Ojembaenweiro: The Hermeneutics of the African Igbo as a Peaceful Sojourner

Abstract

This research has its focus on the African Igbo people of Southeast Nigeria. The African Igbo through their pithy sayings, proverbs etc. lend credence to who they are within the comity of cultures. It is noteworthy to reflect on why the Igbo travel widely, dwell harmoniously with their host communities while promoting public order, peace, unity, progress and tranquility. Studies have shown that there is hardly any part of the world where one cannot find an Igbo person. The Igbo are believed to have the largest population only next to the indigenes. A major factor behind such mobility and peaceful settlement is the Igbo philosophy/concept of 'Oje-mba-enwe-iro' (a sojourner makes no enemies). The research makes a finding that because the Igbo are basically entrepreneurs by nature, combining trade, education and commerce, seeking greener pastures outside the land of their origin becomes inevitable. Further, it is imperative that the traveler who is more informed than the person living within his/her place of birth, must ensure peaceful coexistence with his/her host communities if he/she must succeed in his/her life endeavors. This is the crux of the philosophy/concept of oje-mba-enwe-iro. The work makes use of the documented and structured observation sources as primary data collection methods while deploying the hermeneutic approach in its data analysis.