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I want to attempt an explanation of Igbo Traditional Worship and the misconceptions.
I had to do this because of the Odumeje vs Izuogu brouhaha . I will be brief because this is Twitter so I can’t be detailed . Hopefully I’d write a book someday .
I want to attempt an explanation of Igbo Traditional Worship and the misconceptions.
I had to do this because of the Odumeje vs Izuogu brouhaha . I will be brief because this is Twitter so I can’t be detailed . Hopefully I’d write a book someday .
There are 3 vocations that are easily mistaken for one another due to poor understanding of the concepts and contexts .
1. Eze arusi- He is the priest of a deity
2. Dibia mkporogwu- He is a herbalist , a Doctor
3. Dibia afa- He is a a pastor or a congregation. A business owner
1. Eze arusi- He is the priest of a deity
2. Dibia mkporogwu- He is a herbalist , a Doctor
3. Dibia afa- He is a a pastor or a congregation. A business owner
EZE ALUSI
Aka Eze Mmuo, Chief priest , etc . He is usually the custodian of a clan deity . Often the spirits choose by themselves their own handlers . When one dies , another is chosen . The job is purely to dispense justice and assist folks in worship of the creator
Aka Eze Mmuo, Chief priest , etc . He is usually the custodian of a clan deity . Often the spirits choose by themselves their own handlers . When one dies , another is chosen . The job is purely to dispense justice and assist folks in worship of the creator
Almost every clan has their deity . Some rooted in the market , others rooted in the rivers and springs . The deities are ancient spirits that congregated to link the clan to “chukwu “ the almighty God. In Igbo cosmology God is revered and we can’t really reach him direct
So we appease him through convoluted mysteries and worships. Chukwu di omimi. Mmadu aburo chukwu . There is only one God and all deities submit to him . But the subject of that deity never ever have direct interaction with the almighty , to the extent that they come to see the...
As God . But it is not . Our clan ancestors gather at the clan deity . You can talk to your family ancestors at the clan deity . Even when you go to a far away deity for worship you could summon your ancestors to gather there in communion .
Something worthy of note however is that unlike Christianity and other abrahamic religions, we do not have the concept of satan in Igbo cosmology. Satan is a Christian challenger or offender of God almighty. Not so in our worship . God is the ultimate . Both kind and mischievous
Spirits submit to almighty and dare not disobey or challenge him . Ekwensu is not satan . What happened was that when missionaries came with their doctrines , they could not find a direct translation of their satan in Igbo . So they labelled the most mischievous spirit satan .
In Igbo land people answered ekwensu , some communities were called Ekwensu or Ekwesu depending on dialect . In fact a strong man or strong masquerade was hailed as “Ekwensu !”
It was not a bad thing in the real sense of the word
It was not a bad thing in the real sense of the word
DIBIA MKPOROGWU
He is the doctor ,herbalist , healer . He could inherit the vocation or learn it . He can cheat you if he goes rogue like some healthcare workers do . He can also prepare poisons for you if he is criminal just like some healthcare workers can give you toxic drugs
He is the doctor ,herbalist , healer . He could inherit the vocation or learn it . He can cheat you if he goes rogue like some healthcare workers do . He can also prepare poisons for you if he is criminal just like some healthcare workers can give you toxic drugs
DIBIA AFA
The business man , pastor , Dady GO . The hustler . He basically learnt this trade but would easily brag about how the gods chose him . This guy offers you anything good or bad . Some are quite principled while others are fare weather . If Oyakilome , Adebayo , Odumeje
The business man , pastor , Dady GO . The hustler . He basically learnt this trade but would easily brag about how the gods chose him . This guy offers you anything good or bad . Some are quite principled while others are fare weather . If Oyakilome , Adebayo , Odumeje
Etc were traditional worshipers this is them . They collect tithe and offering before and during service and bill you for all jobs . You want love charm , husband , to win a case , to increase sales , land a contract , make your neighbor barren etc he is your plug
Alusi would never harm people unnecessarily and even when it would it takes a long route , sending signals and warnings etc . It dispenses justice and blessings . He is the old man or old woman , agbogidi , agadi Nwanyi , amadi , nna ochie etc .
