Odinani

Odinani is the traditional cultural religious beliefs and practices of the Igbo people of south east Nigeria. Odinani is a pantheistic and polytheistic faith with a strong central deity, Chukwu, at its head. All things arise from Chukwu. A pantheon of other gods and spirits such as Ala, Amadiọha, Anyanwụ, Ekwensu, and Ikenga populate this belief system but only serve as helpers or avatars of Chukwu. Lesser spirits (demigods) known as ágbàrà or árúsí operate on a lower plain than the major gods and higher spirits. Arụsị are mediated by Dibia and other priests who do not contact the high god directly. Through áfà, 'divination', the laws and demands of the arụsị are communicated to the living. Agbàrà and árúsí are venerated in community roadside and forest shrines. Smaller shrines are located in houses for ancestor veneration. Deceased ancestors live in the spirit world and can be contacted. Positioned below the arụsị are lesser spirits known as mmúọ characterized by their malevolent or benign natures. These minor spirits are not venerated and are regarded by many as being the lost souls of the dead. The number of people practicing Igbo religion decreased significantly in the 20th century with the influx of Christian missionaries under the patronage of the British colonial government in Nigeria. Frequently, Igbo traditional religion practice was syncretised with Christianity. Some indigenous rites were condemned by Christian missionaries including human sacrifice.