Each Snake You Kill Represents a Human Life - Anambra Man Laments Killing of Pythons

 

News went round recently showing how a huge python was killed in Anambra State.

 

Now, the killing which occurred at the weekend has sparked controversy on social media.

 

An indigene of the state has gone on social media saying said each python represents one human life.

 

The Facebook user identified as Ogbujianyim ChiukwuEmeka Nwokedi, said the killing of a python in the state could diabolically lead to the demise of a human being.

 

This was just as a group of men from the Enugu Ukwu part of the state (boundary point with Ebonyi state) butchered a python during the weekend and prepared it for cnsumption.

 

Nwokedi, on his Facebook page shared a story of how the killing of pythons is affecting their own lives.

 

He wrote: “Traditional Nwokedi said and warned: If Anambra people, especially those calling themselves Christians will not stop Enugwu people from killing Anambra Python, too much people will die in Anambra and Anambra people will be wondering who is killing us.

“Abakaliki people are killing us! One Python is one person’s life; the more they kill them, the more you bury your loved ones."

 

Another indigene of the state, Tony Oraeki, wrote: “I’m an indigene of Nri and in respective towns, if a python enters the house of anybody; climbs on top of his bed, the owner of the house will simply collect the creature and drop it somewhere outside the compound without harming it.

“If a stranger deliberately kills a python in Okija, the natives according to Ujummadu would advise such a person to give a befitting burial to the creature, and if the person refuses, he or she stands the risk of dying mysteriously within one year.”

 

According to Daily Post, check have suggest that the people of the state have a tradition that forbids the killing of snake.

 

It is believed that by killing a snake, one desecrates the land, as snake killing in the area is a taboo and no amount of civilization can change that part of their culture – ‘worshiping of python.’

 

Although, several churches have made attempts to put an end to the alleged bizarre norm, all efforts have been abortive.

 

In a chat with Daily Post, the son of one of the traditional rulers in a clan in Anambra state who simply identified himself as Afam, told our reporter that “If you mistakenly kill a snake, you will simply appease the gods or face the consequences. Before now, a man called all kinds of pastors to pray for his family. He, however, invited the wrath of the gods when his three kids died mysteriously.”

 

While some have described the belief as barbaric, that such laws should only concern pagans, not Christians, Afam said, “Tradition is tradition.”