PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF IGBO DIVINITIES: A CASE STUDY OF DIVINITIES IN OGBUNIKE

Abstract

Igbo Traditional society is full of many belief systems. One among them is the belief in divinities. In the past, there used to be a very strong belief and veneration of these divinities in Igbo land. Today, people’s knowledge of divinities is fading away as the elders who know and believe in them and who are the store-house of the knowledge about divinities are dying away. Consequently researchers will in future find it difficult to discuss about divinities meaningfully. To obviate this, there is a crying need to document things concerning divinities hence, this research on divinities in Ogbunike to show their taxonomy, sexes, and gender differential roles within and outside the community where they exists. Problems and prospects of divinities in Ogbunike will be investigated and suggestions and recommendations will be given. This will be a documentation of divinity veneration in Ogbunike for posterity.