Title: Ezenwanyi Mmili Malugo
Name: Martha Ekwealor
Nickname: Pretty Gold
Origin: Anambra State
Location: Abuja
NZU IN IGBO COSMOLOGY
In Igbo it is nzu, in Edo orhue.
This chalk is used in multiple ways – as an offering to the deities and ancestors, as a medicine, as a symbol of purity, of good fortune and hospitality. It is a sacred substance.
NZU is an Igbo word for white kaolin usually, white clay that is used in ceramics and refractory, as a filler or extender, and in medicine especially as an absorbent in the treatment of diarrhea". There are two types of NZU: Okenzu and nwunye NZU (popularly called NZU omumu in some culture areas).
In Igbo tradition white kaolin is a symbol of purity, peace, happiness and love; hence, when a stranger comes to your house you first present him or her with white chalk which he/her smears on his hand or forehead and you too smear on your own. This is called IMA NZU. THIS shows the love, peace, happiness and purity of HEART with which you receive each other.
There are three ways of applying NZU in a traditional Igbo society.
1. IMA NZU
2. Ika NZU
3. ITU NZU
ITU NZU and Ika NZU are essentially reserved for the men depending on the degree of one's social status while IMA NZU is essentially reserved for the women folk. But because of spiritual calls women especially Ndi Ezenwaanyi/Agbaranwaanyi can perform IKA NZU in invoking the cognate spirits for action.
NZU is also used when a child is born. The child is rubbed NZU all over the body for months. This helps to remove any unwelcome elements such as germs, heat rashes and dirty skin.
Anybody who visits the newly born child will smear himself/herself with NZU. This indicates that the child is innocent, clean without blemish as it comes from Almighty CHUKWUOKIKE. It also shows that the visitor has no negative motive!
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