From inception Aro prided as the centre of culture, character and diplomacy in the areas that made up the present-day South-Eastern Nigeria and surrounding areas. So aptly ingrained in the Aro persona is Ako b’ije, a conscious adherence to certain elements that distinguishes an Aro. An essential element of this guiding principle is “Nwa Aro Icho Nkpo’Ola Icho”, the focus of this article.
This Aro aphorism literally translates as Nwa Aro Icho (an Aro person separate) Nkpo’Ola Icho (money separate). Nkpo ‘Ola in Aro is manilla, a form of commodity money, usually made of bronze or copper, which were used in West Africa before the colonial period, perhaps as the result of trade with the Portuguese Empire. This saying instructs the adherence to an expected behavioural pattern irrespective of wealth or position, but purely on dignified mannerisms and character that creates the Aro deportment.
I would be attempting to explain Nwa Aro Icho Nkpo’Ola Icho in its basic concepts, relevance to development and maintenance of social order in Aro. In our early spread to other lands, Aro maintained a particular gait and composure that earned the respect and admiration of their host communities, evidenced by both the reception they received and their subsequent acculturation that enabled “Mmuba”, one of the most outstanding elements of Aro expansion. The concept refers to a range of phenomena that embraces at once human proliferation, prosperity and even territorial expansion.
The basic concept of Nwa Aro Icho relegates the sole importance and reliance of cash as king. Though neither negating the pursuit of earthly possessions as providence has favoured many Aro sons and daughters in the past and present, nor does it presuppose that Aro do not recognise or reward industry, emphases is rather placed heavily on comportment, grit and justice in our worldly pursuits of sustenance and increase. Brashness has never been part of us, be it business, politics, dance or general expression. There is always that regal touch in the Aro way of life.
A major contributory non-economic factor in economic development is social organisation. This involves the participation of people in development programs, and the traditional authority’s ability to maintain social order in the community. As we globalise with all its attendant influences, emphases on materialism have crept into our community which is the total opposite of Nwa Aro Icho. Leading to deteriorating moral commitments of our youths dwindling the standard of excellence in Aro.
Materialism brings major dangers, destroys the fabric of society and kills culture. We currently witness this in Aro villages misleading the youth to purely ascribe self-worth to material gains, eulogizing questionable wealth and justify all means to riches on a platter. Moral values are certainly decreasing and that dignity which we were known for is waning.
The Aro monarchical system which customarily does not consider wealth or social standing in conferment like in some communities, where worldly achievements are rewarded with leadership, is gradually losing the respect of the now materialistic youth, leaning their reverence and heeding the instruction of those with only money to offer fuelling political thuggery, avarice and the exclusion of the guiding principles of being Aro, seriously affecting the maintenance of social order in Arochukwu.
There are certain things money cannot buy and dignity is one of them. Aro were known to have that certain sort of presence; uprightness of bearing; self-possession and self-control; self-presentation as someone to be reckoned with; not being abject, pitiable, distressed, or overly submissive in circumstances of adversity. In Rosen’s words, this account of dignity focuses less on capacities one has than on what one “shows” in “their character or bearing”.
Aro need to start talking openly and proudly about who we are and what we are not, we have a fabulous story to tell the world and more than 500 years of heritage and history to be proud of and start portraying the positive image we deserve. We need to re-engender our communal mentorship, where a village raises a child. Forging a mentorship system where many of our least are mentored by many of our best.
Pride in oneself or a conscious sense of one’s own worth as a human being living an upright and emulative life, worthy of the respect of others, irrespective of worldly possessions sums up “Nwa Aro Icho, Nkpo’Ola Icho”.
May peace, love and the principle of nwa aro icho, nkpo ola icho continue to guide us in all our private relationships, business and political dealings with each other and the world in general, so that whosoever comes in contact with an Aro would still perceive those sterling characteristics that were reminiscent of being Aro, while we constantly uphold all virtues passed down so that blazing flame handed us would
neither smother.
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