THE CONCEPT OF OJI-IGBO “COLA ACUMINATA” IN IGBO ONTOLOGY AND ITS FUNCTIONS AND USAGE AMONG IGBO COMMUNITIES OF SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

This article discusses Igbo worldview of kolanut, its usage and functions among the Igbo communities in South-East Nigeria. The importance of kolanut among these communities cannot be overstated. Traditionally, apart from the socio-cultural usage of kolanuts, there are other functions that kolanut performs in regards to peace building, reconciliation and conflict resolution among the Igbo communities of the Southeast Nigeria. Among all Igbo's objects and symbols of hospitality, none is as important as the kolanut. It is among the greatest, if not the greatest cultural symbolized entity that receives attention and central to the life as well as ceremonies of the Igbo people. The Igbos always say “Onye wetara Oji wetara ndu” that is to say, “He that brought kola brought life.” Kolanut has been referred as the king of fruits in the Igbo worldview which signifies unity and togetherness among the Igbo people. This paper has studied the different dimensions of kolanut with keen interest or objective of drawing out its implications among the Igbo people as an omen of unity, hospitality and togetherness which signifies custom that binds the Igbos together. This study discovered that in the settlement of disputes among the Igbo communities of Southeast Nigeria that kolanut is an oracle of truth. For the purpose of this study, mixed method of inquiry was adopted.