In Igbo culture, kolanut holds a deep significance beyond being a simple snack for guests. It serves as a sacred tool for prayer and communion.
Traditionally, only the man of the house, who is also the owner of the house, is allowed to present the kolanut to his visitors. Upon seeing the nuts, the visitors express their acknowledgment by touching it and saying: “OJI EZE DI EZE N’AKA.”
Once the visitors have acknowledged and expressed their willingness to partake in the Communion, the owner takes back the nuts. He then proceeds to pray with the kola and breaks it, initiating the Communion ceremony.
However, if the visitors are not pleased with the host or are not ready to participate in the Communion, they politely decline and tell the host to keep his kola.
According to tradition, it is ordained that only the owner of the house, as the priest of his home, is allowed to pray and break the kola. In the absence of the owner, his male successor or the eldest male member of the family takes on this role. Even the father of the house owner cannot break kola in his son’s house. Each man is considered a priest in his own home, adhering to the principle of “oji eze di eze n’aka.”
It is important to note that if you have been disregarding this rule and practice, it is encouraged to make amends from today. This message is shared to address the unfortunate deviation observed in some Igbo communities today….Seê _ Morê
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