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Jos Mayhem
14 killed in Fresh Clashes Yesterday
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At least 14 people were killed and several others wounded yesterday in fresh clashes that broke out in Nigeria's central region after multiple blasts that claimed several ives in the deeply divided city of Jos, officials said. Bomb disposal squad and extra forces were dispatched to the riot affected city after clashes led to the death of 14 people on Monday, police said.
Thirty-eight people were killed, while more than 100 injured on Christmas eve when strings of bomb attacks hit the town just as suspected Islamic fundamentalists massacred six Christian worshippers in a nearby town of Maiduguri.
A statement from the country's police headquarters said that it dispatched the police bomb squad to Jos, while its men patrolled the city to contain the situation even as it awaited the state of affairs report from Plateau State of which Jos is the capital. The country also announced tightening of security in Abuja, the capital city where bombs had killed several persons on October 1.
A militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had claimed responsibility for the Abuja bombings but no group did for the Christmas eve explosions. Catholic pontiff, Pope Benedict VI and United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon have condemned the bombings and killings.
The Secretary-general expressed the UN's support for the Nigerian government's efforts to bring those behind the deadly incidents to justice. Several young people in areas called Rukuba and Dogon Dutse took over the streets yesterday morning and went on to barricade major highways along Bauchi ring.
They burnt tyres which prompted youth from Rikkos quarters to start fighting with them. The fracas extended to other areas a resident, Jamang Pam, told PTI on phone. The fracas prevented Christians from going for their usual Sunday services, while vice president Namadi Sambo put off a visit to the city. The state police commissioner Abdulrahman Akano blamed the bombing and clashes on the political elite and maintained that they were not religious or ethnic in nature. "Bomb experts would henceforth be dispatched to worship centres to scrutinise those entering the centres to ensure that religious attacks are not used as smokescreen by politicians to perpetrate evil," he added.
Soldiers Patrol Jos After Deadly Christmas Attack
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Nigerian soldiers patrolled the streets of the central city of Jos on Sunday after a series of Christmas Eve bomb blasts that killed dozens in attacks the army chief has labelled terrorism. Authorities have sought to keep the violence from spreading in the region, which has been previously hit by sectarian clashes that have left hundreds dead this year and which officials say have been fueled by politics. Army Chief of Staff Azubuike Ihejirika told reporters in Port Harcourt that the bomb blasts, which came ahead of elections set for April, amounted to "terrorism." He said "the use of bombs is a terrorist dimension to it" and called for intelligence efforts to be intensified, local media reported. President Goodluck Jonathan pledged that those behind the bombings would be hunted down and brought to justice. Jos, the capital of Plateau state, has been particularly tense following the attacks, with the bombings marking a dramatic escalation in the violence there, which has often involved inter-communal clashes and reprisals.
A heavy deployment of soldiers could be seen in the streets on Sunday morning, and troops were stopping and searching cars. Observers have warned of an increase in violence in the run up to the April elections. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and one of the world's largest oil producers, faces tremendous challenges in organising the vote and is seeking to overcome a history of ballot fraud and violence. A north-south rift within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has added to tensions. Some in the party, which has won every presidential vote since a return to civilian rule in 1999, argue the PDP should abandon Jonathan, a southerner, for a candidate from the north. Ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar, who is from the north, is challenging Jonathan for the nomination, with the primary election set for January 13. The argument is based on an agreement within the party that presidential candidates should be rotated between the north and south every two terms. Jonathan took over in May after the death of Umaru Yar'Adua, a northerner who had not finished his first term.
Sultan Condemns Jos Blasts •As Saraki Condoles With Victims’ Families
Nigerian Tribune News
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Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has condemned the Friday's fatal bomb blasts in Jos in which 32 people died, describing it as a national calamity.
He said the country must find a way to put a stop to the wanton destruction of lives, stressing that Jos, Plateau State, had for sometimes now been in the news for the destruction of lives.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Sultan said, "
When the whole world is coming together and then we are busy getting innocent lives wasted, it is a very unfortunate circumstance".
"We have spoken about this.All the political leaders have spoken and I think we must find a way to put an end to this. Let me call it a national calamity. It is only in Jos where you have such incidents happening, but why are they happening? We must find out.
“So I think we blame the political class for getting us to this stage because it was not like this before; but this has gotten bad".
Asked why blame political leaders, the Sultan said, "it was because they are the leaders; if a leadership is good, the followership will be good. The leader should find solution to the problems plaguing the society where we live. We the religious leaders, we are doing our best, in fact we are addressing a press conference on Tuesday".
Meanwhile, Kwara State governor, Dr.Abubakar Bukola Saraki, expressed heartfelt condolence to the people, families and government of Plateau State, over the tragic explosions that rocked some parts of the state on Friday, 24th December 2010, in which several lives were lost and innocent people injured.
Governor Saraki, who was also the chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), lamented that the loss of any life under whatever circumstance is naturally saddening and tragic.
While commiserating with the families of the victims, Governor Saraki regretted the loss of so many lives at a time of the year when the people should be celebrating the Christmas and the New Year like everyone else, and to have died in such a tragic manner was even more painful.
In his words, ‘’I wholeheartedly condemn this dastardly act, which can never be justified on whatever grounds and therefore call on security operatives to intensify efforts in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book and to take all necessary measures to avert future occurrence.”
He then prayed to Almighty God to grant the repose of all the departed Souls eternal rest and grant the families and love ones left behind the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Pope Denounces Attacks Against Christians in Nigeria
TTimes Nigeria
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Pope denounces attacks in Nigeria
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI deplored on Sunday the "absurd violence" against Christians after attacks on churches in Nigeria and the Philippines over the Christmas holiday.
"It was with great sadness that I learnt about the attack on a Catholic Church in the Philippines during the celebrations for Christmas and also against Christian churches in Nigeria," the pope said.
"The earth is once again stained with blood as we have seen in other parts of the world," Benedict added in his Angelus address at The Vatican, as he offered his condolences to the victims of the "absurd violence".
At least 32 people were killed and 74 wounded after a series of Christmas Eve bomb blasts in the troubled Nigerian city of Jos on Friday evening. Many of the victims were doing their Christmas shopping at the time and a church was also targeted.
On the same night, suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising last year attacked three churches in northern Nigeria, leaving six people dead and one of the churches burnt.
Six people were also wounded on Saturday when a bomb went off in a church during Christmas Day mass on the southern Philippine island of Jolo which is known as a hotbed of Islamic
The Lunar Months
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Respected brothers! We will live today with the saying of Allaah which means, “Indeed, the number of months with Allaah is twelve (lunar) months in the register of Allaah (from) the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.
That is the correct religion (i.e. way), so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous (who fear Him)” (At-Tawbah: 36).
Honourable brothers! It is with the wisdom of Allaah that He favoured some months over others, like favouring the month of Ramadhaan over all other months, because it is the month of mercy, the month of Qur’aan, the month of forgiveness and freeing of people from the Fire. It is a month, which people glorified during the pre-Islamic period as well, and after Islam it became even more glorified.
Moreover, the month of Muharram (which means forbidden in Arabic) was called that because the Arabs used to forbid fighting during it. Safar (which means zero in Arabic) was given this name because the Arabs used to loot all the property of the enemy after defeating them in battle (i.e. they left nothing behind). Rabee’ Al-Awwal (which means graze in Arabic) because they used to graze their cattle during this month. Jumadaa (which means solid in Arabic) was given this name because water used to freeze during this month.
Rajab (which means remove in Arabic) was given this name because the Arabs used to remove the heads of their spears and refrain from fighting. Sha’baan (which is anything positioned between two things in Arabic) was given this name because it comes between Ramadhaan and Rajab. Ramadhaan (which means heat in Arabic) was given this name because of the hot temperature and excessive heat of the sun during this month. Shawwaal (which means raise in Arabic) was given this name because she camels would raise their tails when they became pregnant. Dhul-Qi’dah (which means sitting in Arabic) was given this name because it was the month during which they would sit and stop fighting. Dhul-Hijjah (which refers to Hajj in Arabic) was given this name because it was the month during which they performed Hajj.
Allaah says, which means, “The number of months with Allaah is twelve (lunar) months in the register of Allaah” (At-Tawbah: 36) in this great verse Allaah informs us that since He created the Heavens and earth, and created days and nights, and made the sun and the moon each float in an orbit, as a result of which the darkness of nights and the light of days occur. It was from that time that Allaah had set the months to be twelve, and He informed us that He designated four of them to be sacred.
We must respect the sanctity of these sacred months, by adhering to the commandments of Allaah, and rejecting that which the people of the pre-Islamic period were upon, like delaying the restrictions of these months or changing their sequence. It is for this reason that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said in his farewell pilgrimage, “O People! Time has gone back to how it was at the time Allaah created the Heavens and the Earth. A year has twelve months, four of which are sacred, three consecutive, Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jumaadaa and Sha’baan”
The words “when He created the Heavens and earth” (At-Tawbah: 36) are to clarify that the decree of Allaah took place very early on, and that He set the months, named them and sequenced them when He created the Heavens and the earth, then He revealed this upon His Prophets within the divine Books. This clarifies the saying of Allaah which means, “The number of months are twelve months (per year)” (At-Tawbah: 36).
This verse is informing us that the ruling of these months will remain (names, sequence and sacredness), and the changes made by the disbelievers to the sequence would have no effect. Moreover, whatever the disbelievers had changed could not change what Allaah had decreed.
This verse also indicates that it is compulsory to base acts of worship and Islamic rulings on these months, and not the ones other use. Therefore, it is not fit for a Muslim to prefer using these Roman or Christian months over these Arabic (named) months. Allaah says which means, “Four of which are sacred” (At-Tawbah: 36) and they are Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab which is between Jumaadaa Al-Aakhirah and Sah’baan. It was also called Rajab of Mudhar, because the tribe of Mudhar used to adhere to its sacredness, while another tribe by the name of Rabee’ah Ibn Nizaar used to change sacredness of Rajab to Ramadhaan. In order to lift this confusion the Prophet said, “Rajab, which comes between Jumaadaa and Sah’baan”.
Allaah says which means, “that is the right religion” (At-Tawbah: 36) meaning, this Sharee’ah and obedience therein, is the right and straight path. Then Allaah continues saying that which means, “Do not wrong (oppress) yourselves therein” (At-Tawbah: 36) which is referring to all months of the year but the sacred months hold a special position which makes oppressing oneself greater, just as Allaah says which means, “no sexual relation (with spouse), no sinning, nor unjust dispute” (At-Tawbah: 36) and this certainly does not indicate that one can sin other than the time of Hajj but it is to reflect the greatness of sinning during its rituals.
Do not wrong (oppress) yourselves by fighting and committing sins, because when Allaah honors something for one reason, it becomes that much honoured, but when He honours for two or more reasons, then sacredness becomes more, and punishment for disobedience is multiplied accordingly. For example, one who obeys Allaah during the sacred months in the sacred area will receive more reward than obeying Allaah during other months, and the one who obeys Allaah during months other than the sacred months outside the sacred area will receive less reward than he who obeys Allaah inside the sacred area. Allaah gave an indication to this in His saying, which means, “Oh wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality – for her the punishment will be doubled two fold, and ever is that for Allaah, easy” (Al-Ahzaab: 30).
These four months were called sacred for the gravity of committing a sin during them and for the position Allaah gave them. Ibn Abu Talhah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, ‘Allaah distinguished these four months and made them sacred, and glorified them; He made sinning during them more evil than during others; and the reward for righteous deeds is greater’.
Allaah specially mentioned these four sacred months and forbade oppression as a way of honouring them, even though transgression is forbidden during all times, as Allaah says that which means, “Hajj is (during) well known months, so whoever has made hajj obligatory upon himself therein (by entering the state of ihram), there is (to be for him) no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during hajj. And whatever good you do – Allaah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allaah. And fear Me, Oh you of understanding” (Al-Baqarah: 197).
This is the opinion which the majority of interpreters are upon, which is do not wrong yourselves during these four sacred months, but according to another narration Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, ‘During the full twelve months’ Honourable brothers! Allaah favoured some months over others in accordance with His complete wisdom, like favoring these four sacred months over the remaining months of the year, and He made these four as sacred, because Allaah does as He wills, and favours what He wishes, and He does that in accordance with His complete wisdom, which might appear to people (and be comprehended) or might remain concealed.
Second Khutbah
The greatest transgression is associating with Allaah, as Allaah says, which means, “Do not wrong (oppress) yourselves therein” (At-Tawbah: 36). Beware of oppression because it will be darkness, as Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said, “Oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection” (Bukhaari). Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said,
“Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Be on your guard against stinginess because it doomed those who were before you, too. It incited them to shed blood and treat the unlawful as lawful” (Muslim).
Slaves of Allaah! Beware of oppression, for Allaah made it more forbidden during these months, and know that Allaah forbade oppression for Himself as He forbade it for us. He is free of all defects. Allaah says which means, “Indeed, Allaah does not wrong the people at all, but it is the people who are wronging themselves” (Yoonus: 44) and also, “And the record (of deeds) will be placed (open), and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, ‘Oh woe to us!
What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?’ And they will find what they did present (before them). And your Lord does injustice to no one” (Al-Kahf: 49). Not only that, but He has also denounced having the will to oppress, Allaah says which means, “These are the verses of Allaah. We recite them to you, (Oh Muhammed), in truth; and Allaah wants no injustice to the world (i.e. his creatures).” (Aal ‘Imraan: 108)
Abu Tharr Al-Ghifaari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said that among the sayings he relates from his Lord is that He said: “O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those whom I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you, O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those whom I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those whom I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you.
O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything.
O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more that a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself”. (Muslim, Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah).
Allaah says that which means, “Do not wrong yourselves therein” (Hood: 88).
Egypt Detains 156 Protesters Over Church Riots.
One Christian Was killed And Dozens Were Wounded In Giza
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Egypt's attorney general ordered the detention of 156 protesters involved in clashes with riot police after the authorities blocked construction of a church in a Cairo suburb, the official news agency MENA said on Thursday.
One Christian was killed and dozens were wounded in Giza on Wednesday when some 3,000 Orthodox Copts hurled stones at police lines. Some officers threw stones back and Muslims threw rocks at the Christian protesters from behind the security cordon.
The attorney general decided to hold the 156 protesters for 15 days on suspicion of inciting the riots, MENA reported. It did not say whether they had been formally charged.
Some Christians demonstrated near the church and others near the Giza governor's office. Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt's 79 million people.
The Interior Ministry said on Wednesday that at least 112 protesters had been detained in the Giza area, where the authorities had halted construction of the church although the Copts said they had an official permit.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu End Public Career At 79
He Insists His Departure Aims To Clear The Way For New Talent To Blossom
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu is stepping down from public life, as he celebrates his 79th birthday.
The man described as the "conscience" of South Africa was a prominent voice during the country's struggle against white minority rule.
He has since been the voice of reconciliation in a number of regional conflicts.
But the Nobel Peace prize winner says he wants to spend more time with his family and watching cricket.
He also says he wants to make way for a new generation of leaders.
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Archbishop Tutu is a man widely considered as a moral compass in South Africa, admired for his integrity and adored for his infectious laugh.
Resentment and digestion
As a young cleric back in the 1970s, he was a vocal critic of the apartheid regime.
In the mid-1980s, when South Africa was still under white minority rule, he campaigned in the townships - on one occasion famously wading into the frontline to call for calm when a mob tried to lynch a suspected undercover policeman.
He became the first black archbishop of Cape Town in 1986.
After South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation commission - the body set up to investigate apartheid-era crimes - and occasionally broke down in tears at some of the horrific testimony.
But he always tried to forgive, saying in 2000 that: "Resentment and anger are bad for your blood pressure and your digestion."
In more recent times, he has been involved in conflict resolution with a group of prominent retired African statesmen called The Elders.
He has continued to court controversy - singling out leaders such as Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and Britain's Tony Blair for criticism.
Earlier this year, he described South Africa's hosting of the football World Cup finals as one of the most important events for the country since the end of apartheid.
He insists his departure aims to clear the way for new talent to blossom, but our correspondent says he remains a potent symbol of South African pride.
Kolanut Breaking An African Ritual
By Prof. Ikenna Nwosu MD
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The colanut, whose botanical name is “Cola Acuminata” or “Cola Nitida”, has been an important item in African societies for millennia. Colanut trees have been utilized for various purposes. Some traditional herbal healers use the pods to ease labor pains. The seeds are deployed to relieve diarrhea, nausea and hangover while the tree bark is used to heal wounds. The nuts are chewed as a stimulant and the roots can be used to clean teeth and sweeten breath. The colanut can be processed into a dye which is used in indigenous garment industry, body art and as an ingredient for cosmetics. The colanut tree is indigenous to the African rain forest. It can thrive in the wild but it is deliberately cultivated in most parts of Africa. A colanut tree variety was discovered to cohabitate quite well with cocoa plants, particularly when the latter in seedling stage. This lead to a massive propagation of colanut trees in vast cocoa plantations that were developed in many West African countries since the early days of European colonial rule. The cocoa beans are harvested for export to beverage and confectionery manufacturers overseas while the proceeds from the colanut tree are mostly consumed locally. The colanut is ubiquitous throughout tropical Africa. It is, however, amongst the Igbo cultural group in Nigeria that this nut conjures a meaning that transcends its material utilitarian value.
For reasons that cannot be fully explained by historians and anthropologists, Ndiigbo venerate the colanut as a ritualistic food that reinforces interactions in both their physical and metaphysical world. Presentation, breaking and sharing of the colanut are central to consummation of interpersonal relationships as well as solemnization of group undertakings in many formal or social settings in Igbo society. At the personal level, individuals who maintain homesteads or live by themselves are expected to offer and share the colanut with their guests as a symbol of goodwill toward them. Within the context of authentic indigenous Igbo values, it is considered extremely unusual for one to fail to offer the colanut to a guest, particularly in one’s own home. In the rare circumstance where the host may have temporarily run out of his supply of the nuts, the guest usually expects a profuse apology for the lapse. It is the normal etiquette for this apology to precede any other offerings that might be made as a substitute for colanut such as drinks, snacks and other refreshments. Some title groups in Igbo society may decline to partake in further proceedings in the residence of a host who cannot present the colanut to welcome his quests at the first instance.
Colanut is usually presented with other accompaniments as the case may be. Most commonly, the colanut is presented with “alligator” pepper, a hot spicy fruit from the ginger family, which mixes quite tastefully when chewed together with cola. Some prefer the accompaniment of hotly seasoned peanut butter made from dry-roasted groundnuts and pepper. To accommodate the taste and preferences of some who may not tolerate colanut well, other vegetables and fruits can be presented together with the colanut. Some people, who can afford to do so, accompany the colanut with palm wine, hot drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. Whatever is presented with the colanut takes a subordinate role when it is time to make the actual offering to the guest. The colanut, with its condiments and other accompaniments beside it in a plate or platter, is what is handed over to the guest while the other items are placed elsewhere in everyone’s view. Where the spouse of the head of the household is available, the wife usually delivers the colanut platter to her husband who then makes the presentation to their guests.
Colanut is not only presented to strangers, but to all guests. The Igbo connotation of a guest is anyone who resides outside the host’s homestead. The next-door neighbor or even a close relative, like one’s sibling, is regarded as a guest as long as he resides outside the host’s homestead. It is only a fool, according to an Igbo saying, that fails to regard his relatives as guests in his own homestead. The colanut is usually presented with a brief remark by the host to welcome the guests. If there is only one guest, he should receive the platter, acknowledge the presentation of the colanut with thanks and hand the platter and its contents back to the host to oversee the ritual of breaking the cola. In most parts of Igbo society, it is the prerogative of the male head of the household to perform the ritual for breaking the cola. This is more so if the male head of household has not broken any cola since daybreak. In some areas, such rites may be the task of the oldest or titled man present. In some situations, the youths are called upon to perform the actual breaking of the colanut and sharing the cola out to guests after the appropriate person has completed the libation ritual.
In a large gathering, presentation, breaking and sharing of colanut take a different format. The principal aim of the colanut ritual is the reenactment and solemnization of human relationships, proceeding from the host to encompass all the guests present. The male head of household or his surrogate first presents the colanut to the next of kin for onward transmission to rest of the guests. If the number present is not too large, the colanut should be passed around the guests bearing two things in mind: guest’s age and relationship to source of the cola. The colanut should pass from the hands of younger to older individuals and from closely related to distant relatives and finally to strangers, in meticulous order. Errors are destined to occur during this intricate process. That is why anyone, with platter of colanut in hand, is given the liberty to consult as he wishes before making the next move. The inquisitive traveler, an Igbo saying goes, rarely misses his way, even in a very strange land. This saying is put to practical use during the presentation of the cola. The average Igbo is unlikely to acquiesce to a gross error in the custody of colanut during its presentation. Every protestation regarding a breach of protocol is usually fully explained and necessary amendments made before proceeding further.
Even guests from distant places or even foreign lands are not left out of the colanut ritual. The farthest in relationship to the source of the colanut usually gets to handle the platter at the end of making its rounds through the guests. Before the colanut platter’s journey is deemed complete, every constituency that is entitled to handle it must have been given the opportunity to do so. An astute observer should be able to trace the relationship of the colanut presenter to various individuals and groups present. To the initiated, this is a reaffirmation of family and ancestral lineage. To the uninitiated, this exercise could be a subtle unspoken lesson in human interconnectivity and geopolitics from an Igbo perspective. The last person to handle the colanut platter is expected to return it to its original source; to the head of household who made the offering. Before doing so, it is considered a polite gesture to inquire from all assembled whether anyone who feels entitled to handle the colanut platter was omitted or inadvertently bypassed. A positive response should require an acknowledgement of error and an open apology to the offended. A negative response means that the colanut has touched all bases and therefore now ready for breaking and sharing to all present.
By design, many more colanuts are usually offered than would be adequate to share for immediate consumption amongst the number of people present. Besides, once the colanut is formally broken, the cotyledons of the nut can be cut into as many pieces as the sharer wishes. Ndiigbo say that only the lack of a thumbnail can be the limiting factor in ensuring that the broken cola reaches everyone present. It is the usual practice for anyone with a portion of colanut to pinch off a piece in his possession to share with those around him before eating what is left. At this phase of the colanut ritual, the emphasis is on sharing, no matter how minute the piece available may be. Before breaking the cola, a handful of choice nuts are picked out by whoever is performing the ritual for distribution to some guests for them to take home unbroken. Guests from most distant places and also the last persons to handle the colanut platter are the first beneficiaries of these selective handouts. The Igbo says that when the colanut reaches the guests’ homes, it gets the chance to tell where it came from. If enough nuts are available, dignitaries and titled men present could be offered whole colanuts as a sign of recognition.
The act of breaking the cola is the climax of the colanut ritual. Before separating the nut’s cotyledons, the person performing the ritual usually starts by reciting libations and extending good wishes to all present. The Almighty, the land and its deities as well as ancestral spirits are invoked upon to come and commune with all gathered. Brief remarks are made on key societal issues of the day. The good and favorable ones are lauded. The bad and unfavorable experiences are wished away, never to recur. Expectations for the future are expressed for individuals, groups and the society at large. As the recitals proceed, all those present intermittently concur in unison by responding “ise-e”, Amen, “ya gazie” when appropriate, depending on individual preferences. Most colanut-breaking rituals are concluded with a short prayer that is formatted to the performer’s taste. A resounding refrain of approval at the end of the colanut-breaking ritual is a confirmation that the nuts are ready to be shared and consumed by all present. The person breaking the cola finally separates one colanut into its cotyledons with his thumbnail or other instrument with a sharp edge. As of right, he retains one of the nut’s cotyledons while the other pieces are sent to the pool that will be shared to all and sundry.
The Igbo society is a highly decentralized one. As should be expected, there are variations in details concerning the presentation, breaking and sharing of the colanut amongst Ndiigbo. In some places, cash is routinely added to colanut platter before the head of household makes his presentation. On special occasions like during traditional marriage ceremonies, relatives and friends of the host often contribute publicly to the colanut pool that is eventually offered to the guests who are mostly made up of the entourage of the host’s in-laws. For some people, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, fruits, vegetables and snacks are acceptable substitutes for cola. No breaking ritual is considered appropriate for any “cola” presentation that does not include actual colanuts. It is, however, not unusual to encounter occasions where libations are recited while opening a bottle of hot drink, wine or champagne. The distribution network for ethnic foods has improved markedly these days that items like colanuts are easily found in most parts of Africa and large population centers of Europe and America. Use of inappropriate substitutes for colanut by Ndiigbo is rare nowadays, even amongst its Diaspora populations.
Colanut ritual is probably as old as Igbo culture itself. The Igbo sees the colanut as a ritual food which, by sharing with fellow humans in the ambience of the spiritual forces that define our cosmos, mends and reinforces cohesion of the greater society. Within the indigenous Igbo value system, the colanut has such a spiritual power that breaking and eating it at the consummation of a deal is considered as a more binding pledge by the parties concerned than written signatures or fingerprints. Signatures and fingerprints can be corrupted by forces external to man. But partaking in the breaking and sharing of colanut after performing associated ceremonial rituals is regarded by the average Igbo as taking a solemn oath that remains immutable for life. The colanut ritual has proven to be a powerful instrument for transmission of cultural values to succeeding generations of our people. To the non-Igbo, it provides a clue to understanding the inner workings of the Igbo culture and its people. Consumption of the colanut is not unique to the Igbo. In fact, the Yoruba grow the bulk of the colanuts produced in Nigeria and the Hausa eat a greater tonnage of the mild stimulant than Ndiigbo. Beyond growing and consuming the colanut like most Africans do, Ndiigbo also break the cola.
Feet Washing Can Detoxify Your Body
An Ancient Middle Eastern Culture That Still Works Today - By Dshaikh Izuchukwu
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The washing of one another's feet may be an ancient middle eastern culture but it is an act of loving dedication to others of our willingness to do for that one whatever may be necessary, to uplift their faith. When we take the feet of our brother or sister in our hands and wash them, we are saying to him or her, "I love you as a brother or sister in Christ, and you can count on me to be of service to you, however humble it may be" Unless one enters into it in this spirit, prepared to make this commitment, it cannot be said that one has truly taken part in the service and has "washed one another's feet." What really is the significance of the practice of foot washing? Is it merely a lingering trace of a past culture? We usually hear this act referred to as "the ordinance of humility." But is that all it is? No. There is the possibility of a deeper and more meaningful lesson and benefits than simply one of humility, important as that may be.
This is where we bring you the doctrine of detoxification with the main focus of using our Detox machine to alkalinizes the body ridding the body of unnecessary and harmful acids. PH testing can be done on the saliva before and after a treatment to confirm the results. Now, granted, one can detox in several ways. The oldest and best known method is to do a prolonged fast. Colon cleanses and liver flushes have also become popular to rid the body of waste build up, toxins, and acid. What is incredible about the Detox system is that you can do in 30 minutes what might take you days or weeks in another form of detoxification. It used to be known as the “rich man’s detox” in Europe.
In 1931, Dr. Otto Warburg, a noted research scientist, received the Nobel Prize for discovering that "Malignant Cancer must have a Low Oxygen, strong Acid Environment. Over 150 degenerative diseases are linked to acidity." We now know that creating an alkaline environment is crucial to the bodies well-being and aversion to cancer, bacterial growth, viruses, and disease. Acid wastes attack our joints, major organs, and lymph and circulatory system. Our fight for our health is also a fight over our PH.
Beginning Symptoms of Acidosis include: fatigue, headaches, bloating, acne, constipation, food allergies, panic attacks, slow circulation.
Intermediate symptoms of acidosis include: Asthma, bronchitis, insomnia, psoriasis, fungus, depression, body odor, cold sores. Advanced symptoms of acidosis include: cancer, fibromyalgia, weight gain, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, gout, diabetes, lupus, leukemia, chronic pain, migraine headaches.
How Does it Work?
Our bodies are electric. In each of our cells we have positive and negative charges called ions. When we have the same amount of positive and negative, the body is balanced and neutral. If we have not enough ions to balance the body, the body goes acidic. At this point the body is running on a deficiency and will try to pull from surrounding tissue, bones, etc. to try to balance. WATER has an almost perfect balance of positive and negative ions. Water will split its ions on impact (like a waterfall, the beach, the rain– and in our case the impact of electricity). Since the body is composed of over 70% water, its ability to interact with water is very high (Osmosis). Each foot has over 2000 pores and also the greatest number of sweat glands in the entire body.. The machine creates millions of positive and negatively charged ions that enter your body and begin to neutralize tissue acid wastes. Consequently, the Ion Cleanse is one of the best detox products. It is painless, drug free, and has no harmful side effects
How Often Should I Do A Cleanse?
One detox session is equivalent to a fast. If one were to purge through several days of fasting, the unit can accomplish the same benefit in 30 minutes. Therefore you are doing your body a huge favor with even just one session.For a full body purge, we recommend 20+ treatments. Every other day for 40 days or three times a week until the desired results.
If one has a health challenge of a bigger nature (cancer, fibromyalgia, obesity, arthritis, etc.) then it is recommended that the machine be used three times a week as a regular habit. If you choose this course then take a few weeks off after 25 treatments so that the body does not get lazy.
Kenya Deports A Radical Islamist Cleric
Jamaican Born Man With History of Inciting Hatred
Police officers in Nairobi on Friday clashed with rock-throwing mobs who were angry about the government’s decision to deport a radical Islamist cleric. The police fired tear gas and unleashed attack dogs on hundreds of demonstrators. Witnesses said at least three people were killed. Kenyan officials recently arrested the Jamaican-born cleric, Abdullah al-Faisal, who has served jail time in Britain for inciting hatred, and are trying to deport him.
Radical elements with history of inciting hatred and violence are becoming more common among various islamic groups. Their base of support is eroding in most communities. Abdullah Al Faisal would suffer simialr fate as many would be terrorist, who are either apprehended or remove to areas where there ability to incite terror are less likely.
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