Have you been to the eastern part of the country in the recent time? Did you notice the number of empty mansions scattered all through the villages and towns? That’s typical Igbo way of life! They are comfortable to renting apartments in the city and build mansion in their village.
For Igbo man, building a mansion in the village is seen as a symbol of success, status and a tangible representative of his heritage. It is considered as a way to honour the ancestors and maintain a connection to the roots. Its a way to contribute to the development of the community and uplift the overall standard of the village.
Building in the village is often seen as a duty and responsibility for an Igbo person. Its not just a personal achievement but also a way to show solidarity with fellow villagers. It also signifies that the person has succeeded in life. According to an online video, a popular US based Igbo man explains some of the reasons many Igbo love to build mansion in the village.
First, Igbo man builds his mansion to return dignity to his people. In my village, conditions for most households are worse than you’d expect. As the few brilliant or lucky ones rush off to Lagos, the ones left back in the village lead unremarkable lives. They’ve lost hope, they drink their nights away, and dance all of Sunday, because there is simply nothing else to do. Many live day-to-day from the money made either by driving Kekes, or from the little yield from the farm. Some have little provision stores that look like “entrepreneurship!” but really they are entrepreneurs because there is no other choice. The Igbo man’s castle is a beacon of hope. Everyday people walk past it; they imagine what is possible for someone that came from this place. They believe they are not much different than the Igbo man, therefore the same feat is possible, if not for them then perhaps for their children.
The Igbo man builds his castle in the village because somewhere deep inside, he fears nothing else will take him back there. There is a bit of romantic nostalgia going on. Memories of playing football in the sand, moonlight tales, fighting with your cousins and breaking their legs. But there is nothing left for the Igbo man now. Visits home are more of the same: buy heaps of provisions (bread, peak milk, cabin biscuit, etc), 2 goats and a cow, cartons of alcohol, settle villages problems (financially), go to church and make memorable donation, feed the villagers, return home with mopo). But the castle, yes the castle is a project; during the process of building, the Igbo man will deepen his roots in a land that is fast-slipping away. He does not want to be the son that broke the link. After “May this house be a shelter for those who have none, may everyone who comes here find joy. Na aha Jesus!”
Another good reason Igbos build such edifices is because they are wary of making the same mistakes made by their fathers. During and after the civil war in 1970, Nigerians and her government destroyed alot of properties belonging to the Biafrans. Even in the east, many of them were left with nothing and they had to start from scratch. That’s why since then , alot of them have been preparing for the rainy days incase there might be another war. It’s not about showing off or letting the whole community know “you have arrived”, they are just making amendments to the mistake made in the past. Asides that, they are also trying to motivate you by passing a message. The message is “I went, I saw and I conquered”.
Another Igbo man also buttressed the point above. “The worth of a man appreciates the moment you discover the house he originates from(house in his hometown/village) is posh. However, its mostly found among the Igbos because of the civil war experience where their supposed fellow compariots tagged their legitimate, hard earned houses abandoned properties. Many till date are yet to be returned to the rightful owners. Do you expect the victims or anyone who knows these people personally to repeat thesame mistake? We are saying wise people should build POSH houses in their hometowns/villages first before er.ecting a house of its equivalent in towns/cities outside their regions atleast. There’s no need hating.
At present, many Igbos have lost millions by underselling their magnificent houses located in the North East due to civil unrest there. Governor Sanwo-Olu is making many have a rethink with his demolitions without regard/to appropriate compensation. Once again, no more hating as home remains the best place to build mansions”.
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