THE PRIDE OF AN IGBO MAN

During the era when the culture of Igbo people was solidly unadulterated they were among the set of people flourishing at a very high pace because productivity was their lifestyle. The size of a man’s wealth was determined by his yam barn. It was originally a community that recognizes and encourages hard work.

It was a way of life where people with special regards and prestige were the Great Farmers, the Great Palm Wine Tappers and the Great Hunters. The lazy ones are naturally separated and obviously neglected.

The principle of life works; laziness lead to unproductiveness, poverty and neglect while hard work lead to productivity, wealth and fame.      

Okonkwo in “Things Fall Apart,” by Chinue Achebe is a fitting personality to have a better understanding of what an igbo man pride and value was like in the past. When you study the lifestyle of Okonkwo in the above mentioned Novel you will come to a conclusion that traditionally the igbos’ originally applauds hard work and shuns laziness.

This truth negates what is presently happening in our contemporary society where most people especially youths wants “quick money” no one wants to perspire pursuing a goal.     

                                                                                  

Mazi Martins Francis Ifeanyichukwu