Agwu Deity in Igbo Religion: A Study of the Patron Spirit of Divination and Medicine in an African Society - Softcover

Aguwa, Jude C.U.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9781563990 ISBN 13: 9789781563997

Publisher: Fourth Dimension Publishing Co Ltd ,Nigeria, 1995

Synopsis

The Agwu is the Igbo patron deity of health and divination, and one of the basic Igbo theological concepts employed to explain good and evil, health and sickness, wealth and poverty, and fortune and misfortune. Belief in the Agwu was widespread in thepast. Most communities had some Agwu people, who were considered victims of its malignant powers or recipients of its positive influences, such as priest-diviners and physicians. This books analyses this belief system in past and present times, and posits the view that it still exists but to a lesser degree or in a modified forms. The author conducted his research through personal interviews and observer-participant methods. Themes range from beliefs about the Agwu deity through the rites and initiation into Agwu cult, to the guild of diviners and traditional healers. The six chapters cover: supernaturalism and disease causation; the anthropocentricity of Agwu; art and symbol in the Agwu cult; the rites of Dibia initiation; significance and consequences of Dibia initiation; and Agwu therapeutic forces in a time perspective.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fourth Dimension Publishing Co Ltd ,Nigeria
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9781563990
• ISBN 13: 9789781563997
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 172