Kola nut is a revered fruit among the Izzians. Unlike the Yoruba’s that plant it and the Hausas that eat it, the Izzians pray with it as all the Igbos do and traditionally eat it, in Izziculture, it is a very vital part of every ceremony. During traditional marriages vital part of every ceremony. During traditional marriages for instance, breaking and praying over kola nuts is a important aspect of the ceremony. The family of the bride of presents the kola to the visiting family of the groom and once presented prayer is said often by the eldest male member of the family present at the marriage ceremony. Even when a man receives a private guest in his home, the first thing to offer is the kola nut, this signifies that the guest is well received. The kola nut is prayed over and the broken up and eaten. It could
be eaten on its own or with groundnut paste or alligator pepper. This could be followed by drinking of palm wine, brandy, whisky or schnapps. In modern homes beer or other alcoholic drinks could be presented.
Among the Izzians, it is an abomination for a woman or girl to break for kola nut. In an all female gathering, no female would be allowed to pray over or break a kola nut, rather a young boy could be called in to perform this act despite his age.
The Izziin particular and Igbos in general believes that the kola nut does not understand the foreign language; rather it understands only the Igbo language. Therefore one cannot pray with the kola nut speaking any language other than Igbo. During such prayers with the kolanut, other health of the people is prayed, for, prosperity is prayed for, and also for the future of every person in and outside of the family. The Izzians believes that when one eats over a kola nut prayed over, the person is positively affected and his or her future secured.
Traditionalists while saying their prayers pray to their gods, and the ancestors and forefathers, but with the coming of Christianity the prayers are prayed to God Almighty by Christians and they end such prayers calling on the revered name of Jesus Christ. In some communities, the oldest family members says the prayers, while in some, it is only traditional title holders that are eligible to say the payers. In some communities it is the youngest family member that prays over the kola nut.
The beliefs among the Izzians
The Izzians believes that when a kola nut has only one or two lobes, it is an abomination and such kola could only be eaten by a native doctor. Apart from one or two lobes, others could be eaten and they each lobe meant different things.
When a kola presents three lobes it represents the three cooking stands of the traditional Igbo kitchen, but if it presents four lobes, it means the traditional Igbo market days of Eke, Oye (Orie) Afor and Nkwo. When a kola nut presents seven lobes it is celebrated and people entertained. In a case that the lobes are five in number, it represents fruitfulness and goodness.
Here is a sample of a traditional prayer said over kola nuts by the Izzians
“ he who brings kola brings, brings life”.
Response! Iseeee.
Let our fore fathers and ancestors join us in eating this kola.
Response! Iseeeeeeeeeee!!!
Loet the ancestors visit our land and bless us and enrich us . response! Iseeeeeeeeee.
Let there be peace in our homes and let our guests and us enjoy peace, let whoever eats part of this kola enjoy good helath and long life and prosperity. Response! Iseeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Let us all not witness evil, let evil doers be far from our homes and may we witness goodness our father come and join and eat kola, speak for us in the land of the spirits. Response! Iseeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
The prayers are basically the same for Christians except that the response is normally amen!!! While they invite the spirit of God and pray to God Almighty rather than ancestors and forefathers, and they pray in the amen .
At the close of prayers, the kola nut is broken and passed round the people. Comments are passed on number of lobes while people eat and share drinks. This tradition of kola nut breaking has been passed down from one generation to another among the Izzians in particular and the Igbos in general, and it is a tradition that has come to stay
Reference
Eze silver ugbala (1998) the position of kola nut in the c
ultural life of the Izzipeople of Ebonyi State. Accra publishing press enugu.
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