THE HERMENEUTICS OF AGBAA NDỤ, EKEKỌTA NDỤ: AN IGWEBUIKE APPROACH

Abstract

Human beings are generally social inclinators, and have natural inclination to be associated with others in the society for their very existence or survival. By this association, man enjoys the fruits of common wealth of the society which provides a favourable condition for the development of human personality. A society refers to the whole and individuals represent only its parts. It is obvious that the individual is both a social factor as well as a social product. A rich and varied social life provides man with immense opportunities to be his best self. Society provides social insurance or security against odds in life and the individual falls back to the society as bedrock of knowledge and experience. Socialist, collectivists, idealists and organismic theorists argued that the society as a collective whole is bigger and greater than the individual. While individual may be egocentric in social justice, ignoring social interest of the greatest number of the people and pursuing self-interest. It is the duty of the society to adjust him to the social norms, and compel him to conform to the pattern of social life and code of conduct acceptable to each society. In Igbo communities for instance, there are norms that guide the living conditions of the people collectively. When life is threatened, there are cultural principles that are invoked to secure it. Igba ndụ is one of such principles that give a sense of security and unity among inhabitants when life is made insecure by human elements. When one faces those challenges that threaten one’s well-being as result to his association with others, igba ndụ is evoked to secure trust and make peace paramount. This paper therefore presents Igba ndụ as the Igbo custom of securing and making life meaningful when threatened by distrust and fear. In Igbo land, agba ndụ, ekekota ndụ