Vol 2 No 1 (2024)
Articles
An Empirico-Rational Justification of Metaphysical Foundation of Mmiam (Oath) in Annang Thought
Published
September 21, 2024
Keywords
- Oath (Mmiam),
- Deities (Awasi-Eyong and Awasi-Isong),
- Annang people,
- Metaphysics,
- Empirical-rational
How to Cite
Udo, I., & Dennis, O. (2024). An Empirico-Rational Justification of Metaphysical Foundation of Mmiam (Oath) in Annang Thought. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 25-38. Retrieved from http://103.133.36.82/index.php/alpamet/article/view/746
Abstract
The concept of Mmiam (oath-taking) in African philosophical discourses, particularly in ethics and jurisprudence, is deeply rooted in the belief in a harmonious relationship between visible and invisible beings. This belief shapes African moral standards, promoting social cohesion, justice, and fairness. African thought systems often feature hierarchical relationships among beings, from a supreme deity to lesser gods, ancestors, and humans. These beings, particularly incorporeal ones, are believed to intervene in human affairs, including justice. In Annang culture, for instance, disputes are resolved through Mmiam, an oath-taking ceremony officiated by a native priest who invokes the supreme deity (Awasi Eyong), lesser deities (Awasi Isong), and ancestors (Mme Etete) using rituals such as incantations and libations. However, non-initiates, foreigners, and skeptics often dismiss such practices as superstitious, barbaric, or irrational due to their empirical-rational worldview, which ignores the metaphysical underpinnings of life. This essay employs a critical-analytic approach to demonstrate the empirical-rational aspects of Mmiam. It argues that, despite its seemingly mystical appearance, the practice possesses empirical and rational dimensions that reinforce its metaphysical potency. By appreciating these dimensions, it becomes clear that Mmiam is an integral and effective part of Annang society, helping to resolve disputes and maintain social order.
References
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Otto, D., & Inameti, U. (2020). Suicide: A Betrayal of African Communalist Personhood.” Meta: Research in Hermeneutics, Phenomenology, and Practical Philosophy, XIII(1), 220-240.
Owa, O. E., Miebaka, N., Odey, S. A., Ugbe, R. O., & Alobo, E. E. (2024). Impact of the 2014 Pension Reform Act on Workers’ Commitment, Retention and Attitude to Retirement in Cross River State, Nigeria. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(2), 293-301.
Popper, K. R. (1963). Conjecture and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge. Harper and Row Publishers.
Ruzicki, T. (2010). A Traditional African Concept of Community Related to Ethical Intuitionism.” Macalester Journal of Philosophy 5(1), 48–52.
Survey 2023. A field survey conducted by the researcher in May, 2023, to corroborate claims about origin of Mmiam in Annang world.
Tsekpoe, C. (2020). African Traditional Oath-Swearing: An Evaluation from a Ghanaian Pentecostal Perspective. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 1(5), 131-138.
Udo, I. L. (2023). Some Philosophies and Methods of Science.” Rudiments of History and Philosophy of Science. Pp. 37-67.Edited by Precious Obioha, Iniobong Umotong, and Otto Dennis, The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University.
Udo, I. L., & Udoh, M. (2023). Moral Education and Corruption in Nigeria: A Reflection on Plato's Counsel on Education. IILARD Journal of Humanities and Social Policy, 9(1), 1-12.
Udo, I. L., & Ette, E, (2014). Punishment as a Technique of Social Control in Annang Traditional Society. Ifiok Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 1(1), 1-9.
Udoh, E. (1986). Who are the Ibibio? African FEP Publishers.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). Challenges and Prospects for Developing Scientific And Technological Attitude In Africa. African Journal of Culture, Philosophy and Society: Aworom Annang, 3(1), 7-15.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). The Place of Mythological Metaphysics in Social Control. Journal of Complementary Reflection: Studies of Asouzu, 3(1), 45-53.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2014). Socialization and Society: The Family System as a Basic Unit.
Udoh, M., & Umotong, I. (2013). Environment Sustainability and Renewablity. Elements of History and Philosophy of Science.
Umoh, D. (2009). The Annang Personality. SNAAP Press.
Umotong, I. (2007). Exploration for Knowledge. Robertminder International Ltd.
Unah, J. I. (2001). Lectures on Philosophy and Logic. Fadec and Company Ltd.
Waapela, B. (2005). Ethnocentrism and Conflict Resolution in Africa. Freepress.
Ekanem, J. B. (2002). Transforming Customary Laws: The Role of the Catholic Church in Dispute Settlement among the Annang of South-Southern Nigeria. Being a Ph. D Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of award of the degree in Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven.
Ekarika, J. (2014). Uruan-Efik Essien Duopeba in Pre-History and Heritage: Akwa Ibom Evolution and Development of a Nation State in Africa. ICIDR Publishers, 2014.
Ekong, I. U. (2011). Preaching in the Context of Ethnic Violence: A Practical Theological Study within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Calabar Synod. Being a M.A Dissertation submitted in partial requirement of award of the degree in Stellenbosch, University, South Africa.
Ekpo, J. (1996). Annang Historical View. Greenwood Press.
Essien, E. (2011a). Annang Philosophy.” Summa Philosophica: An Introduction to Philosophy. Pp 360-390. Edited by Ephraim-Stephen Essien, Lulu Press.
Essien, E. (2011b). Annang Philosophy, History and Culture: An Inquiry into Afrology and Afrophilia. Lulu Press.
Essien, E. (2015). Annang Metaphysics: A Specimen of African Metaphysics.” Aboriginal: African Philosophy. pp 106-141. Edited by Iniobong Umotong. Robertminders Int'l.
Etim, A. (1983). Cultures, Customs, and Traditions of Akwa Ibom People of Nigeria. MCOMP.
Etukudoh, C. N. (2017). The Methods of Philosophy.” Introduction to Philosophy and Logic. Pp. 45-49. Edited by Victor Daniel B. Inoka, The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University.
Mautner, Thomas (ed.). The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy. Penguin Books, 2000.
Mbiti, John. Introduction to African Religion. 2nd edition, LongGrove: Waveland press, 2015.
Menkiti, I. A. (1984). Person and Community in African Traditional Thought.” African Philosophy: An Introduction. Pp. 171–181. Edited by Richard A. Wright, 3rd edition. University Press of America.
Nnanna, A. (2020). African Traditional Religion Oath Taking and Resource Management in Nigeria.” International Journal of Religion & Human Relations, 12(1), 201-209.
Offiong, D. (1991). Witchcraft, Sorcery, Magic & Social Order Among the Ibibio of Nigeria. Fourth Dimension Publishers.
Omoregbe, J. I. (2002) Metaphysics without Tears: A Systematic and Historical Study. Joja Educational Research and Publishers Ltd.
Otto, D. (2015). African Paradigm for Corporate Social Responsibility.” Journal of Management and Training for Industries 2(2), 41-55.
Otto, D. (2020). The Branches of Philosophy.” Rudiments of Philosophy and Logic.Pp. 67-95.Edited by Iniobong Umotong, Otto Dennis, and Inameti Udo, The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University.
Otto, D. (2021). Critical Reasoning.” Arguments and Critical Reasoning. Pp. 1-26.Edited by Iniobong Umotong and Christopher Udofia, The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University, 2021.
Otto, D. (2022). African Environmental Intuitionism and the Obligation to Posterity.” African Philosophy in an Intercultural Perspective. Pp.181-190.Edited by A. Grannes et al. Springer-Verlag GmbH.
Otto, D. (2023). Empiricism.” Theories of Knowledge. Pp. 36-55.Edited by Iniobong Umotong. The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University.
Otto, D. (2023). Idealism.” Theories of Knowledge. Pp. 81-97.Edited by Iniobong Umotong. The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University.
Otto, D., & Inameti, U. (2020). Suicide: A Betrayal of African Communalist Personhood.” Meta: Research in Hermeneutics, Phenomenology, and Practical Philosophy, XIII(1), 220-240.
Owa, O. E., Miebaka, N., Odey, S. A., Ugbe, R. O., & Alobo, E. E. (2024). Impact of the 2014 Pension Reform Act on Workers’ Commitment, Retention and Attitude to Retirement in Cross River State, Nigeria. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(2), 293-301.
Popper, K. R. (1963). Conjecture and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge. Harper and Row Publishers.
Ruzicki, T. (2010). A Traditional African Concept of Community Related to Ethical Intuitionism.” Macalester Journal of Philosophy 5(1), 48–52.
Survey 2023. A field survey conducted by the researcher in May, 2023, to corroborate claims about origin of Mmiam in Annang world.
Tsekpoe, C. (2020). African Traditional Oath-Swearing: An Evaluation from a Ghanaian Pentecostal Perspective. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 1(5), 131-138.
Udo, I. L. (2023). Some Philosophies and Methods of Science.” Rudiments of History and Philosophy of Science. Pp. 37-67.Edited by Precious Obioha, Iniobong Umotong, and Otto Dennis, The Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University.
Udo, I. L., & Udoh, M. (2023). Moral Education and Corruption in Nigeria: A Reflection on Plato's Counsel on Education. IILARD Journal of Humanities and Social Policy, 9(1), 1-12.
Udo, I. L., & Ette, E, (2014). Punishment as a Technique of Social Control in Annang Traditional Society. Ifiok Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 1(1), 1-9.
Udoh, E. (1986). Who are the Ibibio? African FEP Publishers.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). Challenges and Prospects for Developing Scientific And Technological Attitude In Africa. African Journal of Culture, Philosophy and Society: Aworom Annang, 3(1), 7-15.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). The Place of Mythological Metaphysics in Social Control. Journal of Complementary Reflection: Studies of Asouzu, 3(1), 45-53.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2014). Socialization and Society: The Family System as a Basic Unit.
Udoh, M., & Umotong, I. (2013). Environment Sustainability and Renewablity. Elements of History and Philosophy of Science.
Umoh, D. (2009). The Annang Personality. SNAAP Press.
Umotong, I. (2007). Exploration for Knowledge. Robertminder International Ltd.
Unah, J. I. (2001). Lectures on Philosophy and Logic. Fadec and Company Ltd.
Waapela, B. (2005). Ethnocentrism and Conflict Resolution in Africa. Freepress.