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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Culture / Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos (10691 Views)
A Nairalander Witnesses Iwa Akwa (Wearing Of Cloth) Ceremony In Igboland / Kola Breaking Ceremony (iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos / About Iwa Akwa Festival (Igbo Initiation Into Manhood) (2) (3) (4)
Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Nobody: 7:00am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Iwa Ọjị ceremony is the Igbo practice of praying over kolanuts, breaking them and sharing them to be eaten by all present as a sign of peace. It is usually done when hosts are receiving guests. It is also done in public events. It can be compared to the British tradition of having tea with guests or the Japanese Tea Ceremony. hosts are receiving guests. It is also done in public events. It can be compared to the British tradition of having tea with guests or the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The specific brand of kola nut which is used for Iwa Ọjị, like all kola nuts are bitter in taste. But they are so relished by the Igbos that they can be seen chewing it with gusto during Iwa Ọjị ceremonies. So important is the kola nut breaking ceremony in Igbo social and cultural affairs that a lot of conservative Igbos would feel unwelcome in your house if it is not performed when they come visiting. The kola nut as a metaphor Even among the more liberal Igbos who don’t keep kola at home to welcome guests, the kola nut itself (Ọjị) has become a metaphor for any drink or refreshment used to welcome guests. The host would ask, “Kedu oji m ga ewetalu gi”, meaning, “What kola (refreshment) can I bring for you?” How Iwa Ọjị Is Performed During the Iwa Ọjị ceremony, the oldest male present holds a piece of kola but and says a prayer for the wellbeing of everyone present, to which others answer ‘iiseeh’ (the Igbo version of the word ‘amen’). This prayer is called ịgọ ọfọ. It usually starts with the prayer, “Onye wetalu Ọjị a wetalu ndu”, meaning, ” He who brought these kola nuts has brought life”. People then respond with the word ịseh. Another popular prayer made in ịgọ ọfọ oji is, “Egbe bere, ugo bere. Nke si ibe ya ebena, nku kufuo ya”, meaning, “Let the eagle perch, let the kite perch. The one that says let the other not perch, let its wings break. ” This is a nod to the Igbo belief of ‘live and let live’. After the prayers are said, the kola nut is split into parts and distributed among those gathered. A kola nut that breaks into seven equal parts is considered a very very good omen. Like when you see a shooting star. The Igbos have many interesting traditions which are fun to witness or take part in. Source: http://www.igbodefender.com/2019/02/10/kola-breaking-ceremony-iwa-oji-of-the-igbos/#more-1360 8 Likes 2 Shares
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Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Nobody: 7:05am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Lalasticlala they use kola but not snake pepper soup to do Iwa Ọjị 1 Like |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Nobody: 7:12am On Feb 12, 2019 |
The kola nut represents life....... Though this seems to be fading away as anyara(Garden egg) is been substituted for kola nut in mist cases now... Don't know why 6 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Oxb90: 7:17am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Igbo amaka. I am proud I am an Igbo 22 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Nobody: 8:49am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Oxb90:You can say that again. Igbo culture is the driving force under God of Igbo success. 19 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Nobody: 9:03am On Feb 12, 2019 |
vikkimimi:Good observation. Not only that, groundnut is also competing with Ọse Ọjị when Anyara is used. In a recent Ohaneze gathering we used anyara and groundnuts instead anyara and Ọse Ọjị! 14 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by tossie101(f): 10:54am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Omenala igbo ga_adi, Igbo nwe m, e kene m'unu. 14 Likes 1 Share
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Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Lilimax(f): 10:54am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Onye wetara oji wetara ndu o --- Isee!!!!! meaning He who brings kolanut brings life! 12 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Racoon(m): 10:55am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Iri oji.Nobody does it better.Ndi banyi kwenu! Igbo amaka! 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by hucienda: 10:55am On Feb 12, 2019 |
kolanut is life. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Homeboiy: 10:56am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Oji bu ihe oma 3 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Sirheny007(m): 10:59am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Tell them also what it means too to find that the kola has two, three, four or five lobes after breaking it. |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by MrMcJay(m): 10:59am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Nice It's a gesture that promotes brotherhood and togetherness 2 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Binikingdowm: 10:59am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Mtchew, all tribes do it |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Sirheny007(m): 11:01am On Feb 12, 2019 |
7 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Dpharisee: 11:02am On Feb 12, 2019 |
m |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by superlanny(m): 11:02am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Everything about that tribe is trash abeg, anything that is synonymous to senselessness I don't take serious. |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Sirheny007(m): 11:03am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Racoon: Ya gaziere gi nwanne 5 Likes |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Sirheny007(m): 11:04am On Feb 12, 2019 |
There is nothing as heartwarming as hearing a good orator do the 'igo ofo' After which he is saluted by his chieftaincy name. At times it looks like the Orator is negotiating a point diplomatically with God. Iwa oji and Igo ofo are very elaborate ceremonies. Sometimes, elders drag the responsibility among themselves.. Okonkwo: I ask you to break this kola. Mazi Okeke: No, please. We do not bypass a man and enter his compound. Please break the kola. Nna Anyi: Okonkwo please break the kola. Oji eze di eze n'aka. They will drag on like this until Okonkwo agrees to break the kola. 16 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by Alejob: 11:07am On Feb 12, 2019 |
Re: Kola Breaking Ceremony (Iwa Ọjị) Of The Igbos by tossie101(f): 11:07am On Feb 12, 2019 |
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