News has it that people in Anambra and Delta States, Nigeria worship snakes, particularly, the python. Despite its size, this huge creature is considered a harmless being.
Here, a python is a totem, a sacred object and the manifestation of a spirit to be revered. These communities believe that they are not worshipping the snake itself but the spirit inside seen as the god of wisdom, bliss and benevolence.
The python often has a temple, chief priest and snake wives; beautiful women that the snake consistently appears to. The appearance could be physically or spiritually. It is not strange for the women to wriggle like snakes on the floor while speaking in strange languages after being initiated into the service of the snake god.
When pythons are seen at home or outside, they are to be treated with respect or removed using traditional methods. A visit from a python could either be a good omen or a bad one especially if it attacks the human being.
It is rare for a python to attack someone but when it happens, only a priest can rescue the affected person.
Legend has it that this snake helped natives of Useifrun and Ujevwu communities in Ughelli South and Udu Local Government Areas in Delta state escape during the inter-tribal wars. The python was believed to have gone after the people, erasing their footprints which prevented their enemies from knowing which direction they went. The descendants of these people show their gratitude by refusing to kill or eat the python.
As such, it is forbidden to kill these creatures. On the rare occasion when a python is killed, the person responsible faces very serious penalties including human-like funeral rites for the killed snake.
“If you mistakenly kill a snake, you will simply appease the gods or face the consequences” a priest named Ngozi Obiwuru explains. “It is very simple. The individual will buy a white coffin, white rooster, goat and will come to the shrine for sacrifice. The coffin will be used to bury the snake. These snakes do not bite anyone; it is a sign of blessing if it chooses to visit your family at night. It is an honour to have a god in your home, just as the Christians rejoice when they spot an angel in their homes.”
The worship of snakes in Nigeria is similar to that of the people in the Benin Republic, where the popular Python Temple in Ouidah is located.
However, while Pythons are technically considered harmless since they are not poisonous or venomous, it is important to note that they still pose a serious threat to humans because of their size.
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