You are a different animal, nothing less.

Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

The rain elapsed, followed by a slight sunshine. Having been home all day due to the reduction in job demand by the company I currently work for, I was among those laid off till further notice. Cold and jittery, my mind took the greater part of me. It has been raining all through this month, to the surprise of everyone. Where does the hall of mountain sunshine seem to be suddenly becoming a cold water forest? Maybe it’s climate change. Madrid, the center of Europe, has monotonous weather. 

What again is this topic about? * Which animal would I compare myself to and why? 

I quickly stepped outside the gate to grace the noon sun, which pelted my spirit and soul and had me in the same position with my body fighting over the best position, which was most enjoyable. Putting my face up directly to the rays of sunlight, eyes closed, wishing that I could be made to lie down in my position for a long period of time, though I was only in front of my house building, resting partially on a parked vehicle. Many passersby understood the importance of the sun to me, judging by their looks towards me, of which I paid no attention. Suddenly there was a bird noise, which reminded me of a particular bird back then in my hometown, usually heard early afternoon and evening, a unique one though. However, that is not the type of animal I am or like to be compared with, but I love its gentle and peaceful nature. 

Irrespective of your kind,no animal survives alone.

Even as the memories of hunting them for food in the past resonated in my mind, something I frown at currently because I believe that every animal has the right to life. There sit two birds of the same feather, like the usual words (they flock together), but something stood out that had me in awe, even to the point of taking my mind away from these golden rays of sunshine. I looked furiously towards the birds sitting on telephone cables; it appeared that they were young couples or friends of opposite sexes. It was my first time seeing such intimacy between such animals, even in humans. At first they spoke to each other in their language, then kissed passionately. I became confused because I never believed my eyes. Then they mated, after which they caressed each other by picking each other’s feathers, even to the extent of laying their heads on each other. I froze at my position, not realizing how long I had been gazing at these wonderful birds. Maybe the universe was talking to me indirectly about how life, courtship, friendship, and marriage should be, or maybe I am lost in my own thoughts. I quickly ran inside, having enjoyed the sun and the birds’ companionship… 

As humans, we are nothing less than a different animal, but whichever you choose to be, or compared with! Let it be with love, openness, and tolerance for one another; For irrespective of your kinds, no animal survives alone.

IGBO APPRENTICESHIP

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

Igbo Apprenticeship 

I am more proud to be Igbo. My name, Uju Chukwuaku, is imposed upon me as it solely relates to my origins. As a country, we are endowed with a multitude of long-standing traditions and practices, referred to as ōménala igbo*. These include practices in music, visual arts, apprenticeship, dress, cuisine, and language, to name a few. But a small number.

Since they are what made us special without demeaning the others, it’s hard to pick only one. After Igbo traditional marriage, though, one of the cultural legacies and customs of which I am most proud is Igbo apprenticeship.

To put it briefly, 

Igbo Apprenticeship is a custom in which business or company owners take in younger or teenage boys from their close and extended family and train them as apprentices in the business, teaching them the fundamentals of the industry and how it operates while they learn, assist, and run errands both inside and outside the store. A little graduation celebration for the teenage boy who has grown into an adult and improved with knowledge of the business trade would be held once the training’s designated duration of five to seven years had passed. In addition, he would receive a lump sum payment for their services over time, which he would utilise to launch a company of which he would eventually become the owner and retain. Individual success has sprung from this, Because of their success on an individual basis, the Igbo people are now the most prosperous nation in Nigeria. Igbo Apprenticeship has also shown to be the world’s largest platform for business incubators. 

 Visit…(Robert Nuewirth, TED)