I am delighted to be here once again, to share my thoughts on matters of utmost importance. I want to believe that we are all strong and healthy today.
Today, I want to write about Igbo kolanut and its significance. I will drop it episode by episode. Today's episode will center on what Igbo kolanut (Oji Igbo) is and what it stands for.
The Cultural Myth of Oji Igbo
It is not every Kolanut we use to pray as Ndi Igbo. The specie of Kolanut we use in Igbo spirituality is the one we call Oji Igbo. This brand of Kolanut is different from the one they call Gworo.
The uniqueness of Oji Igbo is in its ability to talk. Gworo cannot talk.
What we mean by cannot talk is, Gworo does not have male and female lobes when broken. Also, Gworo mainly have two or three lobes. But Oji Igbo can have up to seven lobes.
When Oji Igbo is whole and cannot be broken it known as Oji dalu ogbi. This means a dumb Oji. We as Ndi Igbo do not use such Oji to pray.
When it is two, it is called Oji gbalu okala. Many do not use such kola to pray because they believe it connotes negativity, quarrel or dullness. Moreso, when you brake Oji gbalu okala, it is neither male nor female. It is in a state of tabula rasa.
When Oji is three, it is called Oji Ikenga. Our people will say akwukwa di ato, ite esiri. We use this type of Oji to pray as it signifies stability. Oji gbalu ato when broken are all masculine.
I also did my cleaning exercise for the day.
