Eight major deities in Igboland

Igbo is one of the major tribe in Nigeria. The people of igboland before the colonization and Christian missionaries invasion believed in Alusi. This alusi is a spirit worshipped and served in the Igbo region.

There are different types of alusi and they all have different functions. The major ones includes; igwekala, Ala, Ikenga, Anyanwu, Idemmili, anwu, Amadioha, njoku ji, and Ogbanabali.

Igwekala: Igwekala is a name of a masquerade that appears once in every four years. But other small ones appear every December period. Igwekala is regarded as one of the biggest masquerade on igboland

Ala: also known as ani, ana, and ale in numerous dialects) is the female (deity) of the earth, fertility, creativity and morality in Odinala. She is the most respected and importantly in the Igbo pantheon. Her name literally translates to “ground” in the Igbo language denoting her powers over the earth and her status as the ground itself. Ala is considered as the husband to amadioha, the sky deity. The symbol of ala is python and crescent moon.

Ikenga: literally meaning “place of strength’ is a horned deity found among the Igbo people. Is one of the most powerful symbols of the Igbo people and the most common cultural artifact. Ikenga can be given as a title to men of high reputation and integrity. Ikenga structure is mostly maintained, kept and owned by great individuals of the Igbo society.

Anyanwu: The sun is one of the most revered things created by God. The Igbo keeps it at a high esteem that they could answer it as a surname. The sun in igbo language is translated to “anyanwu”, the ‘anya’ means ‘eyes’ and the ‘anwu’ means ‘light’, The Igbos took the sun as their deity because of its light to the world.

Idemmili: idemmili according to the people believed that is one of the gods that founded idemmili community in anambra state. Idemmili shrine, which is called nkua is in Obosi, Anambra State. It is a powerful place and before anyone becomes a king in this community he must visit the shrine. It is a very secret shrine and python (eke) is part of the shrine deities. Python are sacred there and it can’t be killed in the community nor eaten. Anybody that kills it is in trouble. The python is harmless.

Agwu: Is the igbo deity of health and divination, and one of the basic theological concepts employed to explain good and bad, health and sickness, wealth and poverty, failure and success. Belief in the agwu was widespread in the past. Most communities had some agwu people, who were considered victims of its malignant powers or recipients of its positive influences, such as priest­­-diviners and physicians.

Njoku ji: Is the guardian deity of the yam for the Igbo people. In many parts of igboland, rituals are made in honor of the yam deity known as ifejioku. In some parts of igboland, children who were dedicated to the service of the deity were named njoku. Such children were expected to be prosperous when they become adult.

Ogbunabali: Literally meaning “one who kills at night” is a death deity. His name has already described his functions. He kills his victims at night. His victims are criminals and those who have commited an unspeakable taboo.

Amadioha: Is the god of thunder and lightening of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. He is the strongest of all. He is represented with a white ram and his color is red. His day is afor, which is the third market day of the Igbo four day week. He is considered as the gentle man among the deities and also the cruelest. Amadioha represents the will of the people and literally means “man of the people”. The main shrine of amadioha is located at Ogboro ama ukwu as it is called ozuzu in Etche local government area of Rivers State.

Written by Bernard Uzoma

Bernard Uzoma is a young boy that knows much about his tribe and country, also an aspiring author. He is the Chinua Achebe of his generation. Very promising and captivating. Follow him atIG:@Benoskistallion FB: Bernald­_Uzoma Gmail: