A Single Lucid Moment Analysis

30-Day Assignments
1. Write one or two paragraphs on the Soderstrom article, A Single Lucid Moment, pp. 59-61. Comment on what you think of the villagers understanding of the issue, and how you would respond to their request in the context of the Peace Corp Agent.
The villagers of Papua, New Guinea enjoyed a closed culture of teamwork and communalism, promoted by the homogeneity of interest in which, the collective interest of society is geared towards improving the total welfare of the entire group versus the society of the Peace Corps Agent that is defined by capitalism in which individuals compete against each other to maximize their standard of living at the expense of others. However, the villagers believed that the two homeless men

The Ibibio worldview is not only determined by an array of their language, belief, and communication that lengthens “beyond the members of the society at a given point in time but to those who are dead and the unborn generation” (Okon & Ansa, 2012, pt. 3). This concept aligns with Thoreau’s views that, “All the past is here,” (pt. 3) which characterizes the Ibibio people as a close-knit society that is defined by three key factors which bind them together – symbolism, proverbs, and religion to explicate their way of life. For instance, the Ibibio people assigned specific meanings to the Iroko tree, an imagery which is hinged upon the strength of the people as discussed in one of their many proverbs; “Ubok mm, ubok mm etuud ukpa” meaning “In togetherness, any obstacle can be removed” (Okon & Ansa, 2012, pt. 5.1). Working together in love and appreciation of others rather than as individuals they can collectively meet challenges they are faced with. In spite of the weight of the tree, which is synonymous to the enormity of a problem, working together brings resolution that satisfies and promotes the interest of the entire community rather than a few. Moreover, their belief is based “in the existence of a reality greater than the human has served as a definer and creator of cultures” (Samovar et al as cited by Okon & Ansa, 2012, pt. 5.2). The Ibibio’s traditional belief system of right versus wrong was enamored in a god called, Abasi Ibom, whom they honored through the

The Ibibio believe that they came into existence based on the sky god, a supreme being, called, Abassi who created them to serve and honor him through prayers and sacrifices. Nevertheless, they believe in other sub gods and their ancestral spirits that must be properly appeased to journey into the afterlife. For instance, sacrifices are made at the shrine of a departed loved-one that is usually buried in the home of the eldest member of the family. One of two key things happened to the spirit of the deceased. Upon death, an evil person (idiok) has an animal soul (ukpong ikot) that lives in animals such as bush pigs antelopes, leopards, lions, and pythons – this soul dies at death and does not transition into the afterlife. Conversely, a rite called, the Obio Ekpo ceremony must be properly performed to relieve the good spirit (eti) of its earthly duty; and then, the immortal soul is either reincarnated or turns into an evil spirit haunting the living (“Ibibio,” 1996). Talbot (1967) printed work, however, points out that a gentle ghost or spirit called “Eti Ekkpo” returns to earth to protect a love one from the attacks of evil spirits. The writer further maintained that the placid spirit was “drawn back to earth by ties of love to wife or kin, or when called upon for aid in times of peril” (p. 125). In short, the Ibibio race must fulfil two basic principles: first and foremost to honor and serve their God, Abassi through worship, prayer, and sacrifices. And second,