Significance of Kola nut in Igbo Tradition, Religion and Worldview:

Igbo people of Africa, has an organized political, social, economic, cultural and traditional system before 4000 BC. Igbos are located largely found in the sub-sahara part of Africa. Majority lives in Nigeria, including Benue, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwaibom, Bayelsa, Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra and Cross River, these are states in Nigeria. Others live in Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and so on.

In the Igbo tradition, religion and culture, kola nut plays a very significant role. Kola nut is often used to pray every morning to God Almighty (Chukwu okike), the gods of the land and the ancestors of a particular family. Kola nut is as well used to project unity and oneness in every Igbo gathering, after prayers, it is usually shared among everyone in that prayer location, or family. Palm wine can be used to compliment kola nut after prayers.
Kola nut is used to reunify with the gods before appeasing them. Kola nut is used as a symbol of acceptance, integration and respect during marriages, and events. Sometimes, kola nut are picked on behalf of some prominent family members who are alive, but absent during prayers. In every gathering, either the king or the eldest person is given the responsibility to pray on kola nut before it can be shared.
Ndi Igbo can’t use every kola nut for prayers and to appease the gods. The popular kola nut used are often kola nuts of a particular specie called Oji Igbo, which are mostly 3 pieces (Oji Ikenga) and the other 4 pieces which represents the 4 market days in the Igbo calendar.
Kola nut is popularly known known as Oji in Igbo language, which means (Omenala/ Odinala Jikoro Igbo) = OJI. Omenala/ Odinala means Traditional and Culture, Jikoro means binding or unity, and Igbo means the Igbo people of Africa. Complete interpretation of OJI- Omenala/ Odinala Jikoro Igbo = Tradition and Culture that binds or unites the Igbos.