Collecting African Tribal Art : Discipline

The Igbo Ikenga Concept: Unveiling the Essence of Discipline

Discipline is a cornerstone of personal and societal growth, guiding individuals toward achieving their goals and maintaining order within a community. In exploring the concept of discipline, we delve into the Igbo Ikenga philosophy, which encapsulates the essence of discipline in the Igbo culture of Nigeria. This blog explores the Igbo Ikenga concept in relation to discipline, drawing inspiration from prominent figures such as Wole Soyinka, Confucius, Aristotle, and Dr. Eric Williams, who have shared profound insights on the subject.

Keita Ikenga

The Igbo Ikenga Concept:

In Igbo tradition, the Ikenga symbolizes personal achievement, success, and individual strength. It serves as a representation of the power of the individual and embodies qualities such as discipline, determination, and resilience. The Ikenga figure often depicts a man with a strong muscular body, clenched fists, and a prominent horned headdress, reflecting the embodiment of discipline as a forceful virtue.

Wole Soyinka’s Perspective:

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, known for his intellectual contributions, once remarked, “Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.” Soyinka emphasizes that discipline refines inherent talent, molding it into tangible abilities. Through discipline, individuals harness their potential, enabling them to achieve greatness.

Confucius and the Way of Discipline:

The renowned Chinese philosopher Confucius believed that discipline lies at the core of moral development and social harmony. He said, “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” Confucius emphasizes that discipline starts within the individual and extends to society, illustrating that personal discipline is foundational for the betterment of communities.

Aristotle’s Virtuous Discipline:

Aristotle, a prominent philosopher of ancient Greece, considered discipline as a virtue that empowers individuals to lead virtuous lives. He stated, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle’s perspective highlights the significance of disciplined actions in shaping one’s character and attaining excellence.

Dr. Eric Williams on Self-Discipline:

Dr. Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, believed in the transformative power of self-discipline. He stated, “The psychological and moral discipline that it (discipline) implies, the personal responsibility it entails, are of the highest importance in any society.” Williams underscores the role of discipline in fostering personal responsibility, paving the way for a flourishing society.

Conclusion:

The Igbo Ikenga concept embodies the essence of discipline, capturing its significance in personal and societal development. As we explore the perspectives of Wole Soyinka, Confucius, Aristotle, and Eric Williams, we witness the universality of discipline’s transformative power. Whether refining talent, cultivating integrity, pursuing excellence, or nurturing personal responsibility, discipline emerges as an essential element for growth and progress. By embracing the Igbo Ikenga concept and the wisdom shared by these eminent figures, we can unlock our potential, cultivate discipline, and embark on a path of personal and communal fulfillment.

The Science, Reality, and Panacea of Orisha

 The Yoruba African Spiritual system has gone viral. It presents a broad framework with fascinating social and inclusive indigenous appeal, embracing a holistic and intuitive approach which incorporates history, flexibility, science, portability, and functionality, simultaneously making allowance for individuality and originality. This system was one of the driving forces behind the development of African Tribal art in Nigeria. The framework is similar to the methodology used in Object Oriented Programming (OOP) which utilizes objects, classes, and procedures.

Shango Dance Staff of a Standing Mother Carrying a Child. c. 1900.

A simple example should illustrate.

Note the Specific individuality.

If Jesus Christ were to be incorporated as an Orisha (spiritual being or divinity), the narrative would probably read as follows; His primary paths would be those of peace, sacrifice, and love. The offerings given to a shrine dedicated to him would consist of bread, fish, and wine. His colors would be “white” say, and his emblems would be the cross, the palm/olive branch, or thorns.

Note the General Characteristics

He would lie in the second of five levels of the Yoruba pantheon, below the level of Oldumare, Creator and Supreme Being. The third level would be the “Egungun” which are the ancestral spirits of the people. The next two levels consist of humans, grouped by kings, queens, chiefs, priests and priestesses ,while devotees complete the bottom level.

“The Orisha are seen as emissaries of Oldumare from whom they emanated. These Orisha are ancestors whose great deeds earned them divinity. The Orisha are said to recognize each other and are themselves identified or associated with different numbers and colors. “These polarities which each Orisha exhibits are expressed as personalities called Roads or Paths of the Orisha.” This is done through offerings to Orisha of their particular favorite foods and other gifts. One can learn much about these different Orishas by watching the forces of nature at work about you. “

“For instance, you can learn much about Oshún and her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemayá (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. Also observe how the babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods.” [1]

These Orishas can be contacted during a “bembe” where one or more of their priests will be mounted in a form of highly spiritualized trance possession. This possession by an Orisha is an integral part of Yoruba religious ritual as it serves as a means of communicating with the forces of Oldumare (God).

Shango Dancing Staff

Portability

This is demonstrated as follows – “Yoruba spiritual beliefs were retained in several systems including Batuque, Candomble, Tambor De Mina and Umbanda in Brazil, Lucumi and Santeria in Cuba, Shango in Trinidad and Jamaica, Venezuela, Palo, Vodou or Voodoo in Haiti. Consequently, slaves did not completely disconnect with their culture, nor blindly convert as the Christian Churches describe as “good sheep.” “Autonomous organizational structures, the framework of forced and eventual free migration, mutual contact and exchange stimulated the development of Orisha religions in the New World.” [2]

Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka (the first African awarded the Nobel Prize (’86) for Literature) , explained the Yoruba worldview as centered in compromise and stated that the greatest Yoruba virtue is tolerance. He claims that the survival of Yoruba religion in Cuba and Brazil is because of the powerful sense of tolerance and compromise.

“The deities have compromised with present times and modern technologies,” he said, citing, “the practice of placing god representations and saints on the single same altar in Brazil.”

” The gods are exemplars of human striving,” said Soyinka, “paradigms of existence and phenomenon… Yoruba gods are not perfect or infallible, “infallibility is seen as mystification.” [3]

[1] http://www.orishanet.org/ocha.html

[2] http://www.rootsandrooted.org/?p=1123

[3] http://www.loyno.edu/newsandcalendars/loyolatoday/2003/12/soyinka.html

E1 : http://ocw.nd.edu/anthropology

E2 : www.ohio.edu/africanart/gallerypageq.html

E3 : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wole_Soyinka