THE ABUSE OF RED CAPS AND CHIEFTAINCY TITLES

CHUKWULOZIE EMMA UDENDU

The red Cap is a symbol of authority, of culture and of tradition of the Igbo people. It represents the institution of Chieftaincy, of power and of leadership. This is why it is used as a logo in anything that portrays the Igbo man. It is synonymous with those recognized Chiefs who have met certain required standards in their communities. These sets of Chiefs do not tells lies because they have taken an oath “Isa ile” (washing of tongue ) to always say and abide by the truth hence they do not go back on their words. In some communities in Igbo land, an Ozo titled man whose father is still alive does not put on a red cap. An Ozo man has to become an “Ogbuefi” before wearing the revered cap. The number of Eagle feathers on the cap depicts the level attained by such a Chief. But what is happening today is very unpleasant, uncomplimentary and an unfortunate bastardization of the Igbo tradition and its institutions.

Outside Igbo land especially the big cities of Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna  just to mention a few, even in the Diaspora, there are many fake Chiefs, Nzes Ichies, Ogbuefis all of who parade themselves in red caps, claiming / answering chieftaincy titles that was not bestowed on them not even to their forefathers.

One can understand when in a drama show or in a cultural festival red caps are worn by ordinary people to depict and promote Igbo culture. But definitely not when people wear red caps about and lay claims to such title and outfits they are not authorized to.

Ironically those who were bestowed with authentic chieftaincy titles are even “ashamed,” reluctant or refuse to put on their befitting outfits which symbolize their status in Igbo culture and helps to promote Igbo tradition. Perhaps it is because the right people refuse to wear what belongs to them that have encouraged the wrong people to step into shoes that are not theirs.

Some years back while I was traveling from Lagos to my hometown -Ogidi, there was this fine gentleman sitting in the front of the 504 saloons car that we boarded at Ojota in Lagos. He was gorgeously dressed in traditional Igbo Chieftaincy paraphernalia, with beads around his neck and wrist. Throughout the journey, I held this handsome man in high esteem and accorded him all the respect that is due to an Ogbuefi. This I did because of my respect for Igbo culture and tradition. I was shocked when as we approached Asaba end of the Niger Bridge, this gentleman who had been blowing his trumpet and ego while the journey lasted in a swift of lightening manna removed all his chieftaincy paraphernalia replacing his long red cap with a Black cap popularly called “NZENAGU.” He hid them in his traveling bag.

This man who had earlier while introducing himself claimed to have hailed from one of the popular families in Onitshacould not wait for the vehicle to pull off the road properly at Zik’s roundabout before disembarking and dashed across the road in a swift lightening perhaps for fear of being embarrassed by fellow travelers.

On noticing this, I was furious and frowned at the rate Igbo Chieftaincy Institution is being dragged to the mud and how it had been turned into an object of caricature by some Igbo people and some Communities.

Most communities in Imo State and a few in Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra States are guilty of running our most respected Chieftaincy title and the red cap that goes with them into an ordinary affair. Ordinary people now answer Chiefs while every fool now wears a red cap. They have so cheapened Chieftaincy in some parts of Igbo land to a point that it has now become a commodity for sale.

The Ozo title which used to be very expensive and affordable only to a few who find it difficult to meet the required standards set by the community has now turned into what some “uncultured” Igbo communities award in Hotels and at people home in the big cities of Abuja, Lagos, kano, Kaduna, in America, Europe etc.

As a matter of principle and tradition, Chieftaincy title is awarded to certain indigenes in recognition of their contributions to their kinsmen, villages or communities and those who have distinguished themselves. The traditional ruler of the town or warrant chief as the case was during the colonial days award these title.

Unfortunately, Christianity adulterated this institution a great deal. Traditional Religion has longs been in existence in Igbo land. It is as old as the history and origin of the Igbo. Our ancestors had a traditional mode of worshiping God. Hence we have Chukwu, (Supreme Being and Creator) Eze Mmuo (High priest) and so on.

Traditionally Igbos recognized the Supreme Being and intercession hence they believe that the dead are very close to God. While offering prayers therefore the Igbos call on their dead fathers to intercede just as the Christian religion believes in the Trinity.

Overzealous Christian fanatics because they could read one alphabet or the other in the bible went outside the teachings of the Religion to create the problems which Igbo culture and traditional religion are encountering today. And if this is not checked, the Igbo nation will become a tribe without culture and tradition and the generations to come will not forgive the present generation.

A friend of mine blamed the proliferation of those churches which he described as profit oriented and the born -again syndrome as the greatest factor in the destruction of Igbo culture and religion.

He argued that the Yoruba, Uhrobo and other tribes still respect their traditional religion and culture despite their Christian doctrines and beliefs.

This writer sincerely believes that it was the Anglican Church that started and mounted the campaign against the Ozo title.

This result in an open challenge from Ichies and those wishing to take the Ozo title, however, thank God that the present day members of the church are now allowed to take Ozo title , become Ndi Ichie and aspire to higher chieftaincy titles.

For record purposes, the Ozo society had long existed before the Church Missionary Society (Anglican Church) of Samuel Ajayi Crowther and his team arrived Onitsha in 1857. The early missionaries assisted by their Colonial brother (British) between 1900 -1924 succeeded in conquering most of our traditional religious shrines and oracles through the aid of some natives. Christian Religion in reality was not divorced from the totality of imperialism. It was a follow traveler in the ship of Colonial adventurism.

But a colleague of mine   Chief Tim Okonkwo, who hails from Nne–Ogidi Agulu said “I don’t agree that they (Christians) destroyed our traditional Igbo religion because religion is in our belief.

In a survey, some culture minded Ndigbo give weight to this writer’s assertion and equally pointed accusing fingers on some communities in Igbo land particularly in Imo State. They argued that these communities have actually been bringing the Igbo Chieftaincy institution to ridicule. A respondent cited the example of a community (name withheld) inImo State which recently awarded a chieftaincy title to some one (name also with held) in Lagos State for just a token fee.

The some  communities in Igbo speaking areas of  Delta State and Igboland which has very rich culture and tradition, for one to become an “Obi” or High Chief (Ichie imeobi) one must be an indigene of the community  and the Ogbuefi title is the first step for one to become an Obi / Ichie ume (Ichie imeobi).

In most part of Igboland those days, even today in some of these communities, if a titled man who has taken higher titles or an Obi dies, he usually “sits down” in State and in his grave.

Christianity in some communities is not adversary or a distraction because of the traditional consciousness of the people. There are laid down rituals one must perform before becoming a titled man.  Though Christianity came early in many of these communities it has not had negative impact on their culture and tradition.

A man’s title and achievement determines his status in the spirit world. Social status therefore depends on achievement and age. This explains why burial ceremony involves a lot, making sure a Chief carried the paraphernalia of his office and wealth during burials.

An outspoken medical Doctor friend of mine nicknamed Egbe Gbagbulu Enyi” (A gun that killed an Elephant) by his numerous admirers traced the origin of Red Cap Chiefs to more than two Centuries ago. According to him it is synonymous with the people of Onitsha (“Ndi Ichie”) the people of Oyi local government, parts of Idemili North and South local government areas, a part of Nnewi local government, Anambra local government areas and all Nri descendants. Giving instance with his town Ogbunike in Oyi local government Area of Anambra state the radical Doctor said it is very expensive for one to become an Ogbuefi (Red cap Chief) in his town, and that taking an Ozo title does not automatically allow for the use of a red cap until one becomes an Ogbuefi which according to him presently costs several hundred thousand Naira.

I am  of the view that those who impersonate the Ozo title or rather  Chieftaincy title through the wearing of red caps have not only succeeded in bringing the Igbo Chieftaincy to the mud but have also contributed to non recognition and lack of respect accorded Igbo Chiefs by other tribes.

In culture and tradition practicing communities of Igboland, the number of feathers one attaches to this long Red Cap indicates the level he has attained in the “Ozo” institution. An Ozo person who is not qualified to wear Red Cap is recognized with his anklet and “Oji” with an eagle feather on it. So it was in those days even up to the seventies (1970’s) before the craze about red and black cap began and the consequent abuse of the age long tradition of our people.

Each community should therefore start a crusade on this issue setting up standards for award of Chieftaincy titles and making sure that people’s source of income/ wealth etc should be investigated so also their influence in the society viz- a-viz societal reputation.

The Communities which originally did not have the culture of wearing red caps should borrow a leaf from Onitsha where Chieftaincy title is not for sale. In Onitsha, the “Ozo” / “Ichie” title is held in very high esteem and they have continued to respect this ago long tradition.

All the communities that claim originality of the Ozo title and red cap traditions should make sure that their Chieftaincies are not for sale and that great respect is accorded the use of red cap. They need to review certain criteria used in conferring Ozo titles making sure that one must become an Ogbuefi before putting on a Red cap. All the Nris, the Eris, the Aros, the Abribas etc should as well ensure that their age long tradition is not arbitrarily abused. Other communities now borrowing the system of Ozo title, together with the use of Red Caps or the woven Aro cap should put an end to this abuse.

Culture is the pride of every tribe, why must a few selfish communities is an attempt to acculturate, bring disgrace to the entire Igbo society? Our traditional religion and culture is in disarray. Let us all put heads together in bringing an end to this downward trend. The time has come to impose sanctions on all those who bastardize our tradition and culture.

The former Executive Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike Igboukwu) had asked the Ndi Igbo during 5th Anambra Cultural Day Celebration in October 1992, if they are afraid of identifying with their culture. He urged the Ndi Igbo to be proud and to wear their traditional clothes as other tribal groups.

The Igbo therefore should as a matter of fact imitate the late Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Mazi Mbonu Ojike (of the Boycott all the “Boycottables” fame), Late Chief C.C. Onoh, Ebitu Ukiwe etc who are proud to appear in their Igbo traditional outfits. It is by so doing that one can project our identity, our culture, our tradition to the outside world.