IGBO CULTURE AND SOCIETY: The Ojiyi Deity in Aku Nsukka
Ojiyi is the oldest village in Aku, and it is home to the shrine of the Ojiyi Deity. The Christian onslaught forced Ojiyi, an umbrella deity, into the background and nearly into obscurity, but it has persevered until this day. Despite the challenges posed by the spread of Christianity, the shrine of the Ojiyi Deity in Use continues to be a place of reverence and cultural significance for the people of Aku. The villagers of Use have worked tirelessly to ensure that the traditions and rituals associated with Ojiyi are preserved and passed down to future generations.
According to Aku mythology, the Ojiyi deity delivers rapid justice to wrongdoers. Ojiyi is a collection of intricately carved wooden components embellished with tiny eyeglasses and fabric fragments. It was once transported about the town in December each year, but more recently it was kept inside the shrine where believers pay their respects. Back then, Ojiyi Idol was offered attractive, marryable girls in their prime as property. They were distributed as restitution for extremely heinous and illegal offences such as theft or murder that were allegedly perpetrated by the girls’ parents or other family members. Rather than being put to death, they were treated as the Ojiyi deity’s live property. Other communities in Aku have their own deities by whom they verify the truth of what they claim to have lost or searched for. The Omani Oshigo belongs to Oshigo, the Aturu to Ugwunani, the Ekumaha to Amaogbo, the Ase to the Nua people, and the Chikerueguru to Mgboko.
These deities were believed to have the power to bring justice and restore balance in the community. The practice of giving out young girls as atonement was a harsh reminder of the consequences of committing serious crimes. Each village believed in the power of their deity to bring about truth and justice, ensuring that their community remained in harmony. The tradition of offering up young girls as living property was a dark and unsettling part of the village’s history, but one that was deeply ingrained in their culture and beliefs.
Written by Jideofo Okibe,(Obinwannem News correspondent Enugwu State)
Date: April 22, 2024
Ubochi Afo Ani
Published by Ngozi Odoh (Obinwannem Nsukka Office Secretary)