In Igbo culture, kolanut holds profound significance as a symbol of peace, hospitality, and goodwill, essential for any social or ceremonial gathering, yet women are traditionally barred from performing the ritual of breaking it. Traditional rulers and leaders across Igbo land, interviewed by SEV, explained that this prohibition is rooted in spiritual, cultural, and patriarchal norms. Ezeogo Sunday Oketa of Nkaliki Unuhu Achara, Ebonyi State, described it as an “abomination” for women to break kolanut, citing their menstrual cycles as rendering them impure for communicating with ancestors. Similarly, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu of Abiriba Ancient Kingdom attributed the ban to menstruation, though he noted menopausal women could theoretically break kolanut. Igwe Herbert Ukuta of Igga Ancient Kingdom, Enugu State, emphasized that breaking kolanut is a sacred ritual invoking ancestors and deities, reserved for men as traditional intermediaries.
Eze Sir Nzenwata Mbakwe of Umuosu Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Abia State, and Eze Oliver Ohanwe of Isiama, Imo State, reinforced the patriarchal view, stating that men, as heads of families, are exclusively tasked with kolanut rituals, with Ohanwe noting that the number of kolanut lobes carries spiritual meanings like blessings or bad omens. However, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, Anambra State, acknowledged that women with high chieftaincy titles, such as the Omu title in Delta Igbo, may break kolanut in certain contexts. Chief Okenwa Ndubuisi and Barr. Nnanna Ukaegbu underscored the cultural intent to maintain male dominance, with Ukaegbu noting that Igbo patrilineal tradition bars women from even presenting kolanut. Conversely, Professor Damian Opata and Prince Christopher O. Muo suggested exceptions for initiated women or those in women-only gatherings, though Muo clarified that a woman breaking kolanut in a man’s presence is considered a “spiritual pollution” and taboo, akin to restrictions in religious practices.
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