In many parts of the world, traditions are passed down not through books but via stories, personal experiences, and sacred laws that regulate day-to-day living. Today, the Twon-Brass Kingdom, located in what is now Bayelsa State, Nigeria, firmly adheres to some of these restrictions.

Twon-Brass culture’s close ties to the natural world are among its most remarkable features. Twon-Brass tradition says that some animals are sacred and should never be harmed, in contrast to locations where animals are exclusively seen as food or threats. Of all the animals, two are particularly noteworthy.

It is strictly banned to kill a shark or a python snake in the Twon-Brass Kingdom.

Twon-Brass is not the only one who holds this belief. These creatures are revered and protected throughout the larger Nembe ethnic community. This may seem strange to outsiders or non-indigenous people, but it’s critical to comprehend the cultural significance of these traditions.

1. The Shark: A Sacred Guardian of the Waters

To truly understand why the shark must never be killed in the Twon-Brass Kingdom, one must first understand the place of water in Nembe life. Twon-Brass is not just surrounded by rivers and the Atlantic Ocean, the water is the foundation of its history, economy, and spiritual worldview. For generations, the sea has been both a provider and a pathway, shaping the identity of the people long before modern civilization arrived.

The shark is not considered a dangerous marine animal or a wild predator in this context. Rather, it is considered a powerful being that is a part of the spiritual order of the waters and a hallowed presence.

Among the Nembe people, sharks are believed to be closely linked to ancestral spirits. Traditional belief holds that certain ancestors, especially those who lived, ruled, or died connected to the sea, can manifest through marine creatures. The shark, because of its strength, dominance, and mystery, is considered one of the highest representations of these ancestral forces.

For this reason, encountering a shark is not automatically seen as a threat. In fact, many elders describe such encounters as meaningful. A shark appearing near a canoe or fishing area may be interpreted as a sign of protection, warning, or spiritual observation. The animal is believed to “know” when it is among its own people.

This belief explains why killing a shark is strictly forbidden. Doing so is not seen as hunting an animal; it is considered an act of violence against the spiritual guardians of the sea and a direct insult to the ancestors. In traditional understanding, such an act disrupts the balance between humans and the unseen world.

In the past, Twon-Brass fishermen were taught particular rules of behavior while out on the sea. They were supposed to respect the sea, fish responsibly, and refrain from being conceited. In that setting, the shark represented authority. The shark was thought to uphold order in the ocean, much like a king does on land.

People who are not indigenous might question why a group would defend an animal that is feared in many regions of the world. Cultural perspective holds the key to the solution. According to Nembe custom, danger does not always

mean evil. Power does not mean hostility. The shark is powerful, yes, but power, when respected, is not destructive.

There are also strong communal warnings associated with harming a shark. Oral history tells of individuals who ignored this rule and later experienced severe misfortune, ranging from unexplained illness to repeated loss at sea. Whether these outcomes are interpreted spiritually or symbolically, they reinforce the seriousness of the taboo.

In the past, such an offense would require traditional intervention. Elders might perform appeasement rites to restore harmony between the community and the spiritual forces of the water. This was not done lightly, which further discouraged violations.

Even in modern times, with commercial fishing and external influence, the belief remains strong. Elders continue to educate younger generations, reminding them that progress should not come at the cost of cultural identity. While fishing practices have evolved, the rule against killing sharks has not changed.

For visitors, researchers, or non-indigenes, understanding this belief is essential. What may seem like superstition from the outside is, within Twon-Brass culture, a system of respect, conservation, and spiritual awareness. Long before environmental protection became a global discussion, the Nembe people had already placed sacred value on preserving key species.

In essence, the shark represents more than an animal. It represents memory, authority, and the enduring relationship between the people of Twon-Brass and the waters that sustain them. To harm it is to forget that relationship. To protect it is to honor centuries of tradition, wisdom, and identity.

2. The Python Snake: A Living Symbol of Ancestral Presence

If the shark rules the waters of the Twon-Brass Kingdom, the python commands equal reverence on land. Among the people of Twon-Brass—and across the wider Nembe ethnic group, the python snake is not regarded as an ordinary reptile. It is treated as a sacred being whose presence carries deep spiritual meaning and ancestral significance.

To outsiders, the idea of protecting a large snake may seem confusing or even dangerous. In many cultures, snakes are instinctively feared and killed on sight. However, within the Nembe tradition, the python exists in a completely different category from harmful or aggressive animals. It is not hunted, threatened, or harmed. It is honored.

Ancestry is the foundation of the belief around the python. According to traditional Nembe cosmology, after death, ancestors do not entirely depart from the material world. Rather, they continue to keep an eye on their offspring, occasionally making themselves known through animals or the natural world. One of the clearest mediums through which ancestral spirits are thought to manifest is the python.

Because of this, seeing a python is never considered a random event. Its appearance is often interpreted as intentional and meaningful. It may be viewed as a sign of ancestral visitation, a reminder of moral conduct, or a call for attention to unresolved spiritual or communal matters.

This concept explains why it is strictly banned to kill a python. This is a metaphorical harm to an ancestor, not just the destruction of nature. Such an act is considered to be an enormous taboo that might have spiritual repercussions for the perpetrator, their family, and even the larger society.

In traditional times, the killing of a python would trigger immediate concern among elders. Cleansing rituals and appeasement rites would be required to restore balance between the physical and spiritual worlds. These processes were often demanding and costly, reinforcing the seriousness of the offense and discouraging repetition.

Importantly, the python is not treated as a threat, even when it appears in human spaces. When a python enters a compound, home, or pathway, the response is calm and respectful. Elders or spiritually knowledgeable individuals are informed, and the snake is gently guided back into the bush or a safe environment without harm.

This approach reflects discipline rather than fear. The people are taught from childhood that not every powerful creature is an enemy. Some are guardians, observers, or messengers.

For non-indigenes, this practice can be difficult to understand. From a modern or urban perspective, safety often comes first, and animals perceived as dangerous are eliminated quickly. In Twon-Brass tradition, however, safety is balanced with spiritual awareness and respect for inherited laws.

The python also plays a symbolic role in reinforcing moral behavior. Many elders explain that the presence of a python reminds people that they are never truly alone, that ancestors are watching, guiding, and judging actions. This belief encourages honesty, restraint, and respect for communal values.

Beyond spirituality, this tradition also unintentionally supports environmental preservation. By protecting the python, the ecosystem remains balanced. Rodent populations are controlled, and biodiversity is maintained. Long before conservation science existed, the Nembe customs already promoted coexistence with nature.

Even today, despite modernization, Christianity, and external cultural influences, the reverence for the python remains strong. While interpretations may vary among individuals, the core rule does not change: the python must not be killed.

Younger generations are still taught these values through stories, family guidance, and community instruction. The python continues to represent continuity, a living connection between the past and the present.

For visitors, researchers, and non-indigenes, understanding this belief is crucial. Respecting local customs is not only a matter of politeness but a recognition that every culture has its own systems of wisdom. What may appear unusual from the outside often carries layers of meaning shaped by history, environment, and identity.

In the Twon-Brass Kingdom, the python is more than an animal. It is memory made visible, tradition given form, and ancestry walking quietly among the living. To protect it is to protect the soul of the culture itself.

Why These Beliefs Still Matter Today

Traditions like those of the Twon-Brass Kingdom may seem archaic to some in a world that is evolving quickly. Nonetheless, these ideas are still important since they’ve got broad applications.

beyond superstition or folklore. They are living principles that shape identity, behavior, and community life.

First, these beliefs preserve cultural memory. In Twon-Brass, rules against killing the shark and the python connect present generations to their ancestors. They remind the people of where they come from and the values that guided their forefathers. Without such traditions, cultural identity can slowly fade, especially under modern influences.

Second, these customs promote respect for nature. Long before environmental conservation became a global issue, Nembe traditions already encouraged coexistence with powerful animals. Protecting the shark and the python helps maintain ecological balance and teaches that humans are not masters of nature, but part of it.

Finally, these beliefs strengthen community responsibility. They are shared laws, upheld collectively rather than enforced by force. By respecting them, individuals show accountability not only to themselves but to the entire community, both living and ancestral.

In this way, these traditions remain relevant. They offer lessons in respect, balance, and continuity, proving that cultural wisdom still has a place in the modern world.

Conclusion

The Twon-Brass Kingdom’s customs demonstrate a civilization firmly anchored in reverence for the natural world, ancestry, and shared ideals. Understanding and inherited wisdom, rather than fear, are the foundation of the shark and python’s holy protection. These ideas still direct conduct, protect identity, and promote harmony between individuals and their surroundings. Understanding these traditions gives outsiders more than just information; it gives them insight into a worldview in which tradition and duty are unbreakable.