The Concept of IGBO Spirituality and Environment

In a techno-scientific age where conflicting views on the reality of environmental ethics as well as ethical, environmental and ideological concerns emerge continuously, there is the need to constantly reinstate the vertical-horizontal dimensions of man’s peaceful co-existence with living and non-living things. Added to the above task is also the need for a thoroughly grounded work that sifts pragmatic ideas within some indigenous beliefs and practices which will be relevant to sound environmental and social development. As such, this research arises, among other reasons, from what the Igbo people actually believe and practice by focusing on the environmental values inherent in the Igbo spirituality. Adopting the expository and procedural tools of hermeneutics, the study contends on how to develop new environmental values that are parts and parcel of the Igbo spirituality. A major finding in the study is that in spite of the dialogue with modern styles, various features of the Igbo spirituality are still reserved and practiced, and have been practical means of existence and sustenance of the environment, peace and development to the entire community and each human person sharing the community life. Considering the nature and diversified forms of challenges to the Igbo spirituality in this age of science with some environmental devaluating attitudes of the human person, the study proposes that mankind should develop a deeper sense of love and care for the mother earth as a surer route to harmonious co-existence between the living and dead in the Igbo spirituality.