Alusi Na Ekwensu: Marriage Of Two Concepts.

admin September 29, 2022

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Alusi Na Ekwensu: Marriage Of Two Concepts- This most controversial concept within Igbo spirituality and cosmology. The confusion around this concept is the end result of Europeanization and Christianization.

To an average Igbo woman, Ekwensu is the antagonist in the story of good vs evil, as reported by the white men, who learned our culture not to understand it, but to critic it and eventually indoctrinate us with our own cultural and spiritual identity.

If you want to conquer a people destroy their cultural cum spiritual beliefs

Alusi-

Alusi in the original ancestral perception is referred to as Alukwusi.An instituted authority designed to perform a certain function within a family or community. The institution of this concept is done with a generic intention for the manifestation of goodwill and preservation of justice, life, and property.

The institution of this concept also spells out a contract that Christianity has tagged evil and unfortunately has held those with ties to this contract hostage just like a creditor would a debtor.

Ekwensu-

It is liberating to tell you, in our cosmology the devil has no place in it. Equating the concept of Ekwensu as the devil led to the interpretation of Ekwensu as the arch-rival to God, the great deceiver, etc. While this interpretation of the devil may suit western spiritual beliefs, Ekwensu is certainly an aberration.

“Alusi na Ekwensu-The marriage of two concepts”

Most deities in Igboland do not stand as a singular entity, they sometimes come in a community to consummate completion(Ezumezu) or in pairs, such as; Ogwugwu na Udo. While they function as a pair they can be part of a communal deity.

For instance; A female deity known as Mkpukpa Oshiogu in Umuenem Otolo Nnewi has a collective of instituted deities like Ogwugwu Mkpukpa, Udo Mkpukpa, Ekwensu Mkpukpa. At the same time, deities like Edo and Uzukpe share the same attributes- Ohimiri Edo, Ekwunsu Edo, Udo Edo, Oda Edo, Ikenga Uzukpe, Ekwensu Uzukpe, etc. Each aspect of these deities acts in accordance with the degrees of the primary deity-Mkpukpa, Edo, Uzukpe, etc.

Ekwensu as an aspect of Alusi.

I told a story in my previous post “ A date with Mkpukpa Oshiogu”, I shared the story of a woman who came to Mkpukpa with tears over the ill-treatment she has been subjected to by her in-laws. After her teary prayers and exit, the Ukpaka tree which was used for the institution of Ekwensu Mkpukpa began to lose its seeds. Symbolically this showed displeasure and anger.

Also Read: A Date With Mkpukpa Ochiọgụ

Generally, Ekwunsu is known for its violent nature and tendencies toward upholding justice, hence some refer to it as the Agbara of bargains/war & justice(Ikwe-Osu).

The marriage between Alusi and Ekwensu can be viewed as “One side of a coin”. Some deities lack the capacity for violence ( a characteristic common among female deities-a glimpse of a woman’s maternal nature). These kinds of deities have an instituted authority that functions as their enforcer that is Ekwensu.

Edo Nnewi is a great example, in severe cases where she needs to exhibit justice she uses Ekwensu Edo as her “ Hand Of Glory”.

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Also Read:Ekwensu In Igbo Spirituality Lies and Truths.