The essence of the Igbo calendar has a symbolic representation of deities which gives the Igbo people a prior knowledge of time, the four market days which correspond to the four cardinal points, north, south, east, and west.

The Igbo Calendar has 13 months in a year , 7 weeks in a month, and 4 days in a week plus an extra day at the end of the year, which is different from the normal Calendar the world adhere to.

It is petinent to note that the Igbo Calendar is still utilized today, the four market days, Orie, Eke, Nkwo and Afo is a typical analogy that is marked specifically as the occasion arises.

Each Month has its own aim in terms of farming, cleansing, rituals, festivals and so forth.

Months of the year (Ọnwa Iguaro)

1 Ọnwa Mbụ
2 Ọnwa Abụo
3 Ọnwa Ife Eke
4 Ọnwa Anọ
5 Ọnwa Agwụ
6 Ọnwa Ifejiọ
7 Ọnwa Alọm Chi
8 Ọnwa Ilo Mmụọ
9 Ọnwa Ana
10 Ọnwa Okike
11 Ọnwa Ajana
12 Ọnwa Ede Ajana
13 Ọnwa Ụzọ Alụsị

The names of the days have their roots in the mythology of the Kingdom of Nri. Eri, the sky-descended founder of the Nri kingdom, had gone on to break the mystery of time and on his journey, he had saluted and counted the four days by the names of the spirits that governed them, hence the names of the spirits eke, orie, afọ and nkwọ became those of the days of the week.

The days also correspond to the four cardinal points, Afọ corresponds to north, Nkwọ to south, eke to east, and orie to west. These spirits, who were fishmongers, were sent down by Chukwu (Great God) in order to establish markets throughout Igboland which they did by selling fish.

Months and meaning

The following months are in reference to the Nri- Igbo calendar of the Nri kingdom which may differ from other Igbo calendars in terms of naming, rituals, and ceremonies surrounding the months.

1. Ọnwa Mbụ
   The first month starts from the third week of February making it the Igbo new year. The Nri- Igbo calendar year corresponding to the Gregorian year of 2012 was initially slated to begin with the annual year- counting festival known as Igu Aro on February 18 (an Nkwọ day on the third week of February), but was postponed to March 10 due to local government elections in Anambra State where the Nri kingdom is located. The Igu Aro festival which was held in March marked the lunar year as the 1013th recorded year of the Nri calendar.
2. Ọnwa Abụo
   This month is dedicated to cleaning and farming.
3. Ọnwa Ife Eke
   Is described as the hunger period.
4. Ọnwa Anọ
   Ọnwa Anọ is when the planting of seed yams starts.
5. Ọnwa Agwụ
   Ịgọchi na mmanwụ come out in this month which are adult masquerades. Ọnwa Agwu is the traditional start of the year.The Alusi Agwu, of which the month is named after is venerated by the Dibia (priests), of which Agwu is specifically worshiped by, in this month.
6. Ọnwa Ifejiọkụ
   This month is dedicated to the yam deity ifejioku and Njoku Ji and yam rituals are performed in this month for the New Yam Festival.
7. Ọnwa Alọm Chi
   This month sees the harvesting of the yam.
8. Ọnwa Ilo Mmụọ
   A festival called Önwa Asatọ ( Igbo: Eighth Month) is held in this month.
9. Ọnwa Ana
   Ana (or Ala) is the Igbo earth goddess and rituals for this deity commence in this month, hence it is named after her.
10. Ọnwa Okike Okike ritual takes place in this month.
11. Onwa Ajana

Okike ritual also takes place in Onwa Ajana

12. Onwa Ede Ajana
    Ritual Ends
13. Onwa Uzo Alusi

Offerings are rendered to Alusi the last Month

Lolo Ijeoma Njoku Obinwannem News Writer / June 7, 2022