ABSTRACT
“COMMUNAL COOPERATION HAS BEEN THE GENESIS OF HUMAN PRIMITIVE EPOCH BUT MAN HAS MADE IT HUNTER AGAINST THE HUNTRESS AND THE HUNTER BEING HUNTED”
Umunna socialism is a renascent ideology postulated for the purpose of re-awaking the consciousness and oneness of the Africans and the world at large in this present world of insecurity. The word “UMUNNA” simply means kinsmen in English. It can broadly be defined as a form of patrilinage maintained by the Ibos. The Umnna is a male line of descent from a founding ancestor (who the linage is sometimes named after) with group of compounds containing closely related families. The eldest male member precise over the meeting of the Umunna. Umunna can be seen as the most important pillar of the Ibo society. Umunna socialism has been a way of life and at the same time not only as a guiding spirit in the midst of the Ibos but as an object of communal cooperation,unity,collectivisims and consolidated societal integration which has existed in the life of the (Ibos) south eastern people of Nigeria from time immemorial and that is why I disagree with the Western socialist scholars, when they mention about setting the pace of socialism without knowing that the ancient African gentleman in Umuofia village eating Nchi meat (grass cutter meat) with his family whom he termed primitive abinitio,has been practicing socialism before their advent on African soil. Is it not contradictory in terms? Socialism comes naturally like sleep to Africans and not the attitude of the mind which was stated by Julius Nyerere in his philosophy of Ujaama socialism. We must not adhere to any bureaucratic orientation agency or political pattern, neither should we read at Karl Marx University nor obtain degree in political economy to know what socialism is all about. It is God given to Africans, Karl Marx socialism is man-made which is being built on adherence to political patterns cum revolutionary thoughts which Africans socialism does not encourage rather encourages communal cooperation between the rich and the poor, brotherhood, collectivism, believing in the spirit that we sons and daughters of the soil are one irrespective of class psychology. Umunna socialism stands as an object of social sanitation and reformation. After carrying out proper examination of the present world of pandemonium and reflecting on it’s chequered history, one thinks that the practice of Umunna socialism in this present African and the world at large will help resurrect the love lost that has eaten deep in the structure of our society. As pointed out earlier, the philosophy of Umunna socialism is imported from the life of the IBO SOUTH EASTRN people of Nigeria who before the coming of the white man ,carried out their political ,social and economic legitimate business based on the spirit of Umunna (kinsmen).They practiced and believed in “UMUNNA BU IKE” if translated in English which means “kinsmen is strength” this made it possible for them to see themselves as one ,trust each other, and shared things in common which is the virgin foundation of true socialism.
The philosophy of “UMUNNA” abhors injustice and oppression. It forbids greed and other dirty vices and preaches communal cooperation, peace, harmony and equal treatment. There is no doubt, that the adoption of “UMUNNA SOCIALISM” as a new African- political philosophy thought will help reposition the world for the attainment of communal cooperation, peace and unity which can then usher in the new world order which the United Nation has been calling for.
IKE IKENNA IKE
ABSU 2003
