Every female born in the Igbo family is known as “Nwa Ada”. They play crucial roles in the traditional and contemporary society. Her responsibilities are varied, but all are focused on upholding the spiritual and moral values of the community. Failing in her duties can have significant consequences that can affect both her and the family. My aim is to discuss the consequences of Nwa Ada Igbo failing in her duties as the female born daughter in Igbo contemporary society.
Failing to Uphold the Spiritual Values of the Family and Community.
The Nwa Ada’s main responsibility is to uphold the spiritual values of the family and community. If she fails in this responsibility, it can lead to several consequences.
Firstly, it can lead to a loss of cultural identity. The Nwa Adas are custodians of the family’s spiritual heritage and tradition. If she fails in her duties, the family’s cultural identity may be eroded, leading to an identity crisis.
Secondly, it can lead to a loss of respect from the community. The Nwa Adas are role models for upcoming ones and uphold the moral values of the community. If she fails in these responsibilities, she can lose the respect of the community, therefore it can lead to a loss of social status and influence.
Thirdly, failure to uphold the spiritual values of the family and community can lead to spiritual consequences. In Igbo tradition, Nwa Ada is considered the family’s “sacred princess”.
Fourthly, Failure for nwa Ada Igbo to function in her duties can lead to inadequate preservation and promotion of Cultural Heritage.
The Nwa Ada plays a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of their family’s cultural heritage. If she fails in this responsibility, it can lead to significant consequences such as:
1. Cultural Erosion:
Failure to preserve and promote the family’s cultural heritage can lead to its erosion. The younger generation may not know or appreciate their cultural values, leading to a loss of cultural identity, as well as a lack of respect for the traditions and values of their ancestors.
2. Loss of Community Identity:
The Nwa Ada also has a responsibility to promote the community’s cultural heritage. If she fails in this, the community may lose its identity, which can lead to cultural conflicts or diminished social cohesion.
3. Loss of Cultural Legacies:
If the Nwa Ada fails to preserve and promote the family’s cultural heritage, there may be a loss of cultural legacies and valuable insights that can be passed down from one generation to the next.
Furthermore, cultural heritage preservation can lead to the development of sustainable tourism, which can create employment for members of the community and help improve the economy. According to UNESCO, cultural heritage preservation also contributes to the sustainable development of societies and strengthens their resilience to socio-economic challenges, such as poverty and social exclusion.
Failure to Serve as a Moral Beacon.
The Nwa Adas serve as moral beacons for their families and communities. If she fails in this responsibility, it can lead to several consequences, such as:
1. Loss of Social Influence:
If the Nwa Ada fails to serve as the moral beacon for the family and community, she can lose her social influence and be relegated to obscurity.
2. Moral Decay:
The failure to serve as the moral beacon can lead to moral decay in both families and communities. The younger generation may not be exposed to good moral models, which can lead to a loss of moral values, leading to an increase in negative behaviours like violence and drug abuse.
3. Domestic Challenges:
The failure to serve as the moral beacon can lead to discord within families. The younger ones may not have a role model to emulate, leading to an increase in domestic challenges such as disobedience and disunity in the household.
These scenarios have clear social, economic and environmental impacts on the family and the community. According to a 2019 report by the BBC, moral decay can lead to high levels of crime, unemployment, and increased public health issues.
Failing to Promote Harmony and Unity in the Family and Community.
Nwa Ada also serves as mediators in conflict resolution in families and communities. If she fails in this role, it can lead to several consequences such as:
1. Disunity:
If Nwa Ada fails to promote harmony and unity in family and community, it can lead to disunity and discordance. This can lead to a lack of trust and barriers in communication.
2. Social Tension:
Failure to promote unity can lead to social tension within the community. This can lead to a lack of cooperation in communal activities, and a breakdown of social structures.
3. Insecurity:
Social tension can also lead to an increase in insecurity in the community. For example, the conflict between some igbo communities dragging communal lands in Nigeria. Failure to resolve this conflict has resulted in several cases of violence and insecurity.
Nwa Ada plays a significant role in Igbo contemporary society though responsibilities vary and are focused on upholding the spiritual, cultural and moral values of families and communities. Failure to uphold these responsibilities can lead to numerous consequences earlier mentioned.
Therefore, it is imperative Nwa Ada upholds her roles and responsibilities to ensure the continued preservation of Igbo contemporary societal values. Be a good nwa Ada Igbo today and live long enough for your ancestors to bless you spiritually and physically elevate you.
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DIBIA NWANGWU UCHENDU 