The Medicine Shell: Igbo Spirituality Explained

4. biological elements like blood/food very literally feed the shrine complex by being ingested by animals, or decomposition (ingested by Ala). When giving offerings, it's not sensible to use plastics, or foods that are rejected by the animal life associated with the Agbara.

3. Example, at the Njaba Nkwo shrine, all of the pythons in the community end their day their as natural extensions of the Njaba river. When an offering is given (chicken, goat), they pythons will eat it. We know what Njaba takes based on what the pythons take.

2. People believe that Aja is an entirely abstract 'spiritual' concept. The reality is, sacrifice is a way of giving both spiritually and physically. The Agbara which take sacrifice have both spiritual and physical form like human beings.

The Biological Truth about Sacrifice (Odinala) Whenyou hear that an animal is associated with an Agbara it's not just a 'belief', it's a fact that is confirmed by reality. When sacrifices are given, the animal extensions of the agbara must literally eat it. (THREAD)

Why Igbo Women Don't Inherit Ancestral Land 1. Igbo women inherit ancestral land, just not from their fathers. First thing to understand is what is ancestral land, how it differs from land, and why this custom exists. (Thread)

13. Finally, some communities required its men to be a part of specific moral orders in order to hold public office. For Aros and related community, this was Ekpe/Okonko who's members were Maazi. For most Ndiigbo it was Nze na Ozo, who's members were Nze, Ozo or Igwe (the leader)

13. Another type of traditional ruler emerged as warlords or hyper-successful men who's status was preserved as a hereditary monarchy. Typically in the coastal Niger Delta and previously known as Merchant Kings. This class tends to have more direct command of their communities

12. The Igwe (Men's government) and Omu (Women's government)'s primary responsibility is the spiritual balance and well being of the community. Most of their duties are conducting ritual and prayer. They can often veto decisions which violate Ofo Ala.

11. Eze/Igwe titles are a creation of the Ofo an Ogu cosmological framework. Meaning all things in creation have an Ofo. the Ofo is it's mandate to exist in the eyes of Ala na Igwe. Every community has an Ofo, the Igwe/Eze is the Ofo holder/caretaker of the community (Ejiofo)

10. The Oha democracy system therefore had several autonomous unions with specific roles in the community and legally binding jurisdiction. So what is the role of the Eze/Obi/Igwe etc?