by Omenka Egwuatu Nwa-Ikenga
By Wise
“The Ndiichie (esteemed ancestor spirits) also held a high place
in traditional Igbo society. Elders have always been revered in Igbo
society, and even more so after they passed onto Be Mmuo (the land of
the spirits). The Ndiichie would often be consulted to offer advice to
their descendants and appeal to the Alusi on their behalf. Ndi Igbo have
never worshiped their ancestors only venerated them, which is no
different then what Catholics do to their saints or what every country
does to its national heroes. Respect and honor for the Ndiichie was
shown in one way by pouring of libations while chanting incantations.
Ndi Igbo believed in the concept of reincarnation and felt that the
Ndiichie often reincarnated back on Earth. In fact, all Mmadu (human
beings) were believed to reincarnate seven or eight times, and that
depending on your karma, one either ascends or descends into another
spiritual plane” – Onyemobi
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| Obu Figures | | | | |
Ancestral veneration is a very ancient and common practice all over
the world. The Igbo people have understood the importance of honoring
the Ndichie (Venerated ancestors) in order for the
civilization to survive and progress from times immemorial. One of the
reasons Igbos and Africans in general are in a state of damnation is
because we have forgotten how to honor our ancestors.
Figure in an ancestral shrine
Instead of developing our own culture as a people, we see Western
culture as superior to our own and trap ourselves in an inferiority
complex. Yes despite hardcore resistance against the Atlantic slave
trade, British colonialism, and the Nigerian genocide against our people
we ended up losing. Yes our Civilizations collapsed. Yes Nigeria
continues to discriminate and oppress Igbo people. We have suffered a
lot and nobody shall ever down play that. However, until we remember to
honor our ancestors, we will continue on the path of self destruction
our enemies have planted for us.
The Igbo people are one of the most ancient groups in the world. Like
most African groups and civilizations in ancient times had advanced
human consciousness, culture, knowledge, creativity, leadership,
philosophy, science, and etc. True civilizations respect, honor, and
live in accordance to Nature. We once understood the oneness of the
Source/Creator (Chineke) with Creation and our relationship with Nature (Ani).
We honored and respected Ani. That is why we had rich
societies and collective democratic leadership that lived by justice,
order, peace, unity, and balance. Our ancestors built many ancient
civilizations such as the Ugwelle (6000 BCE), Afikpo (3000 BCE), Nsukka
(3000 BCE), UmuEri/UmuNri dynasties (500 BCE), Igbo Ukwu (900 CE), and
etc. We developed sophisticated architecture such as the Nsude pyramids
in Agbaja, Mbari structures, and etc. Igbos developed writing scripts
such as Uli, Aniocha writing systems, Nsidibi, Ikwu,
and many more. The level of knowledge and scientific (especially
metaphysics) discoveries and practices done by the Igbo Civilizations is
most likely beyond our imagination. We have a long history of
achievements.
In order for us Igbo people to really rebuild and progress, we must
honor our ancestors. We shall not live exactly how our ancestors lived
but revive the institutions they built that are applicable today and
improve on it. How can you know what today and tomorrow will be if you
don’t yesterday was? How can you know who you are if you don’t know who
brought you here? The ancestors brought us here and as a mixture of all
of them into one, we must know who they were to know who we are. We may
say we are children of the ultimate source of all creation and life (Chineke). But through who are we children of Chineke? Who did Chineke give
power to bring us into this world and gave life? The answer is our
ancestors. Therefore, we must honor and respect them. To honor the
ancestors is to honor ourselves and the ultimate ancestor/source of us
all Chineke. Chi (God) Bless
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