The sayings of the wise : Ibibio proverbs and idioms

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THE

INGS OF THE WISE

6!0 PROVERBS AND IDIOMS

(REVISED & ENLARGED)

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ANIETIE AKPABIO S

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larshall Press, 8 Paul Basse/ Street, Uyo

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SAYINGS OF THE WISE g

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IBIBIO PROVERBS AND IDIOMS JB

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(REVISED & ENLARGED) il

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ANIETIE AKPABIO B

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Marshall Press, 8 Paul Basse/ Street, Uyo

THE

SAYINGS GF THE WISE

IBIBIO PROVERBS AND IDIOMS

(REVISED & ENLARGED)

B Y

ANIETIE AKPABIO

Second Edition. *'Copy Right Reserved"

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

^ 1 The Important of Proverbs — -.-. I

2 Current Ibibio Proverbs and Maxims _.. ,2—30

■i .

More Proverbs -..« ~- — 31—35

3 PART TWO: Idiomatic Expressions — 36—43
^ * "^'" Other Expressions -...44-51

CHAPTER ONE

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVERBS

Ibibio proverbs express truths about life and
they arc based on experience and wisdom. They
embody advice, warning, reproach, fate a^ d rules of
conduct towards elders, strange; s J^nd relatioDs.

Some Ibibio proverbs expr ss philosophical
thoughts. The sayicg ayara adia Abasi abat isua is a
c!e?-r recognition of God as the Supieme Being and
the controller of man's fate. The Tbib'os believe
that the spirit of man docs not di(^ The saying
Ekpo akpa enyin. ikpaba utor) is ba^ed on this fact.

Piople often employ proverbs to give force and
dignity to their statements They help p-ople to
convey their idzas briefly and vividiy. Take for
example the fc^llo wing proverbs: Eyen uiat ese ana
r^te eka ana; Idioi) cse ebre nlo ntic; Ka nte abak
oyobo ikpao; Aka iso enye omono enym idim;
MfTCi) ama ekpene ke abaD ara ^c'orio mbuk. These
expressions have more force and convey our thoughts
more subh'mely than ordirary plain statements.

Understanding proverbs can be a guide to one's
daily behaviour A proverb could b^ a sourer of bop?
and encouragement to the dcspairiig Wh^ n you art^
faced with a decision to makr^, or a problem, a
moment of thought may remind you of a proverb
which cao lead you to the right di^cision.

The following chapters contain som* of th^
currtn^ Ihibio proverbs acd other idiomatic expressions
Semt ofth^m are ber^^utiful. Some contain awkward
exprf'^sions. and are difficult (o interpret Now take
a proverb th^n think of a f uirabic situan'on in which
it can bj applied.

1

CHAPTER TWO

CURRENT IBIBIO PROVERBS AND MAXIMS

Ayara adia, Abasi abat fsua

Meaning: God reckons the days of evil-doers. The
word A\ ARA here means a strong or clever
man and b used in a derogatory sense to
describe a rogue or a wicked man. The
philosophical implication here is the recog-
nition of God as the supreme judge who
can bring any evil doer to Justice and has
control over man's destiny.

AdJa r)kpD ino edi ino

Meaning: He is a thief who receives stolen goods.

Asar)a enyle owo enye ^bn

Meaning: It is good to have friends where ever
one goes.

Afo DSukhD, afo ^duok idem mmDi)
Meanng: You have t.o helper.

Atimme etituak Isdq ana eket^t Abasi

Meaning: Before wo do somethirg we should first
of all inform our paren.s or our masters.
Th^^ implication is that before ATIMME
strikes the ground it must first of all go
up The going up of ATI M VIE is taken
to mean literally ioforming God. Again the

philosophical implication here is the belief
that God (Abasi) is the supreme being,
our master.

Ariwana agwan edi iba, omum osop ita

Meaning '• Wheo two persons are fighting or quarrel-
ling a mediator is neces'^ary to settle the
maUer. It is an appeal to two quarrelling
persons to accept the decisioo of the mediator

Akpan owo utDk, en/e akpan mkpa

Meaning: Literally it means a person who prevents
another from quarrelJiog has saved him
from deaih. It emphasizes the fact that a
mediator is very important in feuds or
disputes.

AsabD adiaha gkpo :)dor} ke idip ibDm

Meaning: My good is your good. Any privilege or
benefit you receive is counted for your lamily
too. The cobra is believed to be offspring
the python acd so what the python has
is also for the benefit of the cobra.
In Afncan social life, everybody is his
brother's keeper.

Ataha ubom ke esuk owo enyene

Meaning: Idiok ow^o enyene andioyenc. Ataha ubom
may refer to a worthies person or thing.

Ama okop tap aya ^nuh;)

Meaning : You will regret for your obstinacy. This
is often directed to someone who has been
warced cot to do a certain thing.

Abasi ekit Itit emiag ke enyoij

Meaning: Only God can judge the situation.

Ama i)kDrD Dbok abak

Meaning: If you want something you must toil
for it.

Anana r)kpD ese obo ke eyen eka idoho esen

Meaning: It is a paor man who says his brother is
not a guest. A guest is usually trcat^-d as
an important person in Ibibio aod is
usually received wi h much reverence — that
is— he would be given good and accommo-
dation. A poor man is likely to neglect
his brother when he visits him and may
not trtat him as a guest because of his
poverty. That one does not treat one's
bro^.hcr as an important guest may be a
sign of povcriy.

AsaQa isai) ibukh^ mbuk. in^ ibukh? ntiim
Meaning: No one can recount all hb troubles.

Akpan aka ut^k* Udo aka mbono

Meaning: To betray a person, to behave cowardly.

Aman ke udua ete fut ukot

Meanmg : It is aa open secret.

EXERCISE ONE

1 What is the meaniBg of the followiog proverbs?

(a) Adia gkpo ufok owo ada owo mbuk

(b) Ama gkoro obok abak

(c) Etok ebot okpon aka inie ikpa

(d) Akpan isiaaba mbot ufok eka ke idem idin, mme
ibiakka eka Akpao, abiak Akpan

2 AkpasaQa isag eyen idiaha se mbon ufok edia
Who is "akpssarja isao" Give the full meaning
of this maxim.

3 CompMe the following sentences using suitable

words or phrases

(a) Atimme etituak isog -.eketot

(b) Akpan aka utok, Udo aka « . .

(c) Aman ke udua_ . . .ukot

4 Ayara adia Abasi abat isua

What does *'ay^ra" mean here. Construct a
sentence using the above proverb to show its
meaning.

Ekpo akpa enyin ikpaha ut^g

Meaning: Ekpo is blind but is not deaf. Herj
ekpo refers to a dead person It means
the spirits of oai dead ones siili alive and
with us. If you art] making a statement,
to empha^Jze that you are speaking the
truth because the dead (understands) hears
you, you can use the maxim.
A dead person's ears are always open whib
the eyes are always close

Ekpo use enyIn okok afia

Meaning: When ekpo (spirit) is watching and you
are still making trap. \ou are being fool-
hardy. Ekpo here refers to one's conscience.
It means your conscience is blaming you.

Eto 3tD nnan, ^to inan

Meanng: The accident claimed sll lives. A falling
tree is likely to hit, a blind or a deaf man.
A blind man cannot see. A deaf man can't
hear. 1 hey can'i run away at the instance
of a falling tree.

Etok inuen asat ama ete atara adan

Meaning: A small b^'rd though pinrirg away, says
it is enjoying good health. To have a false
or exaggerated notion about one's self or
importance. It i*= a sort of mockery. Another
such raying is: Idobo nafar, cte ido mb^Q.

Se nte eaye 0:>ogde inua, idoho mfat cte
ido mbog.

Ebemiso idim ekit enyin Idim

Meaning: The first person to reach the stream in
the morning is the one who s:es the beauty
of the stream.

Eyen ete itiehe nte eyen eka

Meaning: Half brother is not like the real brother.
Half brother is not as important as one's
real brother. Our love for our relations
is shared proportionally according to the
connection. The love we bave for our
real brothers is stronger than that of our
half brothers.

fnyene adiaha eka itie eyop, ok^t ndubodo iba

Meaning: One who has a sister in "itie cyop" is sure
to take two rolh while others take one
each. It means one is sure to enjoy favour
when one's close relation is around. In
other words •'Blood is thicker than water".

Edim usen keet idukh^ issg

Meaning: One day's rain cannot get deep into the
soil. Metaphorically the maxtm means that
perseverance is the key to success.

Enyene r}kp:> omum nnun keet

Meaning: Liseraily the maxim means: He who owns
a thing hold it with one baod. Wheu two
peopb are claiming something, the one

who has less claims to it would be more
arrogant and fussy whereas the other person
who is the rightful owner would be more
calm and confident.

Enyene ufak ama dwdfd inyon Ddor) ubDk ke abar)

Meaning : When the bead of the house is away
loyon goes to the waterpot to drink (inyon
is a person afflicted with ulcers). When
the master is away ihe servants indulge
in forbidden act«. In other words, when the
cat is away the mice would play.

EtO DtD OWO UtDIJ, DHD jfJDk

Meaning: Literally it means : When a tree hi^s
somebo<1}'s ear.^, it makes the person to
gain knowledge. Experience is the best
teacher.

Ebob ubk ekeene mbol

Meaning: We build our houses according to the
typs of poles we have. Cut your coat accor-
ding to your size.

Example: Ku unam se udukemeke, bop ufok mfo
keene mboi.

Ewa ese kpep ewa iSDfD

Meaning: It is the dog that teaches another how
to squat. Habits are formed largely through
imitation.

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Etok eyen eyem eyot Abasi dpd nnam

Mean^Dg: The literal translation is: If a child likes
crying AbaM gives him yaws. "Nnam" is
a serjous form of "mfat" just as small pox
is more serious than chicken pox.
The saying means that a stubborn or
disobedient child who indulges in evil
would be punishtd with greater evil It is
a sort of rebuke. Another similar saying
is: Eiok eyen cycm mfat Abasi ono nnam.

Eka keet ibok^ uwene

Meaning : The literal meaning is: One mother alone
does not Iced a poor mars. Wealth is not
the monopoly of one family.

Enycne ufDk ese odomo mboi

Meaning: A man has right to run his own home
in the way he likes. He would not tolerate
any diciatioa from outside.

Enyene ufDk akama nnana, esen akama unyDg

Meaning: The host is often anxious to see that a
visitor stay for a long lime but the guest
may be unwilling to do so. In other words
the hosr cannot impose arything on the
guest against his wish.

EdjduDQD jnug ke nsia ebJDQ

Meaning: To salt the porcupine's intestine when it
is already salty. That is to waste somethiog
or to waste one's efforts.

Edue ukot akpa it^g

Meaning: It is ri^ky not to obey the laws of the

society.

Etat ekpat eka eyen, ete eyen b^p enyjn

Meaaing: You cannot afford to remain indifferent
when evil is being discussed against your
relation.

Ebok DtDF), DtDt) DtDhD

Mean ng: \ou are being warned but you don't
pay heed to the warning.

Etar) eno eyen unen, etaq enD ndukpo

Meaning: We should warn or blame on both sides.
That is: We should not be impartial in
our judgement. Wc should warn both parties.

Eduek eyop enyene etok isip

Meaning: That is something that will waste a lot
of time.

Ekpo ubk DkobD owo

Meaning: Trouble often begins at home. Jealousy
often emanates from some one very close
to a person.

Eyem agwan, aka Annar)

Meaning: A brave man who wants to fight should
go to Aniiaog Aunangs were reputed to
b^ fierce fighters in the prc-colonial days.

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EkikD unen imaha usdtd ekpo enye Dkpak ide

Meaniog: One should rot rejoice until one has
successfully ovecome one's probrems or
danger.

Eto keet Isikabake akai

Meaning: A tree cannot make a fonst.

Ebot otu ata ebre otu

Mcacing: It is an internal trouble, an internal
affair.

EnyDg dsdq akan eb^k, D(^Dok

Meaning: To swallow more than one can chew.

Edem idoho idem

Meaning: To be fgnnrant of what is goirig on
behicd oni:'s back. Bdng luken unawares

Eyot DdDk ke esa aba, aba idiDr)Dke.

Meaning: We are not always aware of the evil
that is plduned agciinst us.

Eke ebaria ke esaha

Meaning It is the unlucky person that suffers.
In o;h r words he is the scape goat.

Enyin ekpere okpD iwuo

Meaning: If not for our relationship I would have
treated you b.dly.

EkDi) Isimaha udim

Meaning: We shall not all perish. Literally it means
war cannot annihilate a whole/column.

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Eba^a idem, idem asai)a ke usuq

Meaning If we are thinking about a particular
person whom we have not seen or discus-
sing something about him and suddenly
the very person appears at thai moment
then we use the maxim. It means the very
person wc are discussing about may be on
th: way coming to us.

St^t^o kt idap ekpep mkpa

Meaning: From sleep to death. He who is food
of telling lies may steal. From httle things
we can commit big ofences.

Enai) idi3f)3ke uhn isim tutu ema ekpikhe efep

Meaning: Often w^ neglect small thiogs and only
when we lose them do we come to realise
their usefulness.

Esit mman iso^ke mman

Meaning: Our love for our relations is natural.

€ka ckpu an/ai mm 139, eka ekpu okop uttbe

Meaning: He is suffering from guilty conscience

Etok cDot 3S3p Inua Ikim enya ata ituc

Meaning : Anxiety causes trouble. He who rushes
on things often get into trouble

E/cn ikopkt item \n^ eka enye ^du^k fdem

Meaning : A child who does not heed his or her
moiber*s advice is lost.

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OsDi) owo ekin afor)

Meaning : It is the old who instructs the young.

Eyop DtDiiD ke etok edi eduek

Meaning: A good palm tree starts from tender aga
to sho>v a sigQ of goodness. A person
starts from his youth to show good character.
Most of our habits are formed whsrn we
are young. We can caution somtone or
praise him by drawing his attention to
this maxim.

Example; Kpeme idem fo eyen rami koro eyop
otOQO ke etok odo tduek.

Ebit eduek eyop edug akwa

Meaning: To spsnd a great d-al of time on one
thing or on one good subject. Eduek means
good palm fruits. Akwa means a woodtn
contaioer. Eguo akwa means literally to
stay in the container. That is to spend
much time while preparing (eduek eyop).
In other words to spend too much lime on
one ittm.

This saying is common in a meeting where
so many items arc discussed. If someone
fears that two much time is wasted on one
item he might warn: ofon nnyin itre do
mbak iku uhit eduek eyop idu9 akwa.

EsaQa ke edem eyen ecuk eka aba

Meaning: Literally it means: Having accfss to a
womaa's brtans through the baby she

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is holding. One can intentionally touch a
woman's breasts while playing with the child
she holds. GenerjUy it means; to have
access to something ihrough another person
or to win favour indirecdy.

Enyene ufsk e$e odomo mbol ufok esie
Meaning: You have the right to manage your
affairs as you like.

Enyene esit enyene ekikere

Meaning: It is your own responsibility Your feelings

come from your heart. You have the right

to decide as you like.

E$e eda ub^k ukpobbo nsug, ekpobbo DkwDk

Meaning: Literary it means that it is the very hand
that we use in catching a fly that we wll
ue in catcbiog a bee. in other words we
should check our bthaviour else we shall
fall into a big trouble. A similar maxim
is: loua usak imam ke ese eda ctua eyot.

Edim akpan iQwari, ikpanke udua

Meaning: Rain may prevent people from working
on the farm but not from going to the
market. This maxim stems from the fact
that markets unlike- farm are usually held
once a week and so people cannot afford
to stay for a whole week without going
to the market. Ano her idea is that there
are shelters at the market places.

Ecuene ekwDi) uweme

Meaning: A late comer, A late starter.

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Ekut mfDn emek ukut

Meaning: No one neglects a thing that he judges
to be good.

Eda gkpD akpa-Df^g, edi^g akpa-DfDg

Meaning: You are rewarded by your own effort
that is — according to what you present.
Kindness begets kindness.

Ekit owo mkpa ke enyin esakka mmDrj eyot

Meaning: One who is at the scene of event will
understand more the situation, and will be
more sympathetic.

Ku use nte uruk - ikDt DnyoDg aka ubara ikar) ukeene

Meaning: Do cot be drastic towards someone
because of his behaviour.
Do not seek revenge.

Efut ikar) emen nsug

Meaning: To gain from one's endeavours.

EXERCISE TWO

I What is the meaning of each of the following
proverbs and maxims?

(a) Emen etap odioco nde unan ke usuo itog

(b) Eyen ifiokke, eka itemmeke

(c) Eyen ekit ete isinanake mbuk

(d) Enyene idem odiogo nte mfat idcep

(e) Eyen iliat ese ana D?e eka ana

(f) Eno inuij, eie iyem uiasi

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2 Enyong osong akan ebok, odook
Who is ''ebok" in this context ?

Give the full meaning of the following saying:
(i) Eyeo uwene ese oko ikot, ikoho ufok

(ii) Ekpedi udua etibume, odoho akpan udua

(iii) Ekenam cyen eka eoo usen mbaba

3. Complete the following sentences using suitable

words or phrases :

(a) Ekpo use enyin . .^_ afia

(b) Ekpo akpa enyin utoq

(c) Edim usen kiet . Isdq

4. Supply the missing words in the following
sentences :

(a) Eyot DdDk „ aba, ^idiDQDke

(b) Ekit owo mkpa _ . . eyot

(c) Eyen Itiat odok ^.^ „ esit

(d) Enag ama akpa, ayak ukut ikpa

(e) Eyen_ „.. __es@ ... uforo usuk usuk

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Idiag IsibDppD enyin in^ ntan

Meaning: It is the characteristic of a brave man
not to run away from diiBculties

ImD edi ufen

Mvaoiog: We have to toil if we want to be rich

Ifiok iyuhDke owo

Meaning : Our knowledge is imperfect. That means
we do oot know everything

IkpDF) ikemme ukoono

Meaning: O ie perfon canoot face a group

Idoho eka keet obok Inem efere

Mealing' Virtue is cot practised only by a few
fximily.

Idat enyene ama

Meanu g: Nobody is without a fiiend

Idat eyem efere ese en^ ke eba

M.aning: Anxiety breeds difficulties

Ikpat eka unen isiwotdo ndit^

Meaning A hen's f^et cannot kill the chickens

That means ihe mother's actions a^e never
meant to be harmful to the childien.

Idoho usen etibbeke ube ke mbt ese oduD oduk

Meaning : It is not the very day that a pit is dug
that ffog will fall into it. That meaas
success is not always achieved m a day.

17 '

Ikaij aka ata Ikit, edido unen ayarake ndak ke edem

Meaning If fire can burn tortoise how much less
a fowl. That mean^ a person who is not
stror^g enough will not b^ able to face the
situation.

IkD etip anana owo

Meaning: A person without supporters hardly wins
cast s.

IkwDt e$e ataKima nte ekpere ube

Meaning: One should approach a person in whom
one has confidence In other words wc
should act prodently.

Ibritam ete in^ owo, afo udoho owo

Meaning: Do unto others ss you would like others
do lin^o you. In the days of slave trade
the Arcs slave raiders were fond of saying
this: Ibritam ete ino owo; i. e. Ibritam
w&nts slaves. But people would rebut:
*'AI J udoho owo?"— Are you not a man?
It «'3s rebuff to the wicked demand.

i^D DkDtj:> edt-: ekpe, uwene DkDi)D ndaam

Meaning: A wealthy man wears costly jewels where-
as a poor man puts on raffia (a mean dress).
lo other words we should act according
to our ability,

Ifltke mfuk Inannake enyin

Meaning: To receive a guest coldly by offering him
neither food nor drink. Kini ntoho Dekosi

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ndi, ami mma aka ufok omo edi cnyo
ikcfi^de mfuk, inaanake enyin.

Ifiok Dtuk ikpD5

MeaniEg: One person's knowledge is not sufficient

Inuen edo ndD ke ekpuk or ke ete, ke ete, idoho odusat
Meaning: Birds do not mate outside iheir families
The sayiog simply implies that people should
marry within their own circhs.

Idop, idop ewa, enye ata okpD unam

Meaning: It is a qu:ei dog that eats the fatest bone

Isua iciaba idoho ekim

Meaning: Seven years is not forever

IdJDg ebre nto ntie
Meaning: First come first served.
If^nke f^n obu enye onwune ekug
Meaning: Every events has a cause

Idd ese eyierjc ibit okoneyo

Meaning: It is a ihicf who is always afraid of the
night's drum.

Explanation: A dium signal is not ui^ually given at
night unless i«ere is an emergency, especially
in cases of burglary or tbett. A thitf who
has stolen something will be afraid of such
signal. He will always keep his ears open
ai eight for such drum signals to as to
find a way to escape

IsDr) ekpekpene, edi isopke sop

Meaning: Long standing debti are not irrecoverable
Idi^k enyir) owoc ewa

Meaning: Having a bad reputation is not good.
it is unworthy to have a bad name

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Iso ukaha edem utimmeke

Meaoing! "You neither go forward nor backward.
That means to be in a fix

Ik^ etip IkpDg

Meaning: One who has no support cannot win a
case.

tfbk ohn editibe

Meaning: Two heads are better than one

Ikwa etip mbobo etlp uyal

Meaning: To miss both chances. To be completely
rejected.

EXERCISE THREE

1 What is the meaning of the following maxims?

(a) IfJDk obn editibe

(b) InD cse eyiene ibit okoneyo

(c) Idem osoi) akpara uweme

(d) Idem etok e/en ese eyere idip idip

(e) isidoho ekpe isimke Afaha ebak

2. Complete the following sentences using suitable

words:

(a) Idat ese . ama

(b) Idiag enyin^.^ ««-.ntan

(c) IkD etip '^ owo

3. Ikang aka ata ikit. What is the meaning of "ikit"
in this context. Write the proverb ia full.

4. What is the meaning of the following words?
ukpotio iko, ufiot, nke.

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Mbuk ikit, /doho efit Ido akpanJkD

Meanmg: There is little or no truth in the story.
The siruation is doubtful.

Mbime odukpo ebot (A question of the dead goat)

Meaning: A hypocritical question An unnecessary
question.

MfDn ekewot edat

Meaning: Too much kindness can ruin a man.

MbDpiso okpoebot ikpanna unyam

Meaning : Communal duly is compulsory.

Qtarja ndia ufDk eka ese oboiyo mbDhD

Meaning Stealing often start from little dishonest
practices at home.

r)kpD ntak udua

Meaning: A profitless venture. A worthless person

IJkpD ifonke ntim nnam

Meaning: Too much care can ruin something

nyuk inyar) nime ikag

Meaning: Show your might. Do your worst.

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QkpD ekpenam anaan etem ke obot

Meaning! Let evil befall an obstinate person so
that he may Jearn a lesson.

Qkop ke ebek ifja

Meaning : The news came from outside source.

Nwan unwDf) ini okutde eyo

Meaning: Make hay while ihc sun shines.

rjkpD akanam Ik^t, mf^q adat

Meaning There is no smoke without fire.

Ndun^Qd item icie efere ^hn ke edisinkt kSQi ^kpai)
Meaning: Forewarned is forearmed

Owo Qwan ohon ub^k etem E s d

Meaning: A good woman does not neglect
housekeeping

Nnanenyin esin idap udua

Meaning: It is hardship that brings misery and
despair

Nnun ubak Idihe ukem- ukem
Meaning: People arc not equal

Ndbo edim ekeycm uwem yak enye ekeduk inyag

Meaning: If you want safety you must not isolate
yourself from your society.

QkpD ata okook ete Od^d^

Meaning: To accuse wrongly. To blame a wrong
person or thing.

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1

Qwakha ntDr}D uduag isi/DkkD nto

Meanirg- Something that produces little or no effect
It is a minor contribution,

NdibD ndDQ ke atibe ekpat
Meaning: To live a wasteful life.

r)kpD ItukhD asaga iba

Meaning: It is helpful to have a companion.

r)kpD mbaba isibake ndek

Meaning: If you want something eagerly you will
spare no trouble to aquire it.

Nnam nte esa, ete ke enye ekeyit atat isin

Meaning* Imitation is bad. \ similar proverb is:
Nduboiyo ete ke enye eyire owo efik.

r)kpD akak owo ayat

Meaning: An unbearable situation.

Nte ubDf) ama idem anim ifen

Meaning: You are free to go to where you like.

r)kp3 edi enen ekim

Meaning: P^ace is being threatened or danger is
approaching

Nsb isine ke idip idiag Ikan ekpa nsur)

Meaning: It is a minor affair or a common thing

23

QkpD ekcnam obu onwune ekug

MeaQing: Something must have caused the crayfish
to grow a hunch on the back.

Odoro ke eyo owo, odoro ke eyo owo

Meaning: From one generation to another. That
is from one era to another or from age to
age. The philosophical implication here Is
thfit no era of government is permanent.

Owo Isldutke edltlm eyen eka isin ke gkag

Meaning: Nobody would deliberately do something
to mar his brother's success.

Ofurl usen cnyene Iod, edi usen klet enyene enyene inwa^

Meaning: A thief will one day meet his doom.

That is one day be will be caught GcBcrally
it means that there is a day reckoning for
evil-doers

Owo isinaha qkai) kiet ide idap

Meaning: One should not depend on one means
©f earning a living

Owo efen :>S3SDk owo edem isimke Isin

Meaning: No person is like a brother or a relative

Owo akpa akpa oboho etlbc «nyfn

Meaning: Nobody is free from trouble or mis-
fortune until he is dead.

24

Owo DdbQD nte amana, idbQDke nte akpt

Meaning : Nobody knows his or her destiny. A
penon can say; "This is where I was born"
but he cannot say; "This is where I will die."
No one can ascertain his future.

Owo Islmaha mkpar) nyak ke Idem Idin
MeaniTig: Decent peopl:^ do not like ugly thing or
treatment

Ob^khD mkpasi akpa ekim

Meaning : To escape from a dangerous siiuation
but fall into another one. Not to be able
to free oneself completely from trouble.

OfjgD etjbe

Meaning: A desperate person

DbD^k unen Isitaha ukpib

Meaning: To get no reward for your labours

DduDk nt^ij ke ntDij ekeene

Meaning: The shaft which is aimed at another turns
against one who cast it.

Odbij ufon

Meaning: A useless person

OtDk edinyehe

Meaning: A scape goaf, A mean person. A target

OtD IkpDg eyem gkok

Meaning : He who marries wants a child. This
means that the primary aim of marriage is
to raise children.

25

Os3i) esit ata oton

Meaning: On>y a bmve man can endure fcardsbip.

OtDi)D uduag DkpD-usur) efre, andiyege isifreke

Meaning: People tend-to forp;:;! their wrong actions,
but those wio suffer (torn such actions are
not apt to forget ihem. In other vvords
people do DCt easily forget their misfortunes

Owdtd efut ete idJDrjDke tke ubDk ama

Meanmg: It i?". a matter luck or it is matter of
trial and error.

OtDt owo \ko idoho idek

Meaning: To lay complain aga nst anoih^r person
is no sign of cowardice. In oth:ir words to
ptoiest IS no act of cowardice.

Ofum ese ekpep eto unek

Meaning Li^erilly it means that it is the wind that
teaches the tree bow to dance. It is some-
one's action that gentrat;s good will m
aooiher ptrsoa.

OkpDSDf) inemesit ese ada ntuaga edi

Meaning: Too much happiness may brir?g dtspair

Se efut akama aya ow^d iba

Mf-aning: What is hidden under iha anus will be
51 en by the pant. In other words what a
mao can do another man can also do.
It implies competition by two opponents.

26

Se iWDTD ke ifia unen aya eben emen

Mearing : I am ready to face the sftuat'on. The
saying implies a challenge to an oppODent.

Sik sag, sik sar), ama dDd owo Itle or yesa, yesa ama dBd Eflk Isd^)
Meaning To much ccirpromise is not good.

Kuse edem se iso

Meaning : Don't look back, look forward

Kudara akpa edim

Meaning: Do not rejoice at your initial success.

Ke ece, ke ete idoho odusat

Meaning: Sharing of property accordmg to the
family groupings is poi an act of dcscrimi-
nation but for fair and orderly distribution
of property. In other words, charily begins
at home.

Tui)D akaba mbre udiaha ib^k

Meaning: You have ill-luck or you are in a serious
trouble.

Ubak ukpa odo ubak umana

Meaning: Early to bed early to rise.

Unam Db^kha afia ababaak enDnuk eto

Meaning : The animal that escapes from a trap is
always afraid cf something that looks like
a trap. Or.ce bitten twice shy or a burnt
child dreads fire.

27

Un^ ekpene itiehe nte uno akai

Meaning : The c!o>er our relationship to soaie cue
th:^ stronger the ti^

Ukltde iwut eyen ebesk ntan

Meaning: Never prepare sacd until you see the
dead of the child in other words; Do not
count your ch'ckens before they are harched

UkDt asaqa t^p tep y/ofo abai)

Meaning: Lfttle drop>. of water make mighty ocean
Utu ke mbDk esin udi, yak edim edep

Meaning: To avoid a fight let us abandon ths
business.

Utu ke unam aka ama yak ebiat ikpa

Meaning: Do noi allow a hunted animal to escape
FoF a hunter \o al'ow an animal to run away
without being killed is regarded as a great
loss. The saying metaphorically means thai
we should try to minimize our loss.

Ycm obubit ebot ini eyo mikime

Meaning: Do something at the right time.

Udia efen okposop owo ikpodoho mkpuk

Meaning: It is a great loss to lose an important
thing, or something that has been well
cared for.

Ukag ebreke eno, Inekke

Meaning: He does not do what he is expected to do

28

Utere ndia

Meacis^g: A shameless psrson, a beggar

Utere uduDk uduag

Meaning: "Vou are desparate, you are unlucky.

Udua ^hn i)ka idem

Meaning* Do it yourself is better. This is supposed
to have been said by a male sheep (ram)

Utin ikpDi) ese aka ukag inyag

Meaning: It is ons sided affair

Uyio escn owo enem akan ekere

Meaclng: It is interesting to hear a stranger talking

Unen akama nditD isinaha ke Dkom uf^/c, ekpena ndit^ esomo.

Meaning: A hen with chickens, never sleeps on
the roof.

EXERCISE FOUR

1. What is the meaoing of the following proverbs?

a Mbuk ikit idoho efit ido akpaoiko

b Ndal mmana ifiok, tnye osog ifiok

c Nkpo ntom ke ikot uku omum unen

d Oworo efut etc idiorioke eke ubok ama

e Utu ke mbok esio udi, yak edim edep

f Uduafj oworo ]<r- efut, cte efene

g Ekpan ikopo, ibuot eycm ntan

29

g ObDi) ese akpan utok isikpanna mfa^a
h Nek unek kedibi isoo

Complete the following sentences with suitable
word^ in the bracket

a Owo isidutke- .-_eyen eka isin ke nkag

(Mon, ekpat, editim, ikoo)

b 0^31} c&it._ -^-oion (men, duok, ata)

c Se iwuo ke ifia ehen imen (ebot, unen)

d Mbuk unyorj mfo qkop ke ebek «^

(eto, okpoho, ifia)

3. Explain the following sayings

(a) Mb^ck nkot eyop isimaha if en

(b) Owo ese ob'om etok aba9 akag iba

(c) Usut) inw3g ama onyooo oboho, inwag ese
osofop.

(d) Owo amadak inek unek edcnoi cmem

(e) UsD isisuaha item

(f) Se ubDk obop odo eku

4. What is ?h:^ mean'ng of the following proverbs: -

fa) Dkp3-UDam emen ekim ikpoi) aka udua

(b) Ndao ukot isibiatda usoro

(c) Noun ekeduk adan ke ese esio efip

(d) N»io isine ke cfut etikke no ckpikkc oduok
{€) Owij isitukho aban ikwa afa^j

(f) Asua eka ebe, eka ebe

30

MORE PROVERBS

The Ibibios like to use Proverbs is tleir conversations. In old
days a speaker who had a gord ccmniaDJ cf pri Vwiband idioms
was highly respected by his fcllow/nen People: who want to be
deplomatic cften employ proverbs in their cocversations.

The following are some of the Ibibio proverbs

! Afo atip mfat 3wu3 pyaya

2 Abiyo iso lyak enye onoDno enyin idim

3 Andirakha Ukaar) okop ke idem omo, Ukaaq qko onyuQ okcp

4 Eda iko inua owo ebiere ikpe eno owo

5 Eyem akwa rjkpo ese okoga mbar) a>ara enai)

6 Ebot osog edor)

7 Ese owo inua enye odiogo se owo atag

8 Ekpa Ekpe

9 Ka nte abak oyoho ikpar)

!0 Ndikke Uboikpa isidoho isua keet

11 Owo isidi3r)3ke ikpat ubog

12 Anwan minyeneke sc otot ebe, ete ke mmog ifaha kc cdet

13 Ebet owo ikdt isimme nto

14 Udogo iwuoho itie mmlm

15 Abia idioQoke se abia akama (A challenger may not kaow
the strength of his opponent)

16 Ukat ekpedia se adia, ifreke unystj; (A captive navfr forgets
bis home no matter how wdl he is treated by his captors)

17 Dn>og osog akan ebok odook: (To over reach oneself)

31

18 Eto inwan isikpaha ima (A race cannot perish completely)

19 Inua nsak imaai enye ke ese edad etua eyet (The mouth
with which we Uugb, is the same with which we shall cry)

20 NduROQO item itie efere ofon ke emisinne ikpag (It is better
to give advice before sonaeihiog starts)

21 Ekpediiok ntak, rtak otoho (If the cause or origin of an
event is omitted then ihs event is not well explamsd)

22 Ison isiwotd© nya uno

23 Eseo owo isidisqoke usug otode eko swuo enen

24 Owo isibake gka ese ebak hot)

25 Ifonn3 editop itiat nsin ke itie emi adan aaaha

26 Oduk idak ebok enye atakha ebok idip

27 Owo isikpikheke mkpat ntok idem iduok

28 Etoro ndip ukot ekan ifakho

29 Ds3p ubok enye adianna ekwoQ enyog

30 Omum idem udora

31 Ewa otoiyo se akadia okoro inua

32 Uaam ekpefro Akpan no Udo atakha. osuk aka eso keet

33 Ekpjdo abar) ektbot Idem akpa osio inua ona ote enye ama

34 Ino asasa ekebo ke ikpisaga iba imo ikpiyipe ino

35 Akama isip keet idoho unyim

36 Owo ekpefut ikar) cmen nsug

32

37 Idiok ioua iko ekesio Akpaa-ndo cka ke ekog

38 Afo a^pog afar) awakba csai

39 Unie owo enye ©do mfon emana

40 Ekpedo eka omum even uman ana eyie ubok

41 Udogo ama ebidat owo idem ana edip abia

42 Ndiaha ebcn owo ^kot isu

43 Eayia ok*:«n emomODDO ^kaga

44 Ewok ev/ok ckufre enim

45 Eka iyak abaak eoyin owo akpa mbok

46 Idadat eyom ebekhe cduk otu mfoij

47 Okube adat akam dbokhs afia

48 Aoie idur) ese eticn ndem idur) omo

49 IkD Nnuene-akwa isog isor) okop eD>Dg ikoppo

50 Nse mfa isog ikan ebect

51 Ufa iyiDFD ese ekedodo akaan

52 Owo akpa daga idem cnyegge

53 Ataba aiaha, Eko©i) ke odo

54 EtDk eoyin eno idiok owo item, anam ukere

55 Edl kis« ikot ©wo isikamake mmai)

56 Nsesin ikwa, mbakabak

57 Owo odiogo ifiok idiogoke nnyaai)

58 r)kp3 ikwo! isitippe mfat

59 Akpas ukut ekebo ke ise ijkem cnysg

60 Kpa anam utoho okpok ukpikke isim

33

61 Owo isikamake rjkpa ubok iba idook ebect

62 UmiaQa inua, oyoro imea oyoro ikokko

6 J Ntuen ibsk isinanake ke itig ukok ibok

64 **Etem utemme" ay a ekit **etie udakha"

65 Utere odo ododi^QO eyeyen enye skar) edet
i6 Mbobo ekpekam uuaa, ns@ ido ubok adaa

67 Owo isitiehs cnyin afia ibak uaam

68 Ewa ata udu3k ueam isitimmske ik3(

69 Utu ke aowan abia ibok amac iba idip anabuQO

70 Mfine mmi ese oduD ebeek

71 Ubok obop edip, obop kpa edip.

72 Eycn ekpemum eka uman esc cyie ubofc

73 Oboo ebet nsue, ibetde eniin

'7* Nkakat adat ntan ekpep isar) epyoi)

75 Yak u^iurj esine ke udug ebet esea

76 Anwan ikwereke ke mben nro

77 Ekit owo ke ikot idiogoke ke oto ufok

78 Nnun ubok keet isioho ndag ke iwut

79 Aka iti<? eyop aka edoQO

80 Eben rjkaoya gka efe obo maa owo ikene ekim

81 Owo isitohokc ikot ke uka, ese etoho ke unyogo

82 Ebot ata udia enye ke iwa anaam emi

83 Owo aimikpaha gkst itreke

84 Ekpesat ttdisuf) ejop, nso ikpiwuo adan

34

85 Ikp^r) ibiotke, ekim adia

86 Owo utifnme ke cdtrm, ete esuk ukeae

87 Ikag uta inua adia ofop

88 Umunamma etok unen riVpo, ana ad^ppa akpukpa ke ikag

89 Udia cdo ododiogo f.kpap odok

90 Ebok sma efit idip iyakka emo tmo efit
y\ Ikpar) awakha ioua ama ouo gkoro

92 Akama eyop keet idoho uoyim

93 Ese odo etetim uyara ke edoi) eben eka iwut

94 Umiimke mum inuen ke ubok, okoot ekpa

95 Anwan akama ison, ese atar) uyo ebc

96 Idoho efit iraam ke ese enyiin edet

97 Owo ama ebidia gkpo inyim cyen uwene, ttc abaat ubok

98 Idoho efit ekpo ese edu^k ibit

99 Akpa Ilka idim, akpa ubom absQ

100 FjkpD owo isibiarake ikpoQ

101 Adiana iba is5p edur) ufok keet, edo keet ikitdde keet iso

102 Ofr>n owo edifi3r)0 ndek skan edifiaijo umiana

103 Iwut ebot isisoppo ke eso

104 Owo ekpedia s« dia ubok idu^rjo inua

105 Eso ekebo ke ikpa buut ikot ete

106 Owo isifcroke idem ikpo

107 Se ubok obop od© eku

i08 Isidoho eoyie ufok idiah^i gfcpo efere akuege ks iso

109 Aban ikpaha, ikim iwkbike inua

1 10 Mmamana ndikit ebol inukho

35

PART TWO
CHAPTER THREE
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION

Whv^n a person says '*Ku nsiak iou^" or "Ku
mbeen inwek" he is obviously using idiomatic expre-
ssion meaning: don't make me talk excessively.

"Enye araa nwuk mbara" is a popular expression
mraning: He lipped me off. The meaning of these
expressions canoot be taken literally They are some-
times employed for rhetorical effect and they are
very important in our language for they are more
forceful than plain expressions.

Fiak furo: Dare to escape again !

It is a way of mocking at someone or an enemy who
did something wrong and escaped and later was
cauhgt again.

\ire mmia?: (Go and perish) — Go and never come
back in time. It is angry remark usually made against
servant who has gone on an errand but fails to
return in lime. Another form of it is 'ka ke kpa
akpek'.

Siak owo ifot:— Accuse a person of witch-craft.

Nwot iman:— The ace of committing murder, fn
Ibibio when a man has intentionally or committed
murder, the act at is described a^ '*nwot iman".
The offender may be expelled from tbe town or
made to pay restitution for the family of the deceased

36

UduD obom— The act of committing violence or
serious breach of th:; law or custom

Bd ke ime— Be patieCit

Siak inua— To cause someone to do a lot of talking

e.g A disob*dienJ child can make his parents

to talk to him more often than is necessary

Ayara owoden— A man of valour

TuQD utoij— Listen attentively

Aya uyaar) inam— You are going to be deceived.

Wuk owo mbara— Reveal information to a man in
confidence.

Buk mbuk wut inan—Narrate story to a deaf man
If a person tells you something of which
you have no previous knowledge, to show
how interested you are in what he is teihng
you, you may use the expression, it is a
way of asking the informant to repeat the
information in detail.

Nimme ntim:— Kill, nip in the bud.

Kubo nkuk— Sit tight

Aya adatibekhe— There is going to be an unusual
show.

Uta eslt?— Does it hurt you? or Are you annoyed?

This i«5 a son of course.
Kup iko:— Kill, nip in the bud.

^it eyei;— Intervene, mediate, make p::ace.

Sin asuan:— Stir up trnuble amoDg people e.g. Sin
asuan ke o*u ndito eka. Asin asuan— One
who courses trouble.

37

Ku okpuk iwat— Don't wo^ry me, iwat means white
hairs.

Tehe ubf— Rest, loosen gr'p, ''ube" is the part of
a trap wbich springs up with great force and
dra?^s tight the loop wht.i the trap is
disengaged.

Duk edem— Canva>, look for supporters.

Ku ndikhe uwem or ku uuwemme — Don't ihreaten
my life

Mum ukat — Confine a person as a prisoner. Make
a person captive.

Ka ekot inan— Be heedless, don't pay attention.

Da owo ubr'k udom — Reveofje or weaken by des-
troying the righ: hand man.

Kop ic^em ke akpap — To place oneself in a position
where it is difficult io gel out. To handicap
oneself.

Suk itOQ, suk ide, suk ubok (calm down, cure).

Men etap— Pause (when talking.)

Sio ekpe ke ubom— To accomplish diflScult task to
tske a great riik

Mia ubok— Put more; put extra (e. g. when
buying something)

Mia ata— Bet, Mia sta mme Bas&ey Arikpo aya
akan ke anwan emi.

38

,Sio owo ikpat wut esien— Couse someone anxiety.
It is usually addressed by parents to a bad chilJ.

Ofo? akpa mor)— A faded cloth, A hopeless man or
woman. (Isadok ese osioDo uyo ke abaQ)

Fak ofog nam gkpo— Be brave ! Be daring !

Qkama nsia kc ubok— My heart is in my mouth.

Tie ke odug ekom ta ekom — To bite the fingers that
fed you. To criticize fearlessly. To do evil to
someone while still under him.

Asat ewa iwuo:— The situation is hard to manage.
A dog's nose is always wet and if it becomes
dry the dog must have b^en facing a difficult
situation so as to exhaust all the water
in its nose.

Edikit idem;— Having too high an opinion of oneself
conceited, proud.

Na ubiog: — Bail a person out

EXERCISE FIVE

1. Give the meaning of each of the following
idiomatic expressions

(a) Kubo nkuk

(b) Tuoo utog

(c) Mia ata

(d) Yirre mmiari

(e) Ku Qkpuk iwat

39

2 Complete the following sentences using a suifabh
word in the brackets

a Enye f^kama nsia ke (idip, ubok, ekpat)

b Fo?k ofDQ cam (unek, iiok, r)kpo)

c Ku utie ke oduQ ekora ek^m (uta, use)

d rjkpo oro asat ewa — (inua, iwuo, etap)

3. Explain the following idioms:

(a) Sio ckpe ke ubona

(b; Men etap

(c) Kop idem ke akpap

(d) UduD obom

4 Use the following words in the sentences show
idiomatic meaning,
(aj Eye! (b) Ntim

(c) Iko (d) Nsia

5. Give the meaning of each of the following
words and expreisions
(3) Ikaan (b) Tdo

(c) Okpo unam (d) Dkpo ntibe

EXERCISE SIX

Additional Proverbs and Maxims

1. Complete the following proverbs and give th?ir
meanings:

a Afo atip mfat, owuo —

b Aka iso enye.- enyin idim

40

(c) Anditakha uka? okop ke idem.-

(d) Eda iko inua owo eno owo

(c) Oyom akwa gkpo ese __ mba9

ayara enao.

Explaia thf following Maxims

a Ebot os3g edog '

b Ese owo inua enye odio^D se owo atao

c Ekpe duok Dtak, ntak otobo

d Eto inwaij isikpaba ima

e Ekpa ekpe (A leopard's stomach)

f Ka nte abak oyoho ikpaQ

Complete the following proverbs with suitable
woids in the brackets

(a) Owo isidioDoke .uboQ (ukot, ikpat)

(b) Ubet owo usimke nto iufok, iko, ikot)

(c) Udooo iworoke iti55_ kaoa (mmim, mkpa)

(d) Mfet mfuk enye esia _.inwag

(litre, ukpene)

(e) Ab;a idioooke se... .-.akama (owo, abia)

Translate the following into English to show the
correct meaning of ttie idioms

(a) Asuan mkpasip ekebo nditot ele enye
okuyak akim onD imo nnyD

(b) Ukat ekptdia se dm, ifreke unyog

(c) Mmori ama ekprne ke abag aca odoqo mbok

(d) !sog isiwotdo nya uno

(e) Oko osDi) akan enag ebet edem
(fi Ndikbe aboikpa isidoho isua keet

(g) Owo r)wan emiyenekc se Dtot ebe, ete ke

mr,^o^ ifaha ke edet.
(h) Ekit r)kpD ke enyin ofick mbuk

41

Types of copttnictions;

(a) Verb form with Se, Si

SE is generally translated by:

I always or I used to:

Nse mba ke Uyo nyam udua. Ese anam so
ndubi eyio ? Ami nse mbre mbre ye &kpan eka
mmi.

SI is translated by:

I don't always:

Ami nsimaha ndisuhd nsu. Enye isimaba ndifebe
itok. Enye isinaaha ediduQ ke obio-Efik. Enye isi-
maha ediyie idem omo.

(b) Imperatives

The root of the verb is the imperative

da ! — (stand) do ko — (stand thcra)

fehe — (run) fehe di — (run up)

ka — (go) ka ko — (go there)

sa9a — (walk) saoa di — (walk here)

di — (come) di mi — (cone here)

(c) Co'^nectives

•'^'e" and **me" may be used as connectives

(a) Ami ye eka mmi iya ikaa udua

(b) Ami mme eka mmi iya ika udua

42

"Me" can also be used in special coDstruction to
mean: Is it?

Me afo ke odo? Is it you?

Me ami? — Is it me ? Me enye?
Me afo ? Me afo odo oboD Ukat? — Are you the
Chief of Ukat? Me afo odo oboQ etibe?

(dj GENDER:

Tbe words ayara and uman stand for male and
female respectively and may be attached to names of
animals to show differences in gender except where
there is a paracular name for the male or female

Example !

okpo ebot (he goat)

uman ebot

ekiko unen

uman unen

ayara enaQ

uman enai) ^

ayara ewa

uman ewa

(e) NEGATIVE ENDINGS :

no, ke, me, ma, de, ha, ho, and ho etc. May
be attach d to some verbs to express the negative.
Tbey are living suffixes.

Examples:

ndeppe, nyemme, isoppo, ifonno, ndobo (J won't
marry) mmaha, idiokho, iyukhoka, ntaha, if:)roke,
mboho, mfeheke.

43

OTHER EXPRESSIONS

IBIBIO NUMERALS

In the old days our for.'fathers rarely counted
up to a thousand because there was no necessity
for that. As a result, we have no ready made
names for numbers above thousand.

(a) CARDINAL

\ Kect 11

2 Iba 12

3 Ita 13

4 Inaf) 14

5 Ition 15

6 Inokect 16

7 Itiaba 17

8 Itiaita 18

9 Aoankeet 19
10 Duop 20

30
40
50
60
70
80

Udotkeet

Udotiba

Udotita

Udotinag

Udoition

Udotitiokeet

Udotitiaba

Udotitiaita

Udot-anankect

Edip

Edipmeduop 4C0 ebip inag
Edipiba 500 Ebip ition

Edipibameduop 600 Ebip itiokeet
Edipita 700 „ itiaba

Edip-itameduop 800 „ itiaita
Edipinaq 900 „ anankeet

90 Edipioagmedurp 1000 Tosin (coined from Ecglish)
lOO Edip ition or ebip 2000 Tosin-iba
200 Edipduop or cbipiba 3000 Tosin-ita
300 Ebipita 10,000 Tosin-duop

44

(b) ORDINAL
Akpa — First

Udiana or oyoho iba —
OyohD ita — Third

Second

NOTE: Oyoho is the word prefixed to cardinals
above one to form ordinals.

Dyoho

du©p

— tenth

Oyoho

edip

— twentieth etc.

SALUTATIONS :

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Emesiere

(none)

Esiere

Tie-do

(Tie-do)

tic-do

Da-do

Da-do

Da-do

Saga-suQ

(

'same as morning)

same as morning

Ka-di

?»

Wara

Wara

Emeoyot)

Emenyog

Idemmfoo

Idem mfo-o

Aba die

Aba-die

Etie-die

Etiedie

SOME COMMON WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS;
lya (an expression of surprise)
lya mmi !
lyo — no
Ih — yes

45

I

2
3
4

5

6
7
S
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

IbOTl

Inyti9 Ibom

Abasi Ibom
Ikpai) Ibom

Ikono Ibom

lb oao Ibom

Imaa Ibom

Ibiaku

Iboku (Oku Iboku)

Great or high
the mighty river

The Almighty God
Big spoon

An Ibibio clan

19

Abasi Isoo
Ndem Iso9
Obrt) udua
Dbcf) cnaij

Obrri isog
^bDii ikpa-isog
Esop id CD

— God of the earth

— Spirits of the earth

— Market master

— Chief who settles cases
coDcernmg cows

— Village Head

— Paramount Chief

— Village Council

Esop ikpa isog— Central council for village groups
Iso ndem —Land surrounding a cult
Ikot okpo —Sacred land used for burial purposes
Udua — Market

Adan —
Mbriyoij —
U*ua —
Okpot ~
Okpoho —
Ubaha-esen
Uweme
Ndubi
Okon
Uyai

oil

Plantain
exsemy
pawpaw
Mo^icy

— Morning

— Afternoon

— Evenmg

— Night

— Beauty

46

22 Mbobo — beautiful girl

23 NkpD niibe — accident

24 E6k — heoia

25 Unan — wound

^6 Nkpo unam — trouble

27 Ufok r)wed — School

28 Ukara idem — self government

29 Udo obot (slang) — policeman

30 Usin-r)wed — election

31 Ukara or odukara — government

32 ObDrotik — politics

3 Ino - thief

34 Ekpu — rat

35 Ikag — fire

^6 Ikaan ~ evil spirit

37 Eralo r)wed — Printer

38 Lkit-idem — Hypocrite

39 Ih — yes

40 lyo — No

41 Ufa — New

42 Soiyo — descend

43 Ebre — Women's Society

44 Ntinya — A special cap for title holders

45 Ukabisua — Christmas

46 Iban Ibibio — Ibibio Women

47 Ikwo — Song

48 Akwa — A wooden container

49 Jdo — culture

50 Edu-Uwem — Character

47

51 Edu - Habit

52 Ntara-^,nyia — Civilization

53 Unwana ...... Enlightenment

54 Owoden (owo-edea) A man from eden (Eden
is Hebrew word)

55 Owonwan (owo-uiiwan) a help mete

56 Tar) (speak) Gather together to form sense.
Tag iko = Gather words to form speech.

odog-ndoQ

— Orator

Uficn

— Negative

Ndon

— Oration

Odoyik
Odoya

— Logic

— Lawyer

Mbet

— Law

Mfaoa

— Arguement

Ntak

— Reason

Uyo-iko

— Statement

Sic uyo

— Make statement

Usuuk-iko

— Conclusion

Ukot iko

— Major Statement

48

1 NNEME (CONVERSATION)

Nso ke ekedia?

Ami nkedia ekpaD Qkukwo

Nso ke eketem ?

Ami rjketem iwa mme afag
Nso ke ekebok?

Ami Dkebok otukho ebre

2 Adiaha: Nko, emesiere !

Nko : Ufan, emesiere nde!

Adiaha: Idem mfo-o?

Nko : Mmodo

Adiaha : Afo aka uke ?

Nko : Ufan, ami gka Uyo

Adiaha: Afo aka dso do?

Nko: Ufan, endo ke gkag udo

Adiaha: Tag akpaniko ?

Nko : Mbok ntag akpaniko

Adiaha; Kadi, kom ubet

Nko : Ufan, sosoQO, tim ba

FOREIGN WORDS:

Some foreign words have been absorvcd into
our vernacular language.

Tn do''ng this we should avoid mixing two
different ounds. At present our vernacular language
IS not well written. It is mixed with different soundjj.

49

Foreign words can be absorved into our language
by making them conform to the way we speak.

EXAMPLES:

Muto

Nsinia

\eriko

Yisosi

Udotadam

Yercsedem

Dondon

Dekosi

Kadaba

Kpotakod

Motor
Engineer
Jericho
Jesus

Rotterdam
Jerusalem
London
Lagos
Calabar
Port-Harcourt

SEASONS:

Ibibio seasons are thrfe: Ini nda eyo, Ini-cdim
and Ini ekarika.

(a) Ini nda-eyo

(b) Ini c<iim

(c) Ini ekanka

Summer
Rainy Season
Harmat an Season

Farming seasons are divided into three, namely,
Ini ntem, Ini uto, and Ini idok.

(a) Ini ntem — Bush clearing season

(b) Ini uto — Planting Season

(cj Ini idok

Harvest Season

DAYS OF THE WEEK

Ibibio days of the week are eight. They are
also important market days. They were associated
with certain events in the ancieai days.

50

(i) FiOgadan — A day for worshiping moon

(ii) Ederetaha — A day of rejoicing

fiii) Ataetaha — A day of worshiping God of

creaiion (obot)

(ivj Udua Ukat — A day when people are taken

captives.

(v) Fiogetok — A day for worshiping minor

planets such as stars

(vi) Edere obo — A day of rejoicing
(vii) Obo — A day for farming

(viii) Udua cbom — A day after obo

The Ibibios used to dedicate special days for
the worship of heavenly bodies and for other impor-
tant religious events Tbe names of the days were
therefore associated vviih tbe diffeient cv.nt^ end
objects which they worshipped. For example, Fiog-
adan is derived from lae word ofioD (moon).

C)

51