Palm Wine and Its Importance In Traditional Igbo Society
By Vitus Ejiogu
Palm wine in Igbo land comes in two
sources: nkwu (palm tree) - the source of the
palm wine known as "Mmanya Nkwu", and
ngwo (rafia palm tree) - the source of the
palm wine, known as "Mmanya Ngwo". Each
of the palm wine categories are regarded
with different respects. Each has different
functions in different occasions, depending
on of course, how that particular area or
village regards it.
In production, they are tapped in much the same way, by
climbing to the required height or to the neck of the palm tree
and cutting ducts, under which are placed local mugs
(calabashes) or plastic gallons. In some areas, the "Mmanya
nkwu" is tapped also from a fallen palm tree. However, it is
worth mentioning that the quantity of "Mmanya ngwo"
obtainable from the palm tree is usually about thrice that of
"Mmanya nkwu" within the same time limit.
In taste, they are also different while "Mmanya ngwo" tastes
very sweet (sugary) but goes sour (fermentation) within a
shorter duration. The "Mmanya nkwu" has a unique sweet, but
pleasant taste which it maintains for a longer duration. Some
areas in Igboland regards "Mmanya nkwu" better than
"'Mmanya ngwo". This preference sometimes depends on the
availability of one over the other in that area. Hence in some
areas, traditional marriage and bride price ceremonies are not
honoured with "mmanya ngwo", some other areas can accept
"mmanya ngwo" where "mmanya nkwu" is not available. In
some areas, the preferred kind of wine is employed in settling
land disputes, in traditional gatherings, marriages, burials,
festivities, land leasing occasions, among a host of other
activities and ceremonies too numerous to mention.
When being served in any occasion, the associated rules are
obeyed. In any gathering, it is the youngest man or male that
serves the wine, which is usually drunk traditionally in either
elephant tusks or cow horns for titled men. There is also
another drinking cup called "Okuku", a small type of cup made
from a calabash. The young man serving will hold the wine
container (calabash or gallon) on his left lap (thigh) and
supports it with his left hand, while he holds the tusk or horn
("mpi" or "Okuku" - calabash cup) in his right hand. The first
one he serves is handed to the host to drink. The second goes
to himself, while the third goes to the eldest man in the
gathering.
After all the formalities, the rest of the men are equal, and are
served except for titled men who are served first before the
others. But if the young man is to serve the wine standing, he
holds the base of the container with his right hand and the
neck with his left hand, while the partakers holds out their
cups for him to pour out the wine. This is not the case for a
woman. If she is to be served the wine, the young man pours
it himself and hands the cup of wine to her, who in turn
receives it with both hands as mark of respect and honour.
She must not drink it while standing in the gathering; she
squats down or sits somewhere before drinking it. If at any
point the young man decides to shake the container to make
for even concentration, he must first drop the container on the
ground before he continues serving and the first person to tap
him will receive a cup of wine.
The last cup of palm wine which contains the dregs (Ugwu
mmanya) is usually given as a mark of honour to the eldest or
the host. The Igbo man, you may infer, is actually rich in
culture and tradition.
In subsequent write-ups, I will emphasize on the importance
of Palm Wine to the Igbo race, and indeed the whole world.
Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l
Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.
He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also
published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and
is married with two children.
You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or, 234 802
8181 829. Website: http://royalministers.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitus_Ejiogu
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Submitted On December 05, 2010
Palm wine in Igbo land comes in two
sources: nkwu (palm tree) - the source of the
palm wine known as "Mmanya Nkwu", and
ngwo (rafia palm tree) - the source of the
palm wine, known as "Mmanya Ngwo". Each
of the palm wine categories are regarded
with different respects. Each has different
functions in different occasions, depending
on of course, how that particular area or
village regards it.
In production, they are tapped in much the same way, by
climbing to the required height or to the neck of the palm tree
and cutting ducts, under which are placed local mugs
(calabashes) or plastic gallons. In some areas, the "Mmanya
nkwu" is tapped also from a fallen palm tree. However, it is
worth mentioning that the quantity of "Mmanya ngwo"
obtainable from the palm tree is usually about thrice that of
"Mmanya nkwu" within the same time limit.
In taste, they are also different while "Mmanya ngwo" tastes
very sweet (sugary) but goes sour (fermentation) within a
shorter duration. The "Mmanya nkwu" has a unique sweet, but
pleasant taste which it maintains for a longer duration. Some
areas in Igboland regards "Mmanya nkwu" better than
"'Mmanya ngwo". This preference sometimes depends on the
availability of one over the other in that area. Hence in some
areas, traditional marriage and bride price ceremonies are not
honoured with "mmanya ngwo", some other areas can accept
"mmanya ngwo" where "mmanya nkwu" is not available. In
some areas, the preferred kind of wine is employed in settling
land disputes, in traditional gatherings, marriages, burials,
festivities, land leasing occasions, among a host of other
activities and ceremonies too numerous to mention.
When being served in any occasion, the associated rules are
obeyed. In any gathering, it is the youngest man or male that
serves the wine, which is usually drunk traditionally in either
elephant tusks or cow horns for titled men. There is also
another drinking cup called "Okuku", a small type of cup made
from a calabash. The young man serving will hold the wine
container (calabash or gallon) on his left lap (thigh) and
supports it with his left hand, while he holds the tusk or horn
("mpi" or "Okuku" - calabash cup) in his right hand. The first
one he serves is handed to the host to drink. The second goes
to himself, while the third goes to the eldest man in the
gathering.
After all the formalities, the rest of the men are equal, and are
served except for titled men who are served first before the
others. But if the young man is to serve the wine standing, he
holds the base of the container with his right hand and the
neck with his left hand, while the partakers holds out their
cups for him to pour out the wine. This is not the case for a
woman. If she is to be served the wine, the young man pours
it himself and hands the cup of wine to her, who in turn
receives it with both hands as mark of respect and honour.
She must not drink it while standing in the gathering; she
squats down or sits somewhere before drinking it. If at any
point the young man decides to shake the container to make
for even concentration, he must first drop the container on the
ground before he continues serving and the first person to tap
him will receive a cup of wine.
The last cup of palm wine which contains the dregs (Ugwu
mmanya) is usually given as a mark of honour to the eldest or
the host. The Igbo man, you may infer, is actually rich in
culture and tradition.
In subsequent write-ups, I will emphasize on the importance
of Palm Wine to the Igbo race, and indeed the whole world.
Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l
Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.
He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also
published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and
is married with two children.
You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or, 234 802
8181 829. Website: http://royalministers.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitus_Ejiogu
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Submitted On December 05, 2010
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