Theological and Liturgical Study of the Inculturation of Selected Igbo Rites in 21st-Century Nigerian Anglicanism
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Abstract
This article examines how selected traditional Igbo rites are incorporated into Christian worship within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). It argues that responsible inculturation affirms both the gospel’s truth and Igbo cultural identity. Using incarnational and contextual theologies, and referencing biblical, theological, and literary sources, including Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, the study evaluates how rites such as igu aha (naming), ibu mmanya (wine presentation), nriko (communal meal), and symbolic acts like kola nut and libation can enhance Anglican liturgy. Through qualitative textual and liturgical analysis, cultural-theological interpretation, and literary contextualization, it finds that many of these rites reflect biblical and liturgical patterns and can serve as spiritually formative tools when viewed through a Christocentric lens. It also underscores theological challenges, especially the risk of syncretism, emphasizing the need for doctrinal oversight and episcopal guidance. The article offers a framework for culturally resonant Anglican worship that is theologically sound, liturgically suitable, and pastorally effective, contributing to broader discussions on African contextual theology and postcolonial liturgical renewal.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Ikechukwu V. Ezenwa, Dr. Geoffrey V. Nganwuchu (Author)
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Dr. Ikechukwu V. Ezenwa, St Paul University Awka, Nigeria
Dr. Ikechukwu V. Ezenwa is a theologian, pharmacist, and agricultural scientist. He holds doctorates in Agronomy and Pharmacy, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Theology. He serves as an evangelist/lay reader and educator in the Church of Nigeria North American Mission (CONNAM Anglican Communion). His research focuses on contextual theology, African liturgy, and inculturation in Christian worship.
Dr. Geoffrey V. Nganwuchu, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Dr. Geoffrey V. Nganwuchu is a senior lecturer in the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He specializes in African Traditional Religion, contextual theology, and the intersection of indigenous rituals and Christian liturgy. His research interests include religious inculturation, African cosmology, and the theological implications of postcolonial identity. Dr. Nganwuchu has published extensively on the role of culture in shaping African religious expression and contributes actively to scholarly dialogue on liturgical transformation in African Christianity.
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