Why Igbo Tradition Forbids Women From Breaking Kola Nuts

Kola nut is a fruit grown in the western part of Nigeria.

Among the tribes that mostly consumes kola nuts in Nigeria are the Yorubas, Hausas and Igbos. The Hausas call it gworo, the yorubas call it Obi while the Igbos oji or more commonly oji igbo.

Symbols of Kola Nuts

To Igbo people, Kola nut is not just a fruit but an ‘iconic’ representation of culture. The esteem respect placed on Kola nut can be traced to the believe that the tree is the first to exist on earth.

Kola nut in Igbo land signifies ‘life’, ‘peace’ and ‘hospitality’.  This is why an Igbo man would welcome you with kola nuts when you visit his home, saying “onye wetere oji, wetere udo”, which translates to “he who brings kola, brings peace.”

In this article, this Online News Media will enlighten you on the reason, Igbos women are forbidden from breaking Kola Nuts.

Why Women Are Forbidden From Breaking Kola Nuts In Igbo Land

Igbos is mostly seen breaking kola nuts in events such as marriage introduction, special cultural festivals, meetings and I welcoming visitors.

Just as it symbolizes hospitality, it is believed that it breaks ‘peace’ and ‘understanding’ among people.

Kola nuts in Igbo land cannot be broken without saying prayers or incantations by the eldest in the gathering as a means of acknowledging and showing respect to the ancestors.

Traditionally, women are not allowed to break Kola nut in Igbo land because of the high degree of sanctity accorded the kola nut, of which high level of respect is expected to be given to the kola.

Igbos placed much regards in kola nut that no woman can tamper or joke with it. Every piece of it is considered sacred and can’t be wasted or destroyed unless it’s spoilt.

The Igbo tradition sees Kola nut as “king of all foods”  and just as women can’t crown a king the same way they are forbidden from breaking the seed.

It is one of the most precious seed in Igbo culture and as such expected to be respected especially by the women.

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The fact that tradition in Igbo land mandated women to respect anything too precious in the culture doesn’t mean that the men are holier than them but it a show of respect attributed to the biblical regard for women.

To make it clearer, reason women don’t break kola nut in Igbo land is more of social character and organization, and does not in any way imply inferiority towards women. 

This is because women can break kola nut whenever they are having a gathering that comprises of only women.

But whenever there is any relationship involving the men in their gathering, it would ever be an abomination in Igbo land for a woman to break a kola nut for ritual.

Igbo women are also forbidden from planting, climbing, and plucking the kola but.