SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COTYLEDONS FORMED BY A KOLA NUT

Emphasis is laid on the number of cotyledons in a kola nut oji Igbo-Igbo kola – nut  must have more than two cotyledons. An Igbo kola nut with two cotyledons is malformed and so cast away. It is neither eaten by an titled man titled  man- Nze nor by a  woman. A three cotyledons kola  nut  foretells good  omen. It is Ikenga oji  kola nut for men who have distinguished themselves in noble deeds. Every Izziman considers a four cotyledons kola nut  acceptable. It is indicative  of the acceptance and approval of  the  gathering by the goods of the four market days Eke, orie, Afo, and Nkwo. A kola nut of five  cotyledons is  symbolic of productivity and wealth. All assembled  are happy when it is announced that ‘oji nkea  gbara ise, this kola nut has five  cotyledons. 

All chuckle  to themselves as though the children and wealth promised have already been realized.  A  combination of six   cotyledons spells  bad omen  “isii na –esi ihe” six dulls up things” it is bad  luck just like  13 in   English.  One cotyledon is  thrown away and  remaining cotyledons eaten. 

A kola nut with  seven or eight cotyledons is  very  rare but highly valued when found. In some Izziareas, the house holder pays some money to buy  out some of the luck supposedly wrapped up in the seven or eight cotyledon formation, the money is  used to feast the  members present. As  kola nut is bitter especially the unripended ones .The Izzians eats  kola nut with ground pepper  mixed with oil and the mixture acts like a stimulant. Kola nut paste can  be  carefully prepared with pepper, crayfish, groundnut melon, dried fish and meat for big occasions