The Igbo calendar (Igbo: Ọ̀gụ́àfọ̀ Ị̀gbò) is the traditional calendar system of the Igbo people from present-day Nigeria. The Igbo calendar is the traditional calendar system of the Igbo people from present-day Nigeria. It is deeply intertwined with the spiritual and daily lives of our people. The calendar has 13 months in a year (Afọ), 7 weeks in a month (Ọnwa), and 4 days of Igbo market days (Eke, Orie, Afọ, and Nkwọ) in a week (Izu) plus an extra day at the end of the year, in the last month.
Although worship and spirit-honoring were a very big part in the creation and development of the Igbo calendar system, commerce also played a major role in creating the Igbo calendar. This was emphasized in Igbo mythology itself.
The calendar has its roots steeped in ritualism and symbolism; many parts of the Igbo calendar are named or dedicated to certain spirits (|Mmuo) and deities (Alusi) in the Igbo mythology. Some of the spirits and deities were believed to have given the Igbo people knowledge of time. An example of this is the Igbo market days of which each community has a day assigned to open its markets, this way the Igbo calendar is still in use.
The calendar is neither universal nor synchronized, so various groups will be at different stages of the week, or even year. Some Igbo communities have tried to adjust the thirteen-month calendar to twelve months, in line with the Gregorian calendar.
In the traditional Igbo calendar, a week (Igbo: Izu) has 4 days (Igbo: Ubochi) named Eke, Orie, Afọ, Nkwọ. Seven weeks make one month (Igbo: Ọnwa). A month has 28 days, and there are 13 months a year. In the last month, an extra day is added. In the traditional Igbo calendar, a week (Igbo: Izu) has 4 days (Igbo: Ubochi) (Eke, Orie, Afọ, Nkwọ), seven weeks make one month (Igbo: Ọnwa), a month has 28 days and there are 13 months a year. In the last month, an extra day is added (an intercalary day).
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The Nri-Igbo calendar year corresponding to the Gregorian year of 2012 was initially slated to begin with the annual year-counting festival known as Igu Aro on February 18 (an Nkwọ day on the third week of February), but was postponed to March 10 due to local government elections in Anambra State where the Nri kingdom is located.
The Igu Aro festival which was held in March marked the lunar year as the 1013th recorded year of the Nri calendar. The Nri-Igbo yearly counting festival known as Ịgụ Arọ marked 10 March 2012 as the beginning of the 1,013th year of the Nri calendar.
The traditional time keepers in Igboland are the priests or Dibia. While there are four days, they come in alternate cycles of "major" and "minor", giving a longer eight-day cycle.
The first month starts from the third week of February making it the Igbo new year. The first month starts from the third week of February making it the Igbo new year.
Is described as the fasting period, usually known as “Ugani” in Igbo meaning 'hunger period'. It is the period in which all must fast in sacrificial harmony to the goddess Ani of the Earth. Ọnwa Anọ is when the planting of seed yams/yam seeds start. Ịgọchi na mmanwụ come out in this month which are adult masquerades. This month sees the harvesting of the yam. This month is also a time of prayer and meditation for women. The Alom Chi is a shrine or memorial a woman builds in honor of her ancestors. This month is dedicated to reconnecting with the ancestors by breaking kola and holding communion with them.
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The Four Igbo Market Days and Their Significance
Igbos generally have four market days, namely: eke, orie, afor and nkwo. In Igbo cosmology, the traditional calendar is deeply intertwined with the spiritual and daily lives of our people. The four Igbo market days- Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo are central to this calendar. The names of the days have their roots in the mythology of the Kingdom of Nri. Eri, the mythological sky-descended founder of the Nri kingdom, was said to have gone on to break the mystery of time and on his journey he had saluted and counted the four days by the names of the spirits that governed them, hence the names of the spirits eke, orie, afọ and nkwọ became those of the days of the week.
These days are believed to be imbued with elemental energies and play a very important role in determining the rhythm of life, rituals, and economic activities of Igbo land. In the Igbo calendar, a new market day begins at sundown, marking the start of the next day when darkness falls. This tradition aligns with the natural rhythm of the day and night cycle, emphasizing the importance of transition and renewal.
Newborn babies are sometimes named after the day they were born on, though this is no longer commonly used. Names such as Mgbeke (maiden [born] on the day of Eke), Mgborie (maiden [born] on the Orie day) and so on were common among the Igbo people. For males Mgbo is replaced by Oko (male child [of]) or Nwa (child [of]). An example of this is Nwankwo Kanu, a popular footballer.
The Igbo calendar is not universal, and is described as "not something written down and followed ... rather it is observed in the mind of the people.
THE IGBO CALENDAR: Origins of Eke, Orie, Afor & Nkwo Market Days
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Detailed Look at Each Market Day
Each market day is associated with a specific element, palm representation, and set of attributes. Here's a detailed breakdown:
| Market Day | Element | Palm Representation | Attributes | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eke | Fire or Cosmic Light | Index Finger | Energy, passion, transformation, creation, new beginnings | Undertaking activities that require high spiritual energy, significant rituals, a sacred day of abstinence in most Igbo communities. |
| Orie | Water | Middle Finger | Fluidity, cleansing, emotional depth, reflection, healing, nurturing, caring | Ideal for spiritual cleansing, community gatherings, and personal introspection, a time to connect with one's inner self and others. |
| Afor | Earth | Ring Finger | Stability, growth, material wealth or manifestation, practical tasks, building, consolidating resources | Activities related to agriculture, business transactions, and physical work are particularly favored. |
| Nkwo | Air | Little Finger | Communication, intellect, movement, intellectual pursuits, travel, social interactions | Suitable for negotiations, educational activities, and journeys. |
Eke (Fire or Cosmic Light)
Element: Fire
Palm Representation: Index Finger
Attributes: Eke is associated with the element of fire, symbolizing energy, passion, and transformation. The energy of the day represents creation, new beginnings, and the ability to set things in motion, among other things. It is associated with forces like Anyanwu, Ikenga, Nne Agwu, Agu-Nnem, Ngwu etc.
Significance: In certain communities, activities that require high spiritual energy, and significant rituals, are best undertaken on Eke day. However, it is also a day to rest from mundane things. Eke is a sacred day of abstinence in most Igbo communities, where certain worldly activities are abstained from.
Orie (Water)
Element: Water
Palm Representation: Middle Finger
Attributes: Orie corresponds to the element of water, representing fluidity, cleansing, and emotional depth. The energy of the day represents reflection, healing, and activities that involve nurturing and caring. It is associated with forces like Nne Mmiri, Oma (Onwa), Nne Iyi, Igbudu, Nneono, Idemmiri, Oshimmili etc.
Significance: Orie is ideal for spiritual cleansing, community gatherings, and personal introspection. It is a time to connect with one's inner self and others.
Afor (Earth)
Element: Earth
Palm Representation: Ring Finger
Attributes: Afor is linked to the earth element, symbolizing stability, growth, and material wealth or manifestation. It is a day for practical tasks, building, and consolidating resources, among other things. It is associated with forces like Ana/Ani/Ala, Nne-Atu, Uto-Ana, Ele, Akwali Omumu etc.
Significance: Activities related to agriculture, business transactions, and physical work are particularly favored on Afor day.
Nkwo (Air)
Element: Air
Palm Representation: Little Finger
Attributes: Nkwo is associated with air, representing communication, intellect, and movement. The energy of the day inspires intellectual pursuits, travel, and social interactions among other things. It is associated with forces like Igwe, Agwu, Oma-Aku, Ekwensu etc.
Significance: Nkwo is suitable for negotiations, educational activities, and journeys.
Map of Igboland in Nigeria
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