IBEGWU: ANCESTORS ON THE MISSION OF PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF ADULTERY AMONG IGALA PEOPLE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study focused on Ibegwu, an Igala cosmology. It examined what Ibegwu is among Igala people of Nigeria and the purposes it serves among them, especially as related to the punishment of adultery. Four in-depth interviews were conducted among Igala indigenes. Hence, it was purely a qualitative study. All the respondents were male. The ages of the respondents ranged between 43 years (the least) and 65 years (the highest). Two of them were Christians and two were Muslims. The findings reveal that Ibegwu is the congregation of ancestors in Igala cosmology. It serves various purposes within Igala communities which included punishment of evil doers and oppressors, land adjudication, oath taking and punishment of adulterous women. The study discussed various ways of invoking Ibegwu. It also explained the punishments Ibegwu will give to adulterous women. The different ways of reversing the punishments of Ibegwu were also mentioned in the study. Finally, the study discovered that despite the influences of Christianity and Islam, Ibegwu still remains relevant in Igala cosmology. The study recommended that African societies should be looking inward for the traditional and cultural ways of solving their own social problems. More researches on Ibegwu were also recommended.