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Arusi

Arusi are spirits that are worshipped and served in the Igbo religion. There are many different kind of Arusi and each has its own purpose and function.[1]

A wooden sculpture of Ikenga, an Igbo deity.

Ancestors edit

The Igbo ancestral world is divided into several interconnected realms, principal among them being the realm of the living, the realm of the dead or of the ancestors, and the realm of the unborn. Individuals who led an honorable life and received a proper burial proceeded to the ancestral realm to take their place among the ancestors ("Ndichie"), who are separate from the Arusi. From there they kept a watchful eye on the clan and visited their loved ones among the living with blessings such as fertility, good health, longevity, and prosperity. In gratitude the living offered sacrifices to them at the family hearth, and sought their counsel.

Arusi worship edit

Each major Arusi has a priest in every town that honors it, and the priest is assisted by a group of acolytes and devotees.

Children and Arusi edit

Children are still considered the greatest blessing of all and this is reflected in popular names such as Nwakaego; a child is worth more than money or Arawakan; no wealth is worthier than a child, or Nwabuugwu; a child is the greatest honor. In a small part of Igboland (Imo and Abia states- Mba-area), women who successfully deliver ten children are rewarded with special celebrations and rites that honor their hips. Infertility is considered a particularly harsh misfortune. The Igbo believe that it is children who perpetuate the tribe, and in order to do so children are expected to continue Igbo tradition and ways. Parts of Igbo divinities is Agwu, the alusi of health and divination. Agwu is a concept used by the Igbo to explain and understand: good and evil, health and sickness, fortune and misfortune.[2]

Pantheon edit

  • Ala
  • Ikenga
  • Igwe (Sky Father, also known as Igwekaala in some areas)
  • Anyanwu
  • Osimmiri, deity of the primordial ocean
  • Nne Mmiri/Nmụọ Mmiri, sea goddess who brings wealth, protection, and healing
  • Idemmili, river goddess
  • Agwu, god of health, divination and medicine
  • Ahobinagu, wildlife god
  • Ahia Njoku
  • Amadioha
  • Ekwensu
  • Njoku Ji or Ahiajioku, god of agriculture and production
  • Ogbunabali
  • Alusi Okija
  • Agbala, prophet of the Igbos
  • Ibini Ukpabi, Arochukwu god of justice and truth
  • Eke, Orie/Oye, Afo, Nkwo, embodiments of the days of the week in the Igbo calendar

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ . Archived from the original on 2006-10-30. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  2. ^ . Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-08-18.

arusi, spirits, that, worshipped, served, igbo, religion, there, many, different, kind, each, purpose, function, wooden, sculpture, ikenga, igbo, deity, contents, ancestors, worship, children, pantheon, also, referencesancestors, editthe, igbo, ancestral, worl. Arusi are spirits that are worshipped and served in the Igbo religion There are many different kind of Arusi and each has its own purpose and function 1 A wooden sculpture of Ikenga an Igbo deity Contents 1 Ancestors 2 Arusi worship 2 1 Children and Arusi 3 Pantheon 4 See also 5 ReferencesAncestors editThe Igbo ancestral world is divided into several interconnected realms principal among them being the realm of the living the realm of the dead or of the ancestors and the realm of the unborn Individuals who led an honorable life and received a proper burial proceeded to the ancestral realm to take their place among the ancestors Ndichie who are separate from the Arusi From there they kept a watchful eye on the clan and visited their loved ones among the living with blessings such as fertility good health longevity and prosperity In gratitude the living offered sacrifices to them at the family hearth and sought their counsel Arusi worship editEach major Arusi has a priest in every town that honors it and the priest is assisted by a group of acolytes and devotees Children and Arusi edit Children are still considered the greatest blessing of all and this is reflected in popular names such as Nwakaego a child is worth more than money or Arawakan no wealth is worthier than a child or Nwabuugwu a child is the greatest honor In a small part of Igboland Imo and Abia states Mba area women who successfully deliver ten children are rewarded with special celebrations and rites that honor their hips Infertility is considered a particularly harsh misfortune The Igbo believe that it is children who perpetuate the tribe and in order to do so children are expected to continue Igbo tradition and ways Parts of Igbo divinities is Agwu the alusi of health and divination Agwu is a concept used by the Igbo to explain and understand good and evil health and sickness fortune and misfortune 2 Pantheon editAla Ikenga Igwe Sky Father also known as Igwekaala in some areas Anyanwu Osimmiri deity of the primordial ocean Nne Mmiri Nmụọ Mmiri sea goddess who brings wealth protection and healing Idemmili river goddess Agwu god of health divination and medicine Ahobinagu wildlife god Ahia Njoku Amadioha Ekwensu Njoku Ji or Ahiajioku god of agriculture and production Ogbunabali Alusi Okija Agbala prophet of the Igbos Ibini Ukpabi Arochukwu god of justice and truth Eke Orie Oye Afo Nkwo embodiments of the days of the week in the Igbo calendarSee also editIgbo mythology Orisha Loa West African Mythology Winti Yoruba religion Nkisi nbsp Traditional African religion portalReferences edit Igbo Standing male Colonial figure Alusi 3 FEET Africa Direct Archived from the original on 2006 10 30 Retrieved 2008 08 21 Religion and the Igbo People Archived from the original on 2008 09 13 Retrieved 2008 08 18 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arusi amp oldid 1186448260, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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