An ancestor altar is often a sacred space created in memory of one’s ancestors. It is a physical manifestation of one’s connection to their ancestors and the spiritual realm. The ancestor altar serves as a focal point for honoring, remembering, and connecting with the spirits of one’s deceased loved ones. This altar is a very important aspect of many cultures and spiritual practices around the world. I am going to dissect this topic properly and explore the concept of the ancestor altar, its cultural significance, and the ways through which it is practiced around the world not only in Igbo land.
The concept of ancestor veneration is as old as human culture itself. In ancient cultures, the belief exist that their deceased loved ones continued to exist in the afterlife and continued to influence their daily life. These spirits have the power to grant them protection, guidance, and blessings, or to bring them harm if they were neglected or displeased. However, it is not done out of fear but it is important to honor and appease the ancestral spirits through various rituals and offerings.
Ancestors veneration is still prevalent in many cultures today, especially in countries in Africa and Asia. The ways through which these cultures honor their ancestors may vary, but the underlying principle is the same – to keep their memory and influence alive in the present. The ancestor altar is one way through which this is achieved.
The ancestor altar in modern times is often a dedicated space in one’s home or place of veneration called Obi Ndị Ichie like we have in Igbo society. It is usually adorned with pictures of deceased loved ones or carved representation of past ancestors, candles, incense, flowers, animal skins (like Leopard, Goat, Alligator, Crocodile) and other offerings. Every item on the altar or in the Obi has a specific meaning and represents a specific aspect of the spiritual realm. The purpose of the ancestor altar is to create a physical space through which one can communicate with their ancestors, offering them food, drink, blood for energizing the spirits and other items in order to show respect and honor their memory.
The ancestor altar holds a deep significance in many cultures especially for the Igbos, as it serves as a conduit through which one can seek guidance, clarity and support from their ancestors. Many spiritual traditions, such as Ọdịnanị Igbo spirituality, African spirituality, daoism, Shintoism, and Buddhism, incorporate ancestor worship as a central tenet. For practitioners of these traditions, the ancestor altar is not only a way to connect with their ancestors, but also a way to connect with the wisdom and teachings of their honored lineage.
In Ọdịnanị Igbo spirituality, the ancestor altar is known as the “Obu Ndị Ichie”, or “house of the ancestors”. It is believed that ancestors serve as intermediaries between the living and the divine. By honoring them in a physical space, practitioners can establish a connection with the spiritual realm and receive guidance and blessings from their ancestors. Obu Ndị Ichie is typically built as a mud house, decorated with traditional carvings and insignia, offerings such as food, wine, elephant tusks, carvings of Ndi Ichie, Ikolo, animal skins, mpanaka among others. This is often the focal point of family and community gatherings.
In China, ancestor veneration is an important part of daoist practice. The ancestor altar, known as the “spirit tablet”, is a flat wooden or ceramic tablet that is inscribed with the name and birthdate of the deceased ancestor. It is believed that by offering food, incense plus other items on the spirit tablet, one can receive blessings and protection from their ancestors. The spirit tablet is often kept in a prominent location in the home, such as the living room or family shrine.
In Japan, ancestor worship is an integral part of Shintoism. The ancestor altar, known as the “kamidana”, is usually placed above the family’s fireplace and houses the family’s family God, or “Ujigami”. The kamidana is adorned with a variety of offerings such as sake, rice, and other provisions. In Japanese culture, honoring one’s ancestors is seen as an important aspect of maintaining family legacy. The kamidana is a way to show respect and reverence towards those who came before.
In Buddhism, ancestor worship is also practiced in various parts of the world. The ancestor altar, known as the “shrine” is placed in the home or temple. This is adorned with statues or images of the Buddha as well as images of the practitioner’s ancestors. Through prayer and offerings, practitioners seek to honor their ancestors and connect with the divine.
Finally, the ancestor altar is a physical manifestation of one’s connection to their ancestors and the spiritual realm. It is a way to keep the memory and influence of one’s deceased loved ones alive in the present to seek guidance and blessings from them. In Igbo contemporary society, ancestor altar holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. This serves as a central pillar of spiritual practice for many traditionalists. Whether it is the Igbos, Obu Ndị Ichie, the Chinese spirit tablet, the Japanese kamidana, the Buddhist shrine, most importantly, the ancestor altar is a testament to the enduring human belief in the spiritual, power of family and the community.
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