Culture evolves and undergoes various alterations over the generations . This changing nature cuts across various aspects like dressing and traditional rites . Yet , one of the few things that have remained unique over time is the value and influence of natural creatures on man .
In Igboland , certain items are revered and considered sacred to the community . This is what guides the belief of totemism, a system where humans are said to have a mystical relationship with a spirit -being . Because of this , religious taboos and laws have controlled the socio -political activities of Igbo communities .

The Igbos generally revere certain plants and animals , but this varies depending on the part of Igboland . In Eha-Amufu in Enugu, Ebe ( the spirit of the river ) controls the fish in that particular river. The big fishes are the counterparts of the principal men of the village - group and so, when a villager dies , a fish dies , and vice versa . It is also a taboo to fish in that river.

Likewise , the deification of pythons is common in Idemili , Anambra State . It is generally believed that the pythons are representatives of the gods of Idemili. In the Afikpo area of Ebonyi state , the Oziza group deifies crabs and so , the indigenes cannot eat or kill crabs . This list also includes animals like tortoise , monkey, crocodiles , alligators , butterflies and snails .
Plants are also part of this cultural practice. There are tons of trees , some marked using red or white clothes or others left empty but still with huge significance. These trees are regarded as spirits, mediums or curative elements . The okosisi ( Iroko tree) is one of these trees . Others include ogirisi , ofo , oji, udara and akpu . There are sacred groves and other trees, including the sycamore and the baobab , used for religious purposes or associated with God and other spiritual beings .
The 21 st century has seen a lot of changes . There are a lot of human activities responsible for causing environmental changes which may , in turn , hurt animal and plant species. These activities, not limited to deforestation and hunting , have affected the observance of these totem animals .
While the locals who have utmost reverence for these plants and animals have kept them from being endangered and going extinct , there is still a lot of work to be done to create a balance in the ecosystem. A notable means for the preservation of some of the distinct animals from extinction is by maintaining a viable and ultra modern game reserve as a tourist attraction. This will in turn create revenue, thus killing two birds with one stone.

https://www.nigerialog.com/culture/much-ado-about-totemism-in-igboland/new/#new