While the majority of the Nembe people are Christians, when it comes to python worship, you can not distinguish them.
Pythons in Bayelsa State have long been protected and adored as deities by the people of Nembe Kingdom.
The link between the pythons and the Nembe people is profoundly rooted in their common belief that the python played a major role in the restoration of the Kingdom of Nembe.
Reports indicate that the python is usually found in Nembe’s different dimensions, which is surrounded by mangrove forests.
The wrath not only on the gods (Ogidida) but on the people of the city will occur according to the indigenous people of Nembe Kingdom, who spoke to researchers.
“The Nembe Man is so consecrated to us that he can not see the massacres of other tribes by humans,” says one James”, adding: “When in another country the Python is being murdered by strangers, a Nembe man would take to his heels to avoid being testified to”.
Nembe people consider the python as a spirit being.
Abomination
However, when I visited Nembe community, I asked about their lifestyle.
To my surprise, a young boy who was my neighbour told me about how they worship Python.
It was as surprising thing for me. How will you worship a snake? That’s insane. Is it God? I asked.
The boy went further to tell me how sacred killing a snake is in the community.
“If you come across this snake, don’t kill it o”.
I was like, ‘Shu that’s not possible nah’. Then I asked, what then should I do when I see the snake?
“It’s either you run or the snake bite you,” the boy said.
I laughed within my spirit and asked the boy what he would do if he sees the snake.
He said: “I will run. I am not ready to die and if I kill the snake, it is an abomination because outlawing the killing of the python has been an act of veneration for the god that has made an immense contribution to the development of the area”.
This was when I got to know that if a python is seen in a home or on the road, it is not killed but is simply discarded by traditional means.
Forbidden Animal
However, a Nembe resident shared his personal experience on his encounter with a Python.
“One morning as I opened my Poultry pen, I was greeted by a huge python inside my pen.
“About eight birds were lying on the floor dead, I was terrified and didn’t know how to approach this monster.
“Funny enough a boar here is untouchable, you can’t kill it no matter what.
“It took partial destruction of my pen to get rid of it.
“Upon that I have to settle the boys that came for my rescue.
“So I started to look for best way to prevent it.
“I have tried carbide, diesel, sniper and fuel. But none could do it until I fenced the place with fish net.
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“Fish net is the only thing that could keep at bay any unwanted reptile like snake even lizard.
“In my case I have caught six pythons since then and released them back to their natural habitat, since it is a forbidden animal here.”
If you live in Nembe or any part of Nigeria where snakes disturb, right here is a solution on how to handle it.