The Kolanut as a Peace Symbol in Igboland: Towards a Nexus of Gender Construction and Meaning

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THE KOLANUT AS A

PEACE SYMBOL IN IGBOLAND:

TOWARDS A CULTURAL NEXUS OF GENDER CONSTRUCTION AND MEANING

BY

ALOZIE BRIGHT CHIAZAM
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA
[phone] [e-mail]

A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (HSN), SOUTH-EAST ZONAL CONFERENCE

THEME: SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
HELD AT THE LAW AUDITORIUM EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY, ABAKALIKI SEPTEMBER 11TH TO 14TH, 2011.

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Introduction
The kolanut a symbolic instrument for peace, conflict resolution and harmony is at

the heart of invariably all forms of human interaction in Igboland. It is strategic in the social, religious, ritual and communion observances of the Igbo people (Otagburuagu, 2010:93). However, the general perception, both in literature and among the Igbo people is that women have nothing to do with the kolanut or oji (Igbo rendition). This view has been articulated by many scholars (for instance Green 1947 and Uchendu 1965). Women thus are assumed to play only a peripheral role in the use of the kolanut. This view however is not entirely surprising because Igbo culture, since colonial invasion, has experienced rapid change. Infact, the

contemporary Igbo culture is merely an admixture of traditional elements and alien features (which neglected the presence of the women folk). There is no doubt that the partition and colonization of Africa led to a pragmatic shift in local paradigms and the significance attached on the agencies of cultural transmissions. Hence, in reconstructing our past and discovering our culture, we need to restore those parts of ourselves that have been scattered, suppressed and hidden. The gender symbolism of the kolanut is one such discovery that needs to be re-examined. This need to re-examine women s representation in specific cultural realities is of utmost necessity because a closer look at the kolanut symbol goes contrary to general perception that women have nothing to do with

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