I am very much aware that most of my readers would be bothered about why I have decided to write again on Kolanut. But you see, the truth remains that " a man cannot exhaust the payment of a woman's dowry in just one day." Sorry, I will not explain the meaning of that proverb because of the Igbo aphorism that says " Onye atuoro ilu, kowara ya, ego ejiri luta nne ya ghoro ahia" ((whoever receives a proverb and also demands an explanation of same proverb, the dowry paid on his mother's head is meaningless).
Issues bordering on the symbolism, usefulness and interpretation of the Kolanut is not something that can be treated, understood and analysed in one day. So, I beg you to patiently sit and enjoy the read.
What we know today as Kolanut belongs to a plant family called 'Sterculiaceae'. It has about 125 species of trees native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. From time immemorial, Kolanut has been a fruit of social and religious importance to the people of West Africa. According to oral traditions, a Portuguese explorer who visited West Africa in 1587 observed that a lot of people he encountered as he transversed the region used the fruit to relieve thirst and improve the thirst of water by chewing it. Additionally, these people used the nut as an elixir for stomach ache and even liver diseases.
Moving away from West Africa in general, to Nigeria in particular, it is important to note that Kolanut is grown in large quantities in many parts of the country like the southern part of Edo State, South Western States, Cross river State, non-riverine areas in Rivers State, riverine areas in Kano State, Ilorin in Kowara State, southern parts of Adamawa State, among others.
Significantly, in Nigeria, the Yoruba are well known for planting Kola, the Northerners are known for eating Kola (mainly Gworo) while the Igbo are known for their reverence and regard for Kolanut. Igbo people believe that the Kolanut is not just a mere fruit but rather, a vehicle that transmits their prayers to their ancestors (Ndi Ichie) and spirits. Let me not forget to say this "Oji (Kolanut) is to the Igbo people what the Bible is to Christians. This explains why a traditional Igbo man believes that Kolanut has ritual powers for healing, unity, long life and prosperity.
In Nigeria, there are two main species of Kolanut namely: Cola Nitida and Cola acuminata. While the former is mainly chewed by people in northern Nigeria, the latter is what Igbo people call 'Oji' which translates to: O - Omenala (Custom), J - Jikotara (unites), I - Igbo. When put together, they all mean - custom unites Ndi Igbo. Cola acuminata is also that type of Kolanut that has different lobes with their respective representations.
In Igbo land, any Kolanut with one love is called - Oji Ogbi (dumb Kolanut) or Oji Agbara (Kolanut of the spirits). Although this type of Kolanut is rare to find but when seen, it symbolises an abomination. Furthermore, a two lobed Kolanut according to Igbo cosmology lacks balance and is retarded as unstable. Maybe, this could explain why twins were killed during the pre-colonial times in Igbo land. This type of Kolanut is also known as Oji Agbara. A three-lobed Kolanut is known as 'Oji Ikenga'. It symbolises good omen in the land. Interestingly, it represents the structure of the Igbo family where we have the Father, Mother and their children.
A four-lobed Kolanut is known as 'Oji Udo na Ngozi' (Kolanut of peace and blessings). It symbolises the four market days in Igbo land - Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo which are sacred. A Kolanut with five lobes or cotyledons is known as Kolanut of increase, procreation, prosperity and protection. It is called 'Oji Omumu (Kolanut of abundance). Finally, while a Kolanut with six cotyledons is known as 'Oji Ogbugbandu' ( Kolanut of covenant/bond) between the gods and the people, a Kolanut with seven cotyledons (Oji Asaa/Asato symbolises royalty and is highly associated with supernatural effects because it also represents the gods of the four market days, the four-day week cycle and the three dimensions of men and the trinity.
So, having known the interpretation and types of Kolanut in Igbo land, you can now be able to say a word of prayer with it to Chukwu Okike (God almighty) in expectation of massive blessings, breakthrough and protection upon you and your family.
Iseeeeee.