Ch.+11+Tribal+religion,+oracles+-+Alev

** Alev Erhan **
=__ Odinani __=
 * ======Odinani is the name of the ancient tribal religion practiced in Nigerian Igbo tribes.======
 * ======Most of their religion was based on one major god called Chukwu. (means great spirit)======
 * ======Chukwu was believed to have created the people, the world and the universe. He is also the supreme ruler that controls every aspect of life.======
 * ======Instead of recieving direct sacrifices, he ultimately collects all the sacrifices that were given to the minor deities under him.======
 * ======The Igbo people believe the Cosmos is divided into four parts: Okike (creation), Alusi (supernatural forces and smaller deities), Mmuo (spirits), and Uwu (the world).======
 * ======There are many smaller deities under Chukwu, but the main ones are Ala (the earth goddess that controls fertility), Anyanwu (th sun god that controls crops), and Igwe (the sky god that controls rain) ======
 * ======These gods are worshiped at individual shrines where they are represented by small wooden figures. They are prayed to and offered sacrifices.======
 * ======They have emotions such as jealousy and envy much like people.======
 * ======Under these smaller deities are spirits that are believed to be found in rivers and forests at the end of cultivated land.======

=__ Chi __=
 * ======In the Igbo culture, each individual is believed to have a chi.======
 * ======Chi is a personal deity, more commonly known as a guardian angel, that is assigned to a person at birth and remains with them until they die.======
 * ====== It personifies that persons fate, such as their accomplishments and mistakes in life. ======
 * ====== A person is believed to be unable to acheive more than is allowed in their chi. It is impossible to be more successful than the fate that is predetermined for your chi. ======

__ Reincarnation __

 * ======It is believed that if a family member lives a just life and has a proper burial they will be reincarnated back into their family. These returning people are called //ndichi//.======
 * ======As the person is dying they leave clues as to who they will come back as, and when a child is born it is determined from their actions who they were in their previous life. Their identity is ultimately determined by a diviner (oracle).======
 * ======If a person is not reincarnated, it is because their life was not carried out well and they are wandering aimlessly across the earth as a spirit.======
 * ======It is considered an insult to have been reincarnated as a female.======
 * ======Because of this view, in the Igbo culture the past, present, and future generations are recycled in a continuum.======
 * ======Each family has a shrine built to respect their ancestors with wooden figurines of the males. They are respected and payed tribute to.======
 * ======It is against tribal law to insult and ancestor, and any person that does though is banished from his/her village.======



=__ Oracles __= = Currently =
 * ======Oracles hold a large place in society, each tribe usually having between one to three.======
 * ======The preistesses are usually female.======
 * ======There are two types of oracles. There are the ones chosen by the deities, and those that inherit the position.======
 * ======Usually they give prophesies and advise.======
 * ======The oracles that are chosen are believed to have //ofo// (symbol of authority, truth and justice). They are considered above the other oracles and have the power to interpret the wishes of the gods, bless or punish people on behalf of the gods, placate the gods with sacrifices, etc.======
 * They lived in remote caves secluded from the rest of the tribal population.
 * ====== Oracles are still consulted in modern day Igbo tribes. ======
 * Due to the European influence that spread through Africa, now most Igbo tribes are Christian.
 * The most important holidays are Christmas and Easter.

Video
media type="youtube" key="AGQ-YenUyqg?fs=1" height="329" width="454" align="center"
 * Now that most of the Igbo population is Christian, a new type of music that is extremely popular is gospel music. Usually, people that go to church spend more time singing than listening to a preist. This is a music video from a well known Nigerian singer.

**Bibliography:**
* This site provides great pictures of the Igbo people, including some really interesting shrines that they built for their gods.* [|G.I. Jones Photographic Archive]
 * "Igbo - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major Holidays, Rites of Passage, Relationships, Living Conditions." //Countries and Their Cultures//. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. .
 * Slathery, Katharine. "Religion and the Igbo People." //Queen's University Belfast | Home//. 15 Aug. 2001. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. .
 * CHAPTER IX." //The Structure of the Self in Igbo Thought//. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. [].
 * Jones, G.I.. "G.I. Jones Photographic Archive of Southeastern Nigerian Art and Culture." G.I. Jones Photographic Archive of Southeastern Nigerian Art and Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <mccoy.lib.siu.edu/jmccall/jones/