IGBO MYTHOLOGY

The majority of Igbos today are Christians but in the past they had a religious system referred to ODINANI. It comprises the traditional religious practices and cultural beliefs of the Igbo people of southern Nigeria

One creation story goes that ALA(goddess of the earth) and IGWE( sky god) created mankind. ALA and IGWE created eight humans, four males and four females. In creating mankind, IGWE and ALA used four kinds of material; sticks from the Ofo tree as bones and clay and chalk for flesh. After they were formed and dried in the sun, ALA wrapped them in Umune leaves from the Umune tree for nurturing the five senses and sexuality. Then ALA made the rules of moral conduct while Igwe enforces them and when the humans began to ask questions, they each got individual answers which goes far to explain the Igbo belief in CHI

CHI is the personal spirit of a person ḿmúọ́, in Igbo culture it is this spirit which determines destiny. Hence the saying, onye kwe, Chi ya ekwe ("If a person agrees to a thing, his spirit agrees also"). Culturally, people are seen as the creators or makers of their own destiny, still they are know to believe in higher spirits or gods

The most important deities in Igbo mythology includes

ALA- is the goddess of the earth, morality, fertility and dead ancestors are stored in her womb. Ala is literally the earth. Ala is the most prominent and worshiped deity, almost every Igbo village has a shrine dedicated to her called íhú Ala where major decisions are taken. Ala is believed to be involved in all aspects of human affairs including festivals and at offerings. Her symbol is the python

AMADIOHA- Amadioha (from ámádí + ọ̀hà, 'free will of the people' in Igbo) is the god of justice, thunder, lightning and the sky. Some of his other names include IGWE, KAMANU, and KALU. His governing planet is the sun and his symbol is the white ram

IKENGA- While Ikenga can not formally be referred to as a god, he represents something just as important; Strength and willpower. Ikenga is a tool for meditation, Igbos often carve sculpture that acts as visual representation of a persons inner success, people give offerings in thanks to the Ikenga after providing energy to overcome any unwanted pre-life choices. It is said that when a person does not become successful with hard work the Ikenga has 'fallen' and is seen as a sign of danger, if meditation and cajoling the Ikenga fails, the sculpture is 'thrown down' and broken which spiritually kills the Ikenga; a new one is carved to replace it. At burial, a man's Ikenga is broken into two with one piece buried with him and the other destroyed

EKWENSU- is the god of bargains, negotiation and deals. Praying to Ekwensu was guaranteed to bring you victory in negotiations. Ekwensu also represents war and conflicts, during a time of war shrines are set up and offerings are offered to him to help aid the war effort but when peace returns, he's banished least he would promote more wars


NJOKU JI- is the god of yams and agriculture

IDEMILI- river goddess

MKPATAKU- the bringer of wealth

OGBONUKE- spirit of wrong doers