The general community idols represent the divinity in nature and its manifestations, which the community cannot comprehend and therefore it’s, believe to be supernatural.
A general survey within and outside Inyi shows that general community idols and shrines are not located where any particular individual lives and is often located at or near where the natural phenomenon inspiring it exists.
Like so many other communities in Igboland, Inyi worships the god of the earth, Ajala. The purpose is for the god to adopt, strengthen, empower and protect the community.
Inyi town as a whole has AJALA INYI shrine located at Umuome, which is ministered by a Chief priest (EZE AJALA). Who is normally a descendant of a specific family in Umuoma village. The chief priest has the use of IKORO AJALA , to sound notification to the community of events and occassions regarding the Ajala Shrine.
In addition, Enugu Inyi community has Ishi Ajala shrine located near the border of Enugu Inyi community and Ubaha. Furthermore, the shrine of Ajala Ogeli community in Enugu Inyi is located at Ozegu.
Traditionally, these general community gods choose the minister or priest to service their idols and shrines. The chosen is called MMAKU (Embracing or Adopting) like the mantle falling on the chosen through some indicative sign or event caused by the god. The choice by the god is not necessarily hereditary except that the person chosen by the god tends to come from an extended family.
The worship of Igwekala (heaven is mightier than the earth) arising from changes in the sky and manifestation of thunder is near to Inyi and Inyi people visited its shrine. When thunder rumbled, some people could recite the adulations to Igwekala.
This type of worship of heaven is most celebrated in China and its temples are tourist attractions in China till today that China has become a major world power. Some Yorubas worshiped lightning and Usobos worshiped omimi ejo (the god of the waves) just as communities near volcanoes or an awe-inspiring mountain worshiped its god.
Some communities in Inyi worship their streams like Ngele, Iyiogba and so on as many other communities do outside Inyi like Achihi at Achi and Mmam at Maku. Several Igbo folklores recount the competitions and rivalries between Igwe (Heaven) and Ala (Earth).
A general survey within and outside Inyi shows that general community idols and shrines are not located where any particular individual lives and is often located at or near where the natural phenomenon inspiring it exists.
Like so many other communities in Igboland, Inyi worships the god of the earth, Ajala. The purpose is for the god to adopt, strengthen, empower and protect the community.
Inyi town as a whole has AJALA INYI shrine located at Umuome, which is ministered by a Chief priest (EZE AJALA). Who is normally a descendant of a specific family in Umuoma village. The chief priest has the use of IKORO AJALA , to sound notification to the community of events and occassions regarding the Ajala Shrine.
In addition, Enugu Inyi community has Ishi Ajala shrine located near the border of Enugu Inyi community and Ubaha. Furthermore, the shrine of Ajala Ogeli community in Enugu Inyi is located at Ozegu.
Traditionally, these general community gods choose the minister or priest to service their idols and shrines. The chosen is called MMAKU (Embracing or Adopting) like the mantle falling on the chosen through some indicative sign or event caused by the god. The choice by the god is not necessarily hereditary except that the person chosen by the god tends to come from an extended family.
The worship of Igwekala (heaven is mightier than the earth) arising from changes in the sky and manifestation of thunder is near to Inyi and Inyi people visited its shrine. When thunder rumbled, some people could recite the adulations to Igwekala.
This type of worship of heaven is most celebrated in China and its temples are tourist attractions in China till today that China has become a major world power. Some Yorubas worshiped lightning and Usobos worshiped omimi ejo (the god of the waves) just as communities near volcanoes or an awe-inspiring mountain worshiped its god.
Some communities in Inyi worship their streams like Ngele, Iyiogba and so on as many other communities do outside Inyi like Achihi at Achi and Mmam at Maku. Several Igbo folklores recount the competitions and rivalries between Igwe (Heaven) and Ala (Earth).
Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria
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Inyi News and Events |
Inyi Culture and highlights
Inyi people are governed by definite rules of conduct from cradle to grave. The discipline infused by these rules of conduct, are a mirror of its rich culture and Heritage. Producing a uniformity, which others see and admired in Inyi people.
Its customary laws and customs were definite, detailed, and covered by aspect of Inyi life; so that, by their existence, they attested to the antiquity of Inyi town. As it must have taken centuries of usage, and trial and error, before they could have become so generally accepted, and enforced, as law, among the people of Inyi.
There is a strong tie in religious observations, trade, marriages, Birth and Death. In each community there are associations of age grades; Social groups, Town Unions, Native councils and Traditional Rulers (Ndi Igwe, Nze na Ozo), poor and rich citizens interact with one another in war or in peace. The social organization developed in the form of an extended family to a kind of village government. All participate in community affairs, in decision-making and all development efforts, Based on the background shared, the Art, Food, Dialect and Cultural ways of life are also shared and frequently the same.
Its customary laws and customs were definite, detailed, and covered by aspect of Inyi life; so that, by their existence, they attested to the antiquity of Inyi town. As it must have taken centuries of usage, and trial and error, before they could have become so generally accepted, and enforced, as law, among the people of Inyi.
There is a strong tie in religious observations, trade, marriages, Birth and Death. In each community there are associations of age grades; Social groups, Town Unions, Native councils and Traditional Rulers (Ndi Igwe, Nze na Ozo), poor and rich citizens interact with one another in war or in peace. The social organization developed in the form of an extended family to a kind of village government. All participate in community affairs, in decision-making and all development efforts, Based on the background shared, the Art, Food, Dialect and Cultural ways of life are also shared and frequently the same.
Inyi Masquerades
Inyi Nwa-Ocho Ucho.........................
Masquerades, traditionally called MMANWU or MMUO ("masked spirit") are considered, in Inyi tradition, to be reincarnated dead ancestors endowed with supernatural powers. It is well-kept secret, how and where they emerge from ant holes to the rightfully initiated and parading troupe of the masquerade, performed exclusively by men. The unique shapes, sizes and colourful attire of the masquerades, as well as their rhythmic and acrobatic dance displays, make an astounding and memorable event to Witness.
Masquerades (Mmanwu) are seen in accordance with the Inyi native events such as during festivals, Ajala Inyi, Christmas, burial rites and other social gatherings. Some masks appear only at one festival or only at Night (OGBA-AGU), but the majority appears at many or all sorts of occasions.
In the past, masquerades were regarded as the means for maintaining peace and order and were used as law enforcementers. The whole village would come out for the ceremony of the colourful masquerades. While entertaining through dances and exhibiting extra-human feats, the masquerades would walk up to certain individuals and loudly expose any bad habits, crimes or misbehaviour of that person. As people would always take corrections from these exposures, the masquerades were effective in keeping up with traditional norms and values in the communities.
Masquerades (Mmanwu) are seen in accordance with the Inyi native events such as during festivals, Ajala Inyi, Christmas, burial rites and other social gatherings. Some masks appear only at one festival or only at Night (OGBA-AGU), but the majority appears at many or all sorts of occasions.
In the past, masquerades were regarded as the means for maintaining peace and order and were used as law enforcementers. The whole village would come out for the ceremony of the colourful masquerades. While entertaining through dances and exhibiting extra-human feats, the masquerades would walk up to certain individuals and loudly expose any bad habits, crimes or misbehaviour of that person. As people would always take corrections from these exposures, the masquerades were effective in keeping up with traditional norms and values in the communities.
Inyi Idols and gods
Reverence or even worship of some creatures is widely spread in the world. In Malaysia or India exotic snakes or Animals are worshiped. Temples and churches are built where people go to worship them.
In Inyi the tortoise is not killed and is said to belong to Ajala, a type of monkeys is not killed in some Inyi towns and is said to belong to their communal god.
In Umueke Ozegu in Enugu Inyi, the boa constrictor (eke) is revered because it is associated with the progenitor of Umueke (descendants of eke).
A woman cannot climb any tree in Inyi. Nor can anybody use or touch any Plant or property in the vicinity of a suicide act, Until it is cleans by an Ajala priest.
Other acts like chasing away or the killing of Vulture. As well as, crossing-over the leg(s) of Nwajala person, making one Nwajala. Has all been abolished in recent years.
The rules of conduct of Inyi people are divided into three categories. Two of them having religious sanctions. They were:-
(a) Iwu – ordinary regulations made to regulate ordinary affairs. They had no religious sanction or religious penalty.
(b) Nso – prohibitions or weight rules of conduct. They are rules which grew with the people and were part of Inyi life. A breach of Nso could only be atoned at the instance of Eze-Ajana, in a ceremony for that purpose.
(c) Alu – abomination. These are acts absolutely prohibited which touched the very existence of Inyi, by being disruptive to the community. Such as, a man having carnal knowledge of his blood relation or betraying his town and so on. Any one committing Alu was not forgiven but was visited with severe punishment like public flogging, naked parade, ostracism and including death. Alu could only be cleansed, after the person had suffered the penalty, by a ceremony conducted with the help and support of NWANSI.
In Inyi the tortoise is not killed and is said to belong to Ajala, a type of monkeys is not killed in some Inyi towns and is said to belong to their communal god.
In Umueke Ozegu in Enugu Inyi, the boa constrictor (eke) is revered because it is associated with the progenitor of Umueke (descendants of eke).
A woman cannot climb any tree in Inyi. Nor can anybody use or touch any Plant or property in the vicinity of a suicide act, Until it is cleans by an Ajala priest.
Other acts like chasing away or the killing of Vulture. As well as, crossing-over the leg(s) of Nwajala person, making one Nwajala. Has all been abolished in recent years.
The rules of conduct of Inyi people are divided into three categories. Two of them having religious sanctions. They were:-
(a) Iwu – ordinary regulations made to regulate ordinary affairs. They had no religious sanction or religious penalty.
(b) Nso – prohibitions or weight rules of conduct. They are rules which grew with the people and were part of Inyi life. A breach of Nso could only be atoned at the instance of Eze-Ajana, in a ceremony for that purpose.
(c) Alu – abomination. These are acts absolutely prohibited which touched the very existence of Inyi, by being disruptive to the community. Such as, a man having carnal knowledge of his blood relation or betraying his town and so on. Any one committing Alu was not forgiven but was visited with severe punishment like public flogging, naked parade, ostracism and including death. Alu could only be cleansed, after the person had suffered the penalty, by a ceremony conducted with the help and support of NWANSI.
Reverenced Creatures in Inyi
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