In some climes, pythons depict wild game to be feasted on, but in Idemili, they are almost held in reverence. Culture or religion at play?
By NGOZI EMEDOLIBE
Ogidi is the headquarters of Idemili North Local Government Area in Anambra State. This important town along old Onitsha-Enugu Road gave the world Chinua Achebe, the famous Nigerian novelist and author of Things Fall Apart.
But Ogidi is also a novelty town. Like most communities and towns in both Idemili North and South Local Government Areas, pythons, a variety of snakes, are venerated guests in homes and neighborhoods.
They come into houses, compounds and public spaces uninvited. They also roam around freely and unhindered by a people who venerate this species of snake.
In fact, when this python visits a house owner who is uncomfortable with its presence, the only option open to the person is to either lift the python gently off the ground or sprinkle petrol, kerosene or any chemical to irritate it.
Therefore Eke, the Igbo name for python, is central in the spiritual, cultural and political lives of many people in the communities where they are highly thought of or worshipped. From investigations, the python is also a symbol that represents the earth, good omen, continuity, prosperity and love. It is in addition, revered, loved and feared, not just by devotees but by everyone living or visiting the communities where they are found.
In Ogidi, there is a place of worship known as Idemili Shrine. Located in Ezi-Ogidi, Idemili Shrine is a unique place of pilgrimage with a Chief Priest, an expansive land area and a house. Every four days, in line with the Igbo four market days’ phenomenon, the shrine hosts all kinds of people with different challenges.
They visit with the belief that their problems would have been sufficiently addressed by the gods after worship and intervention by the priest. Samuel Nwankwo Okafor, a farmer based in Ogidi reveals that once the prayers are answered, there is usually a return journey of thanksgiving by the beneficiaries of Idemili’s favours.
“Generally, recipients of Idemili’s mercy and act of kindness return immediately to give thanks with a cow, goat, fowls and other gift items. It is very important for every beneficiary to show appreciation and this has been in existence from time immemorial”, he says.
Usually, when a python visits, it goes after house rodents like rats and related small animals. It also attacks the eggs of incubating hens for food but does no harm to humans. A python could also visit a home as a messenger of the gods especially in times of great moral crisis. Peter Chukwuma Ejiofor, a 73 year old photographer in Ogidi provides more insight.
According to him, “for instance, if an Eke enters your house, climbs your bed and refuses to go away, it is a sign that something is wrong somewhere in the house or within the extended family. And when you remove the python and it still manages to come back, then you must worry.
This is real notification and it calls for immediate enquiry and action. In such a situation, the person may not have any other choice than to invite the Eze-Idemili who would in turn, bring a soothsayer with powers of divination to unravel the riddle. This will then reveal the secret behind the notification by the visiting python”.
One incontestable fact is that Ogidi and other neighbouring towns like Obosi, Nkpor, Umuoji, Abatete and even far way Oko, the polytechnic town in Anambra, are all deeply rooted in this culture. They all respect this cultural belief. Interestingly, the people are ready to abide by their cultural dictates and practices irrespective of their education, fame or exposure to other cultures and religions.
This is exactly the point when Ejiofor speaks on this occurrence as a culture that has survived hundreds of years. “I am 73 years. I came to this world to see and hear that Idemili North and South do not kill pythons.
They call it Eke Idemili and it is ready to come here, play around as we are talking and go. It is not harmful. It does not attack anyone but if there is anyone that it bites, then that person must be an Eke eater”, he says.
Fortunately for the adherents and the compliant communities in general, no one attacks it. In fact, nobody crosses the red line because awareness is very high. Even young people are aware of what awaits anybody who violates this sacred python at home or in the bush. Eze Oguike, a building contractor recalls his experience in Ozubulu, another Anambra town on Onitsha-Owerri Expressway many years ago.
According to him, the workers had sighted two big pythons, male and female while digging to consolidate the foundation of a new house under construction. The builders’, who were mainly from Lagos, knew nothing about the sacred python as they only saw the two large reptiles as a source of protein.
So, quickly, they killed the pythons and prepared a pot of egusi soup with the animals. However, words quickly got to the people of the town who mobilized for a major attack that would have left many injured or dead. But the workers got wind of the impending attack and took to their heels. They never returned to Uzubulu until a cleansing exercise and a mock burial for the pythons were concluded.
Like other towns and villages, Ogidi is also consciously creating awareness, not only for the young but also among the different ethnic groups, visitors and friends of the town. For Okafor, this is the way to go due to the ongoing urbanization and growth especially in the rural areas.
“It is a reality we cannot escape from, so we are constantly educating our children about this special snake and why it will continue to visit homes. For instance, when a new child is born; it visits to say welcome to the new born baby because it knows a new Ogidi child has just arrived.
And if it is killed mistakenly by our people, a visitor or anybody for that matter, other pythons will never allow the killer to escape until a ceremonial burial rite is carried out. If the person fails to perform the rites, he or she will become sick, swollen and eventually die. That is why everyone, including our in-laws, children of our sisters, friends and visitors living here keep the law of not harming or killing any of these pythons”, he says.
Despite this age-old cultural practice and belief system, there are still a few people who care less about the scary consequences that await anyone who kills a sacred python. These groups of people live their life normally and if a python or any snake of whatever type gets in their way, they are ready to harm or kill it without even batting an eyelid.
Chidinma Mgbachi, a teenager says her late grandfather used to kill sacred pythons and damned the consequences when he was alive. According to her, the grandfather detested the irritation that accompanies it as it navigates the homes of people. So, the old man never hesitated to harm the snake for reasons that are not far to seek. “My grandfather didn’t care and was not swayed by the common belief that this animal should be respected”.
Chidinma appreciated her grandfather’s opinion at that time because according to her, “it is what a person believes in that determines how he or she deals with the python. My grandfather obviously did not believe in that popular view and he had no apologies”, she reveals.
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Like Chidinma’s grand dad, it is very possible to meet other single-minded people like him who did not give a hoot about such a popular culture. But the views and opinions of these nonconformists do not in any way diminish the relevance of a way of life that has survived hundreds of years.
However, beyond culture and the desire to remain on the path of their forebears, Ogidi and other communities that live side by side with sacred pythons are also doing a world of good to nature and conservation. But the experience is definitely another wonder. Surely, Idemili is a tourism destination for the adventurous and the brave.
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