Igbo mythology

Igbo mythology is the spirituality and religious beliefs and practices that were, and still are practiced by the Igbo people. The Igbo call their spiritual and religious beliefs and practices Odinani. [http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/oarticles/on_odinani_the_igbo_religion.htm] In the Igbo mythology, which is part of their ancient religion, the supreme God is called Chukwu ("great spirit"); Chukwu created the world and everything in it and is associated with all things on Earth. Chukwu is also a solar deity. There also Chukwu's incarnations which are called Alusi. Alusi (also Arusi or Arushi) are mini deities, each having its own purpose. Odinani also comprises many other spirits, folklore and demons.

Chukwu/Chineke

Chukwu is the supreme deity in traditional Igbo mythology. Linguistic studies of the Igbo language suggests the name "Chukwu" is a portmanteau of the Igbo words: "Chi"(spiritual being) and "Ukwu"(great in size). [Among the Ibos of Nigeria 1912 By G.T. Basden, John Ralph Willis] Chukwu is the creator in their pantheon and the Igbo people believe that all things come from Chukwu. Chukwu brings the rains necessary for plants to grow. Everything on earth, heaven and the rest of the spiritual world is under the control of Chukwu. [http://www.kwenu.com/odinani/chineke.htm]

Ofo and Ogu

The Igbo People believe in the concept of Ofo and Ogu, which is more like the law of retributive justice. It is believed that Ofo and Ogu will vindicate anyone that is wrongly accused of a crime as long as their "hands are clean". It is only the one who is on the side of Ogu-na-Ofo that can call its name in prayer. Otherwise such a person will face the wrath of Amadioha (the god of thunder and lightning). [Ofo: Igbo Ritual Symbol by Christopher I. Ejizu]

Chi

Particularly in Nigeria, the Igbo People believe that each person has their own personal spiritual assistant or guardian called Chi, appointed to them before and at the time of their birth and remains with them for the rest of their life on Earth. A person's Chi is the personification of that individual's fate, which is credited for an individual's life's successes, misfortunes and failures. The Igbo believe that their success in life is determined by their Chi, and that no man can rise past the greatness of his/her own Chi.

Other deities

Other deities or Alusi include Ahia Njoku, the goddess 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 of Yam
* 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.
* Orie: god/governor of the western sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Orie Markets and days.
* Afo: god/governor of the northern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of Afo Markets and days.
*: god/governor of the southern sky (Heaven). Also the patron of _ig. Nkwo Markets and days.

Minor spirits

Igbo mythology also contains multiple minor spirits. Among them are:
* Mbatuku: spirit of wealth
* Ikoro: drum spirit
* Ekwu: heart spirit or spirit of the home
* Imo miri: river spirit [http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEnglish/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm]
* okwara-afo: for Nkwerre people in Imo state is god of mercantile activities
* Aju-mmiri: sea-goddess in Nkwerre is goddess of prosperity, fertility and general well-being.
* Ogbuide: goddess of the water associated with the Oguta people.
* Urashi and Enyija: god of the river
* Ezenwaanyi/Owummiri: Female Water Spirit, Mermaid, Seductress

Obanje

An "Ogbanje" (or Obanje) was believed to be an evil spirit that would deliberately plague a family with misfortune. it was believed that upon being born by the mother, under a certain amount of time (usually not passed puberty), the Ogbanje would deliberately die and then come back and repeat the cycle, causing the family grief. Female circumcision was sometimes thought to get rid of the evil spirit, [http://fgmnetwork.org/news/show_news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1170937325&archive=&template=] whereas finding the evil spirits "Iyi-uwa", which they have dug somewhere secret, would ensure the Ogbanje would never plauge the family with misfortune again. The "Iyi-uwa" was the Ogbanje's way of coming back to the world and also a way of finding it's targeted family. ["Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe]

ee also

* Alusi

External links

* [http://www.qub.ac.uk/en/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm Religion and the Igbo People]
* [http://www.igboguide.org/index.php An insight guide to Igboland's Culture, Religion and Language]
* [http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/jmccall/jones/ Photographs of Igbo masquerades]
* [http://www.siu.edu/%7eanthro/mccall/ohafia/index.html Ohafia Igbo culture]

References