The principle of breaking Kola nut is sacrosanct and must be religiously observed. Kola nut is not shown to a woman.
If the visit came alone, he is presented the kola nut by his host.
He touches the platter or saucer, acknowledging the presence of the kola nut, accepting the hospitality shown him and reciprocate by returning the kola nut to the host.
This is because you cannot break kola nut in another man’s parlor (Obi)
If the visitors are many or a delegation, from another village/town, the host will present the kola nut first to his closest kinsmen in attendance before presenting it to the leader of the delegation, who will show it to the delegates and take it back to the host with the expressing, “the king’s kola nut, goes back to the king.
The host then makes supplication to God the creator, his deities and ancestors, praying as he is led but mostly praying that the visitors’ mission, be a good one and if bad, May the ancestors strengthen their hearts to bear the news. This prayer is punctuated with deep igbo proverbs and wise saying.
And this prayer, is said in Igbo language, as it is a trite saying in igbo land, that kola nut do not hear anyother language but igbo.
The kola nut is broken either with fingernails or a table knife. It must be broken and cut vertically. Often times, at the splitting of the kola nut, if it breaks into 4 and above pieces, it is a special manifestation and further prayers are murmured with a piece thrown to the floor for the ancestors.
The kola nut is then shared by the youngest person in the group, with the man, who said the prayer, taking first. Depending on the sitting arrangement, the kola nut starts moving clockwise. But if the delegation is made up of mixed multitude, the kola nut is moved from clan to clan in order of seniority or proximity to the host’s clan.
The leader of the delegation, is given one lobe of kola nut for those who sent them. It is expressed this; “Öjï luo ünö okwuo ebe osi bia” (When the Kola nut reaches home, it will tell where it came from.).
Depending on the situation, if the visitors came with keg of palm wine, they present it and it is used to wash down the kola nut. The host also bring assorted drinks.
While the chewing and washing down is going one, the visitor(s), will explain the purpose of their visit.
