THE SYMBOL OF OJI IN IGBO LAND

By Vivian Ezeani

Almost every Igbo nation, reference to kolanut as a sacred fruit except for the younger generation, who are coming up and almost unaware of how important a kolanut means to the Igbo nation.

The Igbo’s reference the quote, “onye wetara oji wetara ndu” meaning, he who brings kola, brings life.

It shows a symbol of peace, as one who presents it to his visitors has shown a sign of welcome to them. It also symbolises acceptance and progress. It is usually the duty of the oldest person to break the kolanut in a gathering. But this is certainly not the same among every Igbo custom, as the youngest males are equally allowed to break the kolanut in some community in Igbo Land.

However, kolanut is not limited to the Igbo nation. It expands to other tribes which  makes the sacred fruit to be classified into two species. The first one being the native kolanut (Oji Igbo) and the later being the western kolanut (Oji ugoro or Oji Hausa). It should be noted that the later which is the ugoro is not used for any significant role or cultural ceremony in Igbo nation.

The Oji Igbo itself, is identified and symbolic to the Igbo nation. They are identified by their sizes, significance, gender.

In relating to the gender of Oji, once prayer, blessing or toast is made and the kolanut broken, the male kolanut is identified as the one which is not bended or scattered at the tip. While the female kolanut is identified as the one which is scattered or bended at the tip.

Relating Oji to its significance, it is important to note that every kolanut broken has a particular symbol which its represents. According to the Igbo custom and tradition, when a kolanut breaks into two it is regarded as Oji ogbi( dumb). They don’t eat it. When it breaks into three parts, it is seen as Oji Ikenga. it is mostly seen as Oji diokpara( for the first children). When it breaks into four parts, it represents the four market days in Igbo land and everyone is entitled to eat from it.

Further, when a kolanut breaks into five parts, its seen as goodness. People are happy for it. When it breaks into six parts, its seen as a big kola, also meant to celebration and everyone is entitled to eat from it. When it is broken into seven parts, its symbolizes wealth ( Aku n’ uba). When it equally breaks into eight pieces it is seen as Oji ogaranya ( for the wealthy). Thus, this symbolic identification gives the kolanut (Oji) meaning.

It is also important to note that it is a taboo for a woman to break a kolanut but not the same for a male. A male can break a kolanut not regarding his age. According to chief Gabriel Ezeani, a custodian of Amichi culture, he noted that kolanut are symbolic in Igbo land and at such no Igbo person should joke with such sacred fruit of the tribe. He points that the kolanut is believed to be the first tree on earth with its fruit. It symbolizes peace, love, harmony, progress anywhere it is served, which makes it the first food to be served in a ceremony or function relating to the Igbo nation.

It is however, unfortunate to say the least that our younger generation, maybe missing out from knowledge and importance that comes with this sacred fruit to the Igbo nation. The western influence, is not aiding the situation either. Most Igbo families no longer keep kolanut as they move for real food. It is important to note that kolanut is good as it has also proven to be a medicinal fruit. Therefore, such fruit should be encouraged especially in our younger generation.