M. O. ENE
Eyes express emotions excellently; they show the state of spiritual and psychological wellbeing. In Igbo, in addition to providing doors and window to the physical and psycho-emotional state of being, the lexical item for ‘eye’ [‘anya’] appears in many words that signal strong emotions.
Igbo idioms are so entwined with everyday expressions that we do not readily realize the roots of many popular words. The Igbo term for abiding love is ‘ịfụnanya,’ from ‘ịfụ n’anya’ or ’ịhụ n’anya’: to see with or thru the eyes, to appreciate what is pleasing to the eyes. Through the eyes, one can express strong sentiments to which the heart beats.
“Ịfụnanya” is much more than “love”—which I have defined as a passing psychosis that conveys adoration, admiration, appreciation, etc. Love is so many things to so many people; to no two is love the same. Some have killed for love; others have loved to kill—literally.
A sane soul cannot kill what is pleasing to the eyes—“ihe á fụrụ n’anya! “Love” comes close as a direct translation, an English equivalent; it is what one sees in another’s eyes and adores. The concept of “ịfụ n’anya” is deeper and more complex: the pleasing quality of a person to another’s inner soul as reflected in that part of the body that does not easily lie undetected. You do not “love” goats and eat them; we appreciate their pleasing place in the food chain—like (mmasị)!
From Akunna Madueke’s “Love Is All Things” (2022): “The eyes are unique indicators of emotions. It is no wonder we will soon be signing into ATMs only with our eyes. If you watch Nollywood movies, you will hear the common saying, ‘Look me in the eyes and tell me that you no longer love me; I will let you be.’” (pg. 195)
The eyes are essential in expressing emotions because they do not lie. We may not see the truth that eyes tell, but it is there. Truth is the essence of existence: Eziokwu bụ ndụ. An organ that provides a true test of that existential essence must rank high in the hierarchy of vital organs.
For one without sight or where the crucial functions of the eye are compromised, other powerful organs trigger superior sensing: hearing, smell, taste, or touch. We see, feel, hear, smell, and touch what we want, but the eyes give an instant perception of acceptance or rejection: E ji anya ama ọka chara-acha.
Eyes shape our reality and form the root of other terms for strong emotions and things beyond love and hate: We often hear: “You looked me in the eyes, and you lied to me?” It comes across as if telling lies with eyes closed is acceptable! The following are some words that eyes express.
anya (eyes, behavior, attitude, far, distant)
anya àlà (careful)
anya atụrụ (easily disoriented, blue eyes)
anya égbé (squint eyes)
anya ègèlè (hazel eyes, albino eyes)
anya elu (thoughtless)
anya éru ala (carelessness)
anya íké (bold, intimidating, strong)
anya ikwiikwii (eclectic eyes, owl-like eyes)
anya mkpọ (blindness, illogical, shut eyes)
anya mmanụ (jaundiced eye)
anya mmiri (watery eyes, tears)
anya mpịa (unreasoning, closed eyes)
anya nnụnụ (sharp eyes, bird’s eyes)
anyansị (patience)
anya ọbara (aggressive, blood-short eyes, deadly)
anya ọcha (insolence, naked eyes)
anya ọjọọ (hatred, hostility)
anya ọkụ (conjunctivitis, envy, hate)
anya ọma (friendly)
anya ọnwụ (ruthless)
anya oyi (cowardice)
anya uchichi (eyes of darkness, evil eyes)
anya ụfụ (pained eyes, jealousy)
anya ùkwù (flirtatious)
anya úkwú (greediness)
anya ụsụ (bat eyes, scotopic vision)
anyaánwụ (sun, the undying eye)
anyashị (close of eyes, night)
ịcha anya (indiscipline)
ido anya (clear-eyed)
ịfụnanya (love)—used more in female names
ịgbagwoju anya (to confuse)
ịhụju anya (to confound)
ịhụnanya (love)—used more as standard format
ịhụsị anya (to agonize)
ịka anya (to bully)
ịkpacha anya (calculated, intentional)
ntabianya (blink of an eye)
ntajianya (malice)
olileanya (hope)
ụfụanya (jealousy)
Anya also appears in many meaningful Igbo idiomatic expressions:
Anya na-asọ anya: Eyes esteem each other; meaning that when people meet face to face, they resolve matters quickly and with longer lasting outcomes.
Anya oké ehi na-anyụ mma nkọ: The eyes of a bull dull the sharpness of a knife.
Anya m ji hụ gị akpọkwana m!: May the eyes with which I see you never go blind: expressing joy at meeting someone after a ‘long time, no see.’
Á na-agwọ ọgwụ ka o doo anya, a naghị etinye ya ose: An eye ointment does not need spicy stuff.
O nweghi ihe anya hụrụ gbawa ọbara: Eyes do not bleed on seeing something.
Ọ ka mmá imechi anya kwuo na á ghọtaghị karịa imechi anya kwuo na e kweghi: It is better to close the eyes on not understanding than to shut them on not approving.
E ji anya ama ọka chara acha: The eyes easily reveal ripe corns.
Ebe ụzọ dị ka olileanya dị: Where there is a way, there is hope.
Ihe dị mma na anya gbara ndu:Beautiful things and the eyes are blood-bound.
Anya áhụ uche: The eyes do not see the heart; yet the eyes accurately reveal contents of the heart.
E jighi anya onye ọzọ ahụ ụzọ. No one sees with the eyes of another; eyes are as unique as fingerprints.
Ụfụanya nwere ọgwụ: Ịfụnanya: Jealousy has a remedy: Love.
Anya bụrụ égbè, ọ gbagbuo mmadụ. If eyes were guns, they would kill.
Okwu á na-asọ anya anaghị ebi n’oge: A revered problem does not resolve on time.
Other parts of the body are used in the big bank of Igbo idioms, but none comes close to the level of eyes! Take the following greetings:
Lee anya! Excuse me!
Anya gị! Long time!
Anya na ibe ya! Same here!
Anya m ji hụ gị akpọkwana! May we see again!
Olile anya dị Hopefully.
Gbado anya Take care of yourself.
Anya saa! Be careful!
#moe
@aladimma
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023
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