‘Oji,’ also known as kola nut, is definitely one of the many practices that unify the Igbos. It is a valuable fruit with tremendous cultural significance in the Igbo society and other cultures. Kola nut is traditionally given to visitors in Igbo nation as a gesture of welcome, hospitality, and acceptance, along with other items such as indigenous drinks (palm wine, burukutu among others).
However, before kola may be offered in ‘Ani Awkunanaw‘ (Awkunanaw territory) in Enugu state, it must go through some intricate customary rites led by the person administering the ritual.
Some of the processes are as follows:
‘Ime Oji’ (presenting the kola nut) to ‘Icho Oji’ (passing the kola) to ‘Igo Oji’ (praying over the kola by a spiritual person or an elder) to ‘Iwa Oji’ (breaking or cutting the kola) to ‘Ike Oji’ (sharing of the kola). The passing of the kola in a gathering is done in a hierarchical order in Awkunanaw. This is the most essential and symbolic aspect of the kola nut presentation ceremony, also known as ‘icho oji.’
In Awkunanaw country, the processes for icho oji have traditionally been associated with seniority or the oldest among all the kindreds or towns that comprised the Awkunanaw community. The norm is that the kola moves in ascending order along Awkunanaw’s current hierarchical structure. The kola nut is traditionally offered to the chairperson or anchor of any Awkunanaw gathering to the kindreds, villages, or towns within the Awkunanaw region.
The customary order of seniority in Awkunanaw villages is as follows:
Ugwu, Akegbe Akwuke is Akegbe Ugwu’s descendant brother.
- Obuoffia
- Amodu
- Amechi
- Obeagu
- Eze Umu (Ada Awkunanaw)
Iwa Oji
Iwa Oji is the cutting of the kola nut (that is, the separation of the kola nut lobes) designated for the youngest of Awkunanaw’s sons. The mantle falls on ‘Obeagu’ in a sitting like this, as mentioned above in the seniority hierarchy. In this situation, the anchor or chairperson calls on a representative from each group in their hierarchical sequence as the youngest man from this community passes the kola nut round. In addition, in a meeting or sitting of individual villages, the responsibility of Iwa Oji falls on the youngest person, and in a whole Awkunanaw setting, the responsibility falls on the youngest, Obeagu.
Women
A woman cannot traditionally display, cut, or serve the kola nut in Awkunanaw. Women are not recognized in the rites of the Kola nut, hence they are not included in the ritual. Rather, they create fiery ‘okwa ose’ or ‘ose oji’ (alligator pepper or groundnut sauce) for kola consumption. Furthermore, before a woman can dip her hands and take kola, a man or a boy must take the kola from the spectacle and deliver it to her. As a result, in the company of men, ladies are not permitted to dip their hands in the kola nut tray to take kola.
Icho Oji or Iwa Oji functions or follows the same rules within each town in Awkunanaw area, which is the ancient order of seniority among the sons of Awkunanaw.
