INTRODUCTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF KOLA NUT IN IZZI COMMUNITY – NIGERIA

BACKGROUND OF  THE STUDY

The socio-cultural and religious importance of kolanut  among the people of  Izzi in Ebonyi State, cannot be over –stated, that is why this  work is going to point out why an important  position is given to kola nut in socio –  religious and the entire life of  the  people of Izzi. The  significance  of  kola nut   among  the people of Izzi is clearly   seen in the  reverence attached to it by the traditional  priests and  elders  in certain activities like  welcoming visitors, oath–taking, marriage ceremonies, covenant  ceremonies, and other   religious  activities that made up the religious, social and cultural life  of the people. It is because  of the  above research findings that made us to conclude that kola nut  won a paramount position  among  other cultural items in Izzi clam.

This  researcher work also disclosed  very clearly the kinds of kola nuts in general and distinguished them from the ones that  are widely or mostly used in social, religious and cultural matters among the people of Izzi in Ebonyi State.

Further more, the  importance accorded to kola nuts  among the people of Izzi is also strongly confirmed  by  its  method of presentation  blessing and the  exclusive rights given to makes in breaking of kola nuts in the gathering of people.

Finally, the  paramount recognition given to kola nuts by the people  is   originality  and migration form Hebrew. Hence, an ageless what   tell us that ibos (IGBO) brings them together as  one indivisible community of people.

STATEMENT OF  THE PROBLEM

This research work focuses on kola nuts and it socio- religious   significance among the people  of Izzi in  Ebonyi State. The  socio – religious  and the cultural importance of kola nuts is the area under study are be distinguished form the other this situation created a lot  of tension which needs serious attention. Again the   cultural and  religious  importance of  kola nuts  in Izzi land tends to be inseparable. This also helped in no small measure in complicating the issue of distinguishing

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY 

The  purpose of this study is mainly  disclose  obviously the social and  religious importance  of kola nuts  in   the day to day practices of the people of Izzi in Ebonyi State. This work will go a long way to helping students   of history and the general readers to have an objective conception of the orthodox usage  of kola nuts.

As a significant food items  the  entire life of Izzi in particular and the Igbo propel of general.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The over – view of this research work is to create awareness and profound understanding in the various social, religious and cultural practices among the people of Izzi in which kola nuts occupies indispensable positions as symbolic food.

This work is of immensely significant because it will arose the interest in other researchers in similar study in other parts of Igbo land

In this research work  is limited to Izzi in Ebonyi State, the study is   confined to the six major traditional communities that made up of Izzi.

These communities comprises Ndieze,  mgbalukwu, igbeagu, agbaja, isieke  and ezza in yimagu community. These  communities mentioned above share similar religious, socio-  cultural beliefs,  practices, norms,  rules, customs and etiquiettes which bring them together as one  indivisible community of people.