THE IGBO-AFRICAN KOLA NUT AS A SYMBOLIC MANIFESTATION OF ‘IGWEBUIKE’ PHILOSOPHY

Abstract 

Among  the  Igbo  of  eastern  Nigeria,  symbols  are  not  only  important,  but  have  become indispensable in their daily lives. Several symbols used include: Ofo, which is a symbol of authority;  Ogu,  the  symbol  of  innocence;  Ikenga,  a  symbol  of  strength,  uprightness, success, integrity and ancestry; Mbari, the symbol of culture and aesthetics; Mmanwu, the symbol of  the ancestors; Udara, the  symbol  of fertility,  procreation  and  abundance. All  these  symbols  among  the  Igbo  put  together  are  not  as  important  as  the  symbolic expressions of the Igbo kola nut (Oji Igbo) ‘cola acuminata’. It is among the greatest, if not  the  greatest  symbol  among  the  Igbo,  and  belongs  to  the  mysteries  of  Igbo  history, culture  and  tradition.  It  symbolizes  the  well-acclaimed  Igbo  hospitality,  and  manifests goodwill. It is used to settle disputes and make peace, and serves as a link between human beings  and  the  divine.  This  work  studied  the  Igbo  kola  nut  in  relation  to  its  symbolic expression  of  Igwebuike  philosophy.  Igwebuike,  at  the  philosophical  level,  provides  an ontological horizon that presents being as that which possesses a relational character of mutual relations. Taking from the Igwebuike worldview, which places the human person at the centre of the universe, the kola nut  was employed to advance the understanding of the human person’s relationship with fellow human beings, and the relationship between human  beings  and  the  gods,  ancestors,  etc.  This  piece  discovered  that  the  kola  nut expresses Igwebuike philosophy which is the operative condition of the Igbo universe. For the  purpose  of  this  study,  the  Igwebuike  holistic  and complementary  approaches  were employed. 

Keywords:  Oji,  Igbo  Kola  Nut,  Africa,  Igwebuike,  Complementarity,  symbol, philosophy