Recently the pictures of Air Peace hostesses adorned beautifully on Ishi Agu ( not Odum) erupted some controversial conversations, which shouldn’t afterall. What was the kernel of the controversy? The attire made Air Peace to look like a tribal thing, reflective of the culture of the South East. How petty can people be? And and how low they can decend trying to score cheap goals along tribal and religious lines?
Nothing has divided Nigerians more than these tribal and religious bigotry.
The hurts and wounds such have inflicted on us very irreparable, the very reason we are where are, striving and slaving to thrive, no we wouldn’t, because the cobwebs of tribal hate have befuddled us from seeing the beauty and radiant colour of cultural diversity we are blessed with and should of course be projected, promoted and made to be appreciated by the international communities.
To put the record straight, the attire that was causing such a useless fuss isn’t the real cultural identity of an Igbo man. The inscription isn’t that of a tiger ( Odum) but that of Lion( Agu) In the cat family the lion is considered to be the king of the jungle, not the strongest and fastest, the Tiger is, the reason we say in my local parlance “Odum na egbu Agu”( The Tiger that kills the Lion)
An Igbo man in anyway can’t be a Lion( Agu) we are naturally designed to be a Tiger( Odum) powerful in strength and amazing in swiftness, expressing our industry, pursuing our vision and creativity.
That attire that is causing needless attacks on Air Peace isn’t a real Igbo cultural identity. I can’t even adorn that for whatever reason or ingratiation as a title man, a design both male and female of other culture wear losely can’t be the cultural attire of an Igbo man.
When one sees a real Igbo man dressed culturally, the “okpu nwa agora” ( the red , black and white thread weaved long cap) wouldn’t be missing or the red round cap with feathers . These are what make us unique and set.us apart, not the dress which anybody can buy and wear.
To know the real identity of a person, watch what they wear on their head not what they wear on their body. A Rev. Sister can wear anything, but once there is a veil on her head, one certainly knows she is one. So also, an Igbo man can wear anything, once that “Okpu nwa agoro” is on his head, his identity wouldn’t be in doubt.
What the Air Peace hostesses wore isn’t Igbo’ cultural attire so to speak but one that has been acculturated to suit other cultures’ fashion sense and preferences.
Know this and know peace and stop this needless and senseless hate attacks on the Igbos. ,”De Odum Na Egbu Agu”
Congratulations to Air Peace for breaking new grounds, chatting the uncharted and taking the name of Nigeria to the global space. You are a true Nigeria of Igbo blood.
Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com
