THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEITIES IN THE CONTEMPORARY NSUKKA NORTHERN IGBOLAND

📄 Project Abstract

The Igbo have embraced Christianity and civilization which have displaced the traditional religion in its organized form yet the traditional religious beliefs and practices still rule the minds of many Igbo Christians. One of such beliefs and practices that have survived the onslaught of the forces of change in Igboland is the belief in deities. Deities though in retreat are very much alive. The average Igbo Christian would not normally participate in the public worship of deities but would resort to deities for help when difficult life situations such as illnesses, misfortunes, deaths, barrenness, present themselves for solutions. Above all, the deities are still invoked as adjudicators on serious issue like undetected crime, land disputes, identification of witches and sorcerers. This work argues that in spite of the socio-cultural and religious transformations that have taken place in Igbo society deities which Christianity and modernity have condemned still rule the minds of the pr...