An Igbo man who goes by the name Ikenna, with an X [formerly Twitter handle] @JAHMINE209 has told world-acclaimed multiple award-winning novelist of Igbo extraction, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, that a woman cannot be allowed to break kola once a male is available, even if that male happens to be a two-year-old boy.
In Igbo culture, the kola nut is a crucial part of many ceremonies, gatherings, and welcoming of visitors to one’s home. As a mark of respect, the kola nut is broken with a knife and then followed immediately by prayers.
Among the Igbo, the right to break kola nut is inextricably linked with traditional concepts of leadership based on age. However, in some village-group communities, the ‘okpala’, the person designated to break the kola nut, is selected from the eldest lineage within the oldest village.
According to an article tiled, Women and Evolution of Cultural Practices Among the Igbo of Nigeria, published in the Journal of International Women Studies, it is noted that it is a taboo in most Igbo societies for women to break kola nut.
The scholarly article adds that, in Igbo land, a woman does not break kola nut and a woman also does not take kola nut from the plate. A male, no matter the age, takes it and then hands it over to her. Women are also forbidden from planting or climbing kola tree or plucking kola nut.
The man’s response came on the heel of a trending video in which Chimamanda said she would never kneel down unless men follow suit.
See the video:
See the reactions:
Keanu @John_sonto: In my family house, women break Kola nut because the god in that Obi (my dad) allows it. So when people talk about the Igbo culture, I’m usually laid back because it’s not always the same for all. There are traces of similarities but the details are always different. Always!
Prosper @Yourcableplug: Lol so she won’t kneel before the Igwe because men do not kneel? I laught make una Dey support rubbish. I hope one day your wife will protest and tell you she wants to break kolanut in your father’s presence. Men and women ain’t equal take it or leave it.
Chinonso @Nonsoeze431: Her people only listened to her cos of hunger of money , let her come try that nonsense talk in my village , where Pete edochie is sitting and others are sitting , make I know who be her papa. Nonsense talk.
Mbah Emmanuel Walker (PHS) @East_Defender: When a woman is the eldest in a gathering the kolanut is often presented to her first, she then gives go ahead to a man who will pray and break the kolanut.
RAMONI – THE MOST BENEFICIENT @_lakesyde: I still don’t understand why anyone would hate this woman or what she stands for. If a man can do it, then why can’t a woman too. Equally they are both humans and the presence of an external appendage (penis) doesn’t make you superior to another human being.
Nze @nzekiev: The only reason they give about women not being able to do it is cos they have penis.
Eucharia @Uk_MoneyBag: I don’t agree with the kneeling down. In Yoruba do men not prostrate or something? Somethings are actually Cultural and Okay. I don’t see any oppression there.
Ikenna @JAHMINE209: Have you seen were reverend Sister in Catholic bless body of Christ? Na because say na our own All of una wey them born for town the talk rubbish. Woman no fit break kola where a two years old boy is available
