Reverence for snakes in some parts of the South East is all to real and it is a practice that stretches back to the time of our ancestors.
In this report, SUN takes a look into the culture and highlights the blessings, curses and mysterious deaths connected with the serpent worship.
SUN reports:
Despite the aggressive evangelization often embarked upon by various Christian and Islamic denominations across Nigeria and beyond, there are indications that several local communities are still far from being reached with the message of the new religion as they still clinch to their old deities which they worship as their gods.
An example of such communities where residents still regard python as one of their gods is Mgbidi, the headquarters of Oru West local government area of Imo State. Mgbidi is made up of eleven communities including Imeoha, Eziali, Umuekwe, Okwudor , Umuorji, Umuokpara, Umuehi , Umuabiahu, Uziaumu , Ihitte and Ugbele.
Saturday Sun’s Correspondent who was in the community to attend a three day crusade decided to find out the myth behind a statement made by one of the residents who attended the programme.
In a chat with one of the priests who identified himself as Ngozi Obiwuru, he boasted that no amount of civilization can change that part of their culture; worshipping of python. “Several churches have come to deliver this community but have failed to stop the worship of snakes. I used to be a Christian before my father who I inherited this job from died. I had to relocate to the village and learn the traditions of our people.
“If you mistakenly kill a snake, you will simply appease the gods or face the consequences. There was a particular case, the man called all kinds of pastors to pray for his family, at the end of the day he came to me and performed the sacrifice. It dawned on him that it was not a joke when his three kids died mysteriously.
“Several churches have been advised to stay away from that part of our religion. We welcome the fact that they have brought a lot of development in our area, but the fact remains that no one can force us to abandon what we believe in.”
To appease the gods, Obiwuru said: “It is very simple. The individual will buy a white coffin, white cock, goat and will come to the shrine for sacrifice. The coffin will be used to bury the snake. These snakes do not bite anyone; it is a sign of blessing if it chooses to visit your family at night. It is an honour to have a god in your home, just as the Christians rejoice when they spot an angel in their homes.
“One of my close relatives tried it. He came back from the city, and told me that he has just finished seven days fasting. To try the potency of his prayers, he said would kill as many pythons as he could lay his hands on. He actually went to the bush to find one. Today, my brother is dead and buried and no one can explain what happened to him.”
Just as he claimed that python is a sacred animal, Obiwuru also warned visitors to steer clear of Obana River. “It is a taboo for an indigene or visitor to kill a fish in the river. If a visitor unknowingly takes it away, he or she will not be affected.”