted, the seemingly insurmountable challenge that led the person to get involved in "Iyohaism", is temporarily suspended. If it occurred as a result of a debt either owed directly or indirectly ( ie when it was ones parents or guardian that got indebted such is indirect debt); the service period is usually longer than necessary -5, 10, 15, 20. 25, etc. The reason responsible for this may not be unconnected with the beggerly disposition of the person who is now a certified IYOHA.
Not only that the duration is to be defined by the master (Creditor) under whom the person is to serve, unfortunately, even when the person suffers greatly, yet he only managed to smile in the suffering mode. It is revealing to note here that by the time "Aregbeiyoha" held sway in Esanland, some innocent girls got married out against their wish. It was a case of, since you can't pay what you owe me, & you are not fit enough to work in my farm ( for health reasons), I take this your daughter in exchange). It is here Iyoha could be said to have degerated to Oghuma...captive.
Oghuma, the war captive is forced against his will. The captive may have something to be thankful for at least, that he/she is alive, but denied of his/ her freedom for some times. I say denial of freedom for some time because after a period of time, the elders in the community where the Oghuma is kept, could grant amnesty & integrate the captive into the community. You can see that the practice of Amnesty is not new to our people. History!
After all, "Oriobhearebun"! ( It is strangers that increase the population size of a vibrant community). Unlike those who died in the rage of war, Oghuma still have hope . As for the Iyoha, a debtor in this case, have no word of his own.
NIGERIA Gov't & her avowed interest in foreign loan procurement ( before COVID 19 & during COVID 19), will keep the citizens in the state of IYOHA for a very long time. The pains associated with it are very far reaching. It is like a slave/master relationship. The accelerated passage of the presidential request for loan by the National Assembly, is only a journey into an Iyoha status before the international community especially IMF & it's closely related financial institutions whose arms are wide opened to receive African countries. China on my mind...
NOTES OF CAUTION
A creditor is the master to the debtor anytime, any day. Iyoha status can be avoided if one understands the boundaries between what demands immediate attention & what requires us to focus on the ultimate. Besides, human wants & human needs are not the same.
Being it as a Nation, State, Local government or even at individual level, please, let us learn to set our priorities right this time; else, one may graduate from the status of Iyoha to a full blown war against oneself that becomes tougher to win. Then, one slides into Oghuma status. Do not bite more than you can chew. Avoid being treated like a child when ideally, you are a full grown man or woman, else, you may share in the "bicycle repairer's" experience.
Being an "Iyoha" for any reason brings painful memories to the victims, how much more a confirmed Oghuma? Hold on & hold out... It won't be long, it shall come to pass.
May God grant us grace enough to overcome the challenges we may be facing right now, amen.
Remember : Oria no regbeiyoha, akhin obhokhan!
TGIW@ zibilism.
*Prof. Matthew A. Izibili is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.
By Prof. M. A. Izibili*
I have been thinking about the future through the past, in recent times. This lock down period & the pronouncements from the Federal government of Nigeria to the citizens as well as other unfolding events in our dear country in the COVID 19 period, has left me with no other option than to look back into history to attempt a reconcilatory exercise on whether some of our ways of life in Esanland which were thought to have been over taken by events, perhaps, due to modernization, are not here with us just now. Then came to my mind the "Aregbe Iyoha" practice of yesteryears. This urge & push became stronger in me after listening to the plenary section of the National Assembly as reported last night over an agendum by NTA: to give an accelerated passage of the presidential request for a loan running into billions of naira or dollars.
The Esan people are avid inventors of names. Unlike the Occidental world, names means much more than mere tags. Granted that some people in Edo State bear the name Iyoha or Oghuma as the case may be. An Oghuma ( a war captive) & Iyoha is more or less like two sides of the same coin. They are like twins in Esan names typological groupings. By the time they are presented as tripplet, the name Igbon (a confirmed slave), will be added.
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| Prof. Matthew. A. Izibili |
In Esanland way back, circumstances beyond an individual's control, made some people run out of their communities to another & willingly surrender their rights to another person ( some times total stranger) with the hope of getting their problems solved. It could be financial, protection, health, etc challenge. But, l need you to think about the name: Ijesoimen. ( there's no one place that is good).
This brings to mind these two strong statements commonly used in Esanland:
1. "Aigheghe ne, okpokpo zune" (No one runs for the sake of running. It is a challenge that warrants it). Agbonkhese comes to mind here...
2."Oria haregbe Iyoha, onoria oki kio obhokhan" (Once anyone surrenders his right to another, such immediately becomes a child).
Granted, that at the time Iyoha practice lasted, the seemingly insurmountable challenge that led the person to get involved in "Iyohaism", is temporarily suspended. If it occurred as a result of a debt either owed directly or indirectly ( ie when it was ones parents or guardian that got indebted such is indirect debt); the service period is usually longer than necessary -5, 10, 15, 20. 25, etc. The reason responsible for this may not be unconnected with the beggerly disposition of the person who is now a certified IYOHA.
Not only that the duration is to be defined by the master (Creditor) under whom the person is to serve, unfortunately, even when the person suffers greatly, yet he only managed to smile in the suffering mode. It is revealing to note here that by the time "Aregbeiyoha" held sway in Esanland, some innocent girls got married out against their wish. It was a case of, since you can't pay what you owe me, & you are not fit enough to work in my farm ( for health reasons), I take this your daughter in exchange). It is here Iyoha could be said to have degerated to Oghuma...captive.
Oghuma, the war captive is forced against his will. The captive may have something to be thankful for at least, that he/she is alive, but denied of his/ her freedom for some times. I say denial of freedom for some time because after a period of time, the elders in the community where the Oghuma is kept, could grant amnesty & integrate the captive into the community. You can see that the practice of Amnesty is not new to our people. History!
After all, "Oriobhearebun"! ( It is strangers that increase the population size of a vibrant community). Unlike those who died in the rage of war, Oghuma still have hope . As for the Iyoha, a debtor in this case, have no word of his own.
NIGERIA Gov't & her avowed interest in foreign loan procurement ( before COVID 19 & during COVID 19), will keep the citizens in the state of IYOHA for a very long time. The pains associated with it are very far reaching. It is like a slave/master relationship. The accelerated passage of the presidential request for loan by the National Assembly, is only a journey into an Iyoha status before the international community especially IMF & it's closely related financial institutions whose arms are wide opened to receive African countries. China on my mind...
NOTES OF CAUTION
A creditor is the master to the debtor anytime, any day. Iyoha status can be avoided if one understands the boundaries between what demands immediate attention & what requires us to focus on the ultimate. Besides, human wants & human needs are not the same.
Being it as a Nation, State, Local government or even at individual level, please, let us learn to set our priorities right this time; else, one may graduate from the status of Iyoha to a full blown war against oneself that becomes tougher to win. Then, one slides into Oghuma status. Do not bite more than you can chew. Avoid being treated like a child when ideally, you are a full grown man or woman, else, you may share in the "bicycle repairer's" experience.
Being an "Iyoha" for any reason brings painful memories to the victims, how much more a confirmed Oghuma? Hold on & hold out... It won't be long, it shall come to pass.
May God grant us grace enough to overcome the challenges we may be facing right now, amen.
Remember : Oria no regbeiyoha, akhin obhokhan!
TGIW@ zibilism.
*Prof. Matthew A. Izibili is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.
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