In my Ibibio dialect, we say “Amesiere,” which means “You have risen.” However, people came and taught us to say “Good morning,” as in “good mourning.” My question is, who are you mourning instead of rising with the sun?

Amesiere vs Good Morning: Rising with the Sun or Mourning the Day?

Language is more than just a tool for communication; it is a window into the culture, worldview, and soul of a people. Among the Ibibio people of southern Nigeria, the word “Amesiere” serves as the traditional morning greeting. It translates to “You have risen”—a declaration of life, strength, and resilience. It’s a powerful acknowledgement that we are blessed to see another day, renewed and ready to embrace the opportunities it brings.

But over time, the word “Amesiere” began to fade from everyday speech, replaced by the imported phrase “Good Morning.” On the surface, the phrase seems harmless—a simple way to greet someone. Yet, when we examine the words more closely, a question arises: What exactly are we mourning each morning?

From Sunrise to Mourning: A Colonial Perspective

The shift from “Amesiere” to “Good Morning” did not happen organically. It was the result of colonialism and the spread of Western culture through education and religion. Indigenous languages were labelled inferior, and European ways of speaking were promoted as “civilized.” As Ibibio children learned to say “Good Morning,” they unknowingly inherited a foreign lens through which to view their mornings.

In English, the word “morning” shares a troubling resemblance with “mourning,” which means sorrow and grief. Though the two words differ in meaning, the homophone subconsciously creates a linguistic paradox: we are encouraged to start each day in a state of grieving rather than rising in joy and gratitude.

The Power of “Amesiere”

In Ibibio culture, sunrise symbolizes life, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. When you greet someone with “Amesiere,” you are not merely exchanging pleasantries; you are celebrating their vitality and spirit. You are saying: “You have risen with the sun, and today is a new chance to thrive.”

This greeting reflects a worldview centred on optimism, community, and the sacredness of life. It places value on the natural rhythm of the universe—the rising and setting of the sun—as a gift to humanity.

Reclaiming Our Words, Reclaiming Ourselves

The world we live in today is shaped by the languages we speak. Words carry energy, and the way we greet each other sets the tone for how we navigate our daily lives. Returning to “Amesiere” is more than just preserving tradition; it is about reclaiming our identity and embracing the values that our ancestors held dear.

Imagine how different the day feels when it begins not with an unconscious acknowledgement of grief but with an empowering affirmation of life. Imagine a generation of Ibibio people—and Africans at large—who greet each other with words rooted in their own understanding of joy, renewal, and progress.

Let’s Rise Together

The next time someone asks you how to greet an Ibibio person in the morning, proudly teach them to say, “Amesiere.” Explain its meaning, its depth, and its significance. Let this simple greeting remind us all of the beauty of starting each day with a celebration of life.

As the sun rises each morning, let us rise with it—not mourning what has passed but rejoicing in the gift of the new day.

Am Darkydey, and I say to you, Amesiere! May you always rise with strength and purpose.