Agwu
Agwu is the Arushi with a central spirit force that governs intuition, mental faculties, creativity, knowledge, divination, talent, vision, and even mental health.
This spirit is all knowing, it is the spirit that knows the mind of the supreme being Chukwu.
The word Agwu literally translates to infinite, boundless and unlimited. Agwu is an entity will limitless abilities and knowledge.
How did Agwu become All Knowing?
There’s a folklore that has been passed down from generation to generation about Agwu.
In the beginning when CHINAEKE were creating the universe they thought to create fragments of themselves and delegate duties and responsibilities to them for efficiency. CHINAEKE them create different beings, entities and energies just like the supreme being but each will serve their own unique purpose. These beings are what we call Agbaro and Arushi in Odinala, CHINAEKE then decided to give them task, like test to know which fits the best role. CHINAEKE brought 4 primordial elemental Beings to the Agbara and Arushi and ask them to get the names of these Elemental Beings. Whichever of them that was able to get the name will be given access to the infinite mind and wisdom of CHINAEKE and will serve this purpose. All the Agbara and Arushi did their best to get the name but these elemental beings were always silent and do not with their mouth except through patterns.
When the time CHINAEKE gave them had elapsed, CHINAEKE summoned them to hear their answers but none of them was able get the names correctly except Agwu. Agwu called out the names of the Elemental Beings which are Eke, Orie, Afor, NKWO. the 4 market days in Igbo land. CHINAEKE then ask how agwu was able to get the names, Agwu said it used animals like dog, tortoise, vulture and the Rat to get the names of the Elemental Beings. Then named this Arushi Agwu because of its infinite wisdom and tactics used in getting information, the other Arushi revolted that Agwu cheated by using animals while they tried to converse with the elemental beings who refused to speak to anyone, CHINAEKE then told the Arushis that he didn’t give them rules on how to go about the task. They were supposed to use any means possible to get the information. This was how Agwu became Agwu, became all knowing with infinite and unlimited knowledge and super creative.
Agwu is a direct cable plugged to the mind of Chukwu and the mind of all the Agbara and Arushi, Agwu knows what Chukwu knows, Agwu knows what each Agbara and everything knows. Agwu is also the spirit in charge the mind of humans and thought.
Within Agwu there are 174 spirits that make up Agwu but they 2 major sides of Agwu. We have Oke Agwu and Nne Agwu, Oke Agwu is masculine in nature while Nne Agwu is feminine in nature. Just like the duo-theism of CHINAEKE Agwu is a dual spirit with each serving a purpose, let’s talk about Oke Agwu, this side is the creative force, imagination and emotional and represents light and daylight . While Nne Agwu is the Logical side, intelligence, knowledge, represents Darkness and deep secrets. This sides of Agwu are what define how a human thinks and behaves, the two side is agwu is present in every human one side is usually more dominant than the other, the dominant side determines the gift or talent of the person.
This brings us to the different types of Agwu
There are so many types of Agwu but I will mention a few.
Agwu isi this the Agwu that controls the Human brain and thought stream. This gives us ideas, dreams and gives us our talents and gift, this type of possessed by every human being. This Agwu cool and straightens the head of those who hot head or experience mental illness or finding it difficult to balance or find their way in life. This Agwu gives a sense of direction to owns divine path in life.
Agwu Nsi is the Agwu of medicine, charms, mystical powers. This Agwu gives supernatural powers. Supernatural powers used to craft Ogwu/juju.
Agwu Ndichie is the family ancestral Agwu that maintains the gifts, talent and heritage of the lineage.
Agwu ohia the Agwu of the forest spirits, herbal medicine, roots and traditional treatment.
Agwu nmiri this is the embodiment of water spirits and their gifts.
Abali Agwu this is the Agwu of the night, the Agwu that reveals vision through dreams
Uchichi na eyinye Agwu this represents day and Night, light and darkness spirit that allows a Dibia divine with Afa during the day and at night.
Agwu Afa is the Agwu used for divination, medium and vision by a Dibia Afa
URU Agwu this is aspect of Agwu that brings upon negativity, mental instability, confusion and misfortune upon those who are unaligned with their Agwu.
Ndi omi Agwu this is the old women’s cult in Agwu, the spirit of old Women who hold deep secrets. This type of Agwu are done for only women, because in the ancient times women were the only ones permitted to do Afa divination. Men never used to divine, it was the change by colonization and Christianity that made men to initiate into divination as women were no more available for divination. It was a call of necessity that made men become Dibia Afa.
Agwu eriri/Agwu omumu this type of Agwu draws down the spirit of reproduction and fertility in women, this is specifically done for women.
Agwu Ezumezu this is the complete spirit of Afa, the whole 174 spirits in Afa is present in the Ezumezu Agwu and this is specifically for a Dibia. This type of Agwu powers the Dibia’s work to be potent and efficient.
Agwu governs the mystical and intellectual faculties, particularly in those called to be diviners (Dibia), healers, or people with exceptional intellectual or artistic gifts. Agwu is associated with unpredictability, deep intuition, and spiritual insight, often manifesting as inspiration, visions, or even mental turbulence when its influence is strong but not well understood or balanced.
Agwu’s influence can be both a blessing and a challenge, as it chooses individuals with a strong spiritual calling and compels them to develop their divine potential.
The Nature of Agwu
Agwu is a spirit (Mmuo) but also functions as an aspect of a person’s inner consciousness. It operates as an intermediary between humans and the spiritual world, especially for those called to become Dibia (diviners, healers, or mystics). The presence of Agwu in a person’s life often manifests in unique ways, such as heightened intuition, sudden inspiration, or an intense pull toward the mysteries of life.
Agwu is often described as unpredictable, embodying the balance between clarity and confusion. When properly aligned, Agwu grants insight and genius. When ignored or disrespected, it may cause disorder, mental distress, or even misfortune in a person’s life.
- Agwu and the Dibia (Spiritual Calling & Initiation)
Agwu is central to the calling of a Dibia (healer, diviner, or spiritual specialist). Those chosen by Agwu often experience signs such as:
• Recurring dreams or visions of ancient spirits, forests, or rivers.
• Sudden moments of profound knowledge or wisdom beyond normal experience.
• Unexplained illnesses, misfortunes, or a sense of being “different” from others.
• A deep fascination with nature, spirituality, or medicine.
To fully integrate Agwu’s energy, the individual must undergo initiation and set up an Agwu shrine. The initiation process harmonizes the person’s mind and spirit with Agwu’s influence, preventing negative experiences such as confusion or mental instability.
- The Agwu Shrine and its Role
A dedicated Agwu shrine is necessary for those under its influence. It serves as a connection point between the physical world and the spiritual realm. This shrine typically contains:
• A carved wooden staff (symbol of Agwu’s authority).
• Sacred white chalk (Nzu) for purity.
• Items representing the four elements (earth, water, fire, air).
• Offerings such as kola nuts, palm wine, or fowl sacrifice to honor Agwu.
Regular prayers, meditations, and sacrifices help maintain a balanced relationship with Agwu.
- Agwu and Mental States: Madness vs. Genius
Agwu is often linked to both brilliance and madness. In Igbo thought, an unaligned Agwu can manifest as mental instability, confusion, or even insanity. This is because Agwu’s power is immense, and when not properly channeled, it can overwhelm the individual.
However, when controlled and honored, Agwu grants wisdom, exceptional intelligence, and mastery of spiritual arts. Many great scholars, artists, and mystics are believed to carry Agwu’s energy, as their ability to tap into deep truths comes from this spirit.
- Agwu and the Concept of Ikenga
Agwu is often discussed alongside Ikenga, another key force in Igbo spirituality. While Agwu governs intuition, divination, and spiritual gifts, Ikenga represents willpower, ambition, and personal achievement. The two must be balanced:
• An overactive Agwu without Ikenga may result in deep wisdom but lack of action.
• An overactive Ikenga without Agwu may lead to blind ambition without spiritual guidance.
This balance is crucial for personal and spiritual success.
- The Relationship Between Agwu and Destiny (Chi)
In Igbo spirituality, every person has a Chi (personal divine force), which represents their unique destiny. Agwu works alongside Chi to shape a person’s spiritual path. When someone has Agwu’s influence, it means their destiny involves deep spiritual insight, whether they embrace it or not.
Ignoring Agwu’s call can lead to a troubled life, while accepting it can lead to profound wisdom and mastery of mystical knowledge.
- Honoring Agwu: Rituals & Practices
To maintain harmony with Agwu, individuals often engage in:
• Regular divination sessions to check Agwu’s guidance.
• Offering sacrifices (such as kola nuts, palm wine, and white fowl).
• Using sacred chalk (Nzu) to mark their foreheads or hands in ritual purification.
• Meditation and communication with Agwu through dreams and trance states.
By honoring Agwu, a person gains clarity, insight, and protection in their spiritual journey.
Conclusion: The Power of Agwu
Agwu is both a guide and a test. It challenges individuals to embrace their spiritual potential while also demanding discipline and alignment. Those who successfully integrate Agwu’s energy become powerful diviners, healers, and thinkers, while those who resist or ignore Agwu may experience confusion, misfortune, or an unfulfilled life.
Understanding and working with Agwu is essential for those called to the mystical path in Igbo spirituality. When honored correctly, Agwu becomes a source of divine wisdom, opening doors to hidden knowledge and deeper awareness of the universe.
if you have any questions, You can contact us here on whatsapps for more assistance