Snakes are more often than not, regarded as vile creatures.
From
time immemorial, they've wielded terror amongst humans with several
accounts from history and religious philosophies branding them the
ultimate enemy.
Right
here in Nigeria, there are several communities that not only revere
snakes, but also observe a tradition of not killing them
This, however, isn't always the case.
Right
here in Nigeria, there are several communities that not only revere
snakes, but also observe a tradition of not killing them.
In such places, killing snakes often attracts very serious penalties such as human-like funeral rites for the killed snake.
Here are 5 places in Nigeria where killing a snake could land you in plenty of trouble.
- Nembe, Bayelsa: It is forbidden to kill snakes in this Bayelsan community. Such actions could attract serious sanctions as in the case of a Youth Corp member who was made to pay N120,000 for sacrifices after he killed a snake.
- Anambra: In several parts of Anambra including Idemili and Ukpor, Nnewi-South Local Government, it is forbidden to kill pythons and green snakes. Killing these creatures would lead said snake killer to perform burial rites for the python. Interestingly enough, there have been no incidents of pythons killing the villagers as they're merely shooed away when sighted by villagers.
- Imo: In Mgbidi, the headquarters of Oru West Local government area of Imo State it is also forbidden to kill pythons as they're regarded as one of the gods of the community. Going against this time-tested tradition could lead to similar consequences as in Ukpor above.
- Ebonyi: The Okposi community in Ebonyi state revere green snakes and it is absolutely forbidden to kill these creatures.
- Ile Alakpa, Ogbomoso: It is also forbidden to kill snakes in this community.
- Oke Ogun, Oyo: A tradition that has passed through several generations, this community also frowns at killing snakes
No comments:
Post a Comment