Amamihe

By

Obododimma Oha

What is mainly known about this Igbo word, “amamihe,” is that it is a translation equivalent of the English word, “wisdom.” But it is sometimes used to mean “thought” also. The confusion occasioned by this apparent convergence notwithstanding, there is also a morphological ambiguity. The Igbo word could be a compound articulation of the question, “A ma m ihe?” (Am I wise?) as well as the statement, “A ma m ihe” (I am wise). (The difference is created, as many know, by the way the speaker has used sound, precisely tune. We know that tunes make a difference in meaning and definitions of grammatical functions of utterances which we sometimes want our addressees to perceive). The expression could even be a nominal, in which case it could be in the subject position or the position of an object. Whatever may be the case, “A ma m ihe” (I am wise) and “A ma m ihe?” (Am I wise) are not the same, at least pragmatically. One as a statement makes a serious claim, while the other inquires about it or asks the other for a confirmation. In fact, the latter case may be said to be doubting it! And self-doubting is safer. Moreover, doubters are stronger believers!

Let us address the question mode more fully. I like this interrogative and investigative mode very much. Self-doubt or a confirmation of our nature from the mouths of others is always the best. It is a mark of humility and better than pride and boastfulness. Was it not partly why Jesus Christ asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” You have reported other people’s  perspectives. You that are at close range, what is your own perspective; it is not enough for you to answer my question, “Who do people say that I am?” The other, then, is always our better mirror. Our self-report may be biased, which is one reason autobiographers endeavour to blame other people but exonerate and justify themselves. The self is a saint; the other is a devil himself!

“Am I wise?” is a strong and relevant philosophical inquiry. It invites the other to make a judgment, but that judgment should have a proof, whether that proof has a proof and is reliable or not. That it invites the other to cogitate and make a judgment reminds us that reflection should be one of our major concerns. We are not in life just for enjoyment and entertainment. We are here to think, about self and about others.

Also, the question can and should be what we have to constantly ask ourselves and answer as we think and make decisions or take actions for ourselves and for others. In other words, “Amamihe?” can be a regular and personal question. We need to insert ourselves as addressees of the question or make the self the addressee. We need to personalize it!

It is simpler to utter it as a statement. Indeed, this is often what we do when we make decisions for ourselves and for others!

 Another related fact is that the claim, the assertion of being wise could be symbolic or is already always embedded in our actions and decisions. Hardly do we allow others to say that we are wise. But when we allow others to assess us because it is institutionally required, we sometimes think their own assessment needs to agree with ours. Anyway, honest self-assessment is always good.

I have sometimes claimed like an idealist that we are incomplete without others. Other people are our complements. That was one reason they were created. They were created for us. Thinkers call that “intersubjectivity”. Although we cannot rule out the opposite and the conflictual, night needs day, positive poles need the negative, God needs Satan, etc. So, am I in saying that wise? If you are my complement, I seriously need your thinking on it, for instance.