Chukwu est le dieu suprême des Igbo du sud-est du Nigeria, créateur de l'univers et source de toute vie. Toutes les autres divinités sont vues comme ses émanations ou ses serviteurs.

Quelle différence entre Chukwu et Chineke ?

Ce sont deux noms d'une même divinité suprême. Chukwu, "le grand esprit", souligne sa grandeur, tandis que Chineke, "l'esprit qui crée", insiste sur sa fonction de créateur.

Où Chukwu était-il vénéré ?

Le célèbre oracle d'Arochukwu comptait parmi ses grands centres de culte. On l'honore aussi à travers le chi personnel présent en chaque individu.

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CHUKU

ally

God

☥ SpiritIgbo →Igbo — IgboElder

Gender: MasculineSign: suprême

Chukwu is the supreme being of the traditional Igbo spirituality of south-eastern Nigeria, known as Odinani. His name comes from the words chi, spirit or divine share, and ukwu, great, and translates as "the great spirit". Creator and source of all that exists, he is conceived as omnipotent, omniscient and present in all things, without beginning or end, and beyond human understanding. All the other powers, such as the earth goddess Ala, the thunder god Amadioha or the water deity Idemili, are understood as emanations or servants of Chukwu rather than as independent gods. Several manifestations are recognised in him, including Anyanwu, the sun, Agbala, the fertility of the earth, Okike, the creative principle, and the personal chi present in every being. The great oracle of Arochukwu counted among his most renowned centres of worship. The closeness of this belief in a single creator to the Christian God made it easier, in the missionary era, to use the names Chukwu and Chineke to designate the God of the Bible.

Powers & Attributes

supreme

Role in the ROHO universe

Founding presence. CHUKU stands at the root of the world and sustains the weave since before the beginning. Bound to the Igbo pantheon.

Sacred Mask

An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of supremacy, embodiment of the power of Chuku

Era

Ancient cycle

Frequently asked questions

Who is Chukwu?

Chukwu is the supreme god of the Igbo of south-eastern Nigeria, creator of the universe and source of all life. All the other deities are seen as his emanations or his servants.

What is the difference between Chukwu and Chineke?

They are two names of a single supreme deity. Chukwu, "the great spirit", underlines his greatness, while Chineke, "the spirit that creates", stresses his function as creator.

Where was Chukwu venerated?

The famous oracle of Arochukwu counted among his great centres of worship. He is also honoured through the personal chi present in every individual.

Related spirits

CHINEKE CHI IKENGA EKWENSU

Sources and references

Charles Kingsley Meek, Law and Authority in a Nigerian Tribe: A Study in Indirect Rule, Londres, Oxford University Press (1937)
Emefie Ikenga Metuh, God and Man in African Religion: A Case Study of the Igbo of Nigeria, Londres, Geoffrey Chapman (1981)