Practitioners of Odinani and Omenani from across Nigeria have converged on Awka, Anambra State Capital, for a historic world conference aimed at reviving and protecting Igbo cultural heritage and traditional religion.
The conference, organized by Njikota Odinani Igbo Guru, in conjunction with Ejim Mara Ndị Bu Igbo Cultural Association, attracted an impressive gathering of traditional rulers, chief priests, Ezenwoke, Ezenwanyi, Ezedibia, Ezemmuo, cultural custodians and devotees of indigenous spirituality.
The event, with the theme “Awake Oh Yee Sleeping Giants,” re-echoed the ancient drums of Igbo spirituality, emphasizing the need for unity among practitioners of traditional religion and reaffirming the relevance, potency, and spiritual significance of Odinani and Omenani practices in Igboland.
The Coordinator and Founder of Ejim Mara Ndị Bu Igbo Cultural Association, Nze Anyanwuakpaoke, declared that the time had come for the custodians of the Igbo traditional religion to rise and form a united front to preserve and promote indigenous practices that have endured for generations.
According to him, the conference was designed not only to strengthen unity among practitioners but also to distinguish genuine traditionalists from impostors exploiting the system.
One of the major presentations came from Maazi Dibia, who spoke extensively on “Ana,” the earth deity, which he described as feminine in nature and symbolic of life, fertility and divine authority.
He explained that women deserve utmost respect because every mortal originates from a woman, while describing man as “Ajana,” the enforcer of rules and balance in human existence.
He made a distinction between Ana, the Earth feminine goddess, and Ajana, the Earth masculine god, which works in partnership with Ana to maintain order and balance, as every aspect of life is rooted in duality.
“Tradition touches every aspect of life. Odinani represents the naturally occurring elements which are used to observe Omenani in daily practices of our culture, traditions, customs, ethics, spirituality and precepts as they are what humanity should not neglect,” he declared.
Projecting into the future, he predicted that by the year 2030, a practicing traditionalist could emerge as Commissioner for Culture in Anambra State, knowledgeable in cultural matters, rather than someone with little or no knowledge of the people’s core values.
He commended past and present appointees to that office for their efforts.
Adding his voice, the Chief Priest, Uchenna Nnazoba Ajeh Muo na Agu Aro, described the conference as a spiritual awakening for Ndi Igbo and a bold step towards restoring the dignity of indigenous beliefs and cultural values.
He said the gathering was a reminder that Igbo civilization existed long before colonial influence and possessed its own established systems of morality, governance, spirituality and communal living.
“This conference is a clarion call to every son and daughter of Igbo land to reconnect with our roots and embrace the wisdom handed down by our ancestors.
“Odinani is not merely a religion; it is a complete way of life that teaches morality, justice, respect for nature, communal harmony and reverence for the Creator through the natural order He established,” he added.
The Chief Priest lamented what he described as decades of distortion and stigmatization of traditional spirituality, stressing that authentic practitioners should not be judged by the actions of impostors.
“For too long, our traditions have been misunderstood and wrongly portrayed. We must separate genuine traditional practices from criminality and deception. The future of Igbo culture depends on our willingness to preserve our heritage and pass it on to future generations.
“A people who abandon their roots risk losing their identity, “he also said.
He urged custodians of traditional religion across Igboland to remain united and committed to documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge systems.
In another major highlight, His Royal Highness, Prof. Onyeche Promise from Rivers State, disclosed that the Federal Government had begun recognizing traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria through an ongoing digital registration exercise.
He explained that the initiative aimed to elevate traditional medicine from local practice to international recognition.
Another remarkable testimony came from His Majesty, Ezekiel Esonu Ototo, who revealed that he had served as a Pastor in the Assemblies of God Church for more than twenty years before embracing traditional religion.
He spoke extensively on the similarities and differences between Christianity and African traditional spirituality, insisting that indigenous religion should not be demonized or misunderstood.
The Special Guest of Honor, HRH Omu Onyebuchibie Okonkwo, commended the organizers for creating a platform dedicated to preserving Igbo cultural values and indigenous spirituality.
She emphasized the central role of women in sustaining culture and ensuring that traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.
“The strength of any society lies in its culture, and women have always been at the heart of preserving that culture. From language and customs to moral values and family traditions, mothers remain the first teachers of every generation. If we lose our culture, we lose a significant part of our identity as a people,” he noted.
She called on governments, traditional institutions and cultural organizations to collaborate in promoting programs that would preserve Igbo customs, history and indigenous knowledge for future generations.
On the preservation of the Igbo language, Adaigwe Chioma Onyema of the Suba Asusu Gi Initiative sounded the alarm about the declining use of the language among younger generations.
She noted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had classified Igbo as an endangered language that could gradually disappear if urgent measures are not taken.
Lamenting the growing preference for English over indigenous languages, she criticized parents and guardians who neglect teaching their children their mother tongue.
The conference ended with renewed calls for unity among traditional worshippers, the preservation of indigenous spirituality and a collective commitment to safeguarding the language, customs and cultural heritage of the Igbo people for generations yet unborn.
