The strength of the broom lies not in the power of a single frond but in the resilience of its united fronds. African proverb
Like most families my growing up years consisted of squabbling with my siblings over things that I can’t even recall anymore, but the saying above is one of those proverbs that I’ll never forget because my parents used proverbs like that one to teach us life’s lessons.
‘Igwe bu ike!‘ This is an Ibo word that means ‘there’s strength in numbers.’ My mother will tell us that while demonstrating with a broom.
She would give each of us a broomstick and instruct us to go ahead and break it. With barely much strength applied, the broomstick would snap. Then she would give us the entire broom to break and no matter how much you tried, that broom would never break. It might bend, but not break.
She used this example to emphasize to us that we had to stand together as one family because when we stand together as a unit that’s the only way we would withstand adversity and over the years of my life, we have individually and collectively gone through the storm as a family, but having each other to lean on has made passing through the eye of the storm easier.
Our unity didn’t mean that we lost our individuality, but there’s a code of oneness that understands and tolerates diversity.
This saying is not just for families, but to any group that man forms because we are social beings.
Unity brings strength
and creates harmony.
Unity promotes prosperity
and fosters love.
Unity covers the weakness of one
and infuses him with support.
When we are united
we can withstand.
When our unity is broken down
we will crumble.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Very wise advise. Love it,thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment 🙂
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“Our unity didn’t mean that we lost our individuality, but there’s a code of oneness that understands and tolerates diversity.”
Wow!! I don’t need to say more, dear. Bravo!
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Thank you Rosema. I think the bravo will go to my dear mama 🙂
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aww. i know where you get that wise writing of yours, then. 😉
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I believe it’s from them 🙂
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😉
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Your mother was a very wise woman 🙂
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She certainly is. I hope my children will remember a few things I teach them sometime in the future. Thank you Raili 🙂
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“Unity covers the weakness of one”. Very true words, your mother was a wise woman to instill this principle when you and your siblings were young. Lovely read .
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Thank you Marie. They truly did their best and sometimes I’m surprised by the things that I remember 🙂
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That’s always a nice surprise when you remember some happy memory from the past. 🙂
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Very wise and enlightening.
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Thank you dear Eugenia.
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😉
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This was an amazing piece of writing. Your mother is a wise woman indeed! I loved this story and the proverb. ❤
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Thank you Colleen. She’s a star and an awesome lady. Have a great weekend.
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Wonderfully put, Jacqueline. United we stand – or sweep 😀
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Anyway, united is better.
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Great quote and wise words. 🙂
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Thank you dear Vashti 🙂
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That is a lovely, and wise, lesson your mother taught you. 🙂
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When we were being taught I doubt I appreciated all the hassles back then 😉 Now they are priceless nuggets to me. Thank you Vanessa.
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Hindsight is always so much clearer than what we see in the moment. Mothers seem to know how to take that into consideration. It’s like we talk not just to our kids then, but to our “future” kids, too. 🙂
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How so true. It’s later when they are older they get to know and appreciate all the teachings.
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Unity is important in the divided world we live in today.
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A family lesson well told. I love how wisdom around the world has similarities but also uniqueness in the teaching.
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Yes indeed there are loads of similarities. Thank you Janice 🙂
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May I have your email address please?
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Certainly 🙂 you can reach me at ontheland1@gmail.com
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