CONCEPT OF ANCESTRAL WORSHIP IN IGBOLAND: ORIGIN AND CHALLENGES OF THE CONTEMPORARY IGBO COMMUNITY
Abstract
Ancestral worship in Igbo land is a significant aspect of their traditional religion, which emphasizes reverence to an unknown God through the veneration of ancestors and various gods and spirits. Ancestors, considered as intermediaries between the living and the divine, are respected through libations, sacrifices, and prayers, with the belief that they remain alive in the family and can perform expected roles. The Igbo religious system, which is often described as polytheistic and panentheistic, acknowledges a central deity, Chukwu, who is classified among lesser deities with specific purposes. The concept of God in Igbo traditional religion is unique and distinct from monotheistic or polytheistic thought categories in Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions. This reverence to an unknown God through ancestral worship showcases a monotheistic concept within a polytheistic religious structure, reflecting the complexity and diversity of Igbo religious beliefs
Keywords:
Ancestral worship, contemporary Igbo community, Igbo land, Igbo religious system, concept of GodDownloads
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References
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