TwoCents | The Symbolic Representation of Ose Oji (Alligator Pepper) in Igbo Culture

Alligator Pepper, Mbongo spice or Ose Oji as it is called by Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria is a West African spice that is extracted from the seed pods of "Afraimomum Danielli" - a specie in the ginger family. Just as the name of the spice i-Alligator Pepper, the seeds have a papery skin and a peppery taste while the bumps of the seed within the skin can be likened to an Alligator's back. In Igbo land and according to Igbo culture, the Alligator Pepper is more than a spice, seed, or even fruit as the case may be. It is a spirit and a sacred instrument of natural force. Ose Oji is a highly sensitive tool with deep spiritual connotations. Hence, the reason only elders understand the mystery wrapped around it as well as its proper usage. There are very significant rituals that are involved in handing Ose Oji according to the Igbo culture. In other words, the spice has  principles which must be kept so as to remain spiritually effective. It also has 'nso' - the things that it detests which people must not do with it or near it. I know you would be wondering what these principles could be? But not to worry, just keep calm, relax your muscles and follow me gently. Before the Ose Oji pod is opened, tradition demands that the person who intends to open it must first take it behind his back with two hands because as a spirit, it must be kept sacred. When this is done, it is instructed that the person holding it should use his fingers to break it open after which he can bring back his hands to the front to enable him keep the pod or release the seeds into preferably, a plastic container that can be covered. It is a rule in Igbo culture that Ose Oji must not be kept in a place where a man or woman that is menstruating can walk over it. When this happens, the power of the Ose Oji fades away and it will remain ineffective. Ose Oji can be used for many things. First, it can be used to say prayers, rejecting evil occurrences and plots and attracting good luck. It can also be used to cleanse the body against charms and spiritual attacks. For instance, while holding the seed , it is instructed that one should make sure it is exposed in such a way that it touches every part of the body thus justifying the belief that it magnets all negative energies (Iill luck) in the body. When this is done, the Ose Oji is thrown away and the negative energies go with it. However, it should be pointed out that peradventure a woman who is menstruating walks over the seeds, the cleansing ritual fails. Igbo people also use Ose Oji to sanitise and secure thenselves, their daily movements, businesses and other activities before leaving their homes. It can be used for morning prayers and in doing so, it Is advised that one should put three seeds into his mouth while barefoot and call on his ancestors and chi to make his day glorious and successful. After saying the prayers, he should chew the seeds and swallow. When one is embarking on a journey and is unsure of his or her safety, it is advised that such a fellow should select seven (7) Ose Oji seeds and put them inside his pocket. It is believed that with this single act, he will be protected against all forms of spiritual and physical harms and unforseen attacks. When the fellow returns back from the journey, he is supposed to bring the out the seeds and throw them away. Interestingly, Ose Oji can equally be used to lay a curse on someone or people who have done wrong. In such a situation, the person laying the curse should take two seeds of Ose Oji and hold them in his right palm standing barefooted. After that, he should call on his ancestors and chi and then begin to lay the curse. However, it is very important to add that one with unclean hands, unclean mind and unclean body is not advised to carry out such act because the implications would be reversed. Indeed, culture is powerful and one beautiful thing about the African culture is that though it may seem to have been infiltrated by European influences, it still remain unfaded and authentic, reminding us of where we came from and connecting us back to our root.

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