The Mandrake tree (Mandragora officinarum) is renowned worldwide as “the most famous of all magical plants,” according to Wikipedia. Growing up in the late fifties, I remember a wealthy man in my neighborhood who was often referred to as named “Ìchábù-Ólíná.” I was always curious about the meaning of ‘Olina’. I tried breaking down the word into ‘ólí’ (tree) and ‘íná’ (sacred, supreme) in an attempt to decipher its significance, but it remained elusive. It wasn’t until I delved into the vocabulary of the Igala language project that I discovered the true essence and significance of the mystical ‘ólíná’ plant.
Across centuries, the Mandrake tree has captured human imagination across multiple disciplines, including linguistics, religion, philosophy and mythology. It also earns mentions in both scriptural passages and literary works, as well as in herbal and esoteric medicine.
In Genesis 30: 14-16, the Mandrake root plays a pivotal role when Leah’s son brings it to her to enhance fertility, ultimately leading to her conceiving after a period of infertility, which sparks jealousy in her co-wife, Rachel, both wives ofJacob.
Shakespeare also references the Mandrake in several works, including Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, where its magical properties are alluded to, highlighting its cultural and literary significance.
Medicinally, the Mandrake tree boasts numerous properties, including being used traditionally to treat ailments ranging from arthritis to snake bites, as detailed in my book, An Igala-English Lexicon (2014). Check Amazon.com for hardcover and paperback copies.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Mandrake tree is its root structure, which often resembles human forms, contributing to its mystical allure. Legend has it that uprooting the Mandrake, its root produces a scream that can induce madness or even death, depending on the age of the plant. If, in the case of the latter, it can knock a man out for hours. At night, the tree purportedly emits a faint glow, further adding to its mystique, and it’s said that no other plants grow near it, with even falling leaves being intercepted by birds.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, the Mandrake was believed to possess miraculous powers, serving as a talisman to attract love, ward off diseases, and protect against evil spirits. However, despite its magical reputation, all parts of the Mandrake are highly poisonous and can induce severe hallucinations, delirium, and coma if ingested in large quantities. Harvesting it was traditionally considered perilous due to its toxicity, necessitating careful handling.
In Igala herbal practices, the Mandrake remains a symbol of both fascination and caution, embodying a blend of folklore and practical medicinal use.
For those interested in exploring more about the Mandrake tree, discussions can be found in the bilingual dictionary “An Igala-English Lexicon” (2014), under Footnote 278, headword: ólíná, page 390. Electronic copies are available for N3500. For further inquiries, contact us at 0908-236-3142 or 0803-418-7312, or via email at jiboidakwoji@gmail.com.
