Nonetheless, no matter how hard they try, the effort seems to be a losing proposition because of the multicultural dynamism inherent in the environment these children are growing up. However, with such an adversity, there is equally a greater amount of effort to promote and maintain Igbo culture in the United States by various Igbo communities and individuals. These communities and some individuals are driven in part by the notion that without culture a group loses its identity.
They dread the reality of their children losing Igbo identity. Thus, there has been a concerted effort to immerse these children in Igbo culture. Additionally, it is concluded that teaching our children our culture is a means of strengthening the ties between Igbo people with their children in the Diaspora and those in Nigeria. Examining the following aspects of Igbo culture: Arts, Celebration, Clothing, Communication, Food, Government, Language, Religion, and Social Role; Igbo language is one aspect that is fast decaying both here and in Nigeria.
Igbo children in Lagos and other non-Igbo cities do have no knowledge of or modicum of Igbo language. Lack of knowledge of Igbo language among our children is much more obvious here in the United States. This is particularly so because Igbo is not a dominant culture and these children are growing up in a multicultural environment. Consequently, more emphasis has been placed on celebration, clothing and food than other aspects of Igbo culture. In the United States, particularly in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Igbo communities have been working diligently to promote and maintain Igbo culture every chance they get.
Common among various aspects of Igbo culture these communities promote are the traditional breaking of kolanut, which oftentimes causes problems when the libation goes wrong, celebration, clothing, ethnic food, and cultural dances. Unfortunately, little focus has been on the teaching and learning of Igbo language corporately. Nevertheless, Nnanta Chidi Uwadineke, Onye ihe oma gbasara Ndi Igbo na Asusu Anyi na-anu oku n’obi, Founder and Executive Director, Otu Iwelite Asusu na Omenala Igbo n’obodo Amirika, has used his skills and his Igbo Radio Program in Little Rock, Arkansas to promote various aspects of Igbo culture in Arkansas and the United States.
Similarly, Igbo Community Association of Nigeria (ICAN) in Dallas has for several years operated Igbo Language Program, where Igbo language and other aspects of Igbo culture are taught every summer. The program provides immense opportunity for Igbo children in Dallas to learn the language. There are other organizations and individuals who provide similar services in various cities. They provide Igbo language learning for children of Nigerian-Americans. Another aspect of Igbo culture that is beginning to rear its head here is Igba Nkwu.
Meanwhile, Igba Ngwu, a traditional Igbo wedding, seems to be prevalent across the United States as our children are increasingly reaching the marriage age. Our community is beginning to experience an increasing number of Igba Nkwu celebrations in various states. In any case, no Igbo community has done more in promoting and maintaining Igbo culture than Mbaise people in the Dallas area. Mbaise community in the Dallas metropolitan area under the auspices of Mbaise Community Association thrilled the Nigerian community with its 23rd annual Iri-ji Mbaise Festival on the 18th of August, 2012.
Based on empirical evidence, the Iri-Ji Mbaise in Dallas began in 1989 as a tradition, and a cultural event aimed at educating young children, as well as maintaining the culture reminiscent of the New Yam Festival in Igbo land. Since the first Iri-ji Mbaise, the Mbaise Community Association has kept the tradition to mirror what is obtainable in Ala Mbaise. In Mbaise, Iri-ji is celebrated on the 15th of August, a long tradition that is currently observed throughout the area.
As result, the Mbaise Community Association holds its Iri-ji festival on the third Saturday in August to allow the tradition celebrated in Ala Mbaise on every 15th of August to take place first before celebrating it outside Mbaise. Most importantly, Bright Anosike (Chief Oke), Elder Theo Okoro, and Mr. Ngozi Echebelem who form the inner citadel inside the Mbaise community in Dallas vowed to maintain the tradition here in the United States.
The fete, which attracted many people from all walks of life, witnessed the traditional breaking of kolanut, women dance, and the rendition of ‘Abigbo Mbaise’ to the delight of blissful guests. The attendees splurge on a well-prepared yam pepper soup with roasted hen and Moet to go with it—thanks to the immediate past president of Mbaise Community Association, Mr. Matthew Anoka who gleefully entertained the guests. Also, the Chairman of Iri-ji Committee Mr. Ngozi Echebelem and the President of Mbaise community Association Mr. Festus Okeke ensured that every guest was attended to.
This year’s event, which witnessed one of the largest yam barns, reached its climax when the chairman of the event, Mr. Emeka Akpunku, redeemed a tuba of yam with the sum of $2,000. In the same token, Mr. Kinglsley Ndukwu collected his tuba of yam with a donation of $1,000. Other guests who collected their yams with various amounts of money were Chief Geoffrey Nzeadibe, the National Chairman of PNF-USA, Felix Okereke, the National Secretary of PNF-USA, Chief Jerry Ike, and Damian Ogoke. The Peoples Club and Heritage Club were also represented at the event the ended in the wee hours of the next day. Speaking about clubs, the Lords Club International, Inc. conducted its third induction of new members into the club in Houston, Texas not too long ago.
Based on my interaction with the Club’s Chairman, Nze Chukwuka Dibia Orakpo, who with overflowing excitement, expressed that the event was a huge success. The Club advocates for family unity and engages in humanitarian activities. “Since its existence, it has embarked on worthy projects in our community like donating funds to assist families affected by Hurricane Katrina and has become a household name. One of noble project priorities we have is the Construction of the Lord’s Club Plaza, multipurpose facilities that will serve both the club and its communities both here in Houston, Texas and Nigeria.”
It is said that the Club has goals and agenda beyond its founding members. “The great migration of our members from Nigeria to the US several years ago created a new colony of Lords Club Members in Houston, Texas that has now matured and began to transition to a second generation immigrant community.” “In most cases, the children of the immigrants do not share the same allegiance with our fatherland as their parents. There is a dangerous disconnect, and something needs to be done to rectify the situation before it becomes permanent.
In other words, we need the youths to establish the continuity with ideology about our homeland and culture for the Lords Club to flourish beyond its founders. To maintain our cultural identity and galvanize our youths for better involvement will be some of the focus areas of our association,” Orakpo expressed. Expressing his gratitude for the induction, Dr. Amos Ozumba, an inductee and a father of two medical doctors, one engineer and one financial analyst said, “I’m a person that examines things thoroughly before I partake in them.
I watched for years to know the kind of people in the Club and I felt that I can relate to them before joining. I like the mission and goals the Club has. The Club has viable projects.” According to Dr. Gerald Emesih, Public Relations Officer of the Lords Club, membership to the Club is open to all Nigerians residing in Houston, Texas. Dr. Emesih said, “Membership is open to Nigerians in Houston of good repute.” “The stability, peace and unity we have enjoyed in the Lords Club over all these years didn’t come by accident.
A lot can be credited to the character, maturity, temperament and commitment of the entire membership,” Dr. Emesih added. Some of the distinguished guests that graced the occasion were, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, President of South-East South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSP), Dr. Alphonsus Okpara, Dr. Felix Obiefule, Dr. Felix Obiefule, Dr. Timothy Opara, Pastor Livinus Maduka, Sir Chris Onyeador, President of Coal City Club, and Prof. Godson Osuji. You may follow me on twitter.com/achosr.
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