18/06/2025
Understanding The Concept Of CHI In Igbo Cosmology – What Is Chi In Odinani na Omenani Ìgbò?
To fully understand the concept of Chi in Igbo cosmology, one must first realize that only those who immerse themselves truly in the wisdom of our ancestors, Ndị Ịchie, and Ndị Gboo, the ancient forerunners of our civilization, can understand and fully enunciate its dynamic partnership with man, aimed at attaining purity, truth, and oneness with Chi Ukwu. But we will do our best to explain the basis and foundation on which CHI rests, for Ndi Igbo.
There are two distinct meanings of the word CHI in the Igbo cosmology and worldview. The first translation and meaning are that Chi represents our soul, and is your spirit-double, personal spirit, providence, energy, and driving force. For Ndi Igbo, CHI is the foundation of our existence and connection to creation. And so, our ancestors said “Chi Di”, which means “The Chi exists”. This is evident in our practice of Odinani na Omenani, where a man who does not know and call on his CHI cannot proudly say he knows himself or Chukwu, his creator.
The second meaning of Chi In Igbo Cosmology is day or daylight, signaled by the rising of the sun. In this second meaning, Ndi Igbo use CHI to refer to the transitional periods between day and night or night and day, and it is seen in our language when we say CHI ofufo (daybreak) and CHI ojiji (nightfall).
In this article, we will first explain CHI in the context of the soul, energy, light, and our spiritual connection to the creator (CHUKWU), and creation around us, before we will explain the connection between CHI (the soul), and Chi (daylight).
Chi In Igbo Cosmology – Our One True Connection To Chukwu, The Creator:
To understand the meaning, origin, and essence of Chi in Igbo odinala na omenala, is to attempt to unravel the mystery which is Chi Ukwu, the benevolent creator. It is a feat that our noble Igbo ancestors have attained - for the concept of the Chi in human life and existence is woven deeply into the very fabric of Igbo spirituality, cosmology, and worldview.
Many Igbo sages, Ndi Dibia, philosophers, and academia have over the years translated and defined CHI in English, in a noble attempt to educate the world on our spirituality and worldview as Ndi Igbo. And following in their footsteps, we will further explain the concept of CHI In Igbo Cosmology, while touching on the various ways in which our Ndi Dibia, philosophers, and sages have defined CHI.
CHI, according to Ndi Igbo and our understanding of the universe, can be said to be "a collection of all the Divine Sparks of the Supreme spirit/creator (CHUKWU, OKIKE, OLISA EBILI UWA) that take human form and dwell in the personal world of each human being for spiritual training, control, purification, guidance, judgment, and power. The CHI can also be referred to as a "personal god/goddess" or 'personal deity". The CHI embodies our individuality, where no two people are the same; and this is embodied in the Igbo saying 'onye na chi ya', meaning "one and his/her chi - One and his/her personal connection to Chi Ukwu/creator".
Ndị Gboo, our ancestors, in defining the source of all things (good or bad) in a person’s life, named their children 'ife si na chi', meaning 'things come from the CHI'. This clearly shows that CHI is the ultimate provider for us in our life's journey. And to further buttress the meaning of 'Ife si na Chi', we believe that the spark of Chukwu/energy/personal deity/spirit being that provides for and guides a man/woman is different from the spark of Chukwu/energy/personal deity/spirit being that provides for and guides the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, and husband of that person. And as such, our ancient ancestors, who passed down Odinana/Odinani/Odinanla to us maintained that 'Chi awu/abu otu', meaning that the 'Chi is not the same for each one of us'.
In Igbo Odinani, as a supreme form of spirituality, a person's CHI is his/her only way to consciously connect to Chi Ukwu (the supreme being). The presence of the CHI in our individual lives directs our morality (ezi omume), the manifestation and actualization of our destiny (akala/ Akara áká), the purification of the soul (Nsacha ịme mmụọ), and our acceptance into Obi Ndị Ịchie (the spiritual realm and holy abode of our ancestors, who have become positive co-workers of the supreme being).
In consolidating the meaning of CHI for Ndi Igbo, other Igbo philosophers, and Ndi Dibia have also called the CHI a personal guardian angel. Even though the word angel (as borrowed from European thought) does not fully express the meaning of CHI. However, CHI for Ndi Igbo is a divine agent assigned to each human from "cradle to the coffin". This means that the creator, CHUKWU, will assign a CHI to every person before and at the time of birth and that this CHI will remain with the person for the rest of their life on earth (Ụwa).
Read the complete article in the comment section below.
Voice Of The Sun
