By Cornel Osigwe.
In recent times, I have avoided discussing this topic, but today I feel compelled to do so. I have observed many young people who were once devoted Christian worshippers being led astray by an evil practice that some of our great grandfathers abandoned when they converted to Christianity. In my opinion, Christianity is a modified version of Odinani Ndigbo.
This write-up may spark debates, but I believe it will enlighten those who are unsure about the right path to follow. Many Igbo historians and researchers have confirmed that the ancient religion of the Igbo, Odinani, bears the most convincing signature of the Hebrew Nation in Igbo culture. Odinani means “statues and laws of living required in the Land” in Igbo. Additionally, Wikipedia states that Odinani, also known as Omenala, refers to the traditional cultural beliefs and practices of the Igbo people of Southeast Nigeria.
According to Ezekwugo Charles M in “Igbo Customs – People of Africa,” Odinani is a code of life passed down from Chukwu, God the creator, to Eri, the patriarch of the Igbo race. It is widely accepted that the Igbos originated from Eri, the grandson of Jacob and son of Gad. Jacob is also known as Israeli.
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The nation of Israel is the only nation on earth that God gave a set of rules, statutes, laws, and ordinances to govern their way of life. According to Igbo mythology, Eri migrated from the eastern side of River Jordan and finally arrived in Aguleri, Anambra State of Nigeria. Eri migrated to Aguleri along with the customs and traditions of his fathers, which is known as Odinani. The ancient traditional way of worship in Igbo land was incorporated with Odinani. The customs and traditions of the Nation Israel, the grandfather of Eri, are embedded in the book of Leviticus, which is the third book of the Torah. Leviticus details God’s speeches to Moses on laws, principles, and way of life. In Odinani, there was never any doubt about the existence of the Supreme God known as Chi-Ukwu, who was considered the creator of heaven (Igwe), earth (Ana), and every other being.
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Our forefathers regarded this Chi Ukwu as Chi Ukwu Okike Abiame which means The Great Spirit of God of Abraham the Creator.
Now, Odinani in Igbo land comes in two forms- Odinani Torah and Odinani alusi. Both Odinani has core biblical roots.
Odinani Torah- “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: that thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. Deuteronomy 6:1-4 KJV. The quotation from scripture recognizes the existence of commandments and statutes established by God.
Odinani Alusi- And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
This quotation recognizes the likelihood of corrupt statutes (Odinani Alusi) established by man in disobedience to the true statutes (Odinani Torah).
Odinani no doubt was derived from the instruction given by God in Torah. The Igbos prior to the missionaries consider Odinani sacrosanct. It was a way of life that must be adhered to strictly and any violation will bring the wrath of the Supreme God on the violator.
It should be an eye opener to you that the ordinances stipulated in Leviticus chapter 16 concerning atonement of sin given by Moses to Aaron are exactly what obtains in Igbo land whenever Odinani is violated. The priests in Igbo Land whenever odinani is violated are from the Nri clan. They are considered the Igbo Levitical priests until today.
Therefore Odinani Alusi is a corruption of the true Odinani. Idolatry has always been a bane of Israel till today. The Igbos are no exception because it is in their bloodline. The priests and worshippers of these gods usually build an altar where sacrifice is made to these gods. The altar or shrine where these gods are worshipped in Igbo land is now called Okwu alusi. This foundational defilement seems to be the core challenges and problems the Igbos are grappling with today, especially the now generation.
I hereby conclude that Odinana which involves alusi is a deviation from the true odinani established by God of Israel as the laws and guiding principles on how we can worship him.
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The Transformation of Odinani by God Using The Gospel of Jesus Christ. (The New Odinani)
I laugh when some traditional worshippers think that those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ who is now called Christians are not true worshippers of Odinani. Truth is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the new Odinani. I won’t judge those who are still practicing the old Odinani either the real one- Odinani Torah or the corrupt one, Odinani Alusi. Jesus Christ speaking in Mathew 5:17, said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law (Odinani) or the Prophets, I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Proof of Modification of Odinani By The Gospel Of Jesus Christ.
Mathew 5 from Verses 21, saw Jesus Christ modifying the law (Odinani). Therefore, Odinani Coverts known as Christians are no longer under obligation to live under the law. You can choose to if you want though. The law served as a tutor to lead us to faith in Jesus. Gal 3: 23-26. The Law (Odinani) shows us our inability to keep the law in our own strength. No one can be justified by keeping the law because we all fail in our efforts to keep it. We are only justified by faith in Jesus. Jesus is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes.
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May the Holy Spirit Grant you understanding of this article in Jesus name. Amen.
Cornel Osigwe.
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