Palm wine and its importance in traditional Igbo society

Palm wine in Igbo land comes from two sources: nkwu (palm tree), the source of palm wine known as “Mmanya Nkwu”, and ngwo (raffia palm), the source of palm wine, known as “Mmanya Ngwo”. “. . Each of the categories of palm wine is considered with different aspects. Each one has different functions on different occasions, depending, of course, on how you view it in that particular area or town.

In production, they are cast in the same way, climbing to the required height or to the neck of the palm tree and cutting pipes, under which local jars (calabas) or plastic gallons are placed. In some areas, “Mmanya nkwu” is also extracted from a fallen palm tree. However, it is worth mentioning that the amount of “Mmanya ngwo” that can be obtained from the palm tree is usually triple the amount of “Mmanya nkwu” within the same time limit.

In taste, they are also different, while “Mmanya ngwo” tastes very sweet (sugary) but turns sour (fermentation) in less time. “Mmanya nkwu” has a unique sweet but pleasant taste that lasts longer. Some areas in Igboland consider “Mmanya nkwu” better than “‘Mmanya ngwo”. This preference sometimes depends on the availability of one over the other in that area. Therefore, in some areas traditional marriage and bride price ceremonies are not honored with “mmanya ngwo”, some other areas may accept “mmanya ngwo” where “mmanya nkwu” is not available. In some areas, the preferred type of wine is used to settle land disputes, in traditional gatherings, marriages, burials, festivities, land-leasing occasions, among a host of other activities and ceremonies too numerous to mention.

Being served on any occasion, the associated rules are obeyed. At any gathering, it is the youngest man or male who serves the wine, which is usually traditionally drunk in elephant tusks or cow horns for titled men. There is also another drinking glass called “Okuku”, a type of small glass made from a gourd. The young man serving will hold the wine container (gourd or gallon) in his left lap (thigh) and hold it with his left hand, while holding the tusk or horn (“mpi” or “Okuku” – gourd cup) in his right hand. The first to serve is handed to the host for him to drink. The second goes to himself, while the third goes to the older man in the meeting.

After all the formalities, the rest of the men are equal, and are served except for titled men who are served first before others. But if the young man is to serve the wine standing up, he holds the base of the container with his right hand and the neck with his left hand, while the participants hold out their glasses for the wine to spill. This is not the case for a woman. If the wine is to be served, the young man serves it himself and hands the wine glass to her, who in turn receives it with both hands as a sign of respect and honor. She must not drink it while she is standing in the meeting; she squats or sits somewhere before drinking it. If at any time the young man decides to shake the container to achieve an even concentration, he must first drop the container on the ground before continuing to serve and the first person to touch it will receive a glass of wine.

The last cup of palm wine containing feces (Ugwu mmanya) is usually given as a mark of honor to the elder or host. The Igbo man, it can be inferred, is actually rich in culture and tradition.

In later articles, I will emphasize the importance of palm wine for the Igbo race and, indeed, for the entire world.