Periwinkles, fondly referred to as Isem in the Niger Delta region are delicious species of edible sea snails. Majority of people from this region hardly prepare a meal without periwinkles.
For the people of Nembe Local Government Area, LGA and the ancient town of Twon Brass and Okpoama in Brass LGA of Bayelsa state, it is forbidden to trade with periwinkles.
Periwinkles though found in abundance in Nembe and Brass territories is highly revered. Trading with periwinkles could lead to death sentence for any indigene who use it as a means of livelihood.
The Nembe people can only gather as many periwinkles as they can but it is a taboo to use it for commercial purpose. They are only allowed to give them to neigbours or visitors.
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According to reports, anyone 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.
It is believed that their ancestors made a vow not to trade in the commodity in whatever form because of its abundance in the area.
The consequences of selling periwinkles in this region is death. Reports say no one has ever traded the periwinkles and lived to tell the story.
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