The significance of Okute in Idoma tradition
January 23, 2021 at 8:04 pm,
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By
Okwoli Moses Elaigwu
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Okute is one of the most powerful tool in Idoma tradition. The power that flows through this medium of ancient projectile is unimaginable. Some may think okute only aid an elder who is fable to walk properly.
In the ancient time, okute function in Idoma tradition is the same as signate ring.
Okute play the role of aiding elders to walk freely especially in their fable but most elders who are strong enough to walking stick used. Could it be a thing of fashion or more than a fashion tool?
In reality walking still play more roles than than just a walking aid.
In the ancient time when the elders want to make a degree or swore an oath, okute is lay upon each other and whatsoever is pronounced is irreversible.
A user of Okute is a burden bearer that carried the weight of the unseen.
History point out many Idoma elders who uses their okute to perform miracle which was sang in most of the masquerade chanting during festive period or ritual rites. For instance, Achukwu sang about the miracle of Ochumoiga who construct invisible bridge using is okute for his kinsmen to passthrough when he was giving the mandate to bring Achukwu from Akpachi Etto after the plan to use that of Okpe son of Agbooko fails. This song of might is still fresh in the mouth of the masquerade and many other masquerade who pride over is miracle.
Oyibiokpa uses is walking still and that of the Igabo (kingsman) of Otukpo to call on Viber to fall on their walking still if their ancestors approved the dethronement of the seating king (name of the king withheld) which Viber falls from the sky and landed at the okute gathered by the elders in Otukpo.
Outside from Otukpo the story was told of edeh the son of igwonye when he was migrating from Apa on reaching Efu-nokwu the was barricades by a giant leopard out of hanger point his Okute on the anima and it turned to rock.
The kingdom of Igala, Atta Ame Oboni point his Okute on his cousin who defiled the king's order that no man is allowed to see the face of his wife on Ede market day and his hand became bent.
Most elders consciously try to avoid pointing their walking still on children because of the the power behind it.
While is okute so powerful yet were overlooked upon by many young general? This question had been mutedly answered, the strength of every man lies in his wisdom.
Don't take an elder for granted to the point he/she point his walking stick on you, respect for elders indeed is the beginning of long life.