In the heart of Iheaka, nestled within the Igboeze South local government area in Enugu state, lies the village of Ugo, home to the revered deity, Lolo Uhereugo. Okwudili Ugwuoke Onah, the chief priest (Ezemuo) of this ancient deity, shares a compelling narrative of its history, activities, and cultural significance.
Iheaka comprises four villages: Ikoyi, Ugo, Ikautara, and Likke, each with its distinct ancestral deity. Ugo village, where Okwudili serves as the chief priest, venerates Lolo Uhereugo. The origin of these deities passed down through generations, remains shrouded in mystery, known only through stories handed down by fathers to their descendants.
According to Okwudili, Ugo faced challenges from neighbouring Ovoko, a more powerful village that frequently encroached on Ugo’s lands and properties. It was during this tumultuous period that a woman married in Ugo revealed a solution—a deity named Lolo Uhereugo. Gifted to her father by his chi (personal god), this deity held the promise of reclaiming Ugo’s seized possessions.
The woman presented the deity to the people of Ugo with a unique condition: it would be shared among Ugo residents, with her father’s people remaining as the chief priests. Embracing this pact, Ugo welcomed Lolo Uhereugo, and its protective influence began to manifest, safeguarding the village from harm when its instructions were diligently followed.
Okwudili emphasized Lolo Uhereugo’s role as a dispenser of justice. The deity could hunt down and eliminate wrongdoers, ensuring that justice prevailed. To signal impending divine intervention, public announcements preceded cases brought before Lolo Uhereugo, serving as a warning to those involved, particularly in instances of theft.
One distinctive aspect Okwudili highlighted was the peculiar preservation of a person’s corpse if Lolo Uhereugo was responsible for their demise. The body would not decay, serving as a supernatural marker of the deity’s involvement.
In his role as the chief priest, Okwudili described frequent dream encounters with Lolo Uhereugo, wherein the deity provided guidance and instructions. The chief priest was entrusted with upholding moral conduct and refraining from murder, theft, adultery, or any form of evil.
Contrary to common misconceptions, Okwudili vehemently asserted that Lolo Uhereugo was not an evil force. He stressed the importance of purity and cleanliness for believers, rejecting any association with malevolence. According to him, these deities predated the advent of Christianity and were messengers and representatives of God, facilitating a connection between humans and the divine.
In conclusion, Okwudili urged a reevaluation of ancestral beliefs, encouraging the preservation of cultural traditions alongside the coexistence of Christianity and other religions. He advocated for an open-minded approach, inviting questions and dispelling misconceptions, asserting that ancestral deities, like Lolo Uhereugo, could be benevolent guardians when approached with reverence and purity of heart.
Written by: Obinwannem Nsukka media office
Edited by Nwokwu Chukwuemeka Obinwannem editor
Date: January 18, 2024
Published by Ugwu Okechukwu (Obinwannem)
