Odinana is the indigenous traditional and cultural practice and belief system central to the identity and mission of the Forum. It encompasses the ways our ancestors lived, governed, celebrated and understood the world — and the ways we continue those traditions today.
The Meaning of Odinana
Odinana is more than a set of customs. It is a worldview — a way of honouring community, ancestry and the natural world. It finds expression in our traditional governance structures, customary rites, festivals, ancestral values and community development work. It is also a practical tradition: through consultation of the oracle (gbaa afa) and divination, matters concerning the home, the lineage and the ancestral realm are examined and resolved exactly as revealed.
Odinana in Daily Life
In the Forum, Odinana is practised with care and understanding. We teach about life, about chi (the personal guardian spirit), about agwụ (the spirit of divination and destiny), and about the customs of our people — so that anyone speaking about tradition understands what they are discussing. Where someone is overwhelmed or in distress, we step in: we consult the oracle, find out what needs to be done, and do it — supporting the person until they find their footing, as long as it preserves life and gives support.
Why It Matters
In a rapidly changing world, Odinana reminds us who we are and where we come from. It gives us roots, identity and a sense of belonging — and it is our duty to preserve and transmit it to the next generation. Our motto, Odinana Bu Ife, captures this conviction: Odinana is life.