Igbo palm wine comes from two sources: nkwu (palm) - the source of palm wine, known as “Mmanya Nkwu”, and ngwo (rafia palm) - the source of palm wine, known as “Mmanya Ngwo” associated with various respects. Each of them has different functions in different cases, depending on how it relates to this region or village.
In production, they are used in the same way, rising to the required height or to the neck of the palm trees and cutting out channels under which local circles (cabs) or plastic gallons are placed. In some areas, “Mmanya nkwu” is also used from fallen palm trees. However, it is worth mentioning that the amount of “Mmanya ngwo” available from a palm tree is usually about three times more than “Mmanya nkwu” within the same time limit.
To taste, they also differ from each other, while “Mmanya ngwo” tastes very sweet (sweet), but becomes sour (fermented) for a shorter period of time. “Mmanya nkwu” has a unique sweet but pleasant taste, which it contains for a longer time. Some areas in Igboland consider “Mmanya nkwu” better than “Mmanya ngwo”. This preference sometimes depends on the availability of one over the other in this area. In some areas, traditional wedding and wedding ceremonies are not observed “mmanya ngwo”, some other areas may accept “mmanya ngwo”, where “mmanya nkwu” is not available. In some areas, the preferred type of wine is used in settling land disputes, in traditional gatherings, marriages, burials, festivals, leasing sites, among many other events and ceremonies too numerous to mention.
When servicing in any case, the relevant rules are followed. In any meeting, the youngest man or man is wine, which is traditionally drunk either by elephant tusks or cow horns for titled men. There is another drinking cup called Okuku, a small cup from a kalabash. A young man will hold a wine container (calabash or gallon) on his left shoulder (thigh) and support it with his left hand while he holds a canine or horn (mpi or Okuku - a cup of calabash) in his right hand. The first one he serves is given to the owner for a drink. The second goes to himself, and the third goes to the older person in the meeting.
After all the formalities, the other people are equal and serve, with the exception of men who serve before others. But if a young man should serve wine, he holds the base of the container with his right hand and his neck with his left hand, and the counters stretch their cups so that he pours the wine. This does not apply to women. If she serves wine, the young man pours it himself and gives her a cup of wine, which in turn receives it with both hands as a sign of respect and honor. She should not drink it while standing in the meeting; she crouches or sits down somewhere before drinking. If at some point a young man decides to shake the container to make even concentration, he must first pack the container on the ground before he continues to serve, and the first person who hits him gets a cup of wine.
The last cup of palm wine containing garbage (Ugwu mmanya) is usually given as a mark of honor to the elder or the owner. The man of Igbo, you can conclude, is indeed rich in culture and traditions.
In subsequent reviews, I will focus on the importance of Palm Wine for the Igbo race and the world.
