‘Nwa n’ebe akwa’ is one of the many Igbo lullabies for a crying child to make the child either to stop crying or to lull the child to sleep. It is a mixture of different objects, birds, plant seeds and so on. Here it goes:
Onye mere nwa n'ebe akwa?
Egbe mere nwa n'ebe akwa.
Weta ụzịza, weta ose;
Weta amara nkịrịnka ọfe.
Ụmụ nnụnụ erisịa ya.
Ooo! Ooo!
The English translation of the above is:
Who beat the crying child?The kite beat the crying child.
Get a plant seed called ('ụzịza' a spice),
and get another plant seed called
('ose', meaning pepper).
Get a soup that was not properly prepared.
Birds have eaten all.
Ooo! Ooo!
The babysitter, mother, or father of the child would hold the child on their left or right arm and may be pacing up and down as they lull the child to sleep or to stop crying.
The child could be crying with a shrill voice that could be heard on all corners of the house. The babysitter, mother or father would raise their voices to match the loudness of the child’s cry. When the child’s cry reduces, they would reduce the loudness of their lullaby and gradually, the child falls asleep and the song would stop.
The child is then laid to bed or mat to sleep. Then the babysitter, mother or father would have a quiet time and freedom to do other things or chores.
‘Nwa n’ebe Akwa’ lullaby portrays the importance of childcare, parenting, nannies, babysitters and nurture. In Igbo culture, a child is born not to only their immediate family but also to the entire community. Though, it is not written anywhere about how a child should be brought up, tradition and convention are passed on through folklores, and myths.
It is a given that every Igbo person, male or female should understand parenthood, parenting, nurture, and family life. These terms seem to express what it means to raise a child from birth to independent adulthood. In Igbo culture, a person is always considered a ‘child’ before their parents. No matter their ages.
Being viewed as a ‘child’ does not mean that the person is immature, or childish. It can be better expressed with this Igbo adage:
Ọkwụrụ anaghị akarị onye kụrụ ya.
Meaning that Okra does not grow taller than the person who planted it.
Therefore, any Igbo person respects their elders. Because their elders are considered as always caring, guiding, and guarding them throughout their lives.