Country Advice Nigeria Nigeria – NGA38220 – Imo State – Igbo –
Priest – Succession – Refusal – Christians 28 February 2011
1. Where are the following places located: Urakwan, Calabar, Umunchi Village in Isialo Mbano? Are they in the same general area?
Urakwan
No such location was found on any maps. No references to this location were located.
Calabar
Calabar is the capital city of Cross River State in Nigeria1, which is located in the southeast of the nation. Figure 1 shows the location of Calabar in Cross River State in relation to the location of Imo State.2
1 ‘Calabar’ 2011, Maps of the World website Undate http://www.mapsofworld.com/nigeria/cities/calabar.html - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 1. 2 ‘Calabar & Imo State Nigeria’ 2011, Google Map http://maps.google.com.au/maps?num=100&hl=en&q=calabar+nigeria&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calabar,+Cross +River,+Nigeria&gl=au&ll=5.577717,7.283936&spn=2.405373,5.603027&z=8 - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 2.
Page 1 of 9 Figure 1 Calabar City, Free River State and Imo State
Imo State
3
Umunchi Village in Isialo Mbano, Imo State
The village of Umunchi is located in Isialo Mbano in Imo State, Nigeria, according to several media references and press articles, however, the exact location could not be located on any maps.4 Isialo Mbano is one of 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State.5
Figure 2 shows the location of Imo State in Nigeria and Figure 3 shows the location of the Isialo Mbano district within Imo State.
3 ‘Calabar & Imo State Nigeria’ 2011, Google Map http://maps.google.com.au/maps?num=100&hl=en&q=calabar+nigeria&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calabar,+Cross +River,+Nigeria&gl=au&ll=5.577717,7.283936&spn=2.405373,5.603027&z=8 - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 2. 4 ‘Barr Ohakim Calls For Vibrant Legislature’ 2010, Empowerment for Women And Youth Initiative website 27, September http://www.ewayi.org.ng/news/5.html - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 3 & ‘Monarch denies murder allegation’ 2009, Nigeria Daily News OnlineNigeria.com website http://ndn.nigeriadailynews.com/templates/?a=16630 - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 4. 5 ‘Imo State Local Government Areas’ 2011, The Official Website of Imo State, Nigeria website http://www.imostate.gov.ng/info/LGA - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 5.
Page 2 of 9 Figure 2 States of Nigeria showing Imo State
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6 ‘Click On A State To Learn More’ 2011, E-Nigeria website, Undated http://www.e-nigeria.net/maps.html - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 6.
Page 3 of 9 Figure 3 Isialo Mbano Local Government Area in Imo State
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The Village of Umunchi is located in the district of Isialo Mbano, which lies within Imo State and therefore these locations are in the same general location, bearing in mind that Imo State covers an area of about 5,100sq km.8 The distance from Calabar in the Cross River State to Isialo Mbano in Imo State is approximately 150 km.9
2. Is the Umunchi ethnic group a subgroup of the Igbo (Ibo) people?
No information was located referencing an Umunchi ethnic group, or referring to Umunchi as a sub-group of the Igbo people. The Igbo are one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups and are concentrated in south eastern Nigeria, with large populations in Imo State. The Igbo ethnic
7 ‘Postcode Map Imo State’ 2011, Nigerian Postal Service website, undated http://www.nipost.gov.ng/PostCode.aspx - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 7. 8 ‘About Imo State’ 2011, The Official Website of Imo State, Nigeria website, undated http://www.imostate.gov.ng/info/AboutImo - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 8. 9‘Calabar & Imo State Nigeria’ 2011, Google Map http://maps.google.com.au/maps?num=100&hl=en&q=calabar+nigeria&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calabar,+Cross +River,+Nigeria&gl=au&ll=5.577717,7.283936&spn=2.405373,5.603027&z=8 - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 2.
Page 4 of 9 group is composed of over 200 separate groups and further composed of numerous subgroups within each of the 200 Igbo groups.10 While reports referred to some of these Igbo groups and subgroups by name, no reports listed more than a dozen by name. It is possible that the Umunchi are one of the several hundred groups or subgroups of the Igbo not referenced in the materials located.
3. What is known about traditional worship of a deity called "Okwarachi"? Is this deity unique to any particular village or region?
No information was located referencing a local deity named Okwarachi, however, it is possible that Okwarachi is a god venerated by Igbos in a particular local village or community.
The Igbo believe in several main tenets of their religion, which are fairly common to all followers, including the worship of a supreme being named Chukwu. However, they also practise ancestor worship and venerate numerous lesser gods and goddesses, referred to as Umuagbara and Ndi Ichie.11 Igbo villages have built numerous communal shrines to these different gods and goddesses specific to communities. They honour the spirits of village and community people who have died, and oracles. There are examples of villages and communities having gods of war, peace, wealth, markets, welfare, water, etc. An example was given of one community choosing to worship a particularly successful female trader.12
4. If the priesthood is matrilineal, can it pass to a man? If so, to whom would it pass on the death of that man?
A compilation of sources indicate that it is likely that a priest may be chosen based either on hereditary lineage or godly/spiritual revelation. Lineal descent information regarding Igbo priests of any particular village or community of Igbos was not located. No sources were located specifying that there are general rules of priesthood succession. While women commonly serve as priests, the Igbo social system is primarily patrilineal in nature.13
10 Yakan, M. Z. 1999, Almanac of African Peoples & Nations, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey, pp. 366-368, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B4VgTJaVqCwC&pg=PA366&lpg=PA366&dq=igbo+subgroups+nigeria &source=bl&ots=WgaCoB526- &sig=fbKiPyKkodCZ52WfjrXL0DhL2fg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7Mi_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result &ct=result&resnum=39&ved=0CL8BEOgBMCY#v=onepage&q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 9. 11 Froiland, A. Undated ‘African People and Culture’ The Africa Guide website http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/ibo.htm - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 10. 12 Chuku, G. 2005, Igbo women and economic transformation in southeastern Nigeria, 1900-1960, Rutledge, New York, pp. 24-27, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Z3jouPZxPC4C&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&dq=igbo+nigeria+priests&sou rce=bl&ots=lgqUN6PqgV&sig=UmaKblraZGdc_SJLIz27B6dKL2E&hl=en&ei=RYFsTfX1JoG- uwP2w7iKBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=53&ved=0CO8BEOgBMDQ#v=onepage&q=igbo% 20priests&f=false - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 11. 13 Olson, J. 1996, The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary, Greenwood Press, Westport, CT. page 234, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=MdaAdBC- _S4C&pg=PA238&lpg=PA238&dq=igbo+subgroups+nigeria&source=bl&ots=dMdStFzhaQ&sig=ok0Wkpnu W9q_pqUdvbzEyPO6rPg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7Mi_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resn um=19&ved=0CGMQ6AEwEg#v=onepage&q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 12. & Yakan, M. Z. 1999, Almanac of African Peoples & Nations, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey, pp. 366-368, Google Books website
Page 5 of 9 No sources definitively stated whether the priesthood generally followed patriarchal or matriarchal lines and one source reported that priests may be chosen either through hereditary lineage or spiritual revelation, after passing through several mystical experiences.14 Based on the characterisation of Igbo society and comments by other sources about the spiritual nature and attribute of priests it likely that practices vary widely by communities and villages.
Several sources indicate that each Igbo village has both priests and priestesses who preside over spiritual matters, including conducting ceremonies and rituals. Most villagers also have oracles or diviners who wield influence over a community.15 Women hold significant spiritual roles in communities and villages. Women priests are known as Eze Nwanyi or Nne Mmanwu. Their roles are to consult oracles and inform the community, perform traditional healing practices, and attend to women and children’s births and assist in delivering babies.16
Some sources indicate that it is possible that some Igbo communities do not necessarily follow either matriarchal or patriarchal lineages to determine successor priests. It is common for traditional priests and priestesses to earn their status by being possessed by spirits and displaying powers to prophesise or heal.17 Other sources did not address the succession of priests, however, they characterise Igbo society as very democratic and inclusive in nature.18 Traditionally, there is often no single ruler, chief, or king and decisions are decentralised. Councils of elders, community associations, and secret societies all contribute to decision- making.19 Individual achievement, charisma, intellect, positive moral attributes are just some of the virtues celebrated in Igbo society and may elevate both men and women to positions of leadership in society without regard to lineage.20
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B4VgTJaVqCwC&pg=PA366&lpg=PA366&dq=igbo+subgroups+nigeria &source=bl&ots=WgaCoB526- &sig=fbKiPyKkodCZ52WfjrXL0DhL2fg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7Mi_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result &ct=result&resnum=39&ved=0CL8BEOgBMCY#v=onepage&q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 9. 14 Slattery, K. 2001, ‘Religion and the Igbo People’ The Imperial Archive Project Queen’s University Belfast website 15 August http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEnglish/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 13. 15 Froiland, A. Undated ‘African People and Culture’ The Africa Guide website http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/ibo.htm - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 10. 16 Udemezue, C. 2010, ‘The religious role of women in Igbo traditional society’, Brighthub website http://www.brighthub.com/society/cultures-customs/articles/105778.aspx - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 14. 17 ‘Nigerian Culture’ Directory Nigeria.org website, Undated http://directory-nigeria.org/nigerian-culture - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 15. 18 Yakan, M. Z. 1999, Almanac of African Peoples & Nations, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey, pp. 366-368, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B4VgTJaVqCwC&pg=PA366&lpg=PA366&dq=igbo+subgroups+nigeria &source=bl&ots=WgaCoB526- &sig=fbKiPyKkodCZ52WfjrXL0DhL2fg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7Mi_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result &ct=result&resnum=39&ved=0CL8BEOgBMCY#v=onepage&q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 9. 19 Froiland, A. Undated ‘African People and Culture’ The Africa Guide website http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/ibo.htm - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 10. 20 Chuku, G. 2005, Igbo women and economic transformation in southeastern Nigeria, 1900-1960, Rutledge, New York, pp. 24-27, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Z3jouPZxPC4C&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&dq=igbo+nigeria+priests&sou rce=bl&ots=lgqUN6PqgV&sig=UmaKblraZGdc_SJLIz27B6dKL2E&hl=en&ei=RYFsTfX1JoG- uwP2w7iKBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=53&ved=0CO8BEOgBMDQ#v=onepage&q=igbo% 20priests&f=false - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 11.
Page 6 of 9 5. Are there any reports of persecution of people who refuse to take on a traditional chief priesthood because they follow Christianity or Islam?
Only one report was located indicating that Igbo persons may be subjected to harm if they refuse to take on traditional chief priest role due to their practice of Christianity or Islam. While harm may occur in individual circumstances, several other sources indicate that in general the Igbo have peacefully integrated traditional religious practices with Christian beliefs.21 Christianity is the dominant religion in areas inhabited by Igbo. Followers of Islam are predominantly located in northern areas of Nigeria.
One outside expert source reported that serious harm could come to a person who is expected to take on the role of a village chief priest in Igbo society. In 2001, Dr. David Dorward, Director of African Research Institute at LaTrobe University, Victoria, was contacted in regards to a similar Nigerian case, although he was addressing the situation of Igbos in Anambra state. He reported that it is unlikely that someone who is to assume the role of village chief priest as a result of hereditary practices would be harmed ‘…as there are likely other appropriate candidates since primogeniture isn’t a pervasive rule.’ However, in other cases, free will may be subordinated to the needs of the community. If someone is the ‘chosen repository of the relevant spirit’ to become chief priest, one may have an obligation to the community to placate the spirits. Depending on the community, refusal in this circumstance could produce violence against the individual. He also addresses issues of state protection, normal upbringings for people in hereditary line to become priests, and the possibilities for relocation.22
In south eastern Nigeria, where the Igbo are concentrated, the majority religion is Christian, and adherents are largely composed of Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, and Methodists.23 An outside expert consulted by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada for report in 2000, stated that the Igbo are 90% Christian, composed of various dominations with many incorporating indigenous practices.24 Islam is the dominant religion in northern areas of Nigeria.
The 2010 US DOS reports that: ‘…many Igbos continue to observe traditional rites like marriage rites, ceremonies, and culture in tandem with Christianity.’ Other sources corroborated this assessment that local beliefs often mixed with Christianity, especially among young people and in rural areas.25 The USDOS report includes several references to
21 Yakan, M. Z. 1999, Almanac of African Peoples & Nations, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey, pp. 366-368, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B4VgTJaVqCwC&pg=PA366&lpg=PA366&dq=igbo+subgroups+nigeria &source=bl&ots=WgaCoB526- &sig=fbKiPyKkodCZ52WfjrXL0DhL2fg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7Mi_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result &ct=result&resnum=39&ved=0CL8BEOgBMCY#v=onepage&q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011 – Attachment 9. 22 Dorward, Dr David, 2001, Email to the RRT Country Research ‘Information Request NGA14809’, 20 September. Attachment 16. 23 ‘Nigerian Culture’ Directory Nigeria.org website, Undated http://directory-nigeria.org/nigerian-culture - Accessed 3 March 2011 – Attachment 15. 24 Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 2000, NGA35586.E – Nigeria: Follow-up to NGA34530.E of 12 June 2000 on the succession practices for the “eze” (king), 27 September – Attachment 17. 25 DIAC Country Information service 2006, ‘Religion in Nigeria, 20 June, 2006, http ://www.nigeria- planet.com/Religion-In-Nigeria.html, Accessed on 16 Nov 2006 (CISNET Nigeria CX165104)
Page 7 of 9 religious strife and clashes between Christians and Muslims, but does not reference any conflicts or ill treatment of ethnic Igbos as a result of their Christian beliefs. 26
Attachments
1. ‘Calabar’ 2011, Maps of the World website Undate http://www.mapsofworld.com/nigeria/cities/calabar.html - Accessed 4 March 2011.
2. ‘Calabar & Imo State Nigeria’ 2011, Google Map http://maps.google.com.au/maps?num=100&hl=en&q=calabar+nigeria&ie=UTF8&hq= &hnear=Calabar,+Cross+River,+Nigeria&gl=au&ll=5.577717,7.283936&spn=2.40537 3,5.603027&z=8 - Accessed 4 March 2011.
3. ‘Barr Ohakim Calls For Vibrant Legislature’ 2010, Empowerment for Women And Youth Initiative website 27, September http://www.ewayi.org.ng/news/5.html - Accessed 4 March 2011.
4. ‘Monarch denies murder allegation’ 2009, Nigeria Daily News OnlineNigeria.com website http://ndn.nigeriadailynews.com/templates/?a=16630 - Accessed 4 March 2011.
5. ‘Imo State Local Government Areas’ 2011, The Official Website of Imo State, Nigeria website http://www.imostate.gov.ng/info/LGA - Accessed 4 March 2011.
6. ‘Click On A State To Learn More’ 2011, E-Nigeria website, Undated http://www.e- nigeria.net/maps.html - Accessed 4 March 2011.
7. ‘Postcode Map Imo State’ 2011, Nigerian Postal Service website, undated http://www.nipost.gov.ng/PostCode.aspx - Accessed 4 March 2011.
8. ‘About Imo State’ 2011, The Official Website of Imo State, Nigeria website, undated http://www.imostate.gov.ng/info/AboutImo - Accessed 4 March 2011.
9. Yakan, M. Z. 1999, Almanac of African Peoples & Nations, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey, pp. 366-368, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B4VgTJaVqCwC&pg=PA366&lpg=PA366&dq= igbo+subgroups+nigeria&source=bl&ots=WgaCoB526- &sig=fbKiPyKkodCZ52WfjrXL0DhL2fg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7Mi_BA &sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=39&ved=0CL8BEOgBMCY#v=onepage &q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011.
10. Froiland, A. Undated ‘African People and Culture’ The Africa Guide website http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/ibo.htm - Accessed 3 March 2011.
11. Chuku, G. 2005, Igbo women and economic transformation in southeastern Nigeria, 1900-1960, Rutledge, New York, pp. 24-27, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Z3jouPZxPC4C&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&dq=i gbo+nigeria+priests&source=bl&ots=lgqUN6PqgV&sig=UmaKblraZGdc_SJLIz27B6d KL2E&hl=en&ei=RYFsTfX1JoG- uwP2w7iKBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=53&ved=0CO8BEOgBMD Q#v=onepage&q=igbo%20priests&f=false - Accessed 3 March 2011.
26 US Department of State 2010, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2009 – Nigeria, 17 November – Attachment 19.
Page 8 of 9 12. Olson, J. 1996, The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary, Greenwood Press, Westport, CT. page 234, Google Books website http://books.google.com.au/books?id=MdaAdBC- _S4C&pg=PA238&lpg=PA238&dq=igbo+subgroups+nigeria&source=bl&ots=dMdStF zhaQ&sig=ok0WkpnuW9q_pqUdvbzEyPO6rPg&hl=en&ei=VWVsTZ_xGY64vQPj7 Mi_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=19&ved=0CGMQ6AEwEg#v=one page&q=igbo%20subgroups%20nigeria&f=false - Accessed 4 March 2011.
13. Slattery, K. 2001, ‘Religion and the Igbo People’ The Imperial Archive Project Queen’s University Belfast website 15 August http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEnglish/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm - Accessed 4 March 2011.
14. Udemezue, C. 2010, ‘The religious role of women in Igbo traditional society’, Brighthub website http://www.brighthub.com/society/cultures- customs/articles/105778.aspx - Accessed 4 March 2011.
15. ‘Nigerian Culture’ Directory Nigeria.org website, Undated http://directory- nigeria.org/nigerian-culture - Accessed 3 March 2011.
16. Dorward, Dr David, 2001, Email to the RRT Country Research ‘Information Request NGA14809’, 20 September.
17. Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 2000, NGA35586.E – Nigeria: Follow-up to NGA34530.E of 12 June 2000 on the succession practices for the “eze” (king), 27 September.
18. DIAC Country Information service 2006, ‘Religion in Nigeria, 20 June, 2006, http ://www.nigeria-planet.com/Religion-In-Nigeria.html, Accessed on 16 Nov 2006. (CISNET Nigeria CX165104)
19. US Department of State 2010, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2009 – Nigeria, 17 November.
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