igedecarnival © I am Benue 2023

Your Benue Root, Does It Really Matter To You?

Inspirational, Stories 8/01/2023 by iambenue

I miss Benue, especially my native land of Igede, the people, my relatives, the cultural dances, the traditional music, the special delicacies, and the serene atmosphere of village life which can be compared to non-other.

robert ekpeme © I am Benue 2023

My name is Robert Ekpeme, I am Benue – a resident of Jos city of Nigeria. You might want to ask me how I feel about home as a Diasporan. It would be interesting to note that the feeling I get being born and bred outside Igede, my home town would relatively differ from the feeling one who was born and bred in Igedeland would get when away from home, though with close similarities. I was eight when my parents took my siblings and me to the village for security reasons, actually in response to the June 12 political tension of the early 90s. Fortunately, for especially the kids, our stay at home got stretched long enough to coincide with the new yam festival (Igede Agba). This was the first Igede Agba experience for me and my siblings, and we no doubt seized the moment. Of course, other shorter visits followed thereafter.

From the home experiences I’ve had and the fact that I’m based outside Benue, I can’t help but say I miss home so much that I get homesick most time.

Personally, I miss Benue, especially my native land of Igede, the people, my relatives, the cultural dances, the traditional music, the special delicacies, and the serene atmosphere of village life which can be compared to non-other.

You may also like to read:

When you love your root and hold strong affection for it, you won’t help but think homewards irrespective of how long you’ve been away from it and where ever you might be in the world. Some Benue people by virtue of the fact that they were born in the Diaspora do not think it is necessary to visit home for any reason. The truth is that you can’t miss something you never had. How would someone who has never stayed at home, visit home or experienced village life before miss home? Anyways, this should serve as a call to change our attitude towards how we regard our roots as Benue people in the Diaspora, our thoughts towards where we originate from really matter.

 

Thank you for reading. Be part of the conversation by dropping your comment. Follow us on all our social media platforms to support us. Thank you.

3 thoughts on “Your Benue Root, Does It Really Matter To You?

  1. Sophia

    Love this story. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with you.

    Benue people in the diaspora should definitely visit home more to connect with their roots. I believe that you can miss something you never had because our mind is powerful. It creates a sense of longing based on the touch, sounds, sights, experiences you’re missing out on.

    I’ve never been to Benue (I’m wife of Tiv) but I do crave it often. The quality of life, the people, the closeness to the elements and just the purity in challenge of living a differently.

    I hope you find yourself back in Igedeland soon :)

    God bless x

    Reply
  2. FRIDAY MOSES

    I am benue.. I want to work from Africa Definition Prof wants to go there and bring her back himself. Let’s pray and support him. 1. (Noun) an annual award by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements in television
    Synonym: emmy
    hypernym: accolade
    award
    honor
    honour
    laurels

    Reply

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.