- Alusi
Alusi, also known as Arusi or Arushi, are minor deities that are worshiped and served in the mythology of the
Igbo people . There are a list of many different Alusi and each has its own purpose. When there is no longer need for the deity it is discarded. [http://www.africadirect.com/productsdesc.php?ID=17307]Alusi worship
Each major deity had a priest in every town that honored it, and the priest was assisted by a group of acolytes and devotees.
The Igbo world was divided into several interconnected realms, principal among them being the realm of the living, the realm of the dead or of the ancestors, and the realm of the unborn. Individuals who led an honorable life and received a proper burial proceeded to the ancestral realm to take their place among the ancestors or Ndichie. From there they kept a watchful eye on the clan and visited their loved ones among the living with blessings such as fertility, good health, longevity and prosperity. In gratitude the living offered sacrifices to them at the family hearth, and sought their counsel.
Children and Alusi
Children are still considered the greatest blessing of all and this is reflected in popular names such as Nwakaego; a child is worth more than money or Akuakanwa; no wealth is worthier than a child, or Nwabuugwu; a child is the greatest honor. In many parts of Igboland, women who successfully deliver ten children are rewarded with special celebrations and rites that honor their hips. Infertility is considered a particularly harsh misfortune. The Igbo believe that it is children who perpetuate the race, and in order to do so children are expected to continue Igbo tradition and ways. [http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEnglish/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm]
List of Alusi
Deities or Alusi include
Ahia Njoku , thegoddess of yams, and Amadioha (or Amadiora) the god of thunder and lightning. In addition to them there are:
* Igwekaala: sky god,
*Ani : earth goddess and goddess of fertility.
*Ikenga : god of fortune and industry,
*Anyanwu : (literally:"eye of the sun" sun goddess)
*Idemmili : mother goddess of villages through which the idemili river flows (Oba, Obosi, Ogidi, Ojoto etc)
*Agwu : god of medicine men, god of divination and healing
*Ahobinagu : forest god,
*Aro (Aro-chukwu): god of judgment (also seen as the Supreme god's "Chukwu's" agent of judgment.)
*Njoku Ji : god ofYam
*Ogbunabali (literally: [he who] kills by/at night): an Igbo god of death
* Agbala: goddess of the hills and caves or the holy/perfect spirit in Nri
* Eke: god/governor of the eastern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Eke Markets and days.
* Oye: god/governor of the western sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Oye Markets and days.
* Afo: god/governor of the northern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Afo Markets and days.
* Nkwo: god/governor of the southern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Nkwo Markets and days.See also
Igbo mythology References
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