CULTURE: KOLANUTS AND CEREMONIES IN IGBO AND YORÙBÁ CULTURE OF NIGERIA

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Kolanut is very popular in Africa as a whole and in Nigeria to be specific, especially among the Igbo and Yorùbá people. It stands for a symbol of respect and friendship (communal living). It is also medicinal as it is known to aid digestion.

This nut that has a bitter taste is a compulsory item in any ceremony in the Yoruba and Igbo land (as far as I know). It is always present in traditional weddings, naming ceremony, coronation and so on.

Obì abàtà as it is called in Yorùbá signifies fertility and protection from evil during traditional weddings while it is used to repel evil in naming ceremonies. The kolanut (obì) is chewed by the presiding person maybe an elder in the family and it is spat on the baby's face while muttering some words of prayers.

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It is also used to welcome elders to a ceremony by presenting it in a calabash or plate. The most senior of the elders would break the kolanut with his hands and share for others to also have a bite. During the sharing of the kolanut they will start to discuss about the reason for their presence. In a case where elders visit your house and there is no kolanut, you will have to tender an apology for the absence of such important nut in your house at the time of the visit.

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A young person may not be allowed to share in the breaking and eating of the kolanut because it is believed to be for the elders.

Kolanut can be bought in markets and sometimes they are being hawked on the streets.

Thank you for your time lovelies.
The post is originally written by me 💕@debbie-ese💕

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These are all true, kolanut is use conjunction with bitter kolanut honey, suger, salt etc .

when someone is doing his or her freedom ceremony, I mean (when you finish learning a hand work)it use in blessing, that it won't allow evil to come your way.

the bitter kolanut that you never experience bad thing in thing in that works and you will live long.

They see it an important thing, that must be present at any ceremony.


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