Let the Kite Perch, Let the Eagle Perch

By

Obododimma Oha

The kite and the eagle are relatives. Indigenous Igbo have had to reflect on this relationship philosophically and have come up with a proverb which says:

Egbe bere

Ugo bere

Nke sị ibe ya ebela

Nkụ kwaa ya.

(Let the kite perch

Let the eagle perch

That which says the other should not perch

May its wings break.)

The descendants of Chinua Achebe's Oduche, who in his zeal as a new convert to Christianity imprisoned the sacred python in a box, have a different version that says

Egbe bere

Ugo bere

Nke sị ibe ya ebela

Ya zi ya nga ọ ga-ebe.

(Let the kite perch

Let the eagle perch

That which says the other should not perch

Should show it where else to perch.)

Obviously, these are different temperaments, different attitudes to deprivation. These are two wisdoms already wrestling! Which shows us that the society that uses the proverb is changing and that Christianity is a force to be reckoned with in that regard. Let us just give tentative or working labels to both versions : the indigenous version could be labeled the "original version" and that reinvented by descendants of Oduche the "emergent version."

The original version is a no-nonsense statement. It wishes the breakage of wings, that is, the hampering of flight, to the evil bird of deprivation. But the emergent version of the character that would not care if slapped ten times on both cheeks is saying that the depriving bird should show the other where to perch. That means the deprived bird can fly for eternity, hoping to be shown where to perch.

These two approaches are very significant and can show us why deprived birds fly forever, after all, it is an open sky. They also indicate whether there is a hopeful future or a lame one. Descendants of Oduche need to change tactics and peep into the future, instead of waiting to be shown where to perch.

I like the aviators - - the eagle and the kite - - which happen to be relatives. But the eagle is an eagle, the kite a kite. Is it not amazing that both are gliding and enjoying the sky free-of-charge, but one would not permit the other just to perch on that branch? That which says the other should not perch, may its wings break!

Monopolizing the branch is not good or friendly at all. Also, displacing the other just to be able to perch  is outright wicked. Every order needs to follow rules, not the uncivilized practice of this animal devouring that animal just because it can. Devouring the other belongs to the jungle!

Now that I have talked of devouring the other, maybe in simplicity some have started thinking of the large cats pulling down and feeding on a grazing deer. What of groups devouring others now? Or governments devouring their countries? These exist. In fact, some devoured societies remain mere bones.

Some groups may be devoured economically, with attempts at frustrating their national and international business connections. There could also be efforts to pull them down or slow their progress. Even this blogger may be hired to tell lies about their business lives. It is war against their economic ventures. Unless some escape and are able to free themselves, they could be devoured one day. 

Being sufficiently provoked to get an excuse for devouring the other in that hidden corner is common. Breakfast, call it that. 

There was this story of a lion looking for an excuse to feed on an innocent lamb. The lamb went to a stream to drink some water to quench its thirst. It bent down and was drinking. The lion came there with an evil plan and started accusing the innocent lamb: "You have fouled the water." "It is not me! I  didn't even enter," the lamb stated. The lion was not placated. "If it was not you, it must have been your relatives. Maybe your father or your mother. Or even your in-laws." The lamb did not know how to start defending his absent relatives! And so finally the lion had an excuse for devouring the innocent lamb that only came to drink some water to quench it thirst! Sad. 

Some would say:" That is the way of the jungle. " But I join the proverb in asking the two aviators to allow the other perch. It is wicked to seek to cripple or displace the other in order to perch. It is heartless to try to devour the other just because the devourer has canines.