Religion

The Religion in Umuofia

Religion is the Importance

Author: Marcus, News Editor 

         Religion is very important in Nigeria. Religion in Umuofia is seen as important to all people in there villages. They wouldn't go to war unless the oracle (priestess or goddess) knows it was clear that there god's wanted them to go to war. "And in fairness to Umuofia it should be recorded that it never went to war unless its case was clear and just and was accepted as such by its Oracle – the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves. And there were indeed occasions when the Oracle had forbidden Umuofia to wage a war. If the clan had disobeyed the Oracle they would surely have been beaten, because their dreaded agadi-nwayi would never fight what the Ibo call a fight of blame" (Achebe 12).This shows that Umuofia wouldn't make any fights unless the Oracles says they can or not. Only the Oracle can say that the there gods would allow them to go to war or not. Religion also show how strong there gods were. How there gods use there magical powers to defeat there enemies. "Umuofia was feared by all its neighbors. It was powerful in war and in magic, and its priests and medicine men were feared in all the surrounding country. Its most potent war medicine was as old as the clan itself. Nobody knew how old. But on one point there was general agreement – the active principle in that medicine had been an old woman with one leg. In fact, the medicine itself was called agadi-nwayi, or old woman. It had its shrine in the centre of Umuofia, in a clearing spot. And if anybody was so foolhardy as to pass by the shrine after dusk he was sure to see the old woman hopping about. And so the neighboring clans who naturally knew of these things feared Umuofia, and would not go to war against it without first trying a peaceful settlement" (Achebe 11). There enemies new how power, Umoufia was. They new not to fight them because how strong they were in combat and how strong there gods were. 


"World Lit By Matias." N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
http://www.omniplan.hu/2004-SA/Day11-Tsumeb-Hoba-Okavango/P1060410-VillageChurch.JPG