INTRODUCTION
The above-titled article by Dom Ikeogu reflects the ignorance of those who have not taken out time to study the Onicha Ozo system. It reflects the ancestral philosophical adage that one who is not present to witness a burial will be fated to start digging the grave from a wrong angle.
The truth is that the present generation, with its Western education, exposure to “sophisticated” technology, and psycho-social dynamics, always claims to be more “civilized “ than our ancestors. Yet we have not been able to introduce any culture, practices or ideas that can replace what those before us introduced.
UNIQUENESS OF OZO ONICHA
In my anthropological search covering different societies in both ancient and modern times, l have not yet seen a society, like Ozo Onicha, where spiritual values, moral principles, obligations, cosmological principles and metaphysics are fused with distribution of wealth and elevation of man to a higher social pedestal – with huge moral, spiritual and ethical obligations.
We err when we view or judge Ozo Onicha from a Western paradigm. We reflect great prejudice when we rush to conclude that Ozo Onicha does not fit within “modern technological“ standards of “success “ because it fails to confer benefits that are only assessed from Western values and standards.
THE IMPACT OF OZO ONICHA ON SOCIETY:
The writer who suggested that Ozo Onicha was being wasteful really erred in his articulation because he rushed to condemn Ozo Onicha without fully understanding its inner workings. I have a question: Why are Western-introduced institutions like the churches and knighthoods not judged and analyzed with the same critical lenses as our traditional equivalents?
I will narrow my articulation only to the financial and economic aspects of Ozo Onicha.
ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF OZO ONICHA
Ozo Onicha predates most of its European conterparts, yet none of them would rival Ozo Onicha in its philosophical fixation with giving back to society and redistribution of wealth. America, China, Britain, France and most European countries have sustained their prosperity, progress and development through taxing their wealthy citizens to maintain their societies and sustain the less prosperous citizens. But taxation is alien to Igboland and many parts of Africa. In its place, Ozo Onicha devised a voluntary system whereby initiates are required to spread their surpluses to relations, friends and neighbors as precondition to title-taking. This was an economic-philosophical arrangement that our ancestors came up with before Europeans got civilized.
Like me, the writer lives in America and has seen how the welfare system works here. The billions of dollars spent on welfare for less fortunate families by the government are funds taken from wealthy Americans and corporations through taxes. Ours is not by compulsion but strictly through inspiration!
No country can survive without a certain form of wealth redistribution to her people.
Our country, Nigeria, and most African countries are really messed up financially because wealth redistribution only exists in theory. Nigerian Economists should consider approaching Agbogidi to allow them study Ozo Onicha so as to gain more insights into this system of giving back wealth to society – as an alternative or complement to compulsory taxation.
In Ozo Onicha, a huge amount of money must be paid to Ime Obi Onicha for the development of Onicha by every Ozo candidate. Huge employment opportunities are created during Ozo ceremonies: Tailors, Cooks, Servers, Security Guards, Laborers, Animal Sellers, Canopy Renters, Drivers and so many other workers are hired to facilitate the ceremonies and 90 percent of these merchants are from Onicha. I even forgot to mention Musicians, Photographers, Video Recorders, and Kolanut Sellers.
NON-OZO PARTICIPANTS
The funds of the Ozo candidates are not only distributed to fellow Ozo members but MUST be shared with Ikporo Ogbe, Umu Ada, Agbala na Iregwu of the Ozo man’s clan and his maternal clan. Clothes must also be distributed to these clans and close relatives.
All Ozo members (about 15% of Onicha population and Ndichie) who attend Ozo ceremonies MUST receive some funds when an Ozo initiation takes place.
These Ozo funds have paid school fees, financed trips to foreign lands, helped pay for medical needs, served as seed capital to start business projects, assisted in erecting livable structures and so many other economic benefits.
Right now, funds from Ozo are being taken home to Onicha Ozo men who have attained certain ages. Is this not an expression of care and love? Does this practice of voluntary redistribution of wealth exist in any Western society?
The huge financial benefits that the continuous Ozo ceremonies have provided to Onicha people, especially in the current economic climate in Nigeria, cannot be overlooked on account of the attractions of “technology” and “modern” practices.
CONCLUSION
Ozo Onicha cannot be weighed using Eurocentric scales. It is an ancient sacred institution that binds, ties, unites, elevates, connects and reconnects our people. There have been those who had money but were not accepted to take the Ozo title because of “character“ deficiencies. It is not all about money.
Some of the finest minds and most distinguished persons from this part of the world were Ozo titled men. Men like Professor Chike Obi, Owelle Isaac Mba and Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe. They include pioneer architects, renowned accountants, international jurists, world acclaimed scientists, and several distinguished academics. They all took the Ozo title fully cognizant of the dynamics of global technology then. Similarly, today, a substantial number of Onicha Ozo members are those who have distinguished themselves in various fields, including modern technology, science and economics.
Ozo aburo “show“ or wasting of funds. OZO BU IGOSI NA ASO GA ASOLU OKWA, NA NNIA SO NWELU OVIA! Ozo sows and inspires deep seeds of love, kindness and charity. It strengthens psycho-social bonds amongst Onicha people.
Onwa Buchi Amene, Esq writes from New York.
