Summary
the aim of this project work is find out the place and importance of kola nut in
Izzi clan, in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, especially as it affects the religion,
social and cultural life of the Izzians even in this 21st century. In
the cause of the research, number of findings were made. The place and origin
of kola nut, where kola nut is plant in Izzi compounds. The significance of kolanut, the kola nut
lobes and what the lobes stand for, the presentation
of kola nut, and breaking of kola nut,
the sharing of kola nut and
the type of prayers
that kola nut hears and why women must not either present, break or share any
ceremonial kola nut in Izzi land,
again the role of elders in the breaking
and sharing of kola nut in Izzi land were detailed rayed, examples of
various communities in Izzi land
were
citated and the place they give to
kola nut.
The place of kolanut to any
visitor in Izzi land was also well presented. At the end it is
understood that Izziman sees kolanut as something very
important hence, women are not allowed to either present, pray over a kolanut, break it nor share in nay ceremonial gathering
Conclusion
Having seen the place of kola nut
in Izzi land the following conclusions
are made
That any culture that is not enemical to
human existence in nay given
society should be allowed to continue,
that in the case of Izzi land
that the role and relevance given to kola nut should be allowed to continue .
That Izzians should inconcate in
the whole and significance of kola nut. That is
a student who carried out a
research work in this area, that I have started seeing kola nut in
different dimension with high regards and respects for kolanut in my area now
than before. It is like a
constitutional matter the role of kola nut has been institutionalized in the length and breadth of Izzi land. That the role of kolanut has nothing to do with the way and manner Izzians
worship the Living Almighty God rather a
gift of kola nut to a visitor, guest, or in nay important gatherings like marriage, settling of disputes among aggrieved parts in a village, community
unity and a mark of transparent honesty. That
in Izzi land kola nut is to them what a rearing staff is to the Fulani cattle
rearers. That the size and neatness of a kola nut
presented to a guest by his host shows clearly, how such guest is valued
by his host. That in Izzi no matter how well
a guest is entertained by his host, if
kola nut is not firstly presented
or was not presented at all to the guest it shows that
such visitor was not well received
and may not wish to visit his
host again. That in Izzi land
both Christians and non- Christians
alike presents kola nuts to their guest as a mark of honour to such guest.
That in Izzi land, if a host
refused to first of all lick the kola nut that he wants to present to his guest, his guest may not chew such kola nut
even if he receives it from his host, because he could suspect a wrong thing, eg poisoning of the kola nut by his host or
something like that.
In my conclusion, it was evidently discovered that the importance,
significance and place or role of kola nut in almost what Izziman is dong can not be over emphasized.
Recommendation
In view of the role and place of kola nut in Izzi land, the following recommendations are hereby put forward.
That like the rest of the Igbos who believe
that the yorubas grow kolanut, the Hausas
chew it, while the Izzians
cum Igbos celebrates it.
That the
rest of the Igbos should learn
from the Izzi clan what kola nut is all about from the Izzi clan what kola nut is all
about.
That the rest of the Igbo nation should understand that kola nut presentation to a visitor
is not in any way against Christianity doctrine and must be allowed to continue.
That lobe of kolanut
determines whether it will be eaten or not among the Izzicaln.
That the rest of the Igbo
nation should allow the culture of kola
nut as practiced by the Izzipeople be a tie that will
bind them together.
That women should understand the role of kola nut in Izzi land is a matter fo culture that is as old as man in Izzi
land and not a show of discrimination
against than at – all.
That other researchers mostly in history should try to find out why
so much importance is attached in kola nut in Izzi clan more than other items
that a visitor can be entertained with.
That further researchers should
try to see if it can be possible women to be presenting, blessing, and sharing
of kola nut in Izzi land, since such is
not allowed among women to this date.
And finally future researchers should as
well find why kola nut must be shared by
elders and to be broken before sharing
with a knife.
if the above recommendations
are carefully taken care of, the role,
place, significance and importance of kola nut must surely come to stand in Izzi
land in particular and in Igbo nation in general.
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Appendix
Department of history
Ebonyi State college of education
p.m.b 002
ikwo
24th
may, 2012