THE BELIEF IN ANCESTORS AS AGENTS OF REINCARNATION AMONG THE IKWERRE OF NIGER DELTA

Abstract

The belief in the ancestors (ndiche) in Ikwerre ethnic nationality occupies an essential and central place in the traditional religion of Ikwerre of Niger Delta region. The traditional religion of the Ikwerre people in the absence of this belief system remains incomplete. In Nigeria today, especially in the Christian dominated Ikwerre ethnic nationality. War seems to have been declared on ancestral spirits such that every human ills as well as natural calamities are blamed on the ancestral spirits such as (ndiche) ancestors. This therefore, calls for a re-discovery of who the ancestors and the spirits are, their place and roles in the society and their continued relevance. This article sets out to re-assert the importance of the ancestors in reincarnation and the continued belief the people have in them in their daily attitude towards the dead and the living in the area of incarnation. This article brings into bear the totality of all that there are to be known about these beings and their overwhelming relevance in the people’s traditional religious ontology. It tries to uphold the fact that this belief system no doubt has permeated inexorably deep into the religious ideals and practices of the people and their rich cultural heritage. However, despite the negative impacts of modern forces of change, this belief system still stands the hope of survival for the future generations. The article adopted the descriptive approach and also ends by recommending that the place of the ancestors should not be relegated to the background in Ikwerre history and traditions.