15/06/2025
Let's discuss the concept of reincarnation in Igbo society and belief system.
Reincarnation is a belief that is shared by societies all around the world, including Hindus, Buddhists, Mayas, Zulus, and even within my Catholic family. It is a concept that is present in various religions and in mystical studies, as it offers a way to understand certain aspects of our existence.
In Igbo culture, when a child is born, the parents often consult Afa (divination) to learn about the child's life. Sometimes, children mistakenly mention the name of the person they believe they have been reincarnated from when peculiar events occur in their lives. This happened with my younger sister when she fell seriously ill. Despite various medications having no effect on her illness, she mentioned the name of our great grandmother, someone even my mother did not know, We began referring to her by our great-grandmother's name. and she miraculously recovered, becoming healthy and happy. Many people visit fortune tellers or diviners to discover which of their ancestors has reincarnated in their family, often before the eighth day after a child's birth. In Igbo culture, children receive their names on the eighth day, and some may take longer to find the exact ancestor they've been reincarnated from.
There have been numerous instances of clear reincarnation in Igbo society, particularly after the civil war when many families didn't know the fate of their loved ones who had gone to war. According to Igbo tradition, when a person is presumed lost, the family must wait for seven years before conducting burial ceremonies for them. Many people were reincarnated with different degrees of injuries, some even being born with open bullet wounds that miraculously healed without treatment. Others were born with injuries in the same place that caused the death of the person they reincarnated from. These occurrences serve as undeniable evidence of reincarnation. When families sought answers for these strange happenings, they were often told that their relatives who had died during the war had been reincarnated so that proper burial ceremonies could take place. The family would then welcome the reincarnated spirit through specific ceremonies. There are also stories of elderly people telling their children or grandchildren that they will reincarnate as one of them after death. Some children have demonstrated past-life memories by recounting stories from the lives of their supposed past selves—just like my younger sister, who mentioned the name of my great grandmother, someone whose name I didn't even know.
Unfortunately, reincarnation is now viewed with disapproval in many Igbo communities due to the influence of foreign religions. These religions have demonized the practice of reincarnation, and today, 85% of Igbo people are unaware of who has reincarnated within them. Personally, I am the reincarnation of my father's father, which is why my father calls me Nna ya and my mother calls me Nna di ya. My father's brother and his wife also regard me as the same person, and my late grandfather even considered me his in-law. Those who are familiar with my grandfather do not question my identity. I inherited not only physical traits, but also everything important to him.
The influence of the church on Igbo society has made it taboo to explore reincarnation and related practices. This has had negative effects on our overall society. The chaos we currently witness can be attributed not only to the neglect of reincarnation but also to the discarding of various ancient traditions deemed evil by today's world.
The church fought against reincarnation, aiming to weaken the spiritual foundation of the Igbo people. Surprisingly, the Bible itself contains references to reincarnation. For example, many people believed that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah. There are numerous stories of reincarnation throughout the Bible, but unfortunately, many Christians today do not understand or read the Bible critically. Their interpretations of the Bible come from what their pastors tell them, rather than what is actually written in the scriptures. The practice of discovering who has reincarnated within their family has been deemed pagan and devil-worshipping, leading the church to abolish it. Nowadays, if you mention reincarnation in Igbo society, many Christians will label you as a pagan.
It is important to note that 90% of successful Igbo people have, at some point in their lives, explored who has reincarnated within them and performed rituals to honor and connect with them. I dare say that this is one of the paths to success for Igbo people. However, living in a Christian-dominated society where admitting to such practices is associated with idolatry, many people keep it a secret. Only those who are close to them might reveal this information, as knowing who has reincarnated within you can provide insight into the course your life will take. Sadly, this secrecy has led many young people to engage in harmful practices such as money rituals in their quest for quick wealth. These misguided people believe that engaging in such demonic acts is the key to making money
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