Water Tradition in my Ibo Tribe of Africa

Water occupies higher percentage of This planet earth. Approximately 70% of the world is covered by water. There is no life without water and that comes The saying that" water is life" and in my African language precisely Igbo, we say that " mmili bu ndu" which means that"water is life". It occurs in many forms and bodies.

In my African tribe, there are so many belief about water and so many powers associated to it as well. Spirits are believed to live in water and they are called "Mami-water'' which means river goddess. Lakes, riversand streams are so common in my Igbo tribe and these are the residing places for this water spirits.

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In some places, it is a taboo to visit the stream at night as it is believed that the night is for the water spirits to take charge of her abode. People are only allowed to fetch water from the stream by the day and sometimes, no one is allowed to go alone.

Streams and other water bodies are also a place for spiritual encounter by the native doctors. Some seek for power and fame in the stream at night while some pray and invite the water spirits to come for their aid. Sacrifices are made at the river side too. It is also believed that the water spirits gives child to married homes and people that can't have a child in their marriage go to the river to plead for one as directed by the native doctors.

In some villages, it is a tradition to ordain a water priestess or a priest. He/she will control and spiritually contact the gods of the river or stream. They tell when to fetch the water and time to stop visiting the water. They as well perform rituals like: when a child is born in the village, the child is brought to the river and deeper into the water. With this done, it is believed that; as water has no enemy and is everywhere, the child will have no enemy and can travel to any part of the world and remain safe.

Till today, there are still water festivals done annually in which all the villagers travel back home from anywhere around the world to make it happen. This festival can be attended by non indigenes and christians as well. History of the water and it's practice are told on this day of the festival.

A man once said that the river saved the villagers during the wars and gave them victory over their enemies and that why they still offer sacrifices and prayers to the river till present. The river saves, heals and gives help when seemed for. ALL these and more, they pray the river.

Another common believe in places like this that; they don't eat fish, crocodile or water python.

The water python called "Eke mmili" is honoured and treated with respect. When it is seen at home, it is allowed to stay till it leaves by itself. It does not harm anyone and goes freely about the village. This "eke" will visit every new born baby in the land and doing this, it sometimes wraps it's body around the baby and this happens till today.

This "eke" is respected to the extent that if anyone kills it wether by mistake or intentions, the person will perform it's funeral like it a human or get instant punishment from the gods. This tradition is as old as the earth.

In the same respect, some do not eat fish at all or kill it. Not even a stranger has the right to do that. All because the fish is from the river and is regarded as sacred.

Water is so much observed and respected in my tribe of Ibo land, Africa. Water is life, we say that "mmili enwe illo" meaning water has no enemy and there is this believe that water is a gift from the gods.

Some stream goes dry at a time and comes back again while some will always flow till eternity. This is how water is valued and the traditions attached to it in my tribe.

Thank you so much for reading.

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