The Mythological Concept of "Chi" in Igbo Naming System and Proverbs.

"Chi" in Igbo mythology is not the sky God, Chukwu is. "Chi" is a spark of Chukwu he put in human upon creation which will lead one to fulfill his destiny on earth.

"Chineke" original was not an Igbo name of a supernatural being, but the name of Christian God or God of the Bible. Igbo Worldview, religion and beliefs are different from the Christian view of creation. I wrote something few days ago according to Igbo mythology, someone was quoting Bible for me. Ọga I know it is different from Bible, the writeup said: "according to Igbo mythology and not according to Bible". Remember, we are unraveling our history.

For scholarship sake, learn first why your name is what it is.
When the missionaries arrived to Igbo land in the early 19th century, they understood the Igbo worship and beliefs. Ndị Igbo already believed there is a supernatural being who made the heaven and Earth. He dwells in the sky. There are other minor messengers you can offer your prayers to which in turn they will deliver to the supernatural being, Chiukwu, Ezechiteoke Abịama, Obinigwe, Olisa, Ọbasị, etc.

The Missionaries did not teach ndi Igbo they met here that there was God. I think that believing in a supernatural being is natural. Without being told you will know that someone, somewhere made the earth and heaven. It is in our subconscious minds..

They wanted to translate the name of God in Igbo. Already they first condemned the traditional worshiping system of the Igbo. They knew that the Igbo believed in "Chiukwu". The supernatural being. To differentiate theirs, they called it "Chineke". The "Chi" that creates things. Remember, the Igbo new converts helped in such translation. Now Christendom say Chineke mostly, leaving Chukwu because it's for the pagans.

There are other borrowed names like "Ọbasị". It came from the Efik and Ibibio's "Abasị".

Now "chi" in Igbo mythology does not mean God, rather it is a spark or force the Igbo believe Chukwu put into every human.
Each one is to choose whether he will want ezigbo Chi, or ajọ chi. Your decision in life determines whether your bad chi can change to good or remain that way. The western ideology believes in guardian angel.

The "Chi" in Igbo belief is the same. It will guard you base on your choice in life. When you have good chi, they said: " o nwere chi ọma", that is how the name : Chiọma came to be. Another one is: "Chi ya dị mma", that is how Chidịmma came to be. "Chi ya amaka" is Chiamaka.

The following Igbo names are example of this:
Chiọma
Chidimma
Chima
Chiadịkaobi
Chimamkpam
Chibụeze
Chidubem
Chinedum
Chiamaka
Chinasaramokwu
Chidaalụ, etc.

When I see people interpreting Chiọma as Good God, well I am not saying it's not good but that is not actually the meaning. These names as far as they are Igbo names have cultural and mythological undertones. Only when you know the history, etymology of them, you will understand.

Very soon hopefully, I will publish a book on Igbo names and meanings as well as their etymologies and circumstances behind the naming system. I am still researching..

PROVERBS
In Igbo proverbs, the use of chi cannot be overemphasized.
These proverbs will help you understand what I have explained above. Chi in Igbo belief is a personal guardian force created by Chiukwu to help you achieve your destiny.

Twins cannot have the same chi. Hence you hear something like:
* Onye na Chi ya
* Gị na chi gị mewe
*Otu nne na-amụ mana otu chi adịghị eke
* Chi abụ otu
* Onye chi ya kwọ n'azụ, ụkwụ adịghị akpụ ya
* Onye chi ya akwatughị, mmadụ agaghị akwatụ ya
* Chi nwaogbenye adịghị arahụ ụra
* Ụbọchị onye ajọ chi ji arị achụnta ka mgbada ji arị elu
* O nwere Chi ọma
* O nwere Chi ọjọọ
* Chi m agaghị ekwe ka ihe ọjọọ mee m.

Why do you think the Igbo personalise "chi" like chi m dị mma, Chi m ajụ, chi m agaghị ekwe ka ihere mee m?

Language is spiritual. Lol. You don't believe it but you are carrying it out. Your words, names interpret this spiritual aspect of language that goes with a cultural belief system, consciously or unconsciously.

But everyone with chi has Chinnukwu, Chiukwu that created all. When one dies according to the Igbo mythology, his chi goes to the maker in the sky while he joins his ancestors. His chi will solicit whether he will reincarnate or not. If he is reincarnating, he will come with another chi.

This is explained in these Igbo sayings:
" M bịawa ụwa ọzọ, m nwee chi ọma". "Ụwa m ọzọ ụwa ọma na chi m".

Funny, we say all these things not knowing their meanings.
Hahaha.
© Maazi Ogbonnaya, 2020.05.15

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Damn Niggarr,

All I know is that *chukwu* is gotten from *chi*
As in
Chi= god
Chi ukwu(chukwu) =big God
Chi na-eke(chineke) = God that creates.

And So,

Chi=chukwu