The importance of “Obi” in Igbo land.
Obi ,Obu or Iba, usually refers to Patio, is located in a central position within the familial compound for receiving visitors. In Igbo culture, Obi is revered and naturally for the eldest sons. Although the settlement patterns of communities vary within the regions of Igboland, a recurring feature in local architecture is the presence of small lodges, known in various Igbo dialects as an ‘Obi’, ‘Obu’, ‘Iba’, “Ogbiti’, etc. Situated in a central position within the familial compound, the Obi is solely owned by the family patriarch as the Igbo culture entails, and serves as an informal gathering place often used as a parlor for entertainment purposes.
Obi were often built with open walls, so as to allow maximum airflow, and with thick thatch roofing, to provide cool shade from the hot sun.
The Obi signifies a man’s independence, as it is the desire of every young Igbo man to work hard and accumulate enough wealth to go out and establish his own compound and build his own Obi. Possession of the obi is often passed down from a father to his diọkpara (first son), whose duty it is to see that his father’s obi is always kept clean and within the possession of his family.
The Ọnicha Ado calls it “Iba”, being overseen by the diọkpa. There he consult the spirit of their ancestors. The Obi is also symbolic; it functions as the tempo-spiritual essence of the collective identity of an Igbo household. The ụmụada of the same clan also use obi for their spiritual purposes and gatherings.
A father has every right to bequeath the “Obi” to any of his child if he’s not in good terms with his first son. they’re not in good terms.
If the first son, probably ofeke, were daring enough to sell his father’s obi, or the land upon which is built, such a person would be regarded contemptuously, and inadvertently attracted the wrath of the gods upon himself. Obi is sacrosanct and revered in Igbo land.
As Igbo culture entails, Patio “Obi” is for the eldest sons (Diọkpara). It’s cultural that every Igbo household is expected to have Obi or Iba.
