The symbol of Ofo in Igboland

Egbe bere Ugo bere ma nke si ibe ya ebela ka nku kwajie ya(Let and let leave) is popular Igbo proverb summing up the need for equity in life.

What then is Ofo?  Ofo is an age-old symbol, the staff of God, which was in place even before the time of Moses among Ndi Igbo (the Igbo Nations)as stated by Igbo History. It is a symbol of truth and justness(Equity). Ofo is the central symbol of Igbo spirituality. It is a sacred staff of authority, and an emblem symbolizing the links between Chukwu Okike (the Creator of all) and man, the dead and the living, the living and the unborn. Ofo in Igbo land symbolizes justice, righteousness, and truth. It plays many important roles in the social, political, and spiritual life of the Igbo. No serious rite of ceremony can be performed without Ofo.

Ndi Igbo are extremely ethical. Morality comes to them so naturally that it is a part of their daily living. Ethics is such a part of their life that the Igbo vernacular has no word for it. Morality is not enforced (by the law enforcement group), yet, everyone is considerably moral because every action is either rewarded or punishable by the ancestors. Every unethical behavior has pancosmic effect on one’s children and on one’s children’s children.

There are different types of Ofo as expressed in Igbo land. These include:

• Ofo Ukwu/Ofo Obodo: This is the town Ofo and is held and controlled only by one person in the town until death. This can only be held by a son of the soil.
• Ofo Umunna: This is held and controlled by the head of the Umunna who must be a son of the soil and not from the lineage of slave or outcast either by parents or ancestor.
• Ofo Obi: This is held and controlled by the head of obi and can only be passed on to the son of the obi in the event of death.
• Ofo Nna: This is held and controlled by the father of the family. It may have symbol or not depending the choice of the family. It permits everybody to hold it.
• Ofo Nke Onye. Ofo Nke Onwe: This Ofo is made for everybody both male and female, adult and children, slave and outcast. It does not have any symbol. It is spiritual that was why the Igbos says “Uka di na Obi” (Worshipping God is in your heart.
• Ofo Chi: This is based on the equity from God and is premised on the belief that anyone who uses the Ofo for unjust purposes faces the repercussion as the Chi(god)behind the Ofo retaliates or avenges its cause.

It is hoped that Ndi Igbo should ensure equity in their daily affairs with others, knowing that Onye Obula Ji Ofo, Ma Ofo makwa Onye ji ya.