Arusi are spirits that are worshipped and served in the

Igbo religion Odinani, also known as Odinala, Omenala, Odinana, and Omenana (), is the traditional cultural belief and practice of the Igbo people of South East (Nigeria), south east and Igbo people of South South (Nigeria), south south Nigeria.Afulezy, Juj ...

. There are many different kinds of Arusi and each has its own purpose and function.

Ancestors

The Igbo ancestral world is divided into several interconnected realms, principal among them being the realm of the living, the realm of the dead or of the ancestors, and the realm of the unborn. Individuals who led an honorable life and received a proper burial proceeded to the ancestral realm to take their place among the ancestors ("''Ndichie''"), who are separate from the Arusi. From there they kept a watchful eye on the clan and visited their loved ones among the living with blessings such as fertility, good health, longevity, and prosperity. In gratitude the living offered sacrifices to them at the family hearth, and sought their counsel.

Arusi worship

Each major Arusi has a priest in every town that honors it, and the priest is assisted by a group of acolytes and devotees.

Children and Arusi

Children are still considered the greatest blessing of all and this is reflected in popular names such as Nwakaego; a child is worth more than money or Arawakan; no wealth is worthier than a child, or Nwabuugwu; a child is the greatest honor. In a small part of Igboland (Imo and Abia states- Mba-area), women who successfully deliver ten children are rewarded with special celebrations and rites that honor their hips. Infertility is considered a particularly harsh misfortune. The Igbo believe that it is children who perpetuate the tribe, and in order to do so children are expected to continue Igbo tradition and ways. Parts of Igbo divinities is ''Agwu'', the alusi of health and divination. Agwu is a concept used by the Igbo to explain and understand: good and evil, health and sickness, fortune and misfortune.

Pantheon

* Ala *

Ikenga Ikenga ( Igbo literal meaning "strength of majesty") is a horned god found among the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. It is one of the most powerful symbols of the Igbo people and one of the most common cultural artifacts. Ikenga is mostly m ...

Igwe Igwe (meaning ''"Sky"''), is a royal title or method of addressing traditional rulers that control autonomous communities in Igboland. In other words, Igbos approximate the term to the HM style. An Igwe is therefore defined as a holder of a tit ...

(

Sky Father In comparative mythology, sky father is a term for a recurring concept in polytheistic religions of a sky god who is addressed as a "father", often the father of a pantheon and is often either a reigning or former King of the Gods. The conc ...

, also known as Igwekaala in some areas) *

Anyanwu Anyanwu (''anyaanwū'', meaning "eye of the sun" in Igbo) is the sun goddess of the good fortune, knowledge, and wisdom in the traditional Igbo religion called Odinala. She is an alusi, a tutelary spirit that was created by the Supreme god, ...

* Osimmiri, deity of the primordial ocean * Nne Mmiri/Nmụọ Mmiri, sea goddess who brings wealth, protection, and healing * Idemmili, river goddess * Agwu, god of health, divination and medicine * Ahobinagu, wildlife god * Ahia Njoku *

Amadioha Amadioha is the deity or god (Arusi or Agbara) of thunder and lightning of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. His main function is to do justice and avenge for the oppressed by striking their oppressors and their properties. But due to the ...

Ekwensu Ekwensu is a trickster of the Igbo people, a trickster spirit of confusion, that serves as the Alusi (god) of bargains and the tortoise. Crafty at trade and negotiations. He is often invoked for guidance in difficult mercantile situations. He is ...

Njoku Ji Njoku Ji is the guardian deity of the yam for the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guine ...

or Ahiajioku, god of agriculture and production *

Ogbunabali Ogbunabali () is the traditional Igbo death deity. His name is considered to be a literal description of his character as he is said to kill his victims in the night, these usually being criminals or those who have committed an unspeakable taboo. ...

* Alusi Okija * Agbala, prophet of the Igbos * Ibini Ukpabi, Arochukwu god of justice and truth * Eke, Orie/Oye, Afo, Nkwo, embodiments of the days of the week in the

Igbo calendar The Igbo calendar () is the traditional calendar system of the Igbo people from present-day Nigeria. The calendar has 13 months in a year (A''fọ''), 7 weeks in a month (Ọ''nwa''), and 4 days of Igbo market days (Eke, Orie, Afọ, na Nkwọ) in ...

References

---- {{Odinani Igbo religion

Ancestors

Arusi worship

Children and Arusi

Pantheon

See also

References