And so, we became Anyen Iyak, “Fish Eye” in Ibibio. We see our PAST, as we bring it to the PRESENT, in order to carry it to the FUTURE. Our eyes will never be shut in life or death.
Chris Udoh, Founder.
Just before leaving for Italy, I visited my wise friend, 90% blind. Deep within, I knew it would be our last encounter. In our usual banter, she posed a strange question: “Have you ever seen a fish eye closed in life or death?” Intrigued, I thought about it. “No,” I replied. She then revealed that fish, unlike other animals, never close their eyes, symbolizing their ability to see all – past, present, and future.
Nearly a year later, as I searched for a name for the foundation dedicated to preserving Akwa Ibom’s diverse indigenous art and cultures, the fish eye analogy resonated. It embodied the foundation’s essence – an ever-watchful eye, witnessing the past, present, and future of these precious legacies. It would be a symbol that would never close, even in the face of change or loss.
My friend passed away last year, confirming the premonition I felt during our last meeting. Her wisdom, though veiled by blindness, could see beyond the present, even envisioning the future I would create. This experience resonates with the African proverb: “What a child sees climbing a tree, an elder sees sitting on a stool.“
And so, we became Anyen Iyak, “Fish Eye” in Ibibio. We see our PAST, as we bring it to the PRESENT, in order to carry it to the past, present, and future. Our eyes will never be shut in life or death. We are forever preserving the spirit of Akwa Ibom’s artistic heritage.
This month we embark on a journey inward rather than outward. “A Journey Back In Time“, a pilgrimage to the source of the state’s soul, its beating creative heart. For in Akwa Ibom, time is not the tyrant but the storyteller. Whether in life or legacy, we ensure that Akwa Ibom’s creative light will shine forever.
This is our journey, our new year, our resolutions. Join us and become one with the “Fish Eye” as we paint together a vibrant and timeless future, like a work of art that pulse within the soul of Akwa Ibom.
ANYEN IYAK 