The Dictionary defines hunger as a condition in which a person or persons, lack the financial or physical capability to eat food sufficient enough to meet the basic nutritional needs of the body for a sustained period. It is popularly known—especially amongst the laity, as a compelling need and desire to eat. A need resulting from a prolonged lack of food. Hunger causes discomfort, but normalcy is returned once it is satiated.
Hunger has been an age-long curse, plaguing humanity throughout history. Different portions of the world’s population have suffered sustained periods of hunger. In many cases, it results from disruptions to, or outright stoppage, of food supply caused by war, plagues, or adverse weather. Although hunger has long been in existence, it has, in recent times, taken a sad turn. According to FAO’s (Food and Agriculture Organization) 2021: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, the number of people suffering from chronic hunger began to rise gradually between 2014 and 2019. In 2020, there was a significant increase, resulting in 768 million people suffering from hunger and malnutrition globally.
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Coming to Africa, according to Wikipedia, as of now, one-fifth of the African population; a staggering 256 million, are hungry; an increase of 44 million since 2014. Over the past 20 years, the reoccurrence and prevalence of undernourishment have been highest in Eastern and Central Africa because of issues with availability and access to food. However, since 2014, the prevalence of this hunger has sadly increased in Central Africa, and also Western Africa. Mostly as a result of several factors.
In Africa today, bad governance and economy, recurring drought, conflict, and insecurity, among many factors, have principally led to severe food shortages. Several of its countries have struggled with extreme poverty for decades due to the failure of economic structures and the lack of government and community support systems for families. In addition to the existence of prolonged internal conflicts and civil wars is the natural occurrence of repeated drought cycles as a result of the ozone layer and environmental deterioration, plunging communities into a new food crisis before they have a chance to recover sufficiently from the last one.
The impact of this hunger pandemic, though worldwide, has driven millions deeper into starvation. Sadly, these impacts persist and are more evident in some African communities. More alarming is the decline in income opportunities, lost livelihoods, diminished purchasing power, and limited access to basic food and services, all continuing into 2022.
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But then again, I ask myself: is that just it? Is hunger concerned with just food, or is there more to it? Surely there should be more to that word aside from the need for food and bodily nourishment. By etymology, hunger stems from the old English word “hungor” defined as hunger, desire; famine. A desire it says. This new revelation tries to throw light on the true definition of the word hunger. That being the case, what does desire mean?
Desire or desires is defined as states of mind or consciousness that are expressed by terms such as “wanting”, “longing”, “craving” or “wishing”. A great variety of features commonly exist and are associated with desires. Basically, desires can be understood to be attitudes—favourable or otherwise, in reaction to the occurrence of existing or conceptualized affairs.
In simpler terms, desire is a want, request, or earnest wish, for a noumenon, person, state of mind, possession, lifestyle, etc. or the occurrence of a phenomenon. It could also be defined as an acute need to take charge or control of an event or series of events that primarily control one’s existence or the outright control of one’s existence.
Generally, desires have different features, but principally, desires—especially conscious desires, are usually accompanied by some form of emotional response. Evidence of this is in the desire to present its objectives in a favourable light, as something that is good, with its fulfilment resulting in a pleasurable experience; in contrast to the negative experience that would arise from failing to fulfil such objectives. Different theories exist to define desire, with each theory confining it into peculiar constructs. Action-based theories define desires as structures that incline us toward actions. Value-based theories—on the other hand, identify desires with attitudes toward values however intrinsic they may or may not be. Last but not least, Pleasure-based theories focus on the tendency of desires to cause or deny pleasure when or when not fulfilled.
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Ultimately, in the study of desire; in relation to it being a definition of the word hunger, one begins not to just grasp a better understanding of the word hunger, but also to see similarities between both. Aside from both words involving a need, or placing the afflicted in a state of longing, the word hunger and its impact, transcends bodily afflictions; such as weight loss, fatigue, and irritability, to also affect the mind and one’s consciousness. Yes! Hunger can also affect the mind. Its impact results in visible traits such as apathy, obsession, depression, anger, etc. amongst other adverse impacts. Thus, it is said that a hungry man is an angry man. Surprisingly, the same goes for desire, as ultimately, the fulfilment of one’s desire results in a sense of gratification, and in its unfulfillment, a sense of despair and even depression.
Having established hunger; desire, as a state of longing that could exist independently as a desire for bodily satiation (food), certain psychological needs, sexual satisfaction, an emotional structure, control of one’s existence, spirituality, education, economic stability, good governance, adequate healthcare, or, a kind of lifestyle, etc. to an encompassing hunger for all the above-listed entities, it is therefore imperative that man should at all costs fight hunger—a longing that has the power to afflict the body as well as the mind, in whatever form it may appear.
Humanity needs to understand that a plague such as hunger—with the power to afflict both body and soul, shouldn’t be allowed to exist. The path to the total eradication of hunger calls for collectiveness and resolve to effect a change, from the lowly citizen to the mighty government and its officials. From the grassroots, hunger—the need for food, can be eradicated with acts of humanity to humanity: give, help out that hungered man. In governance, a consciousness of the people’s interest; even in decision-making, should be paramount. The interest of the country and its citizens should always come first. In the case where hunger isn’t a desire for food, we (humanity) must strive to be in control and take charge of our decisions. Finally, we must learn to be go-getters, achievers; and not just dreamers, with little steps, birthing little wins until the desired is acquired and desire is finally sated.
This Creative Nonfiction was published in the November 2022 edition of the WSA magazine.
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