Odinani: A Discourse in Philosophy of Culture

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to examine Odinani, the cultural belief system of Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria. The spiritual, social and cosmic tenets of Odinani are felt through Omenani, the cultural practices this cultural philosophy generates. This paper is not about the latter; its scope is restricted to Odinani, the indigenous philosophical grail by which the Igbo people live, consciously or unconsciously. This study is an exploration of Odinani, its key components, analysed in terms of their epistemic, ontological and ethno-philosophical implications. A significant outcome of this study is the realization that, contrary to popular belief among a section of the Igbo elite and the media, Odinani is not a corpus of religious practices but the traditional belief system or worldview of the Igbo people.