OWHO D’ ISHI N’ AGO ONWE EYA: THE OKUNANO SYMBOL OF FAIRNESS & JUSTICE
Ofor or Owho in Okunano Osagwede dialect is an allegorical personification of the moral force in Okunano and all over igboland. And like the latin “Iustitia” or the female blindfolded symbol of justice, her attributes is the oshishi-owho stick. In the whole of igboland, Owho is the sacred symbol of truth, royal authority, justice, law and administrative power. It primarily bestows upon the holder/bearer (person or persons in possession) the right to offer sacrifice - rituals, prayer, oath taking, pronouncing of judgement, deliberating policy/policies within the family, clan or community and also for invoking blessings or curses. Sometimes and at some other quarters in Igboland, the Owho may be made from bronze, brass or stick and symbolizes a family or clan or community's authority and can only be handled by those who are authorized or entitled to touch or wield it. It is revered by the family or clan and treated as heirlooms - passing from generation to gener...