View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by CSCanada.net: E-Journals (Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture,... ISSN 1712-8056[Print] Canadian Social Science ISSN 1923-6697[Online] Vol. 15, No. 4, 2019, pp. 1-6 www.cscanada.net DOI:10.3968/10983 www.cscanada.org Kolanut and Symbolismic Universe: Towards the Creation and Constitution of Igbo Science and Arts Bona Christus Umeogu[a],*; Jude Ifeanyichukwu Onebunne[b]; Caroline Ifeoma Ojiakor[c]; Chukwuemeka Etodike Etodike[d] [a]Professor, PhD., Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe Umeogu, B. C., Onebunne, J. I., Ojiakor, C. I., & Etodike, University Awka, Nigeria. C. E. (2019). Kolanut and Symbolismic Universe: Towards [b]PhD., Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, the Creation and Constitution of Igbo Science and Arts. Nigeria. Canadian Social Science, 15(4), 1-6. Available from: http:// [c]PhD., Department of Mass Communication, Imo State University www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/10983 Owerri, Nigeria. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/10983 [d]Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. *Corresponding author. Received 9 January 2019; accepted 17 March 2019 Published online 26 April 2019 INTRODUCTION Nothing sums the life of an Igbo prodigy as the Abstract prestigious “Oji Igbo”. From prayers to endorsements, the The versatility of the Igbo kola nut (cola acuminata - “Oji Igbo” is an unequivocal symbol of life and in many Oji Igbo) perhaps till date exudes universal symbolismic things the truest of socio-religio-cultural life of the Igbo appeal which is unrivaled throughout the Igbo socio- people of South-Eastern Nigeria. The communion of Oji religious cosmology. In many respects, considering that Igbo creates a unique presence in a way no other symbol the contributions of many civilizations as can still be can actualize because, essentially, it creates a seamless found in many ways in today’s evolutionary science and interaction between the material and the immaterial world art were products of peoples’ life and culture; the Igbo – the physical and meta-physical. The communion of kola nut perhaps portends an untapped potential capable of Oji Igbo is central to the life of the Igbo, to buttress its influencing and inventing her own science and arts. Against undeniable status, the traditional breaking of kola nut this backdrop, this study explored the cosmology of the precedes the any ceremony in Igbo land be it an ordinary communion of the Igbo kola nut as a valuable symbolismic visitation to a friend’s house, child dedication, marriage substance towards the creation and constitution of the ceremony or new yam ceremony. In whatever event or Igbo science and arts. The study considered the associated situation the breaking of Igbo kola nut (cola acuminata) cultural embedded values in the communion of the Igbo serves multiple purposes in one. As much as it is a prayer, kola nut as true of a distinct science and of an evolutionary it is further a cultural perpetuation over generations and art. Its (Oji Igbo) universal symbolismic appeal especially in many more aspects, marks comradeship in social sense. in understanding the interrelatedness of physical, As regards its principles of beauty and taste as an art and psychological and spiritual principles that govern the by way of aesthetic values, Nwokoye and Eze (2017) material and the immaterial world can help man’s daily contended that aesthetics and ethics which Oji Igbo as an communal living and adaptation to his prevailing physical Igbo symbol exudes often overlap to the degree that this and spiritual environment. If further exploited to the fullest, impression is embodied in a moral ethical code. the communion of Oji Igbo can engineer indigenous science The breaking and communion of Oji Igbo in its true and art capable of utilizing its humanistic essence to restore essence is beyond its aesthetics and beauty. Many scholars value to a fast degenerating evolution of our society. (e.g. Nwokoye & Eze, 2017; Chidume, Osisioma & Key words: Oji Igbo; Cola acuminate; Socio-cultural Echem, 2015; Ibeabuchi, 2013; & Ukaegbu, 2013) till date symbolism; communion; Humanistic values; Societal contend that the Igbo kola nut is more valuable beyond evolution its ceremonial aesthetics. There is unexplored value in 1 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture Kolanut and Symbolismic Universe: Towards the Creation and Constitution of Igbo Science and Arts the breaking and communion of the Igbo kola nut which 1. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE offers potential that can be developed as an appreciable universal symbolic treasure. Along this line of thought, it 1.1 Nature of Oji Igbo (Cola acuminata) should be appreciated that the symbols in Igbo land are The Igbo kola nut which is of the cola family is acuminata of ethical codes that project its aesthetic values such as specie. It is a scarce type of kola nut remarkably distinct one seen in the breaking and communion of the kola nut from other cola species. Physically it is a nut with at least whose value and beauty in expression is an art as well as two lobes (cotyledons) although kola nut with only two science. This is so because it articulates the basics logics cotyledons is not a welcome development. In extreme of science in its entire perpetuation. Focus are gathering and bizarre circumstances there could be a non lobed that if this essential aspect of the Igbo kola nut are put nut something which Ene (2018) and Chidume (1998) together, its appeal as universal symbol will grow and like ascribed as an omen. Oji Igbo is the small reddish pod other evolutionary human culture, can be a distinct art as produced by a tree called “osisi oji” (kolanut tree). The well as science. tree is usually small statured whereas the nut is bitter to The evolution of both science and arts followed a taste due to its high caffeinate content. In Igbo land, kola unique and consistent pattern in the understanding the nut is socially eaten in occasions, or as past time snacks changing nature of matter and the universe especially in by the elderly either alone or in combination of other understanding its true essence in man’s life considering spices for flavor. his prevailing circumstances and environment. The rise 1.1.2 “Iwa Oji” (Breaking of the Kola nut) and fall of many civilizations have contributed immensely The breaking of the kola nut (iwa oji igbo) is an age long to this unprecedented evolutionary voyage. Over the tradition. Although many non Igbos equate it to prayers centuries, many civilizations have in appreciable heights over the kola nut, the meaning of “Iwa oji Igbo” is laid the foundation for today’s science and arts (Chidume, beyond the saying of the prayers as it follows a ritualized Osisioma & Echem, 2015). What is today witnessed as invitation of the “gods”, ancestors and “chi” to partake science and arts in many respects are offshoots of both and intervene in the activities of man (Azinwa, 2004). the communal and the collective life of a certain people The invitations (expressed through verbal incantations in which follows a unique pattern of man’s logical attempt the local dialect of holder) like other cultural identities to overcome his challenges, subdue his universe and of the world expresses in fundamental terms the Igbo master his environment. For example, during the Egyptian metaphysical ideology regarding the existence of God, civilization their life influenced the understanding of angels, life, peace, justice, equity, prosperity, death, life life and death; in development, the presence of River after death among others. Furthermore, the breaking Nile made it possible for advancement in agriculture of the kola nut is also used to express socio-cultural notably, the irrigation system, so also, did the pyramids cooperation and solidarity and also to introduce the influence building and architectural designs. Nearly same essence of the gathering or social event in the Igbo land could be said of Chinese civilization and Graco-Roman (Ene, 2018). Not everybody can break the kola nut as civilizations. These achievements in the evolution of man there are culturally existing norms which is followed. were only possible because the people at the time made Usually, throughout the Igbo land no one breaks the kola conscientious efforts to possibly translate their indigenous nut in the presence of king (traditional monarch) unless ideologies to consumable reality; something that can authorized by such monarch because of old age, socio- became universally symbolismic. cultural respect or any other spiritual relevance. In the Versed (since its applicability is beyond socio-cultural absence of monarch, the prerogative is on the highest usage) as the potential of communion of the Igbo kola titled man but if the function is in a man’s house ipso nut may be, nut which is used in commerce and business, facto, he is entitled if permitted with these words “Oji religious worships and medicine, it may not necessarily eze di eze n’ aka”. The kola nut must be presented by a lead to a new civilization, but, can be harnessed towards male for the breaking ritual who represents the symbol the fostering indigenous science and art. The outcome of household authority. Where a man is deceased, the will be one which integrates the values of the material and oldest son of his present (the age not withstanding) takes the immaterial world in social cooperation and solidarity, his place. It is noteworthy that communion of the kola integrity, justice, equity, peace sacredness of life in the nut begins with the breaking of the kola during which universal perspective. Culturally, it will foster universally the ‘holder’ pours out his heart in the incantations cum acceptable symbolism which is holistic, consistent and prayers.