The history of how the inhabitants of Idemili began to worship small pythons may be traced back to the Idemili River, which runs through cities such as Obosi, Ogidi, and Ojoto and is part of a network.

The name Idemili is taken from the river, which is home to the snake Eke Idemili. The snake is revered by the inhabitants of Idemili as a representation of their god and hence a keeper of their culture and heritage.

When a baby is born in Idemili, the small python creeps to the spot where the newborn is kept and harmlessly cuddles around the child, much to the delight of the parents. It was also learned that the snake’s visit to people’s houses might represent a variety of things, since the snake is considered to have the ability to convey either good or terrible news.

Source: https://wokenationtv.com/brief-history-of-idemili-in-igbo-land.html