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Current Issues in Linguistics, Language and Gender Studies: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Cecilia Amaoge Eme 

 

 
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SATIRICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL ELEMENTS IN SOME SELECTED POEMS IN  

IJE ỤWA 

 

 

Chinedum Enweonye & Judith Anulika Nnadiri 

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State  

 

 

 

Introduction 

A poet is a person who is usually more sensitive to sights, sounds and sensation of the 

world around him, behaviour of people, their follies, their sufferings, concerns such that they 

seek for wisdom, ask questions and examine issues about life. Poetry as one of the three 

genre of literature is the reflection of life and human experience. It serves as a watchdog of 

the society. It offers people opportunity to express themselves on social, political and moral 

issues affecting the society. A literary artist (poet) does this, by satirizing the weakness of 

character or vices in a given geographical setting. 

It teaches moral lesson, inculcates discipline, good moral values in individuals as well 

as instructs people to conform to the acceptable moral standards maintenance of law and 

order in the society. People apply their knowledge of literature in their day to day experience 

in life. According to Egwudu (1979: 1) literature "as a mode of expression, not just subject 

that expresses something but rather, it is the way, manner, or method in which something is 

said or written". A number of poems have been examined with the idea of finding out the 

satirical and philosophical elements in those poems. The poems are unpretentious, persuasive 

and full of grace and tenderness. The selected poems in Ije Ụwa are compose with fastidious, 

melodic and meticulous choice of words. 

The study aims at exposing the extent to which the writer of the selected text through 

her works have gone to mirror the events of life, portraying the cultural value and explore 

varieties of human experience in Igbo community. It aims at portraying man in his society, 

examining and interpreting human behaviours in societies of past and present while 

projecting into the future. The reader will find it easy to understand what the poet has said in 

his mind. Based on this assertion one can deduce that a poet is a person who is naturally 

sensitive to his environment. It can also be seen that the anthologies in Ije Ụwa are all about 

man and his society. They examined man as a social being. The look at human virtues vices 

as products of varying circumstances. It studies man's success and failures, his strengths and 

weakness and how these are affected by time and environment. The poems arouse pity, 

sympathy and tenderness. 

 

Review of related literature 

Satire and philosophy have been in existence since man and his culture  started to 

exist. Ever since, people have been contributing to the growths of these two aspects of 

knowledge. One of the scholars of contributors to satire is Ngugu (1969:5-6). “The satirist 



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sets himself certain standard and criticizes society when and where it departs from these 

norms, he invites us to assume his standard and share the moral indignation”. 

The wikipedia encyclopedia says, satire is often defined as a literary genre or form although it 

can be found in graphic and performing art. Satire in the modern sense of the word is found 

in many artistic form of expression, including literature, plays, commentary and mass media, 

publications. This is correct because satire could expressed in oral works like speeches, 

orations, recitations and written works as well as the products of painters (p.3). Satire focus 

on those things which can correct people from the level ways of life in order to be betters 

than they are.  

Fiecknoon (2004:2) Says “it is interested in comparing satire with comedy, and that 

what makes it different from comedy is that in satire there is usually a clear and overt didactic 

intention, but in normal situation people of their inescapable human limitation”. 

This definition is correct but does not go to the point of giving profound meaning of satire. It 

fails to define satire as a critical work that aims at talking of one's bad behaviours in order to 

make his change his ways of life. Jonathan (2005:10) sees satire “as a mirror in which people 

see everyone's face except their own”. 

His idea about satire is very accurate because one who criticized others idea not likely see 

anything about oneself.  His back is always clean. Ronald (1928:34) describes, 

The satirist as a kind of spiritual therapist whose function is to destroy the root 

causes of the major diseases of the spirit like hypocrisy, pride and greed. But 

the satirist does not necessarily confine himself to such moral cancers.  

 

He is observing that the satirist critises other people and feels that he has no need for 

corrections. Cuddon (1977:20) points out;  “Satire as a poem in which wickedness or folly is 

censured”. He says that the true end of satire takes it upon himself to correct, ridicule the 

follies and vices of society. In our modern society, we have poetry texts like Uche Bụ Akpa 

Ulari, Obiageli, Ije Ụwa, Akọ Bụ Ndụ, Uche Bụ Afa, Akpa Uche etc 

Anozie (2005:10) in his poem "Naịjirịa" satirical emphasizes that Naijria is a good 

nation that is blessed with natural resources like oil. One of the finest oil in the world but its 

leaders are corrupt. They mismanage and squander the wealth of the nation. 

Thus:           Naijiria (pg15) 

 

Igbo:           Ndị Ọchịchị eteela m unyi n'ihu 

Ha bụ ndị isi aba okpu                

Ndị eze onye agwalam 

Akụnụba m amaala afọ n'ala (stanza 2 line 4-7)  

Translation:       Our leaders have brought shame to me 

They are indiscipline  

Leaders turn deaf ears to advice  

My wealth has been impervious  

 



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Anozie, the poet mentions in the poem "Ndọrọndọrọ Naijiria" says that everywhere is always 

rowdy during the time of any election. The evil people use their fellow human beings for 

ritual purpose. As a result of unsafe situations people live in great fear. The poet's view of the 

dangerous situation is expressed thus: 

 

Igbo:                   Tigbuo, zogbuo, ebe nile ana-ekwo ekwo 

Mmadu ka e ji agwo ọgwụ 

Otu anya ka e ji arahụ ụra 

Onye ọbụla chọrọ ịchị (stanza 3 lines 2-6) 

 

Translation:        Smack and trample to  death   everywhere   

very rowdy 

using    man    in    carrying    out    ritual    sacrifices 

Everybody sleep with one eye open 

For everybody wants to rule. 

 

 

One of the scholars that wrote a satirical poem is Ogugua (1988:52) who in his Ọ nọ na di 

achọ di criticizes that some married women have bad attitudes. Their bad attitudes make 

them to be wayward. These women forget their oaths of matrimonial lives and do a lot of bad 

things just because their husbands have financial problems. The poet states this below.  

 

 

Igbo:   Ọ bụ gị mere nwaanyi m ji ego lụta                                                                                                                               

Ghara ibu ihe n' anya di ya. 

Oge ọbụla nyara akpa ya pụa 

Agarachaa ji wee hapụ ụmụ na di were biwe 

Ndụ masịrị ya (stanza 6, lines 6-9) 

 

Translation:       The woman I got married to 

   You made the woman I paid her bride price 

   To worth nothing before her husband 

   Always going out with her bag slung 

   For which the elegant lady left her children and 

   Husband 

   To live her life the way she likes. 

 

Philosophy has been studied by various people. One of the scholars is Grant (2009:5) who 

pointed out that philosophy involves having love for wisdom. He emphatically states his view 

thus: Judging by his ideas, philosophical poem will then mean the poem that promotes the 

love of wisdom. Philosophy can be defined as reflection on the varieties of human 

experience. The poems are used to educate the young or citizens on the values of society. It 

can be done either teaching or conversation. It teaches moral. The poet makes use of objects 



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that are close to the lives of the people. The kind of poems meant are those that code a lot of 

wisdom in few words more so embellished in linguistic ornaments like proverbs, idioms etc. 

Philosophers see the world as something to be explained but cannot give that sort final 

explanation. Every answer submits to another question. Hart (2002:2) says “Philosophy is the 

study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as knowledge, values, 

reason and language”. His idea is correct as it is one of the meanings of philosophy. By the 

study of the fundamental problems, it also offers solutions to the problems. Philosophical 

poems in this regard are those poems that aim is solving problems like the relationship 

between God and man as well as teaching the begins of natural phenomenon.                              

Ọgụgụa (1988:4) in his "Abụba Ọrụ Ndị Mahadum” satirizes the unrest of university 

workers; specially lectures, who strike returns and send students home. The poet takes a look 

at the effect of the strike on students whom he states indulge in a lot of bad behaviours 

including stealing by male ones, their female students get entangled in unwanted pregnancies. 

Chukwuezi (1988:11) in his "Akwa di" exhibited philosophical ideas. The poet reflects the 

truth on the real meaning of life and also points out the cry of a poor widow as regards to her 

fate in life and sorrowfulness. According to her, life without a husband is worthless. 

Chukwuezi writes:  

 

Igbo:           Kemgbe Amadi nwụrụ 

Ugbu a adịzịm ka onye arịrọ 

Ụtọ dị na nwunye adanyụọla. 

 

Translation:  Since Amadi died 

Now, I am like a beggar 

Joy of the husband and the wife has gone/ceased  

 

Having discussed satire and philosophy, one can see that the two aspects of life affect 

literature as a result of which people write satirical and philosophical pieces of work. They 

are reflected in all genres of literature prose, poetry and drama. 

 

 

Selected satirical poems in ije Ụwa 

- Agarachaa 

- Obodo Ọnịcha 

 

Selected philosophical poem in ije Ụwa 

Onye Agọziri agọzi ka m bụ 

 

Agarachaa (pg. 19) 

Okediadi (2003) in her "Agarachaa" which is one of the poems in Ije Ụwa, the poet 

exposes the attitude of a wayward woman in our present day society. This poem is composed 

critically and exposing the lifestyle of a wayward woman. The message the poet wants to put 

across is to present a picture of filth and immorality in society. She exposes bad attitude of a 



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wayward woman who is not satisfied with one man (her husband). She does not take care of 

her family and her husband is supposed to be pitied. She has given her love away to another 

man. She states her observation. Thus: 

Ka m tiri uwe kacha mma 

Nwaneku ga-eletara m 

Di rn na ụmụ m anya 

Ndị ọyị m ga-echebego m. (stanza 1, lines 4-7). 

 

Translation:       let me put on my best cloth 

Baby sitter will take care of 

My husband and my children 

My friends will be waiting for me. 

 

The poet laments the attitude of some women in the society, their husbands are not enough 

for them, they like to have many friends without knowing the effect. Their baby sitters will be 

taking care of entire household both of the children and the husband because she is always 

busy outside and has no time for her immediate family. 

 

Mgbe ahu ihe emebiela 

Nwaneku aburula nwunyedi  

 

Translation:          When she comes back home 

                            Things have fallen apart 

 

She also does this by slinging her with the baby sitter the being elevated to the position of a 

co-wife with the women of easy value. The imagery in the poem is effective and the language 

is simple to understand. It strikes the reader and moves his emotions. 

 

Obodo Ọnicha (pg.10) 

The poet exposes the atrocities and corruption in Onitsha community.   She presents 

Onitsha as a city blessed with wealth which has popular markets in it. The poet showcases 

crime in the community. The city contains a lot of criminal that include armed robbers, 

rogues, and money doublers. The policemen and soldiers have tried so hard to abolish crime 

in this city but their efforts were in vain. People are wicked against their fellow human 

beings. 

 

Thus:                   A na-apụnara ya n'ike 

Ndị uweojii na ndị uwekakị 

Agbaala mbọ ka ike ha ha 

Ikpọchapụ ndị Omekaome a n' obodo a 

Ma ihe na-ebe ka na-ebe (stanza 4, line 2-6). 

 

 



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Translation:       It is snatched by force 

Policemen and soldiers have 

Tried within their capacity 

To rid the town of these criminals 

But the problem persists 

 

The burden in the poem becomes heavier because of the crime in the community. One 

noticeable element in it is corrupt life style and high rate of crime in Onitsha environs is 

armed robbery. She narrates when the robbers are in actions and as people hear sounds of gun 

short they become afraid. 

 

The poem “Obodo Onịcha” is satirical, the burden on the poet becomes heavier because of 

great fear in the city. The image in the poem establishes a theme of despair and sufferings. 

 

Thus:   Ụbọchị niile bụ nke onye ohi  

   Ma otu ụbọchị bụ nke onye nwe ụlọ 

 

Translation:  Everyday is for the thief 

   But one day is for the owner of the house. 

 

The poet goes further to satirize the circumstances of armed robbery attacks. In the situation, 

the robbers boldly attack their victims and issue directives to them. The owners of the house 

or other properties fear a lot and obey as instructed. 

 

Thus:   Egbe na mma ana ada 

   Anyammiri ejụpụta anya ọbụla 

   Obi ana-eti kpim! Kpim! Kpim! 

   Mkpu enweghị ike ịpụta n’ọnụ 

   N’ihi iwu ndị abalịdịegwu na-enye  

Ihe mmadu ka 

A na-apunara ya n'ike.  

 

Translation:        Gunshot boom and matches cling 

Tears fill all over the place. 

As the heart beats kpim! Kpim! Kpim! 

Could not shout 

Because of orders of night murders      

People's acquisitions 

Are snatched away from their wealth. 

 

She also implied that people were suffering from envy as a result of which the wicked one's 

attack people unnecessarily. 

 



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Translation:  Anyaụfụ nye onye ọzọ 

Ekworo na anyaukwu juru obodo Ọnịcha. 

(stanza 5, lines 6 & 7) 

 

Translation:       Environs people attack others 

Envy is all over Onicha.  

 

Igbo:                   Mana ọnwụ ga-egbu nwankịta 

Anaghị ekwe ya anụ isi nsị (stanza 6, line 5, 6)  

 

Translation:        But the death that will kill the puppy 

Does not allow it divert attention  

 

In fact the tone of the poem is anger and cry for a change. 

Okediadi (2003) in her poem “Onye a goziri agọzi ka m bụ” pg. 12, allows her character to 

talk through her mouth. The character is a full fledge human being. She is not handicapped 

and all parts of her body are complete. 

She also mentions that God blessed her with good health and she is not suffering from 

any sickness. The poet says that our God is a great God, He has shown his blessings upon 

her. She says that God has blessed her in so many ways for instance He gave her wisdom, 

knowledge, good health. 

 

Igbo:   Akụkụ  ahụ m zuru oke 

   Aka na ụkwụ m 

   Na-arụ ọrụ dịịrị ha 

   Anya m na-ahụ ihe 

   Ma nke pụtara ihe (stanza 1, lines 2-6) 

 

Translation:  All parts of my body are complete 

   My hands and feet 

   Doing their normal assignments 

   My eyes see the light 

   Even those that are clear 

 

The philosophical poem tends to teach moral and abiding faith in Almighty God that it is only 

from the creator that blessings come. “Onye a goziri agozi ka m bụ” is divided into three 

stanzas. The first stanza has seven lines, the second stanza has six lines and third stanza has 

seven lines. The poet points out the profound truth and experience of God’s blessings to 

mankind. 

 

Conclusion  

Having gone through these three poems selected from Ije Ụwa one can see that the 

respective poems are to expose and mirror the events of life. The said poems portray the 



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cultural values and explore many options of human experience in Igbo community. They 

employ pictorial setting and other imagery to enhance the reader’s mind. 

 

 

References  

Anozie; C. (2005). Uche Bụ Akpa. Onitsha: Varsity Publishing Company. 

Cuddon, J.A.A. Dictionary of Literary Terms: London. 

Grant, W.J. (2009, Feb) Who is The Best Philosopher http://www. Philosophy  

now.org/issue 70/70 question.ht. 

Maduakor, O. (1991). Introduction to Poetry. Nsukka: Fulladu. 

Ngugi, J. (1969). Protest & Conflict in African Literature: New York: Africana  

Publishing Corporation. 

Ogugua, O. (2000). Obiageli: Onitsha: University Publishing Company. 

Okediadi, A.N. (2003). Ije Ụwa. Nsukka: Fulladu. 

Ronald, K. (1974). The Critical Sense, London: Human. 

Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/satire2006. 

http://www/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/satire2006

