Igbos vs Yorubas: Similarities in diversity

 

Although I can't say for certain when the war between the Igbos and Yorubas started, I know it's been ongoing long before I was born. While it’s not a full-fledged war, with fighting and whatnot, there is no doubt that the two Nigerian tribes are constantly at war. From the subtle, to the “in your face” insults they throw at each other. It is even difficult for each to refer to the other by their tribe. While the Igbos refer to the Yorubas as “Ndi Ofe mmanu”, which means “Oily soup people”, the Yorubas call the Igbos, “Ajeokuta ma mu omi”.This literally means “To eat a stone and not drink water.” This is because the Igbo people are known for eating eba and/or akpu (both cassava meals), which though not necessarily made hard, are not as soft as how the Yoruba people make theirs.

We are so accustomed to pointing out the differences between the two tribes that we fail to recognize the similarities that they share. While the two cultures and languages differ, there are similarities in the languages, even though little. For instance while the Yoruba word for mouth is “ẹnu”, the Igbos refer to it as “ọnụ’'. Other similar words are:

English: Ear
Yoruba: Eti
Igbo: Ntị

English: Nose
Yoruba: imú
Igbo: Imi

English: Stone
Yoruba: Okuta
Igbo: Okute

English: Amen
Yoruba: Ase
Igbo: Ise

English: A Twin
Yoruba: Ejire
Igbo: Ejime/Ejima

English: What
Yoruba: Kini
Igbo: Gini

English: He/she said
Yoruba: Oso
Igbo: Osi

We humans tend to focus on what makes us different from our neighbours, friends, family and even foes. Making the effort to see the similarities we share with others requires almost no energy and it leaves little room for criticism of those who are not like us. When we focus on differences, we tend to become judgmental; measuring others against us, our culture, traditions and standards. Nigeria is a multi-cultural nation, which is hard enough as it is. Instead of focusing on the different things that we think make us superior to our neighbours, why not focus on the similarities that make us one nation? We should shun prejudice, embrace our similarities and make Nigeria a better place.