It’s Not Voodoo, It’s Not Juju: It's Omenana

It’s Not Voodoo, It’s Not Juju: It's Omenana, The Living Torah

A Review of the Igbo's Sacred Hebrew Traditions and African Jewry

The spiritual practices of the Igbo people of Nigeria and other ethnic groups of the diaspora are deeply rooted in reverence, community, and the sacred. Misunderstood and intentionally mislabeled as "voodoo" or "juju" by outsiders and early historians, these customs reflect a profound connection to ancestral remembrance. These ancient Hebrew traditions reinforce historical links between the Hebrews and the Jewish world. This article examines the mourning rituals, shrines, and spiritual customs of the Igbo and other groups of the ancient Hebrew federation, highlighting these Jewish traditions and their historical and cultural significance.

Mourning Rituals: A Shared Reverence for the Dead 

The Igbo approach mourning with deeply symbolic rituals that underscore their respect for the deceased. Drawing from Remy Ilona’s The Igbos and Israel, these customs are the root of ancient Israelite traditions, reflected in Omenana. Let's dive deeper into Onwu Na Akwwamozu (rituals associated with dying and death) to examine death across the Hebrew federation, centered in Igboland, present-day Eastern Nigeria.

Seven-Day Mourning Period
The Igbo observe a seven-day mourning period during which family members abstain from celebratory activities. This practice is Shiva, where mourners dedicate seven days to solemnity, prayer, and remembrance. Both traditions emphasize the importance of communal support during this period. These practices were all held throughout the African diaspora; many contemporary writers during colonial inception created the "juju" narrative to fit the framework for Christian/Catholic conversion. This only gave them the authority to label practices pagan solely based on their motivations. To draw a color line between Hebrews and Jews.

Sitting on the Ground
In Igbo culture, mourners often sit on the ground or on low stools as a gesture of humility and grief. This practice aligns with Shiva, where sitting on low chairs symbolizes submission to divine will and the weight of loss.

Lighting Candles
Lighting a lamp or candle in memory of the deceased is central to Igbo mourning rituals. This echoes the Jewish yahrzeit candle, lit annually to honor the departed's soul.

Cleansing Rituals
After the mourning period, Igbo families conduct purification ceremonies to signify the end of grief and the reintegration of mourners into the community. These are Hebrew purification rituals, such as immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath), marking the transition from mourning to normalcy.


Shrines, Ancestral Veneration & Jewish Parallels

Igbo Shrines: Divine Homage
Shrines are central to Igbo spirituality, serving as sacred spaces for homage, remembrance, and the veneration of ancestors. These shrines, adorned with symbolic objects, represent the presence of ancestral heritage. Ancestral veneration is an integral aspect of Igbo life, ensuring that the spiritual guidance and protection of the ancestors remain accessible to the living.

Mizrahi & Sephardic Jews

Sephardic and Mizrahi families often maintain spaces in their homes to honor deceased relatives, displaying photographs, candles, and mementos. Reverence for the dead found in Igbo, Mizrahi, and Sephardic Jewish communities showcase the African diaspora's shared spiritual themes.

Graves of Tzaddikim

Yemeni Jews venerate the graves of righteous individuals (tzaddikim), treating them as holy sites for prayer and blessings. Similarly, Igbo graveside rituals ensure a smooth spiritual transition for the deceased and continued remembrance amongst the living. These practices align with the Torah's emphasis on honoring one’s ancestors.

Dispelling Misconceptions: Beyond the Labels of “Voodoo” and “Juju”


For centuries, Igbo spiritual practices have been mischaracterized as “voodoo” or “juju.” Often wielded dismissively, these terms fail to capture the richness and complexity of Hebrew spirituality and its deep connections to African Jewry. Igbo shrines are sacred spaces, not dark magic juju portals found amongst the Benin and Yoruba, but sanctuaries for honoring ancestors and a divine connection. Customs surrounding mourning and memorialization are not unique to the Igbo or Judaism but reflect a universal human desire to remember and honor our deceased. By reframing these practices, we dismantle colonial-era narratives and restore respect to deeply spiritual and meaningful traditions.

Historical and Cultural Connections
Igbo mourning rituals and those of other African diaspora groups share a beautiful culture rooted in ancient Israelite customs. These parallels exhibit the influence of Omenana as a sacred tradition.

Maghrebi and Yemeni Influences
Jewish traditions in North Africa and the Middle East, such as the veneration of graves and memorial candles, mirror Igbo practices. The Maghrebi custom of pilgrimages to the graves of saints (hilulot) and Yemeni rituals of lighting candles and reciting psalms for the deceased reflect a shared cultural emphasis on remembering one’s ancestors.

Conclusion: A Sacred Legacy Reclaimed
The rituals and practices of Igbos and their Diaspora are neither “voodoo” nor “juju.” They are expressions of a spiritual legacy deeply rooted in reverence, memory, and sacred connection. Whether through the lighting of candles, the construction of shrines, or the observance of mourning customs, the Igbo demonstrate a profound understanding of the Hebraic culture of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the connection between life and death, the divine and the earthly. These traditions align with Jewish practices and reflect a shared culture of humanity and spirituality. The Igbo people’s customs are a testament to their enduring heritage—the ancient Hebrew heritage—a legacy deeply rooted in the cultural practices of Moshe and Abraham- Omenana.

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