Facts or Myth

Discover more about some of the interesting terms used in my books. I will constantly update this page, but if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to visit your local libraries and/or other online resources for more information .

Hanging Lakes

A hanging or suspended lake is an unusual lake that decides to relax high up on a mountain. It's like a miniature water wonderland that defies gravity and simply floats there! Suspended lakes are extremely rare. Only two of them are known worldwide! The "Hanging Lake" in Colorado, USA. and the Ado Awaye Suspended Lake in Oyo State, Nigeria. t is a place where myths and nature collide.

Nsibidi Writing

Nsibidi is a secret code made up of fainating symbols and pictures that the Ejagham people of Nigeria used for a long time before being adopted by their Igbo neighbours. It is an ancient form of writing which dates back to 5000 BCE. It is like emojis, but even cooler because each symbol represents an idea or message. Some symbols were simple to understand, such as those representing love, but others were extremely secretive, with only a few people knowing what they meant.

Fattening Room

The idea behind the fattening room was to help the young girl gain some weight because, in that culture, being plump was considered a sign of beauty and good health. After spending time in the fattening room and gaining weight, the girl would return to her community. Her larger figure would be viewed as a sign of beauty, and she would be well-prepared for her upcoming wedding or other important events.

Concept of Chi

Chi, in Igbo mythology, is like having a personal guardian spirit, akin to a bodyguard or guardian angel, accompanying you throughout your life journey. It influences your destiny and fortune, shaping your successes and opportunities. Your Chi forms a special bond with your ancestors, carrying their wisdom and blessings through generations. Through prayers and rituals, you can communicate with your Chi and seek guidance from diviners. It serves as a moral compass, guiding you towards virtuous conduct, and some believe it reincarnates in a new body after death. Chi also connects with other deities, profoundly contributing to a complex belief system that shapes Igbo culture.

Mkpanaka

Mkpanaka is a traditional lamp made from the chaff of palm nuts, commonly found in some parts of Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people. Mkpanaka lamps can take various forms, from simple cylindrical designs to more intricate shapes. Different communities may have their own variations of mkpanaka, incorporating regional aesthetics and techniques.

Nri Calendar

Nri town is a very important town in southeastern Nigeria, believed to be the ancestral home of the Igbo people. In this town, a unique calendar was developed many centuries ago, named the Igbo or Nri calendar. This calendar has 13 months, with each month lasting seven weeks. Within a week, there are four special market days: Afor, Nkwo, Eke, and Orie. These are usually important days for markets and events. At the end of the Nri calendar year, there is a special extra day in the last month.

Ogbanje - "Repeater Child"

According to Igbo mythology, an Ogbanje is a playful spirit that likes to come and go, akin to a game of hide-and-seek. Ogbanje are wandering or reincarnating spirits believed to enter a pregnant woman's womb and pass away shortly after birth, causing immense grief. It is believed that Ogbanje are often born into the same family, and some pass away at birth, while others during childhood or before reaching adulthood.

Hanging Forests

Well the "Hanging forests" does not exist, never did. I got the inspiration from the name "the hanging gardens of Babylon" and envisioned it could be a fascinating addition to folklore or storytelling, sparking imagery surreal flora and landscapes suspended in the air, defying the laws of gravity and nature. this ethereal forest is a realm of wonder and danger, inhabited by mythical creatures and guarded by ancient spirits.

Talking BushBaby

Bush babies, also known as galagos, are small, nocturnal primates native to Africa. They are generally known for their large eyes, and their ability to leap long distances.In Nigerian folklore, there's a captivating myth about a talking bush baby holding a mat and a lamp. This myth varies from region to region, but it often revolves around encounters with supernatural beings in the forests. Encounters with the talking bush baby holding a mat and lamp are often seen as both eerie and auspicious. The presence of the creature is believed to hold significance, and those who encounter it may interpret its appearance as a sign of good fortune or impending danger, depending on the context of the encounter.

Iyi-Uwa

The iyi-uwa supposedly enables the Ogbanje to return to the human world and reunite with their intended family. It could be stones, dolls, hair, or pieces of the deceased child's clothing, as well as omens or offerings. Discovering and destroying the iyi-uwa prevents the Ogbanje from bringing misfortune to the family. A priest typically excavates and destroys the iyi-uwa. Once the object is destroyed or after successfully giving birth to another child, the child is no longer considered an Ogbanje.

E. U Anammah