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TREES (THEIR SIGNIFICANCE AND USES AS LINK TO CULTURE AND BELIEF IN IGBO LAND, AND ECONOMIC SUBTAINANCE.) Wilson Ahamefule O. 500level imsu

He who nocture trees noctures life, and gives nature chance to exist more. It is said that trees have important roles to play in the society both in giving life, acquiring knowledge and promoting culture as well as other aspect. There are many ways which human can sustain it's life, belief, value and economic involvement and trees are part to this.

According to oxford dictionary, a tree is any large plant, not exactly defined but typically over four meters in hieght; a single trunk which grows in girth with age and branches and grows in circumference with age. Although, trees have been in existence for 370 million years. A tree is a symbol of hope, growth and its colour and beauty signifies life itself which is green, IT IS LIFE. The igbo culture value trees and their believe as sacred communual places has not disappeared from their lives, ndi igbo are known by their symbols which are ethics of the society that projects its nature values as such as the have the value as beauty in life. The use of trees as places of communion with spirits carried onto the diaspora even where alot of igbos ended up like the part of northen america example during the mafaa. The diversity and utilization of typical religious ceremonies by the igbos of south east Nigeria was studied and documented in the igbo culture as trees possess magical and mysterious powers, which are believed to have been endowed by CHI(God). But today, the average man has lost meaninig in trees. In every community in Igbo land you are bound to see certain trees that are acondoned off with white or red cloth indicating that members of such community consider such trees sacred. In a study comparing the religious significance of different species for west african cultures, Schnell (1946) found out certain trees were sacred throughout the region, they were often proctected and sacrifices were given to them.

In the significance of trees as a link to culture and belief, forest trees link between the sky and earth, often symbolizes link between the spiritual world of ancestors and the people. Rituals and ceremonies in igbo land draw on forest symbols often serve to link people with their cultural heritage as well as their ancestral past. The tree is a maternal symbol; a protector and provider who gives fruit, other food, medicines and provides a reservoir for water, protects live against elements and evil spirits in the land. It symbolizes human fecundity, it can also be a phalic and paternal symbolm of unity in the culture. Also, the decidous characteristics of trees gives it an ambigous image which reflects trees power to give life and rebirth as well as bring death. In african myth, the tree is portrayed as an ancestral symbol of wisdom, authority and custom providing a bond between the living and the dead. Though in igbo culture it symbolises a mediator and judge to bothb man and nature.

In the judicial function of trees, they serve both physical and symbolic judicial roles. Symbolically, they can represent mediators or decision makers. In the physical aspect, they are phsical boundary makers that defines properties and provides evidence of usual rights in judicial disputes in igbo land. According to Gorog-karady's (1970), an evil deed is followed by atonement in which trees take part; the tree can be a giver of life, death or it can insure a hero's survival. In some cases you find out, trees intervenes in situations where man cannot solve his conflicts which are the conflicts where the rules of the traditional society in igbo land has been ignored.

The uses of trees and their products in promoting culture and values and healthy life cannot be over emphasised especially in the land of ndi igbo. in this case trees provides a range of products for traditional ceremonies from food and beverages to costumes and musical products etc. There are some trees we see arround us today tht have impacts and roles to play in improving the belief, life, value and symbols which giving life is unexception pertaining to them and their products. They are many but few will be mentioned here as we go on

BAMBOO TREE. Bamboo tree is one of the besteconomic trees that is cherished. It serves many purposes like makig of crafts for aesthetic values and other cultural uses, it's uses includes building of structures. Before the colonial age, there was nothing like concrete bridges, bamboos were used by the ancestors across all rivers and streams because they were known for farming. It is also used for staking, building barns and shelters, sometimes where deites are kept and other sacred things in the igbo culture. It can also be used for cultural ceremonies. 70 percent of igbo soil are too soft and sandy, therefore there is a challenge of erosion devastation, but with the help of bamboo the erosion sites are surmouted. In the olden days, bamboo logs are used as frame work and skeleton base for mud houses, even our rich folks still use it to make scaffold, it can be used to make xylophones, drums and other musical instruments used in the igbo culture.

PALM TREE. Nothing embedded in this tree is useless both in life and in culture, every aspect of this tree is lively and productive. The oil produced from it is used in cultural foods and other things arround the world as far as it is edible. The kernel is used to make cream and other things in the igbo culture, it can be used to make food for livestocks, making of brooms and other things. one of the parts found in palm trees can be burnt to make ingredient for 'NGO' as the igbos call it for cultural foods. Family and marriage institutions are very important in igbo community, initiating and consummating marriage and wedding amongst the igbos can be rigorousand goes in phases, but the ancestors carefully chose palm tree as a symbol of marriage and wedding rituals. They could have choose any other thing for the bride to hand over to groom but they chose "mmanya nkwu" palm wine which comes from the fabrics of the tree, signifying and symbolising the inner self no one can reach but oneself. It is white which signifies purity and above it al it is natural and nourishing, good for health. In igbo land, the wine is used to pouring libations, offering prayers and heralding events, the tree promotes culture and its invaluable economically.

IROKO TREE. One cannot mention trees and its contributions to life and culture without including 'OJ' as it is foudly called in igbo land. it is the king of all trees as it's greatness in hieght and size, it symbolises greatness in height and prowess. It is used as a source of adage which aids in teaching cultures and acquiring knowledge and wisdom. The tree houses birds and other animals with its height and majesty, it stands for hope and unity, an adage always says, when ever the iroko tree falls all the birds scatters. it is economical as it is used in making some instruments for the igbo culture. aside from culture and belief, the iroko can be cut and used for many industrial usage, it shades the communities and sometimes gives land marks or center for gathering for cultural activities. The 'OJ' tree is sometimes used to house sacred shrines and other cultures for the people.

KOLA TREE. This particular tree do not only give life in breathing to humans but plays a large role in shaping man's veiw specifically its seed "kola nut". Kola is one of the trees which its fruit is one of the most important fruit in igbo culture, not only fruit, but one of the most important things in promoting culture as it serves as procursor at receptions, important meetings, customary ceremonies. Before any kind of occassion is carried out in an ideal social life that kola comes first. the tree is regarded as the first tree and fruit of earth because there's no culture that receives equal attention as its product. Just as the igbos say, oji bu eze, ie the kola is the king in any activity; even outside culture, the kola nut tree is economical and serves as a source of income to man.

In the conclusion of this topic, the forests (trees) plays a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating climate and removal of carbondioxide and gives oxygen to live. But it doesn't end there, it promotes culture and play a role in many igbo mythologies. The serves as a variety of symbolic functions which link with ancestry and cultural heritage. The symbols provides social structure and cultural identity in rapidly changing environment. The trees and their products will continue to be valued in part because they symbolises cultural cohesion. There can be little doubt that values are continuing to change, therefore this evolution people's perceptions of surrounding forest environment will undoubtly be altered, although no studies explore the implications of changing cultural values on trees, and most times inorder to keep our culture and sustain healthy and good surrounding, we must make sure we nocture, keep and maintain our trees, involve in forestation for a better future, make room for nature to flourish, because tree is life, and life is related with culture and belief to having a meaningful life.

AHAMEFULE WILSON IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, IMO STATE NIGERIA 500 LEVEL