Odinani is the religion created by the Igbo. It is similar to Ifa. It has a creator and deities (Alusi). The spirit is called chi, it determines our destiny. There are 4 days in the week in their calendar, which represents the four corners of the earth. Reincarnation is called Inouwa . Shamans are called Dibia and Afa is the name of divination. The ancestors are honored in this religion. The followers of Odinani are known as Umuchukwu. That means Children of the Great God.
Chukwu: It is the creator and made Maati (laws) for governing the universes. The Sun is a symbol of Chukwu. Chukwu means spiritual being of great in size. It is anhydrous and/or beyond gender.
Ala: She is the earth goddess. She is the most important alusi. She judges people actions. All ground is holy because it's Ala. Her messenger is the python. She is the Alusi of women and children. The souls of the dead live in her womb, which is underground. Her symbol is the crescent moon.
Amadioha: He is the Alusi of the sky, peace, love, unity, and justice, he also is the husband of Ala. They were the first Alusi created by Chukwu. He created people when he struck a tree with a lightning bolt.
Agwu Nsi: The Alusi of divination.
Ekwensu: He is the Alusi of change. He is a trickster. He rules over trade, negotiations, and the chaotic forces of nature. He reminds me of Set and Esu. Some Igbos saw him as the devil after they came in contact with Christians.
Ikenga: He is the Alusi of success, war, and time. He is connected to chi and the ancestors.
Njoku Ji: The Alusi of yams.
Chi: This is the highest spirit a person has. It is always connected to universal chi, which is Chukwu.
Inouwa: Reincarnating into your family. Relatives know if an ancestor reincarnated by a baby's birthmarks and behavior. Sometimes people know they will reincarnate and they will tell their relatives. Ancestors can reincarnate as multiple people. It is the same as Atunwa.
Igbo Calendar: It has 13 months, 7 weeks a month, and 4 days a week. The 4 days are the 4 directions. Months are named after and dedicated to Alusi.
Ndichie: This is an ancestor in the spirit world. They protect the community from sickness. Men honor male ancestors and women honor female ancestors.
Some Igbos that were enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade went to Haiti and other parts of the Americas. Some of their beliefs became a part of Voodoo. Igbo Loa are both hot and cold. The Rada Loa are only cold and the Petro Loa are only hot.
They created Obeah, other Africans contributed to it as well. Obeah is a form of Jamaican magic. Obeah men and women have practices similar to Dibia. It is like Hoodoo.
Conclusion
Odinani is the Igbo religion. Igbo is one of the largest tribes in Nigeria. Odinani has a creator, deities, spirit/life force, ancestors, reincarnating into the family, etc. This is a great religion! I love Igbos! They may be my relatives.
Click here if you want to learn about the Igbo tribe.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odinani
http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/traditional/10907-igbo-beliefs.html
http://www.nairaland.com/549733/fundamentals-odinani-igbo-religion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people_in_the_Atlantic_slave_trade
Odinani
Chi
Ekwensu is misunderstood
Facts of Odinani
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