GOD, GODS AND THE AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

There is one important point I wish to make in this article and that is - "Africans in the pre-colonial times never worshipped idols but rather, they worshipped GOD who they believed is the only true supernatural and metaphysical Being of all beings."They did not only believe in God but also were convinced that He is the creator of all things, the giver of life and the salvation of mankind. This was exactly why they reverenced Him through different media. Pre-coulonial Africans believed that Chukwu Okike Abiama, Osenobua, Olodumare, Abasi among other names for which He is known is highly placed and as such, needed to be respected and reached through well-revered mediums. This explains why they employed the use of different Godly and highly spiritual intermediaries which to them, transmitted their prayers and supplications to God. However, seeing a lot of people pointing accusatory fingers at others who they deem evil because they worship God traditionally makes me think deep into their hypocritical sense of judgement. Furthermore, it compels me to ask myself the questions " does the fact that some people worship God in an English way make others that worship God the African way evil?" "Is God no longer ubiquitous or has He been hijacked by a certain religion and religious belief?" Is God more Godly to Europeans than He I'd to Africans and Asians or did he present a lspecific way or ways of worshipping him?" Overall, I am of the opinion that God in heaven is a God of all his creation and He has given every society brain to think about the best ways to worship Him. Why then have post-colonial Africans especially Nigerians chosen to be more Godly than God himself? We have accepted to be brain-locked and brain-washed such that we no longer know our roots and by extension, our identity. Most contemporary Africans have forgotten their heritage and misappropriated their traditional standing in their respective communities.All thanks to Westernisation. Delving deeply into the Igbo tradition and culture, one would be amazed at some interesting findings that abound regarding how Igbo people worshipped God and the means they used in projecting such worship In Igbo land, it is believed that there are more than a hundred GODS , both small and big. These GODS or Deities servedd as representatives of the Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama. I believe that some people reading this article must be wondering why I have chosen to refer to gods as GODS. The reason is that " the term gods is a representation of a colonial disgust and disrespect for the African Traditional Religion." Of course, if God had created man in His image and likeness, then, all of man's symbol of relationship with God should be Godlike. Hence, the need for us to acknowledge God as God and not gods. In pre-colonial Igbo land, GODS were a representation of all of God's creation. They were also a symbol of all manner of events and occurrence that affect humans. For instance, ALA, represented mother Earth and its fertility, creativity and morality. Igbo people believed that ALA was a female GOD who commands authority and blessed every human effort on land. AMADIOHA, the most popular and revered GOD in Igbo land, is the GOD of thunder and lightening. As the strongest of all GODS, He represents the collective will of the people. IKENGA is the GOD of strength and war. He is one of the most respected GODS in Igbo land. As the name implies, He signifies an abode of strength where the people rely on for help in times of need. AGWU NSI is the GOD of health and divination. It is often used as a theological concept to explain good and evil, health and sickness, and poverty and wealth in Igbo land. Belief in this Deity was widespread, with most villages in Igbo land having some Agwu priests, who also doubled as physicians. ANYANWU is GODDESS of the sun. It is believed that it promotes the promotes the peoples' productivity, hard-work and general well-being. Igbo people held ANYANWU in high esteem and this could explain why many families took the name to be their surnames. NJOKU is the guardian Deity of yam in Igbo land. In some parts of Igbo land, people did rituals in honour of the Goddess of yams called Ifejioku. She is believed to bring productivity during farming seasons. Interestingly, children who were dedicated to this Goddess were called Njoku and they were expected to live prosperously. IFinally, DEMMILI is the Goddess of the ocean and seas. Some Igbo people believe that she found the Idemmili community in Anambra State where her shrine can be found. Her shrine is a secret place where the people worship 'Eke' - Python. Based on this circumstance, the killing of python and snakes in Idemmili is highly prohibited. Overall, the Igbo people are a traditional people who believe that God exists and should be revered in tandem with the Igbo tradition and culture. However, it is daringly unfortunate that today, a lot of Igbo people have forgotten who God in their religion and rather, have taken to what God is and means to the English and Asian people. This is unfortunately unfortunate!

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