Don’t Call Me Diokpa, Unless…. (Frank Ofili)

Please how do I ask people older than I am to stop calling me Diokpa? Especially people of my Anioma region of Delta State.

In Anioma, Diokpa is the most elderly male member of a family, kindred or community. They are known to be full of wisdom, experience and knowledge of the customs and tradition of my people.

I feel embarrassed when some people refer to me as Diokpa only because they feel I am more educated or knowledgeable than they are. These people ignorantly feel it is their way of showing me respect.

But it is actually embarrassing. In Anioma age, experience and/or wisdom cannot be bought with secular education, certificate, knowledge or even wealth.

I try as much as possible to correct these people, but all to no avail. Imagine calling me Diokpa in a gathering of my family, kindred or village people! Answering to that would of course automatically attract a hefty fine.

I once ran into trouble in a social gathering of some of my kinsmen in Lagos. The most senior in that gathering called me out, albeit jokingly, and accused me of conferring on myself the Diokpa of Facebook. Even though he wasn’t serious about it, he however declared that I must “fea nmili”. And I did.

I can understand the case of those who are ignorant of the custom of my people. But for those who know? Mba nu!

A caveat though….

If you are from Anioma and beyond, and you know very well that I am older in age than you are, then you must necessarily refer to me as Diokpa. Not only that, you must also extend to me the proper courtesy by bowing (dobale) to me so that I can bless you by placing my right hand on your back. No compromise in dis one. Na my right from God. If you don’t, e fea nmili (pay fine). If you vex, go to court. Unfortunately for you, no court has jurisdiction over dis one.