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Okekparakpara Deity and Its Socio-Religious Influence On ii OKEKPARAKPARA DEITY AND ITS SOCIO-RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE ON ENUGU-AGU ACHI, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. BY OJIEKWE, EPHRAIM CHINEDU 2008097001F DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA – NIGERIA. DECEMBER, 2011. iii OKEKPARAKPARA DEITY AND ITS SOCIO-RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE ON ENUGU-AGU ACHI, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA. BY OJIEKWE, EPHRAIM CHINEDU 2008097001F A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph. D) DEGREE IN RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS FACULTY OF ARTS NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA – NIGERIA. DECEMBER, 2011. iv CERTIFICATION I, OJIEKWE, EPHRAIM CHINEDU, with the Reg. No. 2008097001F, hereby certify that this dissertation is original and has been written by me. It is a record of my research and has not been submitted before in part or full for any other degree of this University or any other institution or any previous publication. ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Ojiekwe, Ephraim Chinedu Date (Student) ------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Prof. J. E. Madu Date (Supervisor) v APPROVAL PAGE We ratify that this Dissertation carried out under our supervision, has been examined and found to have met the regulations of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. We therefore approve the work for the award of Ph.D. Degree in Religion and Human Relations (African Traditional Religion). ---------------------------------- --------------------------------- Prof. Jude Emeka Madu Date (Supervisor) ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Rev. Fr. Prof. A. B. C. Chiegboka Date (Head of Department) ----------------------------------- --------------------------------- Prof. C. O. Tagbo Ugwu Date (External Examiner) vi DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the evergreen memories of my father, Late Pillar Chief Gilbert Ojiekwe (Ochiagha 1 of Enugu-Agu Achi) and my mother, his loving wife, Late Ezinne LoLo Adaugo Chibugo Janet Ojiekwe (Agbara-ruo-uka) and to the souls of all the faithful departed. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My profound gratitude goes first to God Almighty for His bountiful benevolence unconditionally showered on me during the course of this research, and for bringing this work to a successful completion. I wish to start highlighting the assistance rendered to me during this work by first appreciating exceedingly the wealth of academic proficiency emptied into this work from the competent hands of my indomitable supervisor – Prof. Jude Emeka Madu under whose guidance this work has come to fruition. Words are insufficient to express my gratitude to him for the special role he played in this investigation. I thank the Head of the Department of Religion and Human Relations, Rev. Fr. Prof. A. B. C. Chiegboka for his concerns in the progress of the students of this noble department and for his relevant intellectual insights and support of the topic of study. It is my heartfelt desire to thank Very Rev. Msgr. Prof. J. P. C. Nzomiwu and The Very Rev. Prof. D. C. Okeke for their remarkable learned contributions to my academic life. I thank them for their enthusiastic audience that sustained my confidence. I am equally grateful to Rev. Fr. Prof. B. A. C. Obiefuna for his encouragement and technical input in this work. I recognize and appreciate the great help and support from other academic staff of the department like Very Rev. Dr. P. E. Nmah and Dr. O. O. C. Uche especially for their advice and their assistance in providing me with some relevant literature. May God reward them abundantly! I thank Dr. L. E. Ugwuenye, Dr. (Mrs) E. O. Ezenweke, Ven. B. O. S. Udezo for their support and inspiration. Others to whom I owe my gratitude include: Rev. Fr C. J. B. G. Okpalike, Mr. I. L. Umeanolue, Mr. K. L. Nwadialor, Miss viii A. M. Uzoigwe and Mr. S. C. Mgbemena. I sincerely appreciate your presence and unique contributions to this work. I can never forget to acknowledge the importance and help of the non-academic staff of the department of this great institution- Mrs. M. C Nweke, Mrs. G.S. Ugochukwu and Rev. Sr. O.J. Obayi; their secretarial work can never be under-rated in the success of this study. Mr. D. N. Agha and Mr Emeka Nzeh C’s invaluable and priceless time, energy and talents shown in this work would forever evoke my profound gratitude. I also thank the Librarians and the Library staff of Spiritan Theological College, Attakwu (SIST) and to all my typists both in Enugu and Awka, for their great help to me. Furthermore, I acknowledge the immeasurable moral and financial support and psychological boost accorded to me by my siblings – Prince Azunna Nze-Ojiekwe; Nze Chidi Alexis Ojiekwe; Bar. Henry Ikechukwu Ofoebgunam Ojiekwe; Chief Valentine Chidozie Ofoegbunam Ojiekwe; Princess Caroline Tochukwu Ojiekwe; Matron Loreto Chinwe Ojiekwe Samuel; Nurse Eucharia Ojiekwe and Mr.Samuel Onuoha throughout the course of this work. I most truthfully appreciate their admirable co-operation. Though too many to mention, I equally acknowledge the assistance and concern of Chief Dr. Alex Obiechina; Engr. O. C Ezedozie; Engr Agubata Linus; Engr Cyril Obitulata and Engr. Isaac Okah respectively. May you be favorably rewarded! Finally, to all those who have responded favourably to my research questionnaire and all those that have proof-read my dissertation and offered significant ways to enhance it, I shower thanks of sincerity and gratitude. OJIEKWE EPHRAIM CHINEDU ix TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGES Fly Leaf - - - - - - - - - i Title Page - - - - - - - - - ii Requirement Page - - - - - - - - iii Certification - - - - - - - - iv Approval page - - - - - - - - v Dedication - - - - - - - - - vi Acknowledgements - - - - - - - vii Table of Contents - - - - - - - - ix Abstract - - - - - - - - - xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study - - - - - - 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - 7 1.3 Purpose of the Study - - - - - - 8 1.4 Significance of the Study - - - - - - 9 1.5 Scope of the Study - - - - - - 10 1.6 Methodology - - - - - - - 11 1.7 Definition of Terms - - - - - - 12 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Preamble - - - - - - - - 14 2.2 Genesis of Igbo Traditional Religion and the Position of the Deities - - - - - - - - 16 2.3 Concept of Deities in Igbo Traditional Religion - - 18 2.4 The Significance of Deities in Igbo Traditional Religion - 24 2.5 Igbo Worldview - - - - - - - 27 2.5.1 Man in Igbo Thought - - - - - - 33 2.5.2 The Igbo Philosophy of Life - - - - - 36 2.5.3 The Igbo Traditional Attitudes towards Women - - 41 2.6 Gender in Igbo Cosmology - - - - - 43 2.6.1 Religious Rituals and Gender Inequality - - - 46 2.6.2 Ritual as Communication Symbols - - - - 50 2.7 The Concept of Ofo in Igbo Traditional Worship - - 52 2.8 Concept of Sacrifice in Igbo Traditional Religion - - 56 2.8.1 Expiation Sacrifice (Ikpu-alu or Ikpocha-ife) - - - 57 2.8.2 Sacrifice to ward off Molestation from unknown Spirits - 59 2.8.3 Petition - - - - - - - - 59 x 2.8.4 Thanksgiving - - - - - - - 60 2.8.5 Interior Sacrifice - - - - - - - 60 2.9 The Igbo Concept of Worship - - - - - 61 2.10 Shrine in Igbo Traditional Belief - - - - 65 2.11 Summary of Literature Review - - - - - 66 CHAPTER THREE: THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF THE OKEKPARAKPARA DEITY 3.1 The Origin and Meaning of Okekparakpara Deity - - 75 3.2 Nature of Okekparakpara Deity - - - - 77 3.3 Functions/Importance of Okekparakpara to the Enugu Agu Achi - - - - - - - - - 83 3.3.1 Economic Functions - - - - - - 85 3.3.2 Political Functions - - - - - - - 86 3.3.3 Social Functions - - - - - - - 88 3.3.4 Religious Functions - - - - - - 90 3.4 Demerits of Okekparakpara Deity in the Lives of Enugu-Agu Achi People - - - - - - - - 91 3.4.1 Caste System (Osu practice) - - - - - 92 3.4.2 Negative Economic Consequences - - - - 93 3.4.3 Lack of Forgiveness - - - - - - 93 CHAPTER FOUR: OKEKPARAKPARA LITURGICAL CULT WORSHIP 4.1.1 The appropriateness of the officiating functionary - - 96 4.1.2 Purity of the presiding person and use of sacred emblems - 97 4.1.3 Availability of the necessary materials - - - - 98 4.1.4 Constitution of the liturgical assembly - - - - 98 4.1.5 Adherence to traditional liturgical procedure - - - 99 4.1.6 Confidentiality - - - - - - - 99 4.1.7 Disposition of the presiding officer, good memory and dutifulness of the person - - - - - - 99 4.2 Signs, Symbols and Images of Okekparakpara Deity and their Socio-Religious Significance - - - - - 101 4.3 Okekparakpara Ritual Worship and the Traditional Deities in Achi - - - - - - - - - 109 4.3.1 The Traditional Festivals and Gender Involvement in Enugu-Agu Achi - - - - - - - 112 4.3.2 Liturgical Procedure and Celebrations in the Worship of Okekparakpara Deity - - - - - - 116 xi 4.3.3 Singing, Music and Dances in the Socio-Religious Ceremonial Worship of Okekparakpara Deity in Enugu-Agu Achi - 122 4.3.4 The Sacrifices and the Liturgical Words in the Worship of Okekparakpara Deity - - - - - - 125 4.4 The Liturgical Calendar of Okekparakpara Deity 134 4.5 The Shrine of Okekparakpara Deity - - - - 135 4.6 The Diversity of the Okekparakpara Liturgical Cult Worship 137 CHAPTER FIVE: GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND ITS SOCIO-RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE IN THE OKEKPARAKPARA LITURGICAL WORSHIP 5.1 Male and Female participation in Okekparakpara Ritual Worship - - - - - - - - 145 5.2 Enugu-Agu Culture and the Issue of Gender Involvement and Responsibility - - - - - - - 151 5.2.1 The Role of Kola Nut (Oji Igbo) in the Enugu-Agu Achi Traditional Worship
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