Kola nut which comes from a plant that grows as a big tree in the tropical forests of West Africa is given as a symbol of hospitality, friendship and respect in some parts of Africa especially in the Igbo Communities (Eastern Nigeria).
Although the bitter-tasting nut is eaten by many other cultures in Nigeria to diminish hunger and fatigue, it is considered a sacred significance in Igboland.
It is almost impossible for an Igbo home or ceremony to be without Kolanut and where there is no kola nut available, the host will need to do an explanatory apology to his visitors.
The kola nut tradition is used for a variety of events, but its basically to welcome guests to a village, home or house. The Kolanut has one major medicinal benefit which is to aid digestion.
The Igbos believe that “kola is life”, kola symbolizes peace. 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.”
Ọjị (kola) is the first thing served in every function or ceremony, personal or communal agreements, welcoming of a visitor to an Igbo home, and settlement of family disputes.
The Igbo welcome is incomplete without the presentation of kola nut. In the case whereby the host in a social gathering fails to present kola to his guests, he would have to make an explanatory apology as to why kola was not provided.
The kola nut is presented on a dish or saucer, or more precisely, on a wooden platter prepared and kept for the sole purpose of presenting kola nut. In the dish are one or more nuts.
The owner first takes a nut and puts it to his lips, thus signifying that it is about to be offered in good faith. This symbolic gesture proves him to be free from malice. The dish is, thereupon, passed to the visitor.
The kola presentation symbolizes peace and welcome; and if one makes a mistake while carrying the kola round, he is traditionally dealt with according to norms in different communities. Such an error is considered as very grave and indicates that the offender is not so responsible and may not be a reliable person.
It is after this ritual that the visitors can now explain the purpose of their visit, and the kola parts are distributed to the people, occasionally coming along with palm wine, garden eggs and peanut butter.
There are do’s and don’ts to presenting the Kolanut ritual and they are; Kola nut should only be presented with two hands at the same time, and only men can climb and pluck the from the kola tree.
