It was the sage, Marcus Carvius, who once said that “he who does not know his kindred, customs and traditions, is like a tree without roots”. This saying simply underscores the importance of kindred, family connections, heritage and genealogy.
One’s Kindred can be loosely be said to be the group of people you are related by blood or marriage. The word, “kindred”, was used in the Bible among the Hebrews to mean members of the same tribe, family or a relative. Kindred or Ụmụnna in the Igbo sociology include but not limited to women married into that clan plus all their offspring. Integrated into the group are also women validly married and the single mothers in that paternity. The in-laws plus their children begotten in the course of the marriage are the extended family or “ikwu na ibe”, and the neighbors that is the “agbata obi”, can also be part and parcel of the kindred.
Truly, “Ndi” yard, “Ndi” club , “Ndi” church, “Ndi” Alumini,, “Ndi” Market line, “Ndi” friends, “Ndi”meeting and many others as we call them can never take the place or replace one’s kindred. Sadly, at the time of critical need, these people may not always be available. Contrarily, your kindred, no matter the situation, will always be there for you. In this regard, our forbearers agreed that “Ozu sibe isi, amaru ndi nwe ozu”.
Yes, your kinsmen or women are permanently your kindred. This implies that your father or mother, including their owned lands and inherited properties are from the kindred. Your deceased ancestors also are the predecessors of the kindred. For example, the Holy Bible in Matthew Chapter one verses one to sevnteen, recognized and traced the kindred or “umunnaship” of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Consequently, it is bizarre and an aberration for any sane and sensible person to shun, scorn, sneer and jeer at or even attempt to run away or “japa” from his or her kindred or “umunna”. Therefore, no matter the level of one’s education, exposure, or business success, he or she is advised and expected to deploy same acumen to better the lots of his kindred. Peradventure one is called or even ordained to be a Pastor or Imam, the same is invited to manifest also among his kindred. They should also go further to civilize and educate his less knowledgeable kindred for “charity begins at home; but should not stop at home“. It is, therefore, antithetical to complain from outside and destructively criticize ones kindred. In this regard, our elders posited that “onye puru ije puoro onye no n’ulo, onye noo n’ulo nooro, onye puru ije”.
It is unacceptable, therefore, to label your entire kinsmen or women as weird and wicked, treacherous and treasonable, murderous and meddlesome. There is no gain saying the fact that evil men or women are proportionately represented in every clime and climate in the whole wide world including our kindred. Therefore, let us interface and bring in our superior education, wisdom and wealth to bear in our different kindred meetings, for when the “wealth or treasures of our kinsmen or women are represented or feasible at the villages or homes; then the whole kindred will partake and benefit from the bounty and philanthropy.”
Gladly enough, the Nigeria legal system recognizes the kindred. In many cases involving civil and land disputes, the courts on adjudication, will inquire of and value the views, stand and stance of the kindred or “umunna”. Also, Thank God for technology. Today you can actively participate in Kindred meetings from anywhere in the world while contributing your own quota to the betterment of your “Ụmụnna”. There is no more ground to isolate yourself and complain from outside. Through your active participation, you will be abreast of activities happening in your communities, local government and even state.
The saying, “East or West, Home is the best” underscores the importance we must place on our family connections. Consequently, you are invited during your next home visit, to identify with your kindred or Ụmụnna.
Written by DR NNAEMEKA EZEANO
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