Kola Nut as a Symbol of Welcome Among the Igede of Benue State

Abstract

The concepts hospitality and welcome are closely related if not synonymous. Both concepts connote friendly behaviours to guests or a person who has just arrived one’s place on a short or long term visit. Thus, if a host is happy with a visit, he/she is normally glad and expresses his/her gladness by the manner the guest is treated. As such, someone who is welcome is gladly accepted in a place. The fact that Africans are hospitable and welcome guests in their midst and abode is uncontestable. Various ethnic nationalities in Africa have different ways of saying welcome to their guests/visitors. For the Tiv of Central Nigeria, any of a piece of roasted yam, groundnuts, ginger, garden eggs, water and smoking pipe (for smokers) symbolises welcome. To the Idoma and Igala of Central Nigeria, it is Kunu (gruel) and water respectively. The paper established that for the Igede of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State, Kola nut symbolises welcome. Therefore, the Igede way of expressing greetings to guests and showing that such guests are accepted is to offer them kola nut. This clearly depicts that the Igede are glad that such a visitor has come. Also, the Igede gives kola nuts in odd numbers to their guest because even numbers are reserved for royalties (kings/chiefs). The paper also established that palm wine, soft drinks and any other form of alcoholic drinks accompany the kola to “wash” it down the throat. This paves the way for fruitful discussions and cross-fertilization of ideas. The Igede belief that only the elders can break kola nut hence they are the only ones by virtue of the wisdom, who understand the language of kola nut and the spirits. Thus, Kola nut has both social and religious implications. The paper calls for the preservation of African cultural values on hospitality for the maintenance of peace, growth and developing of African societies.

Key Words: symbol, kola nut, Igede