Recently, I noticed a groom being scolded over ‘dakshina’, as his crumpled hundred rupee note did not accompany the ritualistic betel leaf and areca nut as is the practice in most Indian homes. Rituals are deeply related to the ecology of a particular place and our culture is not the only one where nuts play an important role.
Óji is a prevalent seed in the rainforests of West Africa. It grows in dozens inside a white seed shell in a star-shaped fruit, which is also considered an inevitable component of all the rituals and festivities, especially so of the Igbo, Yoruba and Housa — three major tribes in Nigeria. This “Nigeria’s nut of togetherness” is used on every occasion imaginable, whether it is welcoming guests, marriages or dispute settlements. It symbolises prosperity, respect, goodwill, union, trust, love and mirth.
Bringing life
An Igbo proverb summarises it all — onye wetera oji wetera ndu (he who brings kola, brings life). Kola ( cola acuminate / colanitida ) nuts are first prayed to before passing it on from the eldest to the youngest in a group as a ritual, to evade all likely future mishaps. Kola trees are usually planted, fenced and tended by the patriarchal heads of the families as the Nigerians consider this tree to be sacred. It is used in Nigeria to provide relief from certain respiratory diseases as well.
