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Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People - Politics - Nairaland

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Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by Youngadvocate(m): 9:01pm On Mar 16, 2017
Professor Francis W. Prictchett, Professor of Literature at the Columbia University, brings to us a new but, spectacular approach to understanding the Igbo people; their nature, identity and idiosyncrasies. In sheer grasp of the Igbo culture, the Professor of Emeritus draws an analogy between Ndi-igbo and the Ukpaka or Ugba tree to establish that uncommon nature of the Igbo people…which is, the drive for (economic) adventure.

For clarity, I would attempt a brief explanation of the Ukpaka tree, for atleast, the ignorant few. The Ukpaka or Ugba tree is translated into English to mean African Oil Bean, which is botanically known as Pentaclethra macrophylla. Different Nigerian tribes have different names for the tree, for example: the Yorubas call it Apara while the Efik tribe calls it Ukana. The African oil bean tree grows approximately 6 meters in girth and 21 meters height.

Very interesting detail about the tree and one Professor Francis draws the analogy with, is the Seed of the tree. The seeds are usually enclosed in flat pods that tend to burst once matured, thereby, distributing the seeds all over; both far and near areas. That, for Professor Francis, explains the nature of the Igbo seeds (sons and daughters), that once matured to take care of themselves, dispatch to elsewhere, finding greener pastures, and if they find the grounds of the host community fertile, they establish there.

So read with much embrace, the salient points expressed in the letter.

Speech to Annual Seminar, Society for Promoting Igbo Language and Culture, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, August 25, 1979- Frances W. Pritchett

Ladies and gentlemen: I am so happy that my dream of attending this conference has come true. My presence here is a demonstration of how human lives reach out and touch each other, sometimes in unexpected ways. I learned with interest about your Ukpaka tree, which shoots out its seeds long distances away from the main trunk. Like this tree, the Igbo people have sent out their young men and women to all parts of the world in pursuit of education. Pwrhaps most of these young people will return to settle in the homeland, but some, like the Ukpaka tree seeds, will put down roots in new locations. But they leave their marks on the communities where they live and study and struggle, and I feel fortunate that many of them chose to come to the small city in the Southern United States which is my home. Because I joined a group to offer assistance to the dieting students in little Rock, I was rewarded with new and interesting friends, a wider knowledge of your great continent, and above all the desire to study your delightful language. My life has been enriched beyond all expectations.

Continue Reading: http://igbobia.com/?q=igbo-people-are-like-ukpaka-tree-interesting-facts-american-professor-gives-about-ndi-igbo.html

Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by stephleena(f): 9:03pm On Mar 16, 2017
giants in the land of dwarfs..

2 Likes

Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by mcmurphy132(m): 9:06pm On Mar 16, 2017
Everyone has his own points of view
Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by DerideGull(m): 9:10pm On Mar 16, 2017
stephleena:


giants in the land of dwarfs..


I guess the above statement is oxymoronic. Most Nigerians tend to exhibit pseudo-smartness while identifying with idiocy.
Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by newyorks(m): 9:14pm On Mar 16, 2017
we're not contesting with other tribe here,its igbos first then the rest follows.

go hug life transformer if u're pained

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by Youngadvocate(m): 9:29pm On Mar 16, 2017
While you identify with the truths in these articles...don't forget the source is Igbobia.com...the Pan-Igbo forum that reveals real facts about and discusses the Igbo people.
A friend of mine introduced me to the site as soon as it was launched and ever since, I fell in love with the it for the unique knowledge and unknown facts it springs. Of course, anyone can register there.

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by Afonjas: 5:48am On Mar 17, 2017
Hmm
Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by Youngadvocate(m): 7:55am On Mar 17, 2017
While you identify with the truths in these articles...don't forget the source is Igbobia.com...the Pan-Igbo forum that reveals real facts about and discusses the Igbo people.
A friend of mine introduced me to the site as soon as it was launched and ever since, I fell in love with the it for the unique knowledge and unknown facts it springs. Of course, anyone can register there.
Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by iamhorny(m): 8:35am On Mar 17, 2017
West african countries and people 1865 about the Igbo religion and culture

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606203_265940620150722195618jpeg4f3d8eea0d927617038a897e4bd7efd1_jpeg_jpegceaf32e4c1a92c7bcec4254f46e42d8a

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606204_265940520150722195134jpeg4b3e7d26ba4eeedfc774f241cc01da02_jpeg_jpeg525c7f870849a45eda621eb53ee10891



Adventures and missionary labors 1849 to 1856 by T.J Bowen

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606217_img20150902073317_jpeg895ed2c35e62f81eaaca847862a8e42a

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606218_img20150902073119_jpeg4e7806d57a72ab19ea5fc7ff20475bdd



Physical Anthropology of southern Nigeria

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606241_img20150928183628edit_jpeg3bb64084839f7833df4e9d227a4221f8

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606242_img20150921052004edit_jpeg1e50872f539456818f3b813301de20e3



What Google says about igbo people

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606328_img20151018152233edit_pngf87ee29e665e9c004819516cb37646c4


Igbo 1921 population census report say igbos are more than half of southern Nigeria while the yorubas are one-third of southern nigeria

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606711_img20160415205559_jpeg6889d8ed59c6c554cfd840f11f842271


Igbos were already spoken of as a superior race even before the arrival of whitemen and the creation of Nigeria...As it was in the beginning, today and forever shall it continue to be..No be me talk am oooo, Na baba God make am so

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3606751_img20150921052004edit_jpeg1e50872f539456818f3b813301de20e3



www.nairaland.com/attachments/3585703_fbimg1460266205589_jpeg6db51f77e77037f52bd924f697cc2933


https://www.nairaland.com/3050941/documents-igbos-pictures

https://www.nairaland.com/3682044/dna-test-igbos-rival-jewish


http://www.unz.com/pfrost/no-blacks-arent-all-alike-who-said-they-were/


http://www.unz.com/article/the-iq-gap-is-no-longer-a-black-and-white-issue/


https://m.modernghana.com/news/455846/africas-most-entrepreneurial-ethnic-groups.html

http://www.unz.com/pfrost/the-jews-of-west-africa/




in summary, when arent dragging with anybody, we just do our thing and we shine. it is a gift from God. Anyi bu umuchukwu okike abiama
Re: Igbos Are Like The Ukpaka Tree: American Prof. Tells About The Igbo People by Youngadvocate(m): 9:04am On Mar 17, 2017

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