Igbo Mythology

Igbo mythology could loosely be described as a monotheistic and panentheistic faith with a strong central spiritual force at its head from which all things are believed to spring; however, the contextual diversity of the system may encompass theistic perspectives that derive from a variety of beliefs held within the religion. Chukwu as the central deity is classed among the ndi mmuo, 'invisible beings', an ontological category of beings which includes Ala the divine feminine earth force, chi the 'personal deity', ndichie the ancestors, and mmuo the minor spirits. The other ontological category consists of ndi mmadu, 'visible beings', which include ánụ́ animals, ósísí plants, and the final class ùrò which consists of elements, minerals and inanimate beings. Chukwu as the creator of everything visible and invisible and the source of lesser divinities is also referred to as Chineke. Chukwu is genderless and is reached through various spiritual forces mainly under the spirit class of Alusi who are incarnations of the high god; no sacrifices, however, are given to Chukwu and no shrines and altars are erected for it. If an Arushi is assigned to an individual, it becomes a chi, a personal guardian god. The chi manifests as ḿmúọ́, spirits, and as a person's spirit is earth-bound it chooses sex, type, and lifespan before incarnation in the human world.

Beliefs
Chi

Cosmology

Justice

Reincarnation

Ogbanje

Deities
Ala

Amadioha

Ikenga

Ekwensu

Mmuo

Spirits / Minor Forces

Practices
Dibia

Afa divination

Acestral Veneration

Kola Nut

Architecture

Mbari

Uto Pyramids

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