By
Obododimma Oha
"Nde Mbụ" (First humans) presents a historical linkage with the present moment. Even through some speculation, we can agree that there must have been First People who walked the Earth. The were on Earth before us and saw what we have not seen. Also, they must have seen life differently and if we were still to consult them, we would be surprised at their views and stories. Strange stories!
So, "Nde Mbụ" were privileged to marry first and to have more broken pots. Or maybe their pots were made of something not breakable! We can't be certain. But "Nde Mbụ* were different, in appearance and thinking.
There is some reverence attached to this" Nde Mbụ" idea : these First People knew things and deserve some handshake. We just have to shake their hands!
"Egede" was a lively ritual dance performed by women at women's burials. Being called "Onye Egede" was a thing of praise. One has to have top life to dance to "Egede" or to be able to beat the drums satisfactorily. The term "Nde Egede" is clearly for praise, as if to say, "performers of life."
By calling "Nde Mbụ" "Egede performers," they are being reverenced and praised as dancers of life. It is not easy to be the first to dance! Christian accounts show that the First Human was called Adam. He was followed by a woman called Eve. This is not so in indigenous Igbo accounts. The First Humans were unnamed or were just "Nde Mbụ." This is acceptable for in what language would they be named?
One should not forget that Egede ritual dance is these days being replaced by Marching Band performance, a military-style marching by women in gowns and berets! A soldier has gone home! But a military culture has taken over!
Interestingly, this replacement is supported by Christianity, while "Egede" is discouraged as being "pagan". What is really pagan in the dance and what is really Christian in the Marching Band parade? Military culture?
The derogatory idea in the description of all early humans as "Nde nduhie" (people led astray or people who can mislead) is clear. Granted that there were some things that they could misunderstand (like the killing of twins!), but they were not always wrong. They were not "Nde nduhie". Are we not "Nde nduhie" if we leave cows and other animals to move freely about, entering farms and destroying crops or when we try to establish cattle routes from Paris to New York and from London to Washington? "Nde Nduhie" are not only found among the First Humans but also found among us.
One hears the expression, "Nde mbụ na ndị egede" in contexts such as worship sessions of traditional religions, discussions among elderly people, etc in Igboland which tends to show that it is already departing from use in the language. Anyone who utters it is looked at curiously as if strange or if to say, "You don't belong to us or to our time. You belong to the past."
Let us say that it is a great poem and has always been. I first heard this great poem being recited by a late uncle. He was communing with the spirits of the dead and needed to eulogize them.
Calling the " First Humans" to witness what was going on was necessary. First humans, first experiencers. First doers and first knowers.
Great dancers of life, I call upon you. I do not just invoke your presence. I call upon you so that
(1) you can bring your energies
(2) you can check and approve
(3) you can teach us.
So, First Humans are also pathfinders and teachers. They need to show us the way and we need to be humble enough to benefit from following.
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