Igbo Afterlife Beliefs

Religion is something people often use as a way to get through their daily lives because it gives them something to look forward to in an afterlife. The Igbo religion is no different for its people. The religion that the Igbo people practice is very unique and extraordinary to learn about. Although it has many similarities with christianity and Islam, it is also very different from those religions. The traditional thought of the Igbo people is that there is only one god, however that one god has many “forms”. The god is called Chukwu however its other forms have different names such as Ndi Mmadu who is god of the “visible beings” and Úrò who is god of elements and minerals. Traditional Igbo beliefs calls for many celebrations including extravagant

The things that can be included in what makes you not able to enter the afterlife might be considered unfair or unjust but it is the way of the Igbo. the things that keep you out are also called sins and in Things Fall Apart a sin is described as a crime against the gods (shmoop). The traditional name for sin in Igbo is Nso ani. Some of these sins have previously been stated but some of the others are men not being hard workers and a very big one is suicide. Suicide is seen as one of the worst sins and many rituals are required to “cleanse” the spot as it is seen as contaminated. On a site dedicated to Igbo suicide, they say this “ The land on which the deed is committed is considered polluted, so the rituals are required in order to cleanse it. The method varies depending on how the individual killed himself.”(Person). The funeral for a man who kills himself can hardly be called a funeral, however there is a weird part of the funeral. Not a single person is allowed to shed a tear, not even the family. Also, the family has to be the one to perform the cleaning rituals as to prevent suicide from happening again in the

When you’re planning for the introductory part of your proposed union, you must bear in mind that there are two stages in this process. Depending on the Igbo community involved, the intending groom will be required to make two visits to the bride to be’s family(Adirije). If they approve, only then can he propose to the woman. Then if the woman accepts, a date is set. During the ceremony, it is very religious and is headed up by a priest. Gifts and money are presented to the bride and groom and they are then married(Adirije). Although their marriage ceremony is somewhat similar to ours, it is also very unique in its own type of