The Aro people of Arochukwu kingdom have several philosophical principles that guide them through life. But two special “values mantras” stand out of them all; they proclaim wisdom perspectives and character traits of the Aro, respectively. The two mantras are “Ako buIje” and “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho”. They guide the Aro to do what they do, behave the way they behave, and live the way they live. They both lay emphasis on the way the Aro reason, act and conduct themselves in line with the wisdom and character traits of the Aro. Akọ bụ Ije is Aro national motto; it asserts that “wisdom guides the Aro to purposefully do what they know is right and do it the right way”. “NwaAro icho, Nkpola icho” is Aro moral value mantra; it boldly places higher values on wisdom and character of the people more than on their mere riches. It tends to separate character traits of umu Aro from the negative tendencies of materialism of some Aro. It implies that umu Aro of wisdom and character is quite different from ordinary umu Aro with mere money (Nkpola) or riches, but are bereft of wisdom and decent character. Therefore wisdom and good character shape the personality of a true Aro. In other words, nde Aro value and respect people with wisdom and decent character more than they regard those who have only riches, but lack wisdom and decent character in them. The wealth or riches of any Aro cannot alone make him or her a true “Nwa Aro of Nkpola icho”. People’s wisdom and decent character in real life situations do it. The essence of “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho” is expressed as “character above riches”. But that does not, in any way, suggest that nde Aro do not appreciate riches or desire to be wealthy. Historically, Aro people are long distance traders. And as such, they rightly desire prosperity and success in whatever they do for a living. But they don’t do it at the risk of losing their character and integrity. They do not put wealth or riches over and above people. That’s why they often give some of their children essential names such as: “Nwaka-ego”, “Nwaka-akụ”, “Mmadi ka-akụ”, among others. To the Aro, people and character come first before material possessions; both of them matter more than riches.
The Essence of “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho” refers to the essential characteristics of the Aro that relate to their virtues, values, cultures, traditions, among others that the Aro are proud and conscious of. They include all the things which the Aro are respected for, and which distinguish them from other people. Those things often help affirm the unique identity of the Aro as “umu Chukwu”, the children of God, and as “umu Aro Okeigbo”, the great people of Igbo race. Aro Essence finds meaningful expression in who the Aro are, as may be exemplified by the core character and conducts of the Aro in all that make them the Aro they are – ‘Ihe eji mara Aro’!
Nde Aro have rich history, great culture and traditions that are carefully embedded in the personality and character traits of the Aro who are conscientious, responsible; and who exhibit self-discipline and self-control in complex situations. Nde Aro are confident, enterprising, wise, intelligent, resilient, courageous and ambitious. They are originally oracular in spirituality. Hence, they are famous with their Ivu Chukwu Aro, the Aro oracle, the so called “long juju”. They apply knowledge with understanding in pursuit of wisdom for greatness and success. They formulated a famous mantra (Nwa Aro icho, nkpola icho) to help them keep their conducts and character traits in check as part of the Aro essence.
In the past, they were famous in leadership, commerce and community building prowess, among other skill sets. They were regarded as the first government, “beke mbu” of the people in most of the places where Aro presence and influence were impactful, long before the British came and imposed their infamous colonial rule on the people. Aro habitually maintained their unique identity and character traits wherever they settled. Most of the places they settled have now become Aro diaspora communities after centuries of their continuously settling there. There are about two hundred and fifty Aro diaspora communities in various places, in and outside Nigeria, and still counting.
The ethics of “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho” propel umu Aro everywhere to always conduct themselves properly and justly in order to maintain the high regard for their Aro identity, no matter the challenges. Although the Aro are usually ambitious for success and greatness, they are cautious not to be avaricious, or extremely greedy for money and for what do not belong to them. They are conscious of who they are; they do not want to do anything, no matter the expected gains, that may tarnish their character, or bring shame to their family name and Aro identity. Umu Aro are nurtured to believe in making good wealth as much as possible, but essentially through honest means. They don’t admire any wealth made through dishonest means. And so, the Aro usually say: “Kama nwa Aro ma erịjụ avọ dachịe uzọ, agụgụwa ya”. The Aro of virtues will prefer to stay hungry and keep their honor intact than to eat any kind of food from any kind of evil pot.
The virtue of “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho” is the desire and determination of the Aro to consistently do, say, and value what is right, in order to demonstrate high moral standards that often attract higher respect and honor. That is why umu Aro won’t trade off their honor and respect over anything at all. The Aro usually say: “Ịwọm ụgwụm, rịe mmere gi”. If you deny the Aro their honor and respect, they will shun your gift, no matter the worth. To umu Aro of virtues, any gift that comes without respect ahead of it, is not a worthy gift. The respect that comes prior to or with any gift is usually valued much greater than the gift itself. That’s why the Aro say: “Ụgwụ Ngwụgwụ ji bia’, na-aka ngwụgwụ ụkwụ”. The Aro believe that when wealth ques behind good conducts and decent character, the wealth and its owner are highly regarded and cherished. Therefore, when a person of decent character makes decent wealth in decent ways, the wealth and the owner usually attract higher respect and honor from people. In other words: “Ụgwụ soro Akụ bia, Onye ji yama akụ n’enwe ụgwụpụrụ ịcho”.
Irrespective of how big or rich the Aro may be, they respect their elders and leaders sincerely; not in vain pretense. They don’t insult their elders and leaders, no matter what! Umu Aro bow before their elders in sincere humility and respect, and say: “Mazi lemkwam na anị”; meaning “my elder see me on the ground”. And the elder gladly responds: “rise and be blessed”. To the Aro, people work hard to earn the respect they deserve and get. Respect is also reciprocal. Those who respect others are also respected. “Ụgwụ wụ nkwaị-nkwaị Nwanyị jịrị mụọibe ya”. Any Aro who insults his elders, whether privately or publicly, is not a true Nwa Aro in the character traits of Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho. He is a deviant! “Aro ji ụgwụ biri”. Nde Aro live by respect.
The leaders of Nzuko Aro worldwide occasionally organize Arochukwu kingdom Awards and Honor ceremonies in consultation with Eze Aro in Council to bestow on some deserving umu Aro, home and abroad, some honorary titles of “Ugwu Aro”, “Ikemba Aro”, and “Adaukwu Aro”, respectively. The organizers are expected to follow strictly the established rules and guidelines in selecting the potential awardees. The recipients are expected to be selected based on some set criteria which actually include character, conducts and the positive contributions of the potential recipients towards peace, progress and development of the Aro and Arochukwu kingdom. That because some umu Aro are Aro citizens by birth, whether born of the Aro at Arochukwu homeland (Aro ụnọ) or born of the Aro in diaspora (Aro ụzọ), or Aro citizens by marriage, should not be a yardstick for any Aro to be more deserving of any of the Awards whether as Ụgwụ Aro, Adaụkwụ Aro, or Ikemba Aro.
All umu Aro who are duly nominated and presented for selection for the Award should be assessed equally and properly too based on the established criteria, and the selection made purely on merit. All Aro wives are Aro citizens, irrespective of whether they are married from Aro parents, or from non Aro parents. They are all entitled to compete for the title of “Adaukwu Aro” if they meet the criteria for the Award. “Adamazi” title, which is “a birthright title” due to every Aro born-daughter, especially the first daughter of any Aro man is not the same thing as “Adaukwu Aro”; which is “an honorary title” and a creation of Nzuko Aro worldwide under Mazi Emma Kanu Ivi as President General in 2005. “Adaukwu Aro title” was created to honor qualified Aro wives and women, whether married from Aro, or from non Aro parents. The tenets of the “Ako bụ Ije” mantra expects umu Aro to understand that all Aro citizens are umu Aro. Going forward, people should be recognized and honored based mainly on character, conducts, and the contributions they have made to the Aro at home and or abroad; and not just by who the people know, or how much money they have or throw about for unworthy purposes. The number of the awardees at any point in time should not be many in order not to reduce the high value (ụgwụ) of the awards.
Truth is bitter. One of the Aro value mantra says “Ezi-okwụ bụ Ndụ”. ‘Truth is Life’! This fact aligns with the scripture that says Christ is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). This may be expressed as: Eziokwụ bụ ụzọ nke ezi ndu. Truth is the way of ethical worthy life. Although the Aro value truth, they don’t most often say everything they know of certain confidential matters to avoid exposing certain secrets they are privileged to have. Therefore, in the spirit of “Ako bụ Ije’, and also of “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho”, the Aro don’t disclose everything they know. They may swallow some; and stammer over some. The Aro often say: “Kama Nwa Aro ma agbaama ịhe ụfọdị, ọgbawa nsụ”. That is to say: The Aro may prefer to stammer and say nothing than to say something and expose certain secrets confided in them. Some even put it this way: “Ọmazam na ọnụ”. “It won’t come out from my mouth”. That’s why in some critical situations, the Aro will infer: “Aro na ezo ịhe, wo anagi ezu nzị”. The Aro may keep certain secrets carefully confidential; they may also keep certain important things away from the knowledge of some people in order to protect and preserve the things for the rightful owners. They do not do so for the purpose of coveting those things to themselves; they do so in order to protect and preserve them for posterity. It is a complex matter.
Aro are often diplomatic on how they manage complex situations. They apply essential tenets of diplomacy, intelligence and wisdom in managing complex matters for them to achieve their ends, while still maintaining careful relationships with the people involved. Some prefer to call this special virtue of ‘Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho’, “Ntụbirikọ Aro”. It is the ability in diplomacy of the Aro to handle complex situations successfully by being tactful in applying the wisdom in “Akọ bụ Ije” to achieve desired results, without being rude and hateful, believing that the end will always justify the means. Applying ‘Ntubiriko’ tactics, in managing complex situations have been helpful to the Aro. That is why “Aro ji akpa isi okwụ mgbe ụfọdị, ma wo ama-ese okwụ”. The Aro may at times disagree and quarel among themselves; yet they won’t actually hurt and hate one another. In summary, “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho” is the most popular Aro values mantra that constantly drives umu Aro to focus on doing what is right and just; and to avoid doing anything that may tarnish their character, integrity and identity as umu Aro. It tries to separate Aro of wisdom and decent character from some Aro of negative traits driven by mere materialistic tendencies. It discourages people from pursuing evil ways of getting rich quick. The Aro essence in Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho drive umu Aro to consistently demonstrate conducts and character that are expected of true Aro citizens wherever they may be and or in what they do.
True Aro citizens are not expected to engage in disorderly behaviors of killing and destroying people, greed and avarice, obtaining by false pretenses, that may cause some other people some financial and emotional harm, among other despicable vices. Umu Aro are expected to act or behave honorably, intelligently, wisely, and conscientiously. “Akọ bụ Ije”, lays emphasis on “wisdom that guides the Aro in whatever they do and wherever they go”. “Nwa Aro icho, Nkpola icho” lays great emphasis on “character above riches”; it persuades umu Aro to behave and conduct themselves properly as part of the essence of “ihe eji mara Aro”, the good things by which the Aro are known and respected for; and which umu Aro are proud to protect and guide against from any abuse.
