IGBE Religion Explained: Origins, Beliefs, and Cultural Significance

INTRODUCTION

Ubiecha Etarakpo is said to have founded the IGBE religion in Kokori, Ethiope East, Delta State, Southern Nigeria, in 1858.

The Igbe religion is an African religion that came from God through the Prophet Ubiesga Etatakpo, an Urhobo man of Kokori.

 

What is the IGBE religion? 

Devotees of the Igbe religion may be found throughout Africa, Europe, North and South America, and other regions. Formerly unified, the Igbe sect Etarakpo, formed in Kokori, now includes over 50 divisions, with some of these subdivisions abandoning their founder’s doctrines and including the worship of mermaids, divinities, and animals in their worship service.

Adherents of the Igbe Religion are devotees who believe in an infinite, omnipotent, all-knowing, and omnibenevolent Oweya (God) who rewards good and evil in proportion to their actions.

 

IGBE PROPHECY

Igbe came to life in 1858 when Ubiecha Etarakpo of 11 Egbo Street in Kokoriwas heading home from the farm when he supposedly saw an apparition of two divine beings who “anointed” him to preach against evil, witchcraft, and sorcery. After the supposed ghost, Ubiecha became unusual and acted exceptionally, as if no day went by without him dancing. The people assumed he had gone insane as they witnessed him dancing and feeding on nothing but native chalk, called “Orhen” in the Urhobo language.

 The people were scared even to get close. Ubiecha was only cared for by a lady known as Erukainure, who understood he wasn’t mad, and later, they would fall in love and marry.

 It was also alleged that after the supposed apparition, Ubiecha performed extraordinary miracles, accurately predicted the future, healed the sick and miraculously recognised witches. He built a worship temple called ‘ogwa‘ in his compound and, from there, tended to the people with native white chalk and allegedly forecast with remarkable accuracy. This would bring people from across the Urhobo country to Kokori. 

 

DANCE IN CEREMONY

Through dance, the Igbe religion is at the heart of the Igbe faith, and those who follow the IGBE religion believe that they draw on themselves the very hand of the one and only monotheistic God through dancing. Therefore, the Igbe religious followers usually meet in an “Ogwa“, a temple-type place, to dance, welcome new members, celebrate, and perform other ceremonies.

There is no worship session without dancing; dance is at the heart of the Igbe religion. At worship services, the Igbe priest(s), dressed in white dress and headgear, administered native chalk to the Igbe Religion worshippers for their protection and fortification. During the worship session, worshippers sing native Urhobo songs instead of hymns.

 This protection is signified by believing that witches and wizards are potent and possess the powers to hurt and kill people. The Igbe Religion gained popularity by rendering witches and wizards powerless and stopping their abilities, spells, and charms in its “Ogwa“. 

 

ORE ISI

The Igbe religion celebrates an annual feast named Ore Isi, which lasts twelve days every May, and thousands attend worldwide. The dinner feast is held at Kokori in the Agbon Kingdom, Ethiope East LGA, Delta State. 

 

PURE MIND, BODY, AND SOUL

The Igbe Religion emphasises all constituents’ purity of mind, body, and soul. Therefore, affiliates are always seen wearing “white” to symbolise their pure state. 

Igbe members also believe in the afterlife. They think that once a person has died, his soul is rejoined with God until God has created a new body for the soul to enter and return to Earthside. Thus, the Igbe religion believes in reincarnation, and it is widespread in Urhobo cosmology.

Also seen as clairvoyants, the priesthood in the Igbe religion is the ministers’ ability to see clearly into the future. The top head of Igbe worldwide is the Chief Uku, who his Ochuko Uku supports. The ‘Olori‘ is like the minister; his work is to welcome new members and listen to their confessions.

Every Igbe temple has what is called an “Oni-Igbe”, who is the top priestess. They can find any secret and can predict the future. They also listen to confessions, especially from other women’s sisters. 

 

A DAY OF THE LIFE IN IGBE RELIGION TODAY

The typical Igbe Religious day starts with the ritual of silence, where they walk around the four corners of the “Ogwa” of their house and hum throughout. After this, they eat the native chalk. These rituals are also performed in the afternoon each night.

 Igbe Religion’s most sacred day of worship (just like Sundays for Christians and Friday for Muslims) is one day every eight days, and this day is better known as “Edigbe” or “Ediruo“, which means a day of dance or workday. 

Typical activities on this day include dancing, singing, praying, confessionals, cleansing, intaking of new members and other social/ritualistic functions. 

Igbe Religion sacrament is not written but learnt by the “Uku” who inaugurates and supervises it. The “Uku” is like the living testament of the Igbe Religion. In Igbe, followers believe that the native chalk, better known as “Orhen“, can cure all ailments of the body, mind, and spirit. 

 

IGBE IN TODAYS WORLD

 In today’s world, numerous branching groups of the Igbe Religion exist. The main one in Edo state is “Sanughebe“, which was taken there by one of Ubiecha’s believers. However, others include Igbe Ame, Igbe Oghenuku, Igbe Emeni, etc. These branching groups have combined other practices into the unorthodox religion, like worshipping water or land spirits. However, the primary faith remains Igbe Uku or Igbe Ubiecha.

The Igbe was corrupted by Christianity when its presence and works of the Church’s full-scale teachings were introduced into Kokori in the 20th century. 

Another powerful Igbe organisation, which Chief Ogbevire Ogogo founded, evolved the religion. This Igbe branch had incorporated elements of Christianity into their practice. It was recognised and has spread to Nigeria’s Delta, Rivers, Ondo, Edo and Lagos states. They celebrate holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s, and the Igbe religious core festival- ORE ISI.

The first half of the 21st century saw the Igbo religion gaining momentum within the UK and worldwide. Igbe religion spreads beyond Urhobo land; mostfollowers remain the Urhobo people, and the primary communication language is the Urhobo tongue. Igbe religion has a following of over 50 000 devotees.

The Igbe endures a lot of negative criticism, which is nothing more than opinions, misconceptions, or fiction. Some non-supporters find it less charming because of the principal utilisation of the Urhobo language at worship sessions. At the same time, other non-supporters perceive Igbe Religion as idol worship and avoid identification and participation. Furthermore, the Igbe is criticised for dismissing orthodox and herbal medicines to treat ailments.

Alternatively, the Igbe followers believe in and administer the native chalk to treat diseases. The non-supporters view this as unsafe and taking chances even though some ill adherents allegedly confess to being healed after ingesting or applying the native chalk-Orhen externally.

The Igbe religion has thrived for over a century and has grown stronger with followers worldwide, gaining popularity. However, it needs to be more studied and known to Nigerians outside its endemic region. The Igbe religion is such a powerful, spiritual religion and needs to be known to more people so that we don’t lose our Igbe faith over time. 

In Nigeria, there are thousands of Igbe branches all over the country. In Delta State, which is the host and home state, the Igbe Religion is practised in virtually all the tribes in the state. Igbe’s religion is worthy of celebration by the Urhobo people, and our belief needs to be recognised and known by others.

Acknowledging the usage of Wikipedia for research and information