In Akahland (Umuaka), there are lots of values that guide the people and the integrity of the land. These values have been in existence right from the beginning of the land. Our ancestors respected the values and passed information about them from one generation to another, till they get to this present generation. It is the responsibility of this present generation to preserve them for future generation. According to our ancestor, the respect of these values brings life, joy, good health, prosperity and peace to the people and the land at large. These values should not only be respected in Akah land but in anywhere we (Akah citizens) live around the globe. Here under are some instances of our values:
Respect for societal rules and regulations:
In every society in this world there must be some rules and regulation guiding the people living there. Respect for these rules and regulation are highly esteemed by Akah people. In the olden days, titles and honours were given to people who have not violated the rules and regulation of the society. These enable them to be able to declare their honesty and innocent to the people and the land before they could offer libation or pass judgement in the land, otherwise nemesis would get hold on them, which could lead to their eventual death or affliction with one incurable disease of the other.
Respect for Elders:
In Akahland, we have high regard for age. Community tasks are mostly done in regard to age. Sharing of food or gift in the family and in community are done according to age. We believe that when we respect our elders or our seniors we will also be respected by our juniors. In view of this respect, we avoid calling our senior directly with their names, instead we put “Dee or Dede” before their names. In return, we expect them to behave accordingly before us because we are emulating from them. It is also their responsibility to correct us when we are making mistakes. On the other hand, the juniors can also caution or report the seniors to the elders when they behave abnormally or in ignorance.
Killing or abuse of Eke-njaba (Python):
The python has been regard by our ancestors as a sacred animal. To be precise, python is treated as human being in Akahland due to it connotation to njaba river which is the basis of the existence of Akahland (Read more from History). Akah people allow Eke-njaba to stay in their homes. In case of discomfort, you can carry it to a nearby forest without harming it. The killing or abuse of a python intentionally or accidentally is an act of sacrilege in Akahland, which should be appeased by one ritual or the other. The python is given funeral like a human being. This practise has been handed over from generation to generation. This is why we Akah citizens respect the python anywhere in the world.
Having Sex on a bare ground:
Akah people are believed to be highly potent and fertile in terms of biological reproduction. The high potency of the men made them to engage in polygamous marriages. The men are even sexually active at the age of ninety and above. Akah women are also believed to be fantastic to their men counterparts and know how to respect and satisfy their matrimonial bed. In regard to these, sex is highly esteemed in Akahland. Sexual activities are not allowed to be done in a derogatory manner. It is believed that derogatory sexual activities defiles the sanctity of the land. In Akah Land, it is a taboo to have sex on a bare ground regardless of whom you are having the sex with (even your married wife or fiancée). It is believed that it makes the land and the people infertile. Again, having sex in business places or public places is also forbidden, as it is believed that it hinders the prosperity of the people.
Having Sex with a close relative (Incest):
Due to the high esteem Akah people placed on sex, sex is principally believed to be a pleasure and procreation activity for matured and married people who have passed various relational background scrutiny. As sex is not allowed among people who have close blood relationship, in Akahland, blood relatives are traced up-till sixth and seventh cousin and even above in certain area (paternal lineage). Sex and pregnancy before marriage is also never encouraged in Akahland. It is regarded as an abnormality, in the olden days it was considered as an abomination for a woman to be pregnant outside wedluck.
However, sexual relationship between people who are closely related is a taboo and it is called “Imeru-ala or Ojemba” in Akahland. Any child produced out of such sexual relationship could be regarded as an abomination. People who committed such an act are required to perform some cleansing rituals. In the ritual, the two persons will be completely naked in the presence of crowd of people. The failure to perform such ritual when such a taboo is violated could lead to the feeling of emptiness, low self-esteem, instability in life, lack of progress, marital abuse, promiscuity, lasciviousness, aggressiveness, insecurity, lack of self-love, loveless life, infertility and low libido. In the olden days, it was believed that such abominable act brings death and unproductiveness to the land, and it was punishable by the execution of the two persons involved to avoid the proliferation of such act in the land.
Committing Suicide:
The act of committing suicide is an abomination in Akahland, funeral right may not be given to the person because the dead person has defiled his/her family and Akahland at large. Titled men in Akahland are prohibited to see the person corpse or visit the funeral or burial. The body of such person are mostly buried in the forest or far away from habitual area. (It is custom in Akahland to bury family members in the family compound). In the olden days, the body of people who committed suicide were thrown away in the evil forest. It is believed that when such an abomination occurs rituals should be perform to cleanse the family and the land from evil forces so that such an abomination will not reoccur in the family and the land. This could ease the family from the stigma that is attached to such an act in Akahland. This abominable act is very rare in Akahland
Committing Murder:
Unnecessary shedding of innocent blood is prohibited in Akahland. The person who committed such an act should either be executed or exile for life. It is believed in Akahland that any person or family that has ever shaded innocent blood has curse on their head for generation to generation, and they are also vulnerable to commit subsequent murder. That is why such people are either executed or exiled from the land. In the present time, murder cases are judged in the law court. Although such cases seldom occurs in Akahland.
Sleeping with a widow or widower that has not yet completed her/his mourning period:
It is taboo in Akahland to engage in sexual activities with a man or a woman that is mourning for the death of his wife or her husband. In Akahland, mourning period is between 6months to 1year. According to tradition, a widow or widower is unclean to be sexually active during the mourning period. She/he could endanger the life or health of any person that has sexual interaction with him/her. At the end of the mourning period, there is a cleansing ceremony that he/she has to undergo, which will enable him/her to be fit to socialize with other people.
|