SERVICES INVOLVING KOLANUT IN IGBOLAND

The services involving kolanut is a cultural heritage of the Igbo which civilization cannot erase in Igbo land. It shows the happiness and love for another. This puts kola nut forward as the first thing, to be presented during occasions, settlement of disputes, etc. Kolanut shows good gesture over people and this makes the Igbo to say that "He who brings kola brings life" (Onye wetara oji wetara ndu). Presentation and breaking of kolanut is something which cannot be dispensed within Igboland. It marks a cordial welcome. Once present, it creates an avenue to appreciate the life God gave to the people, which is done before the kola is broken.
It should not be controversial about who breaks kola. In some areas of Igboland the tradition is such that the eldest man in any gathering has the right to break kola and in some areas, the youngest in a gathering breaks kola. It is noteworthy that the Igbo believe that kola does not understand English or other languages in a traditional Igbo setting; hence every prayer to be said on the kola presented must be in Igbo language. In a gathering devoid of men, the eldest woman at that gathering may have the privilege to break the kola but loses the privilege if a boy is in their midst. During the presentation of kola, it is not shown to women and grand children to the particular kindred in which the kola is provided. If the kola is shown to a grandson, he has every right to pocket it if he likes. Some of these restrictions are due to the high estimation of kola in Igboland.
Cordial reception is one of the things that the Igbos can be reckoned with. Presentation of kola to a visitor marks a cordial welcome. Where this is not done, attributed to unavailability of kola in the house, the host has it indicated by say thus -"My house is full of kola" which is the irony of the true situation. The Igbos serve kola because of its significance. Sometimes, when kola could not reach the people in a gathering, there is always the saying "Mbo aka O gara e bee, Oji ejighi zuo ora?" which means that the kola is supposed to be broken into smaller pieces as to reach the whole people in the gathering. Tradition forbids a woman to climb kolanut tree. Secondly, women do not break kolanuts in the presence of their male counterparts, no matter their age, and are not shown kola in the midst of men when kola it is presented.

Source:Osumenyi Enyiukwu Brethren