Ch.+11+Beliefs

**__IGBO BELIEFS__** · The Igbo believe in the //Chukwu// or //Chukwu Abiama// who created the visible universe //uwa.//
 * Interferes with the affairs of human beings
 * No sacrifices are made directly towards him
 * Can be approached through other deities or spirits in the form of natural objects, most commonly through the god of thunder, //Amadioha//

· //Agbara// means spirit or supernatural being · Believe that the world exists on another level, that of the spiritual forces, //alusi//.
 * In some cases, people are preferred to as an //agbara// in describing an almost impossible feat performed by them. 
 * They prefer the white people to be //agbara// because of their amazement of their inventions.
 * The //alusi// are [[image:http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44071000/jpg/_44071315_readerspix_tchieudjui.jpg width="421" height="252" align="left" caption="Drumming at a funeral"]]minor deities, and are forces for blessing or destruction

· The diviner is to interpret the wishes of the //alusi//

· The role of the priest is to placate the //alusi// with sacrifices

· It is against tribal law to speak badly of a spirit

· They believed that people who died of bad deaths and lack correct burial rites cannot return to the world of the living or the dead so they remain homeless, expressing their grief by causing harm to the living · People who died what they considered shameful deaths—women who died in labor, children who die before they have teeth, people who commit suicide, and people who die on the sacred months—are thrown into a bush for their funeral.

· Their religious beliefs also led the Igbo to kill those who are considered shameful to their tribe Most common types of deities:
 * Examples: Twins (since that was considered less than human), children born with teeth, babies born feet first, boys with only one testicle, etc.
 * Bodies are thrown away in secrecy
 * Ala- the earth goddess, spirit of fertility
 * Igwe- the sky god. This god did not appeal to rain since it was a full-time profession for rain makers
 * Imo miri- the spirit of the river. The Igbo believed that a big river has a spiritual aspect so it was forbidden to fish in deified rivers.
 * Mbatuku- spirit of wealth
 * Agwo- spirit envious of other’s wealth, always in need of servitors
 * Aha njuku or Ifejioku- yam spirit
 * Ikoro- drum spirit
 * Ekwu- health spirit
 * Anyanwu- sun god who makes crops and trees grow

· Igbo attitude towards deities and spirits are not fear but friendship

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 * For more information:** http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEnglish/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm

1 .** //Igbo Enugu Guide: language,culture,traditions,life,people,dictionary,photo,hotels//. Web. 04 Nov. 2009. . 2. "Igbo - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage, Relationships, Living conditions." //Countries and Their Cultures//. Web. 04 Nov. 2009. . 3. "Religion and the Igbo People." //Queen's University Belfast | Home//. Web. 02 Nov. 2009.  4. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Tahoma,sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">"YouTube - Adamma Igbo Masquerade Dance 2." //YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.// Web. 04 Nov. 2009. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2TUWa2T0QI>.
 * Work Cited: