Bizarre: Village Where Periwinkles Are Gods

Most people of the coastal areas of the Niger Delta Region hardly prepare a meal without periwinkles, the delicious species of small edible sea snails. Periwinkles are harvested from the seabed and are such a veritable source of income. Expectedly, these molluscs of various species enjoy immense acceptance among the Nembe people of Nembe Local Government Area and the ancient town of Twon Brass and Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Interestingly, unlike other people of the region who also cherish periwinkles, Nembe people who occupy the Atlantic fringe of the East Senatorial District of Bayelsa State are forbidden from selling their prized periwinkles on the pain of death. Though periwinkles are nutritious sea food that are found in abundance in Nembe territories especially in the mangrove swamp, it is a taboo for the people to trade in periwinkles as the consequence is fatal.
While the trade in periwinkles is a thriving business among some ethnic nationalities, the Nembe people can gather as many as they can but they must not be turned into a means of livelihood. According to a source, whoever is caught selling or making a living from the sale of periwinkles among the Nembe people would be dealt with in accordance with the tradition of the land.
While Western civilization and the coming of the missionaries into the country adversely affected most African tradition, the people of Nembe still hold this aspect of their rich cultural heritage dear to their heart. “It is forbidden for a Nembe indigene to sell periwinkles. You can gather as much as possible from the sea, but you must not sell them. You can only give them to your neighbours or visitors free of charge,” said Tari, an indigene of Nembe.