What are “kola nuts” and how are they used in the novel? What do they
represent or symbolize?
The kola nut is
the fruit of the kola tree, a genus of trees native to the rain forests of
Africa. The use of the kola nut, as well as the coffee berry and tea leaf is
known to come from ancient origins. In several West African cultures, the kola
nut is chewed individual or with a group of people, and is said to restore
vitality and ease the hunger pangs[1].
Regarding spiritual and traditional common practices of culture and religion,
kola nuts are essential and are mostly used in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria.
In the novel by
Chinua Achebe, Things Fall apart, we are introduced to the kola nut in the 7th
page of chapter 3. For the Igbo culture, the main society depicted in the
novel, the nut is very significant as “who brings kola nut brings life”. Kola
nuts are constantly mentioned in the novel, especially in the occurrence of
special religious and cultural ceremonies. This also shows the devotion of the
Igbo culture to tradition. An example is when Okoye comes to see Unoka in order
to collect money he owed him. Instead of directly starting to talk and
negotiate about the debt, Unoka offered one of his kola nuts to Okoye, as a
symbol of hospitality and appreciation. The two men started to argue, because
they could not decide who was going to break the kola nut, an act that
represents honor and strength. Unoka finally “accepted the honor of breaking
the kola nut”. This phrase included in the beginning of the novel signifies the
honor and respect gained from breaking the kola nut.
Breaking the
kola nut in the Igbo culture is not only honorable and respectful, but it
requires a spiritual process performed by Unoka after he broke the kola nut he
offered to Okoye. After breaking the nut, Unoka “prayed to their ancestors for
life and health, and for protection against their enemies”. While performing
the prayer, Okoye drew lines on the floor for this religious, brief ceremony.
After the kola nut ceremony, Okoye then spoke with Unoka. This succession in
the novel explains the importance of the kola nut in the Igbo culture. It is a
symbol of honor and respect, as well as spiritual devotion and hospitality. It
can be compared with offering a drink to a guest as he comes to your house,
before talking about something in particular. The difference is the significant
cultural and religious value that the kola nut has.
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