The Cultural and Spiritual Importance of Nzu in Ìgbò Odinala na Omenala

Cultural and Spiritual Importance of Nzu: Nzu is a white piece of chalk excavated from clay soil and often molded into different shapes. The Ìgbò people believe it is not ordinary, but a spiritual sacramental through which they can invoke their gods.

Nzu is perceived as a symbol of peace and purity. The Ìgbò Odinala allows the benefit of praying with divine objects as a link between us and our Gods. It is also used in traditional hospitality ceremonies in Ìgbò land.

For clear understanding; Odinala and Omenala are two different concepts in Ìgbò land, although they are intricately connected. Odinala is an Ìgbò term for traditional religious practices and spirituality, while Omenala means culture.

Odinala is the cultural and spiritual belief of the Ìgbò people of Nigeria. Odinala is a core aspect of the Omenala given that the Ìgbò culture is implicitly performed by the rites enshrined in the Odinala.

Similarly, to other religions where objects/substances such as rosaries, candles, incense, waters, etc are used for prayers, the Ìgbòs use Nzu, kola nut (Oji), ose oji (alligator pepper), edo (red chalk), water (mmiri), etc in praying to their gods. This method of Ìgbò worship has been in existence since time immemorial.

Nzu is one of the solemn prayer aids used in Ìgbò Ọdịnanị. Nzu is a sacred object and is used for diverse purposes in both Odinala and Omenala.

The Cultural and Spiritual Importance of Nzu in Ìgbò Odinala and Omenala

In Ìgbò land, Nzu is used for two essential purposes which are;

1. Welcoming of guests and Cultural/ religious events

• Calling on the Gods, Deities, and spirits.

Nzu – Welcoming of Guests and Cultural/Religious Events

In every part of Ìgbò land, when guests visit, they are welcomed formally with kola nut, water, food, nzu, etc. When a visitor is offered any of these, he is assured of his warm reception and safety. It is after this cultural activity that the visitor can now share the purpose of his visit with the host. Every Ìgbò person looks forward to this act of sincere welcome when they visit a fellow Ìgbò person.

Nzu is used instead of or alongside kola nut in welcoming guests in Ìgbò land. The offering of Nzu to a visitor signifies peace. It is, in fact, a sacred art. After a visitor is ushered inside the host’s house and a seat is offered to him, Nzu may be presented and used for prayers.

The host draws four vertical lines (or five as the case may be) on the ground, and crosses the lines with one or two horizontal lines, binding himself and the guest to a peaceful meeting. He then hurls the Nzu across the ground from his feet to that of his visitor for him to touch and smear on his wrist. The process is called Itu nzu/Ima nzu. This performance is done in good faith, to reassure both parties of each other’s good hearts and intentions.

As a symbol of purity, the Ìgbò believe that it proves the holiness of an individual. Nzu is used to draw lines called Oguama on the ground to signify purity. A man proves his purity by observing Oguama. In gatherings of elders or traditional ceremonies, everybody present is required by law to observe Oguama, to prove their innocence. This is done by placing the Nzu on the ground (ani) for the person to pick up to declare his innocence by drawing four lines, representing the four deities or Ìgbò market days, while he utters a prayer. Ozo title holders are entitled to mark eight lines.

This rite is performed according to age; also important, is that the Nzu must not be passed hand to hand – handing Nzu to someone means you vouch of their innocence. The Ani, as the judge, decides if the person is clean or not. That’s why it is said that “Aka mara nzu adịghị ama unyi”, any hand that touches Nzu doesn’t touch (do) evil. The Ìgbòs believe that ani (land) is an ancient deity that judges all. When an Ìgbò person commits a taboo (Nsọ ala), he or she will be afraid of ani, because it is believed that ani possesses such powers as to strike the person with death or madness depending on the gravity of the sin committed.

Nzu is used in many Ìgbò ceremonies and rituals such as Title-taking, King coronation, Initiation of boys into Ogbo obodo, and Mmụọ society/cult (masquerade). It can be rubbed on the body as a powder after a bath, to cleanse/protect one from evil. In the olden days, pregnant women apply it to their bodies, to protect themselves and their unborn children from skin rashes, witches, and wizards. They even ingest it as a medicine for various pregnancy illnesses.

Ìgbò priests, traditional doctors, and diviners also use Nzu to smear lines on their bodies, foreheads, and around one or both their eyes – this attracted the name Dibịa anya nzu, meaning ‘native doctor with the eye of chalk’. This could signify their ability to see beyond the visible world and into the world of the spirits. Warriors, cultural dancers, and actors beautify themselves with it, to add aesthetics to Ìgbò cultural events like Ofala, Iri Ji Ohu.

Nzu – Invoking the Divine

It is a popular belief amongst the Ìgbò that praying with sacred spiritual objects attracts favors from CHUKWU/Deities/Spirits/nature. In Ìgbò cosmology, Nzu represents light, purity, love, and heralds’ goodness.

As an Ìgbò man, when praying for favors, stand barefooted on aja-ani (sandy soil), take a chunk of Nzu and place it in your right palm and declare goodness, fruition, and every good thing you desire upon your life and family. Do this by calling your chi (personal god) or/and the four market days, and the gods from your maternal and paternal homes, and ani, mmiri, Anyanwụ, and ikuku to join forces in bringing favors to your path. When you’re done with your proclamations, blow the nzu into the air (ikuku).

The Ìgbò believe that the earth (ani) is the root of every creation, and therefore houses all the treasures humans seek. This is why the Ìgbòs, bless the earth with Nzu and accord great reverence to ani. It is also important to note that ani is a goddess, according to the Ìgbò cosmology. It is upon her that all men and women walk. Nobody defiles the earth and goes unpunished; sins against ani always come with grave punishment if not atoned.

Nzu is a product of ani – a chunk of hard clay excavated from the ground; hence why prayers made to ani (earth goddess) with it usually work.

Indeed, Nzu serves a great deal in the Ìgbò sphere. It is one of the many beauties and excellence of the Ìgbò culture and religion that survived colonization and Western civilization. Our aim is that every Nwa afọ Ìgbò understands the significance, and can harness the powers thereof in their religious, cultural, or even personal quests.

This Piece Was Written By Chidera Oti and Edited By Chuka Nduneseokwu

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