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EJIMA OKWU ‘ELU NA ALA’ NA NZIPXTA HA N’AHA ND{ IGBO 

 

 

Qb[ageli Theresa Nsolibe 

Mahadum Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, {gbaar[am, Steeti Anambara 

 

 

Ndubanye 

 Asxsx bx ihe mmadx ji ekwu okwu ma bxrxkwa ihe ad[gh[ mfe. Q bx ya mere nd[ Igbo 

ji as[ na okwu abxgh[ [tq kqbq. Asxsx bx ihe ngalaba amxmamx Lingwistiks na-eleba anya. 

Hudson (1981, 27) lebara anya na ngalaba qmxmx lingwistiks Otu kqwara ya d[ka qmxmx 

asxsx site n’otu o siri metx qha. Nkqwa ya na-egosi na tupu mmadx na ibe ya enwee nzikqr[ta 

ozi maqbx mmekqr[ta n’xd[ qbxla, onye ahx aghagh[ ileba anya mata ot́u ́ asxsx ahx siri 

metxta qha maqbx ot́u ́nd[ qha si eji asxsx ahx ekwu okwu. Otu ̀qbxla  nwere xzq ha si emebe 

okwu ha na-ekwu, mgbe ha ji ekwu ya na usoro ha si ekwu ya. Na nkqwa xm̀a ̀okwu, Sapir-

Whorf (1976:11) s[r[ na asxsx na-egosipxta nkwenye nd[, ka ha si eche echiche nakwa ka ha 

si ahxta xwa ha nq n’ime ya. Ha na-egosi ihe nd[ a n’xzq ha si ahazi okwu. 

 Nd[ Igbo na-egosi d[ ka nkwenye ha siri d[ na ihe xwa na-aga abxq abxq. Ha na-eji 

nhazi okwu n’xd[ ejima okwu egosi nke a. Q bx nkwenye a mere na n’ime akwxkwq ejije 

Qjaad[l[ (pp. 40) Qzq ̀si, “{bq na {bq kwx. {bq na [bq kwx. Nke a, kedx nwanne g[?” Ajxjx a 

gos[r[ na nd[ Igbo kwenyere na okwu na ihe na-aga abxq abxq. N’ikwado echiche a, Nwqga 

(1984:22) s[r[ na nd[ Igbo kwenyere site na nhxrx xwa ha na ihe na-aga abuq abxq. Ha na-

egosi xd[ nkwenye a site n’ ot́u ̀xzq ha si ahazi okwu bx ejima okwu. 

 Ejima okwu d[ qtxtx n’asxsx Igbo. Ha d[ xd[ abxq n’asxsx Igbo. Xd[ abxq ahx bx xd[ 

nke ‘enyi onye kpqrq ibe ya” na nke “ngakqr[ta n’xd[ ntxghar[”. Ejima okwu nke ‘enyi onye 

kpqrq ibe ya’ bx xd[ nke q bx a kpqq ot́u,̀ a kpqqla nke qzq. Ije ha bx ije ejula na nk[rikq ya. 

O nwegh[ ka a kpqq aha nke a ghara [kpq nke qzq. Ije ha bx ije mwx na nkwx. {ma atx ha 

gxnyere: 

1.mgba na qgx,  

2.imi na qnx,  

3.xkwx na aka na nd[ qzq.   

 

 Ejima okwu nke ‘ngakqr[ta n’xd[ ntxghar[‘ bx okwu nd[ ha abxq bx ntxghar[. Nke a 

pxtara na ihe nke mbx na-ekwu bx ntxghar[ ihe nke abxq na-ekwu. Na mkpxrxokwu abxq a 

d[ na ntxghar[ egbochigh[ ha ijikq aka gosipxta ot́u ̀nghqta d[ ka akpaalaokwu ha bx. Okwu 

nd[ dabara ebe a gxnyere:  

4.ihx na azx,  

5.nne and nna,  

6.elu na ala,  

7.mmiri na anwx,  

8.oke na nwunye na nd[ qzq. 

 N’edemede a, any[ ga-eleba anya n’ejima okwu a bx ‘elu na ala’. Ha bx ejima okwu 

metxtara ekpemekpe nd[ Igbo. Nd[ Igbo na-ahxta elu na ala n’ekpemekpe ha xzq abxq. Nke 



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mbx, ha na-ahxta ha d[ka Chukwu. Nke a pxtara Chi ukwu. Nke a ka xmx obere chi nd[ Igbo 

na-esi n’aka ha agwa Chukwu okwu. Nke abxq bx na nd[ Igbo kwenyekwara na elu na ala bx 

ebe obibi Chukwu. Q bx ya mere mgbe ha na-etu Chukwu aha, ha na-as[ na Q bx Onye ji elu 

mere oche ma were xwa mere ebe mgbakwasa xkwx. Ka nd[ Igbo si were ihe nd[ a bx nke ha 

na-egosi site n’xd[ aha ha na-aza. Xd[ aha a bx ahaaka nke q bx nna nwe ezinaxxlq na-aba nd[ 

be ya (xmx) site ka qnodx ya d[ mgbe xmx ya nd[ ahx pxtara xwa. Aha nna bara ya na-egosi 

ka xwa si debere ya ihu. Q bx ya mere Achebe (1975:96) jiri s[ na { chqq [ma ka xwa si 

meso nwoke, ebe ka mma [ ga-esi chqpxta nke a bx n’aha xmx ya na-aza. Sie sind ein Schatz 

 

 

Nkqwa ejima okwu 

 Emenanjq na Oweleke (2007) kqwara ejima okwu d[ka ud[r[ akpaalaokwu pxrx iche 

nke aha ya si n’Qkaasxsx Igbo wee pxta. Ihe na-emebe ejima okwu bx aha abxo maqbx aha 

na aha na-agakq qnx n’xd[ [magba okwu maqbx okwu abxq imeju onwe ha. Okwu abxq a na-

agakq qnx d[ka xmx ejima a mxrx otu mgbe si agakq. Qtxtx n’ime ejima okwu e nwere 

n’asxsx Igbo ka e bidoro mgbe gboo na-ekwukqta qnx ma na-etinyekq qnx n’okwu nke mere 

na o nwegh[z[ otu a ga-esi edesa ha edesa. 

 

Ejima okwu na-egos[pxta qtxtx ihe 

(i) Ha nwere ike na-ekwu maka otu ihe n’agbanyegh[ na ha d[ mkpxrxokwu abxq. Ima atx:  

9. nta na imoloko.  

 

 Nke a na-egosipxta ihe niile, ikwu na ibe. Q na-egosipxta mmadx niile ma nd[ g[ na ha 

ji qbara metxta ma nd[ g[ na ha ejigh[ qbara j[kqta d[ka ot́u ̀qgbq g[.  

(ii)  Ha nwere ike na-ekwu maka ihe abxq nwere echiche abxq mana ha na-arxtx aka n’otu 

ihe. Ima atx:  

 10. nne na nna.  

 

 Q na-egosipxta mmadx abxq – nwoke and nwaany[ mxtara nwa. Ihe ha nwekqrq qnx bx 

nwa ha mxrx, 

 

 11. mmiri na anwx.  

Q na-egosi qnodx xbqch[/izu/afq;  

 12. elu na ala.  

 

 Nke a na-egosi Chukwu any[ na-ekpere maqbx ihe nd[ O kere O jiri mere ebe obibi d[ka 

nkwenye nd[ Igbo siri d[. Ihe nkqwa nd[ a na-egosi bx na q d[ xzq okwu abxq na-agakq qnx 

mana ha na-egosipxta otu ihe maqbx na-arxtx otu ihe aka. E nwee mgbe qbxla ejima okwu 

nwere nghqta abxq, [ mara na qnqdx e ji ekwu ha adaghar[ala, ya bx na njirimara ejima okwu 

bx igosi naan[ otu nghqta. (iii) Ihe qzqkwa bx njirimara ya bx na e nwegh[ ike isi na 

mkpxrxokwu e ji mebe ha wee mata ihe nghqta ha bx. Ihe mkpxrxokwu e ji mebe ha pxtara 

na nghqta ejima okwu na-egosipxta na-ad[ icheiche. {ma atx: ‘nta na imoloko’ ihe niile, elu 

na ala. 

 

Nkqwa elu na ala 



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 Elu na ala d[ka ejima okwu dabara n’okwu nd[ na-egosi okpukpere nd[ Igbo. 

N’okwukwu na odide ha, elu na-ab[a tupu ala. A nagh[ as[ ala na elu. Nke e were ka nke 

kacha nwe qrx na ugwu n’anya nd[ Igbo na-ebu xzq ebe nke qzq na-esota ya. N’[kwado 

echiche a, Maduka-Durunze (1992:50-55) s[r[ na xd[ nhazi n’[bq n’[bq a enwegh[ mgbanwe 

niihi na e nwegh[ echiche gbagqrq agbagq were si otu a hazie ha kama na q bx ka okwu ha si 

d[. Q s[ na nke kacha d[ elu na-ebute xzq. Qkwa ‘elu’ gbagotere kar[a nke ala n’ekpemekpe 

nd[ Igbo. Q bx ya mere o ji buru xzq, ala were na-esota ya. Elu na ala na-agakq. Ya mere 

Anagbogu, Eme na Mba (2010:226) jiri kwu s[ na ha bx ejima okwu nnqiche maqbx mmejx. 

Nke a bx xd[ ejima okwu ngakqr[ta n’xd[ ntxghar[. 

 N’ala Igbo, okpukpere qd[nala na omenala na-agakq qnx. A na-elegara elu na ala anya 

d[ka Chukwu maqbx ebe obibi Chukwu. Chukwu, nke e nwere ike [kpq Enu maqbx Igwe na-

eme qtxtx ihe d[ka Onye ji ike niile. Q bx ya ka qnwu, ndx, akx na xba, qmxmx, qganihu, 

nchekwa, mmiri ozuzo, anwx, mmxba akxkx ubi na ihe nilile nd[ qzq d[ n’aka. Q mazuru ihe 

niile. E nwere nkwenye na Chukwu nwere xmx obere chi d[ icheiche na-ejere Ya ozi. Otu 

n’ime ha bx chi maqbx akaraaka mmadx. Mmadx qbxla nwere akaraaka (chi) nke ya. Q bx 

chi mmadx bx qnx na-ekwuru ya n’ebe Chukwu nq. Nd[ Igbo kwenyere na ka Chukwu siri 

buka ibu na mmadx nk[t[ ekwes[gh[ [gwa ya okwu ma o sigh[ n’aka chi ya. Q bx chi mmadx 

ka Chukwu nyere qrx ilekqta ya anya tupu a mxq onye ahx. Chi onye ahx ga-arx qrx ahx bido 

mgbe a mxrx onye ahx ruo n’qnwx ya. Chi nd[ qzq na-ejere Chukwu ozi gunyere: Amadiqha, 

Anyanwx, Njqkx, Agwxnsi, Ikenga, dgz. Xzq qzq e nwere ike isi legara ‘elu na ala’ anya bx 

[hxta ha d[ka ebe obibi Chukwu. Nke a mere na otu n’ime aha a na-etu Chukwu bx ‘onye ji 

eluigwe mere oche ma were ala mere ebe mgbakwasi ukwu. Qzq, ekpere nke onye nwe any[ 

nd[ xka na-ekpe s[r[, Nna any[ nke bi n’eluigwe, ka aha G[ d[ nsq… 

 

Nnyocha agxmagx gbasara ‘elu na ala’ n’ekpemekpe qd[nala Igbo 

 Ekpemekpe Qd[nala Igbo ataala qj[ n’ala Igbo. Q bx nwa nwa tote, o tokwuru. Nghqta 

ekpemekpe qd[nala Igbo gbadoro xkwx n’qd[nala Igbo. O nwegh[ nke a ga-ekwuwe ghara ibe 

ya. Ihe nd[ a na-arxtx aka na nhxrx xwa nd[ Igbo bx nke na-egosi ihe nd[ a na-ahx anya na nd[ 

anagh[ ahx anya (Qnwxejeqgwx 1975). Q s[r[ na nd[ Igbo hxrx xwa d[ka ihe e kere xzq anq: 

(i)   Okike-Chi ukwu maqbx Chukwu bx chi okike kere ihe niile. A na-akpqkwa ya Chineke. 

Q kar[r[ mmadx ma bxrx ikekaike. Q bx ya na-ekwu ihe na-eme na ndx mmadx na ihe 

niile na-eme n’xwa d[ka anyanwx, kpakpando, na nd[  qzq.  

(ii)   Alxs[ bx xmx obere ihe n’abxgh[ mmadx nke ha na-abx mmxq. O si n’obodo qbxla 

n’ala Igbo nwere okwu alxs[ ha nke ha na-asqpxrx ma nwee onye na-ejere ya ozi nke 

mmadx na-esi n’aka ya agwa Chineke mkpa ya.  

(iii) Nke atq bx mmxq-bx nd[ nwxrx anwx gafere n’akxkx xwa qzq mmadx amagh[ a kpqrq 

ala mmxq. Ha na-etinye anya n’ihe na-eme n’ezinaxlq ha. Nd[ d[ ndx na-enye ha 

nsqpxrx niihi na a hxrx ha ka nd[ d[ nsq.  

(iv)  Nke anq ma bxrx nke ikpeazx bx xwa. A hxrx nke a d[ka nne ma bxrx nke ihe mebere 

ya bx elu (igwe) na ala.  

 

 Q bx elu na ala bx isi sekpx nt[ n’edemede any[. N’qd[nala, Uweh (2010:34) mere ka 

a mata na nd[ Igbo hxtara elu d[ ka Chukwu nke ji ike niile. Q gara n’ihu s[ na n’ekpemekpe 

qdinala Igbo, na elu (Chukwu) bx onye ikpe nkwxmqtq, onye mmadx agagh[ akwanyenwu ka 

O mee ihe q chqgh[ ime. Na nkqwa nke ya, q sikwara na ala (nne, ebe elu bx nna) bx ebe ihe 



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niile mmadx ji ebi ndx si ab[a. N’ala ka mmadx na-ebi, si akqpxta nri, arx xlq obibi, enweta 

mmiri q]x]x, na ihe nd[ qzq na-enyere ndx aka. Q gakwara n’ihu kwue na ala bx ya na-ahx 

na mmadx na-eme ihe kwes[r[ ekwes[. Mmadx mee ihe o kwes[gh[ ime, a s[ na onye ahx 

mere nsqala. Mgbe ihe d[ otu a mere, ala na-ata onye d[ otu a ahxhx ka e were kpxchapx arx 

ahx ma mee ka ala d[kwa nsq.  

 Nke a ga-eme ka onye ahx nweta mgbaghara ka ihe were d[wakwara ya mma. Q bx 

xd[ ihe d[ otu a ka Esimoke (1992) jiri dee s[ na a na-ahx ala n’ala Igbo d[ka chi na-ahx maka 

ezi agwa. Ihe qjqq a na-emega n’ala d[ka nwoke idina nwunye nwoke qzq, nwunye nwanne 

ya mgbe nwanne ya ahx nq ndx, nwoke idina nwanne ya nwaany[ maqbx nwa ya nwaany[, 

igbu qchx, izu akxkx ubi na ihe qjoo nd[ qzq bx nsqala. A ga-achx aja d[ icheiche iji kpochaa 

ala. Q bx maka na ala d[ nsq mere na nd[ Igbo anagh[ eli nd[ r[ara qria qjqq d[ka nd[ afq toro 

ma nd[ zara aza n’ala. Qzq, ha anagh[ ekwe eli nd[ gburu onwe ha d[ka nd[ kwxrx xdq n’ala. 

E were nd[ d[ otu a ka nd[ mere nsqala niihi ya, a na-atxfu ha n’ajq qh[a ka xmx anxqh[a rie 

anx ha. 

 Na nkega na-eso n’ederede a, any[ ga-eleba anya ka nd[ Igbo si zipxta nkwenye ha 

gbasara ejima okwu a bx ‘elu na ala’ n’ekpemekpe qd[nala site n’aha ha na-aza. 

 

Elu/enu n’aha nd[ Igbo na nzipxta ha 

 Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha d[ icheiche iji gosi nkwenye ha n’elu d[ ka Chukwu 

n’qtxtx xzq. Nkwenye nd[ a nwere ike na-egosi elu (Chukwu) d[ka: 

(i) Onye ihe niile d[ n’aka  

(ii) Onye emereme ya na-agbagwoju mmadx anya   

(iii) Onye na-ekpe ikpe nkwumqtq na   

(iv) Onye mmadx enwegh[ ike [hx ihu na ihu ma ya fqdxz[a ya na Ya [nqrq gbaghawa ihe 

ma q bxrx nke adabagh[ n’anya mmadx. Ma q bxrx nke  dabara n’anya mmadx, q d[gh[ 

ebe q ga-ahx Ya were kelee Ya. 

 

Elu d[ka onye ihe niile d[ n’aka 

Qtxtx aha nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ ma na-ezipxta elu d[ka onye ihe niile na-eme 

n’xwa d[ n’aka ya. Aha nd[ zipxtara nke a n’ala Igbo gxnyere nd[ a: 

 

Elukaeme: Aha a na-egos[ na q bx Chukwu na-eme nke kachas[. O nwere ike bxrx nke 

kachas[ mma maqbx nke kachas[ njq n’anya mmadx. Q bx eziokwu na nd[ Igbo 

kwere na Chukwu anagh[ eme ihe qjqq mana ha kwenyere na ihe q magh[ anagh[ 

eme. 

Elujekwu: Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a niihi na ha kwenyere na q bx Chukwu ga-ekwu 

ihe qbxla ga-eme. Ha kwenyere na tupu ihe qbxla e mee ma nke d[ njq n’anya 

mmadx ma nke d[ mma na Chukwu ekwuwo na q ga-eme. 

Elukwute:  Xd[ aha nke a na-ezipxta na q bx Chukwu ka q d[ n’aka ikwu ihe gaje ime. Ya 

mere e ji nwee okwu d[ka mmadx kwucha, Chukwu ekwughar[a. ya bx na q bx Chukwu ga-

ekwu, ihe o kwuru ab[a na mmezu. 

Eluka/Enuka:  Ihe aha nke a na-egosi bx na Chukwu kacha ihe niile elu, ike, dgz. Chukwu ka 

ihe niile n’xd[ qbxla. O nwegh[ onye ga-ama ya aka n’ihu. 



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Elukwe/Enukwe:  Aha nke a na-ezipxta na ihe qbxla na-emenx na-eme niihi na Chukwu 

kwere ka o mee maqbx na ihe qbxla ga-emenx ga-eme ma q bxrx na Chukwu kwe ka o mee. 

Q bxrx na q bxgh[ mmas[ Chukwu, ihe ahx agagh[ eme. 

Elukawa:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a niihi nkwenye ha na ihe niile d[ Chukwu n’aka. 

Ha na-egosi ebe a na o nwegh[ ihe qbxla ha pxrx ikwu na ha na-ahapxrx Chukwu ihe niile ka 

q na-ekwu ka ha na-eme na mgbagha qbxla ad[gh[ ya. 

Elugeme:  Aha a n’Igbo na-egosi na q bx Chukwu ka q d[ n’aka ime ihe niile. Q bx ya ka e ji 

as[ Chukwu pxrx ime ihe niile. Q bx Ya ga-eme ihe qbxla mgbe q mas[r[ ya. 

Elujindx/Enujindx:  Xd[ aha a na-egosi na q bx Chukwu ka ndx mmadx d[ n’aka. Onye q s[ 

na q ga-ad[ ndx ga-ad[. Onye q s[ na q ga-anwx ga-anwxr[r[. O nwegh[ ihe mmadx pxrx ime 

iji gbochi ya. Qzq, onye Chukwu s[ na q ga-ad[ ndx ga-ad[r[r[ ndx. Q mas[ onye ahx ya buru 

na q tubichaala/nwxchaala, q ga-ebili ma d[kwa ndx niihi na Chukwu ji ndx achqbegh[ ka 

onye ahx nwxq. 

Elukuba:  Aha a na-egosi na a b[a n’ihe gbasara [ba xba na Chukwu kacha ba xba na o 

nwegh[ onye ka Ya ba xba. Nd[ Igbo kwenyere na Chukwu na-esi na xba q bara enyebinye 

mmadx. Ya ka ha ji azakwa Xbasinachukwu. 

Eluchebe:  Xd[ aha a na-egosi na q bx Chukwu ka nchekwa mmadx d[[r[. Q bxrx na o 

chekwagh[ mmadx, q mas[ onye ahx ya mxrx anya, jide ngwa agha d[ icheiche, ihe Chukwu 

s[r[ na q ga-eme onye ahx ga-emer[r[ ya. N’okpukpere xka  nd[ qcha, ha dere maka nchekwa 

na-esi n’aka Chukwu ab[a s[ na q bxrx na Chineke echegh[ obodo, n’efu ka onye nche na-

amx anya. 

Eluzqba: Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a niihi na ha kwetara na nzqpxta mmadx d[ Chukwu 

n’aka. Q bxrx na q zqgh[ onye nq na nsogbu, o nwegh[ onye qzq pxrx [zqpxta onye ahx. O 

nwere ike si n’aka mmadx ibe ya bx onye O nyere ikike were zqpxta onye ahx. O nwekwara 

ike si n’xzq nke Ya mee ya. Q d[ otu a, a s[ na ihe [r[baama emeela. 

Elukwado: Nke a bx aha nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza iji zipxta na q bx Chukwu ga-akwado ihe 

ka o were mee, na ihe Chukwu akwadogh[ anagh[ eme. 

Elunaza: Aha nke a nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egosi na Chukwu ji xsa nye ajxjx qbxla 

maqbx ihe mgbagwoju anya qbxla. 

Elujixba: Aha nke a na-egosi na akx na xba bx Chukwu ji ya. Q bx onye O nyere, o were. 

Onye O nyegh[, q bxrx ogbenye. Nke a gosiri ihe nd[ Igbo na-ekwu na Chineke bx ‘O ji ji 

jide mma, onye Q wanyere, o rie. Onye Q wanyegh[ q hapx’. 

Elulobe:  A na-ahxta aha Igbo d[  otu a d[ka nke na-egosi na q bx ihe Chukwu chepxtara 

n’echiche ya bx ihe ga-eme na q bxgh[ nke mmadx chere. 

Eludum:  Aha a na-egosi xzq ihe abxq. O nwere ike na-egosi na enyemaka mmadx na-enweta 

na-esi n’aka Chineke. Aha a nwekwara ike na-ekwu na q bx Chukwu na-edu mmadx n’ihe 

niile onye ahx na-eme maqbx na-edu onye ahx aga ebe niile q na-aga. 

 

Elu d[ka onye emereme ya na-agbagwoju anya 

Xd[ aha a ga-ahx ebe a, na-arxtx aka n’xd[ aha any[ na-aba ma na-aza nd[ na-egos[ na ihe 

Chukwu na-eme maqbx xd[d[ ya, kar[r[ nghqta nke mmadx. Aha nd[ a gxnyere: 

 

Eluma:  Xd[ aha a na-egos[kwa na q bx naan[ Chukwu maara ihe mere ihe ji d[ otu q d[ na 

mmadx amagh[. Nke a pxtara na qnqdx ahx gbara mmadx nk[t[ ghar[[. 



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Onyemaelu: Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji gosi na xwa na xd[d[ Chukwu na agbagwogu 

mmadx anya. O nwegh[ onye nwere ike [s[ na ya maara Chukwu. 

Okwuelu:  Aha nke a na-egos[ na nzube Chukwu na-emesa mmadx anya na q bxgh[ ihe 

mmadx na-eche na q ga-eme na otu mmadx chere q ga-esi mee ihe ka q na-eme. Nke a na-

eme ka xm̀a ̀Chukwu na-eweta anya [gba ghar[[. 

Al[s[elu: Aha a na-eme ka any[ mata na mmadx ekwes[gh[ ilel[ Chukwu. Mmadx nwere ike 

niihi na q ghqtachagh[ ka Chineke si eme ihe na-eleda ya anya. Aha a were na-adq mmadx 

aka na nt[ ka q ghara ilel[ Chineke. 

 

Elu d[ka onye ikpe nkwxmqtq   

Ebe a bx ebe nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha na-egos[ na Chukwu bx Chukwu na-akwxwa aka 

qtq, anagh[ emegide mmadx qbxla n’agbanyegh[ qnqdx qbxla onye ahx nq. {ma atx xd[ aha 

ahx bx: 

 

Elujiqfq:  Aha nke a na-egos[ Chukwu ka onye na-eme ihe ziri ezi. Onye anagh[ emegide 

onye qbxla kama q na-akwxwa aka qtq. 

Elunq:  Aha nke a na-egos[ na Chukwu nq niihi ya na o nwegh[ onye ga-emegide g[. 

 

Ifelu: Xd[ aha nke a nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ na mmadx niile bx nke Chukwu. O 

nwegh[ onye bx nke ya iche. Q bx Ya nwe ma onye ukwu ma onye nta. 

Iyienu:  Aha nke a gosiri d[ka nd[ Igbo si were ya na Chukwu ]xrx iyi na o nwegh[ onye o 

kere q ga-agbahapx, na mmadx niile ka q ga na-elekqta n’akpagh[ oke. 

 

Elu/enu d[ka onye a nagh[ ahx anya  

Aha nd[ d[ n’okpuru na-egosipxta Chukwu ka Onye anya nk[t[ enwegh[ ike [hx. Aha nd[  ahx 

gxnyere: 

 

Afxlxenu: Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji gos[ na o nwegh[ [he mmadx pxrx [me 

n’qnqdx qbxla q nq, ma q d[ njq n’anya ya ma q d[ mma maka na aha a na-ekwu na o 

nwegodx [he [ chqrq [me, [ hxrxnx Chukwu anya ka i were mee ebumnobi g[. 

Elusiahx:  Aha nke a na-egosikwa na a nagh[ ahx Chukwu anya. Etu aha a siri d[ na-egos[ na 

q masichagh[ mmadx na o nwegh[ ike ihx Chukwu anya. 

 

 

Ala/ana/an[ n’aha nd[ Igbo na nzipxta ha 

 Nd[ Igbo hxtara ala d[ka Chukwu. Ya mere na q na-abata n’aha ha na-aba ma na-aza 

iji gos[ qnqdx mmadx nq. A na-ahxta ala d[ka 

(i) chi mazuru ihe niile 

(ii) chi ikpe nkwxmqtq 

(iii) chi na-echebe nd[ ya 

(iv) chi d[ mma 

 

Ala d[ka chi kachas[ chi niile   

 Aha nd[ a ga-ahx ebe a bx aha nd[ ga-egos[ ‘ala’ d[ka chi kachas[ chi nd[ qzq niile. 

Aha nd[ ahx gxnyere: 



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Alaka: Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji gos[ na o nwegh[ onye ka Chukwu. 

Aladike:  Xd[ aha a nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ na Chukwu d[ ike kar[a ihe niile. 

Alaji:  Aha d[ otu a nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ na q bx Chukwu ka ihe niile d[ n’aka 

ya. Q bx Ya ji ji, Ya ji mma. Onye Q wanyere, o rie. 

Alakebe:  Xd[ aha a na-egos[pxta Chukwu d[ka onye q bx ya na-ekenye mmadx ihe. Q bx ihe 

q mas[r[ ya, o kenye mmadx. O nwegh[ onye na-agwa ya ihe q ga-ekenye ya. 

Alabxike:  Aha a na-egos[ na Chineke n’qnwe ya bx ike mmadx nwere. O nwegh[ ike mmadx 

nwere n’onwe ya. Q bx Chukwu bx ike mmadx nwere. 

Alajetx:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza xd[ aha a iji gos[ na o nwegh[ onye Chukwu kere na-

efulahx ya. Mmadx nwere ike chee na Chukwu amagh[ ebe ya nq maqbx na q hxgh[ ya mana 

ebe q sqrq ya nqrq, Chineke ga-achqpxta ya. 

Alaebuka:  Aha nke a na-egos[ na o nwegh[ ihe kar[r[ Chineke. Ya ka nd[ Igbo jikwa aba ma 

na-aza Chukwuebuka. 

 

Ala d[ka chi mazuru ihe niile 

Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha d[ ichiiche iji gos[pxta na ala bx otu n’ime chi nd[ ha na-efe bx 

qmachancha. Nke a na-egos[ na q mazuru ihe niile. Xd[ aha nd[ ahx gxnyere: 

 

Alajekwu:  Aha nke a na-egos[ na niihi na q bx Chukwu maara ihe niile ma nke kacha mma, 

na q bx ya ga-ekwu nke ga-eme na q bxgh[ mmadx. Mmadx agagh[ ekwu niihi na q bx naan[ 

ihe Chukwu kpugheere ya ka q madebere. 

Alamara:  Xd[ aha nke a mmadx na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ na Chukwu maara ihe niile. O 

nwegh[ ihe qbxla na-eme n’xwa ma n’eluigwe nke q na-amagh[ maqbx na-agba ya ghar[[. 

Alaelo: Nd[ Igbo si n’aha nke a na-ezipxta na q bx echiche Chineke bx ihe na-eme. Na 

Chukwu loo ihe, q d[ ya mma, o mee ya n’agbanyegh[ ma q d[ mmadx mma ma q bx na q d[gh[ 

ya. Qtxtx qge, o nwere xd[ qnwu mmadx na-anwx any[ bx mmadx a na-ebe mana Chukwu maara 

ihe o chere n’obi ya o jiri kpqrq onye ahx qtxmas[gh[ na q d[gh[ any[ bx mmadx mma n’obi. 

 

Ala d[ka onye ikpe nkwxmqtq 

 Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-azagas[ xd[ aha nd[ any[ ga-eleba anya ebe a iji gos[ na 

Chukwu anagh[ emegide onye qbxla. Qzq na q bx ihe ziri ezi ka q na-eme ma q dabaara any[ 

ma q bx na q dabagh[. Aha nd[ ahx gxnyere: 

 

Alachxna: Aha a na-egos[ na o nwegh[ onye Chineke kere q na-agbahapx. O nwegh[ onye q 

ga-as[ ya ebila n’ala, ya fegoro n’elu biri, q mas[ ya bxrx na onye ahx mere arx. Kama q ga-

es[ n’qnx nd[ na-ejere ya ozi mee ka onye ahx mara ihe q ga-eme were mezie ihe o mebiri. 

Alaagbqsq:  Xd[ aha a na-egos[ na Chineke agbalahxgh[ nd[ o kere. Q na-egos[ na ma q d[ 

mma ma q d[ njq, na q nq ya na-eduzi ma na-agbazi. 

Alaejemba:  Ebe a na-egos[ na Chineke ad[gh[ agbanwe agbanwe, na ihe ahx q bx ka q bx ma 

n’xtxtx ma n’abal[, ma n’udummiri ma n’qkqch[. Ihe ahx Chukwu bx ka q bx. 

Alaachufus[:  Xd[ aha nke a na-egos[ na o nwegh[ onye Chineke kere q na-ajx ajx. Nke a na-

egos[ na n’agbanyegh[ mmehie mmadx na-emehie Chineke na q na-aga n’ihu na-anagide 

mmadx qbxla ma na-enye mmadx ogologo oge maka ncheghar[. 



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Alaekwena:  Xd[ aha nke a na-egos[ na Chukwu anagh[ ekwe ka qnqdx nd[ ya d[ otu 

ekwes[gh[ ma onye ukwu ma onye nta. Ka o si mee onye ka o si eme ibe ya. Nke a mere nd[ 

Igbo ji ekwu okwu s[, ‘Chineke ekwela ihe qjqq’. 

Alaagqlx:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji gosi na Chukwu na-agbara mmadx qbxla qgx. 

O nwegh[ onye maqbx nd[ q na- agqchitere ma hapx nd[ qzq 

Alagboqgx:  Aha nke a na-egosi na Chukwu bx onye udo. Q bxgh[ onye ga-abx esemokwu d[ 

n’etiti nd[ ya, q gbachi nk[t[ maka na esemokwu d[, ihxnanya agagh[ ad[. Q bx Chukwu ga-

ewechighata  udo n’etiti nd[ ahx ka udo were ch[a ach[a. Nke a ga-eme ka ihxnanya d[. 

Alaekwe: Xd[ aha a na-egos[ na Chukwu anagh[ akwado ihe d[ njq. Onye q mas[r[ ya bxrx 

mere ya. Iji ma atx, q hxrx xmx Izrel n’anya iche mana ha mee ihe ad[gh[ mma, o taa ha 

ahxhx. Ha r[qkwa mgbaghara, q nabata ya ma gbaghara ha. Q na-emekwa otu ihe ahx n’ebe 

nd[ qzq nq. 

Alaeringo:  Aha nke a nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza bx iji gosi na Chukwu anagh[ ana aka azx. 

Q nagh[ as[ ka e nye ya nke a tupu o meere g[ ihe [ chqrq. Q na-emere nd[ ya ihe na-anagh[ 

ihe qbxla. 

Alamaeze: N’ala Igbo, a na-aba xd[ aha a iji gos[ na Chukwu anagh[ akpa qke. Ka o siri meso 

eze, ka o si emeso odibo. Q magh[ onye ukwu nke o ji ama onye nta. Q nqgh[ na mmegide. 

 

Ala d[ka onye nchekwa 

Aha nd[ dabara ebe a na-ahxta Chukwu ka onye na-echekwa nd[ ya. Aha nd[ ahx gxnyere: 

 

Alad[:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba aha a ma na-aza ya iji gos[ na Chukwu d[. O nwegh[ onye q nqgh[r[. 

Q na-echekwa ya ebe qbxla ha nq ma ha na-aga n’xzq, ma ha nq n’xlq, ma mmiri q na-ezo, 

ma anwx q na-acha. 

Alaazqka:  Xd[ aha a ka nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza iji gosi na Chukwu na-azq nd[ nke ya 

esepx aka. Ike anagh[ agwx ya n’[zq nd[ nke ya mgbe qbxla txmadx mgbe ha nq na mkpa. 

Alaegboka: Aha nke a nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ na ha kwenyere na Chukwu na-

agbochiri ha qdachi d[ icheiche na nsogbu qbxla na-achq [dakwasa ha. 

Alazodo:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji zipxta nkwenye ha na Chukwu na-azq ma na-

echekwawa nd[ ya oge qbxla. 

Alazqba:  Aha a nd[ Igbo na-aza ya iji gos[ Chukwu na ha na-ar[q ka q na-azq ha. Ha na-agwa 

ya na ha nq ya n’aka, na q bx ya ga na-azq ha na o nwegh[ onye qzq ha nwere maqbx 

chekwube, ma q bxgh[ Chineke. 

Alachebe:  Nkwenye nd[ Igbo ha ji aba ma na-aza aha a bx na ha maara na q bx Chukwu na-

echekwa mmadx. Q bx ya mere ha ji akpqku ya ka o chekwawa ha. 

Alagbata:  Xd[ aha nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza bx iji kpqku Chineke ka q gbatara ha qsq 

enyemaka. Ha na-akpq ya ka q b[a za ha ma gbooro ha mkpa ji ha niihi na q bx onye na-aza 

ekpere. Q bx ‘akpq, aza’. 

Alagbo:  Aha a bxkwa aha nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza iji gos[ mkpoku ha na-akpoku Chukwu 

ka o gbooro ha mkpa ji ha. 

Alaekwemba:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji zipxta nkwenye ha na q bx Chukwu na-

egbochi mba [kpagbu maqbx ibuso  maqbx imegide mba ibe ha. 

Ala d[ka onye d[ mma   

Aha nd[ dabara na ngalaba nke a na-egosipxta Chukwu d[ka onye ihe qma, onye na-eme ihe 

d[ mma. Aha nd[ d[ otu a gxnyere: 



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Alad[mma:  Nkwenye nd[ Igbo na Chukwu d[ mma mere ha ji aba ma na-aza aha a. 

Alaeto:  Nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza aha a iji eto Chukwu niihi [d[ mma ya na ndx ha. 

Aladum:  Xd[ aha nke a ka nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza iji egosi [d[ mma Chukwu maka aka q 

na-enyere ha mgbe qbxla qkachas[ mgbe ha nq na mkpa ma o nwegh[ ebe qzq a hxrx nzopxta 

ga-esi b[a. 

Alaakx:  Nd[ Igbo kwenyere na akx na xba si n’aka Chukwu were ab[a. Nkwenye ha nke a ka 

ha si n’aha e depxtara ebe a bx Anaakx nke ha na-aba ma na-aza egosipxta. 

Alaakq:  Xd[ aha nke a ka nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza iji gosi na Chukwu na-anq n’ihe niile ha 

na-eme na o nwegh[ ihe qbxla ha na-eme a na-achq ya achq. Ha ji aha a egos[ na Chukwu nq 

ya mgbe niile. 

Alabqñx:  Aha a bx aha nd[ Igbo na-aza iji gos[ na q bx Chineke na-eweta obi añur[ n’ime 

ndx mmadx. Ihe qbxla na-enye qnx bx n’aka Chukwu ka o si ab[a. 

 

 

Nch[kqta na mmechi 

 Site n’ihe a kqwara n’ederede a gbasara aha nd[ Igbo na-azagas[ d[ka ha si metxta ejima 

okwu a bx ‘elu na ala’, a ga-ahx na okwu abxq nd[ a na-arxtx otu onye aka. Ha na-ekwu 

maka Chukwu. Nke a dabara na nkqwa any[ nyere s[ na ejima okwu bx mkpxrxokwu abxq 

na-agakq qnx, nke a na-eji njikq ejikq mana ha na-arxtx otu ihe aka. Nd[ Igbo na-ahxta ‘elu 

na ala’ d[ka Chukwu ha si n’aha d[ icheiche ha na-aba ma na-aza ezipxta. Nkwenye ka ha si 

ahxta Chukwu ka ha na-ezipxta site n’xd[ aha ha na-aza bx nke ha zipxtara n’isiokwu abxq 

n’ederede a. Mbx bx ka Chukwu d[, ebe nke abxq bx ka o si akpa agwa. 

 Aha e ji elu na ala aza site na ka Chineke d[ nakwa ka o si akpa agwa bara xba. O 

nwegh[ nke a ga-as[ na q bx ya kacha niihina Chukwu onye ejima okwu nd[ a na-ezipxta site 

n’aha nd[ a bx Chukwu na-eme ihe d[ mma. E lee anya n’aha niile d[ ebe a nd[ Igbo na-aza, o 

nwegh[ nke e gosiri ebe Chukwu gburu maqbx megide mmadx. Kama site n’aha xfqdx, a 

hxta Chukwu ka onye emereme ya mgbe xfqdx na-agbagwoju mmadx anya. Q d[ any[ otu a 

n’anya niihina any[  bx mmadx mana Chukwu onye mere ihe qbxla o mere maara na ihe o 

mere d[ mma. 

 Na mmechi, ekpemekpe nd[ Igbo nyere ‘elu na ala’ qnqdx d[ elu. A hxtara elu d[ka di 

nwe xlq ebe ala bx nwunye ya. Mana any[ ga-echeta na nd[ Igbo na-ekwu okwu s[ na isi di na 

nwunye bx otu. Qzq nd[ mgbakq na mwepx s[ na a b[a ebe di na nwunye nq (elu na ala 

n’ekpemekpe nd[ Igbo) na otu a gbakqnyere otu qzq pxtara otu. Nke a na-egosi na qnqdx ‘elu 

na ala’ na-anq n’aha nd[ Igbo na-aba ma na-aza na-egos[ ha d[ ka Chukwu. 

 

 

 

Edemsib[a 

Achebe, C. (1975). “Chi in Igbo cosmology” Morning yet on creation day. London. 

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Anagbqgx, P. N., Mba, B. M and Eme, C. A. (2010). Introduction to Linguistics. Awka: 

Amaka Dreams. 

Emenanjq, E. N. and Oweleke, E. N (2007). “Ejima Okwu-Complementary binominab:  A 

type of Igbo idioms” In Journal of Igbo studies. Vol. 2 pp. 137-146. 



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Esimoke, E. (1992). Ngwa community. Owerri:  Jerry Press. 

Hudson, R. A. (1981). Sociolinguistics. New York: University of Cambridge. 

Maduka-Durunze, N. O. (1992).Igbo cosmology. Aba:  Educational Publishers. 

Nwqga, D. I. (1984).The Supreme God as a stranger in Igbo religious thought. Ahiazu 

Mbaise:  Hawks Press. 

Qdxnke Artists (1977). Qjad[l[. Ibadan: Oxford University Press. 

Qnwuejeogwu, M. A. (1975). “The Igbo culture area” in Qgbalx, F.C. and E.N. Emenanjq 

(Eds) Igbo Language and Culture, Ibadan: Oxford University Press. 

Sapir-Whorf, L. (1976).  Language, thought and reality. London: MIT Press. 

Uweh, A. (2010). The fundamentals of qd[nan[ (Igbo religion) Enugu: Citadel Press. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


