THE BENEFIT OF PALM TREE TO THE IGBO PEOPLE

BY ONYIA, UCHE H (NATIONAL MUSEUM OF UNITY, ENUGU)

INTRODUCTION 

In Igbo land, the palm tree (Elaeis guneensis) is as old as the settlement of human in the area. Fragments of palm kernels found in Igbo land dates to 2555-130BC through archaeological research carried out by Ezike (1987), at Ogbodu Aba in Udenu L.G.A, Ezike (1988), at Aku in Igbo Etiti L.G.A all in Enugu state and Chikwendu (1975), at Ugwuagu, Afikpo in Ebonyi state, point to 500-200 BC. Besides man’s relationship with people, he shares an intimate relationship with his environment and palm tree is one of them. In Igbo traditional society, palm tree is known as “Nkwu” and it is one of the trees treated with reverence and given a special status. 

No other tree in Igboland is considered as useful and beneficial as the palm tree. The values attached to the tree ranges from economic, social, spiritual to environmental; and cover both the edible and non-edible parts. While much is known about the edible parts and their beneficial uses; it is essential to note that the Igbos also recognize and embrace highly the applications of the non-edible parts of the tree due to the important roles they play in the life of the people.

This paper will explore the numerous benefits that palm tree provides to the people and the environment in Igbo land.

The Palm Tree 

ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD: Palm trees play a significant role in the economic development of Igbo land. The palm oil industry provides employment opportunities for many people of the region. Local farmers cultivate palm trees, harvest and sell the fruits; sometime they process them into palm oil and sell by themselves. On the other hand, Palm tree provides source of livelihood for some persons who are wine tappers. It is from the palm tree that palm wine beverage which is a classic for entertainment during various occasions is gotten. Other by-products from palm oil and palm tree equally contribute towards increasing the people’s income. All these contribute to the local economy, generating income and improving the livelihood of the people.

NUTRITIONAL FOOD SOURCE: The palm tree is a vital source of nutrition for the people. The fruits are used to produce oil which is used in cooking all manner of dishes, for coloring, taste and richness. They are also used for frying.

When the palm kernel is cracked and the nut at the center extracted, it can be chewed with “Ukwa”: bread fruit as a special delicacy. It can also be chewed alone and the oil in it helps to assuage hunger. Another type of oil, valued because of its numerous applications is extracted from the nut if not chewed.       

The various forms of oil sourced from the Palm tree are rich in vitamins A, E, and K. They are easily digestible, which makes them popular as a source of energy.

The chaff produced after the oil is processed and the nuts eaten are favorite sources of food for feeding the domestic animals. The palm leaves are used for feeding the goats and the sheep.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES: The Palm tree has long been recognized for their medicinal properties in Igbo culture.  The different parts of the tree including the bark, leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine. The palm leaves are used in the treatment of various ailments including stomach disorders, wounds and skin infections. The bark and the root are known for their anti-inflammatory and antipyrchic properties. When one swallows poison or over dose of drugs, palm oil is applied as it is believed to neutralize the negative effects of the poison on the person.

The nut could be fried and the oil extracted (Ude aki or elu aki). It is used in controlling convulsion in children and serves as a local pomade or lotion. Ude aki or elu aki is usually black in colour.  

The palm wine is believed to be highly medicinal and does not contain toxins as in other brews. When taken responsibly and within the limit of a person’s capacity to control, the belief of the people in the area is that the consumer will come out in the morning stronger than you went to bed.

TRADITIONAL CRAFTS AND INDUSTRIES: Palm trees offer raw materials for various traditional crafts and industries in Igbo land. The leaves of the palm trees known as raffia palm are used for weaving of beautiful basket of various sizes and various purposes, mats, hats, brooms and other handicrafts.

These crafts are not only essential for local use but also serve as source of income through tourism and trade.

The back of kernel is used for road construction and maintenance especially where the road is slippery.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE: Palm trees offer a sustainable and renewable source of energy in Igbo land. The empty fruit bunches (abubu), a byproduct of palm oil processing and other dry parts like the kernel backs that may be considered waste are bio-fuel for cooking and heating. This reduces dependence on conventional fuels such as firewood and charcoal, leading to a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy solution.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE: Palm trees are crucial in maintaining the ecological balance in Igbo land. They help to prevent soil erosion and to conserve water by acting as natural barrier against strong winds and heavy rains. The extensive root system of palm trees help stabilize the soil, making them valuable in preventing land degradation and preserving the fertility of the land. The Palm tree is hardly brought down by the wind no matter how strong. It is never affected by the weather, no matter how harsh; whether dry season or harmattan. It is always green and does not shed leaves like other trees and can last for more than five generations and still remain alive and vibrant. It has no side effects to the environment.

SPIRITUAL AND SACRED FUNCTIONS: The spiritual, sacred and symbolic functions of palm tree have been established in many parts of Igbo land. The palm tree and fronds symbolizes peace, fertility, victory, joy, sorrow, sacredness, strength, power and so on.

The Palm tree is believed by the Igbos to be a very peaceful tree, thus, it is used for land demarcations (boundaries). There is a saying “akpalakapa nkwu adighu etofe na mba” (demarcate the boundary between two towns with palm tree because it does not have branches). Simply put, if you want to demarcate boundary between two towns, use palm tree because it does not have branches that may cause confusion in the future.

The Palm tree products like palm wine is used in religious and social functions like marriage initiations, oath-taking and covenants, feasts and burials and so on.

The palm tree is used to strengthen the destiny and future of a child through the ritual of “Nkwu Ana”. After the birth of a child, the umbilical cord of that child is buried at the foot of the palm tree which is dedicated to the child. This practice is a clear demonstration of the strong belief and significance that the people attach to the fertility, value and long existence (life span) of the palm tree, thus desire such for the new born. 

The tender yellowish palm frond ‘Omu’ is used when performing some ritual/cultic functions. The ‘Omu’ is also used to decorate the shrines or grooves of oracles. This signifies sacredness. In some cases, it is used to forewarn a visitor, an intruder or impostor etc. that entrance into the area barricaded with Omu is forbidden except for the priest or those authorized to do so. It ‘Omu’ is equally used as an alarm, a discouragement sort of, and therefore, serves as an injunction or restriction of access by parties in dispute into the disputed area, especially land, pending resolution of the dispute or removal of the ‘Omu’ by appropriate authorities.

A dream associated with palm trees was believed to indicate that one will live a happy and rich life. 

CONCLUSION 

The palm tree is a revered tree believed by the Igbos to be brought by the creator to their land for a special purpose. It is an integral part of the land scape in Igbo land. This majestic tree with its towering trunks and fan-shaped leaves holds cultural, economic, social and ecological significance in Igboland. It is an integral part of Igbo culture and heritage. From being ascribed as contributing to healthy living, to supporting the local economy, and encouraging the musical, spiritual and traditional crafts and industries, the Palm Tree in Igboland is widely recognized, appreciated and valued. In view of the identified benefits of the Palm tree, it is important to encourage the massive planting of it, sustainable preservation methods and modern processing techniques for maximization of the associated raw materials that emanate from this rich socio-economic, environmental and industries support tree (the palm tree) and to ensure the continued presence for generations.                              

REFERENCES

Chinelo Eze (2022) The Role of Palm Tree in shaping African Society online (www.guardian.ng/life).

Unegbu Chidi (2023) Palm Sunday: Africa/Ndigbo, Christianity and Sacred Symbolism of the palm. Online (www.facebook/freunegbuchidi). 

Okibe Jideofor (2024) Palm Tree and the Rest of Us./Igbo lifestyle online (www.researchgate.co).

Sakiru M.E, Aworinde D. O, Teniola O.A and Ojo S.O. (2020) Ethnobotany of Elaeis Guineensis Jacq. And its importance in the Household Economy of the Ikale and Ilaje of Ondo State, Nigeria. Online (www.researchgate.co)