Ekpeye People

A MISCONCEPTION THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN EKPEYE

Some individuals often express strong reaction claiming the "Chi" prefix is part of Ekpeye vocabulary, which is the reason for this post. The word "Chi" amongst modern Igbo signifies "Personal Spirit" better still translated by others as "Soul", that's why they have the Igbo Christianised version **Chineke** It's a contraction of "Chi na Eke," which translates to "God of Creation" or "the God that creates" although they believe in a bigger god whom they referred to **Chi-ukwu** (Chukwu) which translates to " Big Spirit " or "great spirit" who's earthly shrine was at Arochukwu, this is how the Igbos call their God.

Let's delve into the EKPEYE ASPECT in regards to God. when expressing 'a person who creates,' an Ekpeye man would say NYEKPU or NYEME. Similarly, for describing something or someone as big or great, they use "GBAKA", or "EKIYE". It is evident that words like "Neke" and "Ukwu" have no intrinsic connection to Ekpeye diction; This is to proof that word's like Chineke And Chukwu are never found in Ekpeye language.

Now, you might be wondering what's the Ekpeye version of "Chi" ?. In Ekpeye, the word for spirit is known as "Uwa". This is evident why we have word's like "Uwa'Bhiyo", meaning Bad Spirit ( Satan), and "Uwa'uma", meaning Good Spirit. Notably, the Ekpeye vocabulary does not use "Chi" as isn't found to refer to God or spirit; instead, "Uwa" serves this purpose... In Ekpeye language God is referred to as ;

1. Uwakpu - the creator of mankind, evident to names like Uwasanim, Uwawhe, Uwame etc which reference to Uwakpu's (God) role

2. Ebelikpabeli - supreme God

3. Idagbakam - Great God, it's seen as God the father, The fatherly aspect represent authority, wisdom and guidance, where God is seen as a source of moral direction and leadership. That's why Ekpeye people tend to name their kids with the prefix attached Idameka, Idasaleme etc. the Ekpeye proper prefix.

It is important to acknowledge the infiltration of the Ibo words into Ekpeye diction which occurred due to the influence the Ibos made on the lives of Ekpeye people, particularly in the realms of religion and education. There's a saying "You can’t live like a rat in the hole and expect people to call you a dog, we should please give our kids proper Ekpeye names it is important, it tells where the child I'd coming from its like a signature you can't name a child fumilayo and don't except people to call the child Yoruba, we should have this pride for our own. The elders say "Ekpeye bú unu'ekpo yá nẹ'ten" let's uphold it .

This post is clearly to enlighten my Ekpeye people and please share this post to all EKPEYE PLATFORMS

Ekpeye People
Ekpeye People

Dear Ekpeye youth's politics is not the only way forward