Dogs have a long history of being domesticated by humans, dating back to the time when our ancestors were hunter-gatherers. They were closely associated with one of the earliest occupations of mankind, hunting, which brought them in close proximity to humans.
In communities where hunting was a revered cultural institution, dogs held a significant and important place, both spiritually and physically. Among the Ikwerre, Egbema, Ohaji, Ngwa, and Mbaise areas, male dogs played a crucial role in funerary rites for esteemed figures like the Oha, Okii nde oha (also known as Nze and ichie).
These dogs symbolized qualities such as courage, loyalty, strength, and ability to provide. It was believed that a man who didn't sacrifice a male dog for his father's funeral had not properly mourned his father and could not be mourned by others until this ritual was performed. Additionally, gun salutations were prohibited during such funerals.
Furthermore, dogs were interred at the entrance of graveyards, serving as guardians of the spirit world. In the past, the blood from a dog sacrifice would be applied to the deceased's eyes during the funeral ceremony.
These traditions reflect the fact that these communities were primarily inhabited by hunters and hunting played a central role in their occupation in the past.