What This Igbo Proverb Teaches on Consequences and Courage
Igbo proverb:
Díbị̀à kpọ́tùrù mmírí òzùzò, átụ́kwáná ụ́jọ́ égbè élúígwé só yá.
A Dibia that calls down the rain should not fear the thunderstorm that follows.
At first hearing, this proverb sounds like a warning to diviners and healers, those whose mystical powers are believed to influence nature itself. But beyond that, it offers a timeless lesson about human agency, responsibility, and the ripple effects of our choices.
Power and Its Shadows
To “call down the rain” is to take an action that sets powerful forces in motion. It can be an achievement, a risk, or a bold decision. But rain can come with thunder and storm. This is life’s reminder that consequences are rarely neat or isolated; they spill over, bringing both blessings and burdens.
Many of us crave the rain i.e success, breakthroughs, change, but shrink when the storm arrives in its wake: criticism, unintended outcomes, or new responsibilities. This proverb teaches that you cannot summon one without being prepared for the other.
The Ripple Effect of Decisions
Every action we take is like tossing a stone into water. The ripples travel outward, touching shores we never foresaw. A leader who initiates reform may spark progress but also resistance. An entrepreneur who launches a daring product might transform markets while also attracting competitors and skeptics. A parent who disciplines a child may foster growth but also provoke temporary rebellion.
The lesson is not to avoid acting, but to act with an awareness that consequences are not limited to the first effect.
Courage as Companionship to Choice
The proverb also places courage beside responsibility. It implies that if you have the confidence to summon rain, you must also possess the resilience to withstand thunder. Fear of consequences should not paralyze us into inaction. Instead, it should deepen our preparedness and strengthen our resolve.
True maturity or growth does not come from avoiding storms, but in walking steadily through them, knowing they are natural companions of the rain we prayed for.
Modern Reflections
In careers: Seeking promotion or leadership means also inviting scrutiny, pressure, and envy.
In relationships: Opening your heart to love means also risking heartbreak, vulnerability, and change.
In innovation: Every invention carries unintended disruptions, sometimes joyous, sometimes chaotic.
We cannot cherry-pick only the pleasant consequences. To seek out the rain is to welcome the thunder as part of the package.
Final Thought
The Igbo wisdom in this proverb reminds us that consequences are not accidents but extensions of our choices. If you dare to stir the skies, do not flinch at the storm. Instead, let the resulting thunder remind you that your actions have power, and with power comes the responsibility to endure, adapt, and grow.
