The Koola Nut In The Igbo Culture

Kola Nut
Igbo people are mostly home in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. Igbo culture has many unique customs, practices, traditions, and added concepts either through evolution or outside influences of the people. The kola nut in the Igbo culture is very significant, symbolizing respect and association between people. It is the nut of the tree cola nitida or cola acuminata tree which grows in the West African rainforest.
Once brought into a home it’s then cracked then eaten among guest. The kola nut is also a ritual taking part of many gatherings and celebrations, there are yet several restrictions to who can break the kola nuts. The person chosen to break it then continues to crack open the kola nut with his hands or them getting a hold of the knife, most likely whichever makes it easier for the person in charge of their duty. After that the visitors explain the reason of their visit, while the kola parts are being distributed to the family and friends. The more parts the kola breaks up to, the more prosperity it gives to its presenter and visitors.

When the kola nut is cracked there is no telling in how many pieces it will crack in but the more it cracks the more pieces there will be to distribute among the people. But if the nut cracks into only two parts, it signifies no good as it signals that the presenter has an impression of bad motive or evil. Behind the kola nuts are more commonly known to be provided by the host with guest over and the highest ranked guest will be the first to crack it open. Then everyone after that will take a piece according to their ranks as well, finally the women will go last from the first of the wives to the latest wives married. Even in some cases at events nothing will be said until the kola nut is cracked. Other gathering a kola nut could be cracked is at a funeral or when a family is not