THE OFO IN IGBO FOREST OF ARTS, CRAFTS AND SYMBOLS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEACE-BUILDING

Abstract

The Igbo, like other African people produce a wide variety of art including traditional figures, masks, artifacts and textiles, works in metals such as bronze, etc. Evidences of this dates back to early 9th century with the bronze artifacts found at Igbo Ukwu. Of particular interest among the retinue of Igbo arts and symbols in this paper is the Ofo. In many ramifications, the Ofo is one of the central or unifying concepts of traditional Igbo thought, especially that aspect concerning the Igbo conception of truth and dispensing of justice. It is central because it is universal to the Igbo-speaking peoples as a symbol of truth, justice, authority and retribution. The Ofo is most times in the form of a stick, given to a leader, within a family, village, state, etc. It depicts the complete trust and confidence of the entire family, group or town placed at the disposal of an individual, usually a respected man who enjoys a commanding influence. The person who carries the Ofo, holds not just a social responsibility but a sacred one with many precepts to observe. This work studied the different dimensions of the Ofo in Igbo ontology, with the particular objective of identifying its role in peacebuilding. It discovered that the Ofo, as a symbol of truth, justice, authority and retribution, occupies a central place in the building of peace in the Igbo traditional communities. For the purpose of this study, the phenomenological method of inquiry was adopted.