By
Obododimma Oha
Literally, "nwunye mmadụ" means "female human being." It is understood that "nwunye" in Igbo means "female" or "wife," as in "nwunye ọkụkọ" (female fowl) and "nwunye nwoke ahụ" (that man's wife respectively). But the Igbo also think of "nwunye" in a metaphorical sense. In that case, it is not exclusively used for the female. If it includes the male, it means that gender is not in focus here.
The nongendering makes the expression unique. So, what is naturally female could be generically used? Some reasons could be:
(1) There is a positive perception of the female in that context.
(2) Maleness is not quite liked and favoured.
It all means that the female is seen as the root in the culture. In that case, what is female is the fullest expression. Maleness is a departure and cannot be the expression of the ideal. Femaleness is
+ Ideal
+ Full
+ Complete
+ Origin
+ Authentic
But we have to be very careful here. The ideal may still have pitfalls. Fullness may be according to perception. The complete may be incomplete in some respects. Origin may not be origin after all and what we think is authentic could be an imitation of an imitation!
"Nwunye mmadụ" tends to return us to the literal plane, and the analysis so far shows positive use of the image of the female.
"Nwunye mmadụ" in the Igbo world is assumed to be
+ Rational and contemplative
+ Home-based and attentive to needs at home
+ Practical
+ Reliable
+ Self-reliant
Why bother about this category? It seems that people are concerned about the ideal human that can produce an ordered society. Criminals are departures. Have "nwunye mmadụ" and you have less conflict , less problems between X and Y. That may not be so, anyway.
The commitment of many governments and counseling authorities has been to produce more and more "nwunye mmadụ" for society, hoping there would be less problems to deal with.
Just as attempts are made to minimize the production of persons we confidently place under "nwunye mmadụ," we have deviants trying to get more converts and to show that the production of " nwunye mmadụ" is either impossible or a waste of time.
"Nwunye mmadụ" calmly seeks greater clarity.
"Nwunye mmadụ" stands for understanding.
"Nwunye mmadụ" is tame.
"Nwunye mmadụ" goes with many.
"Nwunye mmadụ" is loved.
"Nwunye mmadụ" does it.
It means that we have an ideal before us in living our lives. We are not expected to live as it pleases us.
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