Hello Nairalanders,
The advent of judeo-christian monotheistic religious groups in Nigeria such as Christianity and Islam has done great damage to the knowledge of some of our indigenous religious systems. Some scholars in recent times have tried to revive and document these extant or obsolete religious movements in Africa. However, African indigenous religions have been known to be largely polythestic and at best, syncretic. This means that in African religions, the worship of many gods plays a vital role. Ancestral veneration is also found in our various indigenous religions. In the Yoruba religious system, the pantheon of gods include; Ogun, Eshu, Sango, etc. The Ibo pantheon is also similar in functions but different in names such as Amadioha which resonates with Sango.
However, little is known that Nigeria has its own monotheistic religion fashioned like judeo-christian religions but different in practises, cosmology, philosophy, beliefs, etc. Some people have called this religion a "syncretic" one. This means that it is a mixture of two religious systems. This indigenous religion is known as the IGBE RELIGION. Those people domiciled in Delta and Edo States may have come across this religion. The word "IGBE" is an Urhobo word meaning "Dance". Thus, this is a religion of dance. Most people think this religion is paganistic and believe in many gods, as usual in traditional religions. Far from this, it believes in a single God known as "Oweya" and this God is worshipped through dancing and the consumption of native chalk.

The Igbe religion was founded by Ubiecha Etarakpo in 1858 and has its headquarters at 11, Egbo Street, Kokori Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State. Originating in Kokori, it gradually spread to all of Urhobo nation and austral Nigeria at large. As a matter of fact, it has gained international ground in London. The adherents of the Igbe religion are monotheists who believe in an omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent God called Oweya and that he rewards the good and evil alike, according to their deeds.
Dance is a core element of the Igbe. The adherents believe that by dancing, they draw on themselves the very hand of the one and only monotheistic God. The Igbe religious adherents usually meet in an "Ogwa", a sort of temple, in which they meet to dance, welcome members, etc. As dancing is a core element of the Igbe, there is no worship session without dancing. They sing native Urhobo songs in place of hymns. At worship services, the Igbe priest(s), always dressed in white dress and white head gears, administer(s) native chalk on the worshippers for their protection and fortification. This protection is predicated on the belief that witches and wizards are extremely powerful and possess the powers to maim and kill people. The Igbe religion gained a popularity for its ability to render Witches and Wizards powerless and also null their powers, spells and charms in its "Ogwa". The Igbe religion celebrates an annual feast -Ore Isi- for twelve days which takes place every May and thousands are in attendance from all over the world. The feast is held at Kokori in Agbon kingdom, Ethiope East LGA, Delta State.

Igbe was birthed in 1858 when Ubiecha Etarakpo of 11, Egbo Street in Kokori, on his way back home from the farm, allegedly saw an apparition of two divine beings who "anointed" him to preach against immorality and witchcraft. After the alleged apparition, Ubiecha became eccentric and acted insanely as no day passed without him dancing. The people assumed he was mad as he was seen dancing and feeding on nothing but native chalk, called "Orhen" in Urhobo language. This scared the people from coming close. Ubiecha was taken care of only by a lady known as Erukainure who believed he wasn't mad and whom he later married. It was also alleged that after the alleged apparition, Ubiecha performed amazing miracles, accurately predicted the future, healed the sick and miraculously identified witches. He built a worship house called 'ogwa' in his compound and, from there, ministered to the people with native white chalk; and, allegedly prophesied with stunning accuracy. This brought people from across the Urhobo country to Kokori.

The Igbe religion emphasises purity of mind, body and soul of all members. This is why members are seen wearing "white" always as a symbolism of their pure state. Igbe members also believe in the afterlife. They believe that once a person dies, his soul is reunited with God until a new body is created by God for the soul to enter and come back to earth. Hence, they believe in reincarnation as is normal in Urhobo cosmology. A prerequisite for priesthood in Igbe is the ability to see into the future. Hence all Igbe priests are presumed to be clairvoyant. The apex head of Igbe worldwide is the Chief Uku who is supported by his Ochuko Uku. The 'Olori' is like the evangelist and his work is to welcome new members and listen to confessions. Every Igbe temple has an "Oni-Igbe" who is the head priestess. They can dig out any secret and see the future. They also listen to confessions, especially from women members. The typical Igbe members' day starts with the ritual of silence where the walk round the four corners of the "Ogwa" of their house and hum all through after which they eat the native chalk. This is also done at the end of the day. Their most sacred day of worship (just like christians use sunday and muslims use friday) is once every eight days. This day is known as "Edigbe" or "Ediruo" which means day of dance or day of work. The typical activities on this day include singing, dancing, praying, cleansing, confessions, intake of new members and other social/ritualistic functions. Their liturgy is not written but learnt by the "Uku" who initiates and oversees it. The "Uku" is like the walking bible of the Igbe religion. In Igbe, it is believed by adherents that the native chalk, "Orhen", can cure ALL AILMENTS of the body, mind and spirit.

However, after gaining fame and wealth from a viable institution, Ubiecha kicked the bucket in 1920. After Ubiecha's death and burial. His offsprings became divided over succession. However, by tradition, his eldest son, Ibodje Ubiecha succeeded his father as chief priest and head prophet; but his half brother, Akpokovo Ubiecha, succeeded in establishing his own branch in Kokori. However, one of Ibodje's daughters, Mary Ibodje, a priestess, also, broke away to establish her own branch before Ibodje Ubiecha's death which occurred on 6 April 1986. Jackson Ibodje, his eldest son, succeeded him. Today there are various splinter groups of the Igbe religion. The one predominant in Edo state is known as "Sanughebe" and it was taken there by one of Ubiecha's adherents. Others include Igbe Ame, Igbe Oghenuku, Igbe Emeni, etc. These splinter groups have incorporated other practises into the religion that are unorthodox like the worship of water or land spirits, etc. However, the main religion remains Igbe Uku or Igbe Ubiecha.

With the influx of Christianity into Kokori in the 20th century, the Igbe was corrupted by the presence and works of the Church's full scale evangelism. Another powerful Igbe organisation founded by Chief Ogbevire Ogogo evolved. This Igbe brand had some elements of Christianity infused. They observed Christmas and New Year holidays coupled with the Igbe core festival. It gained recognition and spread to many places in Delta, Edo, Ondo, Rivers and Lagos states of Nigeria. And in the first half of the 21st century, gained a platform in the UK. Though the Igbe extends beyond Urhobo land, the bulk of adherents remain Urhobo people and the principal medium of communication is largely the Urhobo tongue. It has a population of over 50, 000 adherents.

The Igbe is replete with criticism. First, non-adherents find it less attractive because of the principal utilization of Urhobo language at worship sessions. Second, non-adherents perceive the religion as idol worship and avoid identification and participation. Third, the Igbe is criticized for the rejection of orthodox and herbal medicines for treatment of ailments. Rather the Igbe adherents believe and administer the native chalk for treatment of ailments. This, the non-adherents view as unsafe and taking chances even though some of the ill adherents allegedly confess to being healed after imbibing or externally applying the native chalk.

The Igbe religion has thrived for over a century and it has waxed stronger with members across the globe. However, it is largely understudied and barely known to Nigerians outside its endemic region. This has informed the reason for this post. I hope it has, at the least, been a subject of intellectual fascination to the reader. I would like to acknowledge the usage of Wikipedia, Wadoo and Professor M.Y. Nabofa'a article as source materials for this writeup.





Written by Mathias Iroro Orhero, B.A M.A(in-view)
Sent in from Warri, Delta State.



Insert Pictures:
Some members of the Igbe religious group in a UK event.





Published in the Urhobo Today Newspaper on Monday 20th 2015. Accessible here:

http://urhobotoday.com/?p=17311

Another post on Igbe in which I was sourced for information.

Igbe religion torn apart by worship of mermaids, animals, conflicting doctrines

KOKORI—SUCH were the authority and fame of the late Ubiecha Etarakpo, the founder of the historic African religion, Igbe, that the reigning Oba of Benin at the time had to travel incognito as a leper to Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, to validate his power.

Etarakpo, who died in 1926, reportedly cured people of madness and healed men of various diseases even on his sick bed. He detected the undercover Benin monarch as he came in while an Igbe service was on and stood on his altar-like seat in acknowledgment.

Worshipers in mortal realm could not fathom the forces at play, but Etarakpo ushered the “strange visitor” to his seat. Marvelling at his act, his members wondered if a tormenting spirit had possessed the sect’s founder, but after the Oba departed, Etarakpo told his bewildered congregation that the person, who just left was no less a person than the Benin monarch.

“Three weeks after, the Oba visited Kokori again, this time, he came in his full regalia as an Oba and presented gifts and honoured Etarakpo for his spiritual prowess,” an unabashed Igbe worshiper told Niger Delta Voice at Kokori.

His words: “That was when people feared and respected the Igbe religion founded in the 19th century. More so, there was no division in the worship rites, as approved by the founder, Etarakpo, an indigene of Kokori.”

Divine call

Etarakpo allegedly received the call of “God” in 1893 and sat on the throne in 1920 with a female called Oniruesi, also known as Erukainure. According to myth, he went to the farm and fell into a trance after he ate a native chalk given to him during an encounter with a divine spirit. When he woke up from his trance, he became unconventional and acted strangely.

Back at the community, a woman known as Oniruesi noticed something mysteriously divine about him, unlike others, who thought he had gone round the bend. Though he later got married to her, he resided in her apartment and continued dancing each passing day, eating nothing but Orhen (native chalk), healing people miraculously by praying for them and giving them the same native chalk to consume.

Legend

A school of thought said Etarakpo, purportedly mentally imbalanced, was roaming the streets of Kokori when he got a divine call, knelt down along the road, closed his hand and eyes in prayer, went into a trance and when he woke up, he saw a native chalk in his hand.

As he marveled at how it came about, a divine spirit ministered to him on the efficacy and how to go about using the native chalk to heal people. This manifestation reportedly led to the beginning of Igbe. “Armed with the power of clairvoyance, Ubiecha’s deeds quickly spread far and wide with persons trooping to Kokori to consult him on their medical and spiritual problems,” the chief priest of Igbe, Chief Oberiko Omonemu, told Niger Delta Voice.

Because of the increase of Etarakpo’s followers, who were trooping to Kokori for consultation and healing, he later built a worship house known as Ogwa, where he ministered to his devotees and made prophesies with stunning accuracy.

Division

However, following his death in 1926, Igbe, described as Africa’s first monotheistic religion by the Urhobo Historic Society, UHS, had since split into over 50 denominations with some worshipping animals, mermaids and other divinities. The leadership crisis over who would step into his shoes started with three of his children: Igbe-Ibodje, Igbe-Akpokovo and Igbe-Emegalise.

Welcoming Niger Delta Voice into his barely lit apartment at Kokori, Mr. Micheal Ejemedefe, who described himself as the life-bearer and final authority of Igbe, being the last link and descendant of the founder of Igbe, whose mother is the eldest daughter of Etarakpo’s second son, Akpokovo, took our team down memory lane on the intricacies that befell the religion.

Worship of animals

According to him, following the demise of Etarakpo and the birth of the three circuits of Igbe, various offshoots like Igbe-Ubiecha, Igbe-Oghene-Uku, Igbe-Agege and Osanuge-Igbe emerged.

He said the offsprings gave birth to the proliferation of Igbe with most of them involved in the culture of mermaids and other divinities, while others even indulge in the worship of animals, which they describe as the custodian of the spirit of “God.”

We believe in Jesus

Ejemedefe bellowed the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth while making a point prompting the reporter to ask what darkness has to do with light. He explained: “The main Igbe worshipers believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God and also believe in his Father as the Almighty God.

“Though Jews call him Yahweh, Islam call him Allah and Christians call him Jehovah, we (Igbe) call him Owheya. “We are also conscious of the fact that religion is not defined as belief in God but the kind of life you live while on earth, hence giving room for our belief in reincarnation and a life of purity while on earth.

“Just like the liturgy of the Catholic Church, Igbe also has its liturgy, which involves Eucharistic rites and confessions before an Uku (Priest),” 58-year-old Ejemedefe, said to have amassed several degrees in London, asserted.

Clay as prescribed in Bible!

A scholar in Urhobo culture, Mathias Orhero, who confirmed that Etarakpo’s sudden death in his prime, caused a big challenge to the group, shed light on the Igbe religion. He said as evident in the creation of man by God, Igbe adherents believe strongly in the efficacy of native chalk gotten from the earth’s crust.

He said: “Do not forget that according to the Bible, Jesus Christ performed series of miracles using clay and even asked some persons to go dip themselves inside a particular river seven times.

“With devotees spread across Africa, Europe, North and South America and other parts of the world, the once unified Igbe, as founded by Etarakpo, now has over 50 sects with some of these sub-divisions no longer toeing the line of their founder having introduced the worship of mermaids, divinities and animals in the worship of God.”

The chief priest (Igbe Uku), Chief Omonemu, who believes in the worship of mermaids, said mermaid worship and belief in divinities do not affect his belief in Jesus Christ as the Messenger and Son of God. According to him, “Jesus Christ was sent to the earth by God for a purpose and He had since completed the task. But do not forget that there are other spiritual messengers of God.

“One of such is what you refer to as mermaid, but we call them divinities and we commune with God through and with these divinities.”

“On the contrary, where we differ with those you refer to as Christians is that while they await the second coming of Christ, they failed to realize that He had since come and gone when He presented Himself to Etarakpo, an apparition that gave birth to Igbe,” he said.

Praise and worship session

Speaking on the spiritual implication of being an Igbe devotee, both Orhero and Omonemu said, “Igbe is a religion of purity and spiritual cleanliness. It believes that your stay here on earth is a reflection of your past life and your present life would determine your future life here on earth hence Igbe believe in reincarnation.”

Liturgy

Igbe operates an unwritten liturgy. The Uku (chief priest) initiates and oversees the liturgy of the Oghwa (shrine of divinity) and administers the Orhen on worshipers for their protection and fortification as well as presiding on all rituals performed in the Oghwa.

In the traditional African society, virtually everybody believes that witches are extremely powerful and possess the powers to maim and kill people. The Igbe worshiper sees the religion as a counter force against the power of withes and that is where the protection presumably offered by the sect gained acceptance.

This reporter attended an Igbe worship session at an Uku in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli, to comprehend the liturgy better. Akin to the Christian worship in churches, the Igbe liturgy is dramatic. Reminiscent of majority of Christians, who worship on Sundays, the holy (sacred) day of worship for Igbe is once every eight days, known as Edi-Igbe or Edi-Iruo, meaning day of dance or day of work.

Like a practiced session, it was observed that all members of the Ogwa seems to adhere to an unwritten program of event, which is reflected in the way and manner they kneel during worship, enter into the Ogwa through a particular entrance and exit via a different direction and same applies to how you kneel.

The service includes dancing, praying, spiritual cleansing, confessions, intake of new members and other social/ritualistic functions.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/igbe-religion-torn-apart-by-worship-of-mermaids-animals-conflicting-doctrines/

Chief Marty..
It really pains me that this religion is not being propagated by it's followers. The Urhobos and Isokos should be proud of this...

THANK you for this expository work... I Hope more comes up...

Freemanan:
Chief Marty..
It really pains me that this religion is not being propagated by it's followers. The Urhobos and Isokos should be proud of this...

THANK you for this expository work... I Hope more comes up...

True to the saying that a prophet is unacknowledged in his home, the Urhobos and Isokos have abandoned their own indigenous belief system and condemned it as devilish, evil and superstitious and embraced the religion of the white man. How sad! Salvation, however, is a personal race regardless of religious convictions.


*** I still wish my friend was alive to see this post on frontpage ***** RIP Freeman!

fratermathy:


True to the saying that a prophet is unacknowledged in his home, the Urhobos and Isokos have abandoned their own indigenous belief system and condemned it as devilish, evil and superstitious and embraced the religion of the white man. How sad! Salvation, however, is a personal race regardless of religious convictions.

Yes but it needs to be disseminated....
I Hope one day, folks will be proud of their beliefs rather than what people like...

I could remember my days at warri we used to say that this is an igbe woman and fetish and funny enough non of my urhobo friends explained it they were clueless about it

I was staying near CKC but hutsling at ibo market okere road

nice exposure here

I grew up in warri, during my childhood igbe was very popular among especially the urhobo/isoko stocks of delta and other neighbouring part like delta ijaw,itsekiri and part of ukwuani. But due to christianity and the advent of anglican looked-like churches like God grace, victory revival, etc which love dance and praise in their style of serving God. Most igbe members switch to this churches cos primary igbe means dance. From then on igbe was looked upon as fetish and demonic in nature. I dont think igbe will ever find its popularity anymore in our today world, the white dressing use by igbe member plus all those native chalk, sometimes the aroma is very offensive.

Why mention me na? I just dey look u with one kind eye. Christianity rocks, got no time for fetish stuffs.

Anyway, I would read d write up when I free later in d day. But, before den, find Christ and flee paganism.

How much will I be paid after becoming a member?

RichDad1:
How much will I be paid after becoming a member?

I don't think religion pays us to be members. However, I'm not a member but what I do know is that some of them are doing well. Extremely well

'Igbe' in yoruba means sh't

Demmzy15:
'Igbe' in yoruba means sh't

Funny.
How language variance can misconstrue things.

fratermathy:


Funny.
How language variance can misconstrue things.

Many tho!

Demmzy15:
'Igbe' in yoruba means sh't

It could mean 'noise' as well as 'forest'.

So one religion founded in the 19th century is Nigeria's first monotheistic religion? I beg to disagree. ISLAM had been in Nigeria over 900years earlier than IGBE! Get your facts right dude!

Arrant Nonsense

somtimes I wonder why I open some threads..what am I looking for that I have not found yet

I have heard about Igbe before. I know some women in Igbo land who are members. They always put on white clothe and a stick in their hands.

Positivist:
So one religion founded in the 19th century is Nigeria's first monotheistic religion? I beg to disagree. ISLAM had been in Nigeria over 900years earlier than IGBE! Get your facts right dude!

What the @op has in mind is the first indigenous monotheistic religion in Nigeria and we know Islam is not indigenous to Nigeria.

Positivist:
So one religion founded in the 19th century is Nigeria's first monotheistic religion? I beg to disagree. ISLAM had been in Nigeria over 900years earlier than IGBE! Get your facts right dude!

... And Islam is an African religion? Did you even read the post before your fallacy of hasty generalisation.?


It is well...

God is one, but the gods are too many!

This is the best post I have read in a long time. I stayed in Sapele and Warri but never understood the Igbe religion. Thanks Op for this expository, you have put many fears and misconceptions to rest.

fratermathy:


True to the saying that a prophet is unacknowledged in his home, the Urhobos and Isokos have abandoned their own indigenous belief system and condemned it as devilish, evil and superstitious and embraced the religion of the white man. How sad! Salvation, however, is a personal race regardless of religious convictions.

how is christianity the religion of the whiteman ? I believe religion is universal and anyone anywhere has the right to believe whatsoever he wants though the religion must originnate from somwhere

1shortblackboy:
how is christianity the religion of the whiteman ? I believe religion is universal and anyone anywhere has the right to believe whatsoever he wants though the religion must originnate from somwhere

Then why not move to where the religion came from? That way you are closer to ur god and reduces the disunity and discrimination in the land

You don't realize that religion is so powerful that a society with multiple religions can only be full tension

Positivist:
So one religion founded in the 19th century is Nigeria's first monotheistic religion? I beg to disagree. ISLAM had been in Nigeria over 900years earlier than IGBE! Get your facts right dude!

900 years practiced by who?

LKO:
Why mention me na? I just dey look u with one kind eye. Christianity rocks, got no time for fetish stuffs.

Anyway, I would read d write up when I free later in d day. But, before den, find Christ and flee paganism.

And you think christianity is not fetish?

Let us give this religion the recognition it deserves!

macof:


And you think christianity is not fetish?

Lol.
Every religion has its own rituals and what others may consider 'fetish'!

Lalasticlala front page

lepasharon:

Lalasticlala front page

Thanks.