A beautiful Igbo Lady known as Chidinma Ofoegbu has come to condemn the killing of Pythons, claiming that such act bring automatic curse on the erpetrator.
In traditional Igbo belief system, Pythons are known in Igbo as Eke and are seen as a scared entity in many parts of Igboland, especially in many communities in Anambra state.
In communities where pythons (Eke) are revered, they are believed to be guardian “Angels” or a messengers from the gods, therefore, it’s forbidden to be killed. In most cases, anybody that kills a Python is forced to organise a Burial Ceremony for it.
Chidinma took to her Facebook handle to express her disappointment towards people who kill Pythons in Igboland and told them to stop because they are bringing curse upon curse on themselves.
She wrote:
Eke is a sacred animal and a messenger of the gods. This is why some villagers don’t kill it up till today. My people have been brainwashed, that’s why fa jiri hapu omenaala , emezi omenelu.
Some will brag of how Eke is their favourite meat without knowing that they are bringing a curse upon their generations.
This very animal is not just an animal, it does not look for trouble. Sometimes it can come unexpectedly into your compound, the next thing is to seek for AFA to know why the sudden appearance.
Do you know that in the olden days, our mothers do leave their children at home for market and call on eke to come and guide them till they are back from the market.
When they leave, the Eke will majestically come out from the bush to guide the children. Eke hardly bite, it doesn’t hurt but might be so wicked to a bad person.
Ufodu ndi ojoo jizi maka Anya ukwu were mebezie mpu, killing and eating it so that it will stop visiting them when dey do bad.
In some villages, when you kill this sacred animal hmmmmmm, you will bury it like a human being. In Some villages, this Eke normally comes out to welcome strangers in the land but will only hurt the evil ones.
In some villages, when a new baby is delivered, Eke will visit and lay beside the baby for Protection. Eke does not hurt, am talking from experience, you can play with it and also Carry it on your neck, they are friendly with good people.
Eke mmiri is very friendly, eke nwe ohia too.
Sometimes, oburu na mmadu tuo gi n’alusi ,Eke or Bee will appear in your compound to bring the message to you, then the next thing is to answer to the call after ka ijuchara ase.
Animals that are meant to be sacred are not meant to be killed, it’s a curse upon curse for the coming generation.