THE KOLA NUT IN IGBO-AFRICAN SYMBOLIC AND ARTISTIC UNIVERSE AND THE QUESTION PEACE-BUILDING

Résumé

The African is a homo symbolicus, and one does not need to live long among them to discover that symbols occupy a very significant place in their life. As representational beings, they have a distinctive character of creating and using symbols to communicate evocative messages that represent aspects of their lives or those around them. The African is, therefore, not just a symbol making being but a symbolizing being. Among the Igbo of eastern Nigeria, several symbols are used to direct attention to significant realities; symbols like the Ofo, which symbolizes authority; Ogu, the symbol of innocence; Ikenga, a symbol of strength, uprightness, success, integrity and ancestry; Mbari, the symbol of culture and aesthetics; Mmanwu, the symbol of the ancestors; Udara, the symbol of fertility, procreation and abundance. All these symbols among the Igbo put together are not as important as the Igbo Kola Nut (Oji Igbo) cola acuminata. It is among the greatest, if not the greatest symbol among the Igbo. Of the many cultural symbols in Igboland, none has received attention like the kola nut. It is very important and central to the life and ceremonies of the Igbo. This paper has studied the different dimensions of the Igbo Kola nut with the particular interest or objective of drawing out its implications for conflict resolution. This piece discovered that in the settlement of disputes among the Igbo of Eastern Nigeria that the Igbo Kola nut is an oracle of truth. For the purpose of this study, the phenomenological method of inquiry was adopted.