The Forum began in August 2024 — and today it brings together members in Nigeria and across the diaspora around the preservation and practice of our ancestral tradition, Odinani na Nna-Ayị Dị Mma (“Our Father’s Heritage is Good”).
How It Began
The journey started with a daily morning programme called Ọzọ Ọbata na Dị Mma (“Another Arrival Brings Good Fortune”), through which our founder shared explanations of Igbo life and culture — teachings about life, about chi (the personal guardian spirit), about agwụ (the spirit of divination and destiny), and many other traditional subjects — breaking them down so that people could truly understand.
In time, the call came to go further: to establish a place where people could gather and bring their concerns — especially those whose ancestral lineage and heritage were troubled in the Igbo tradition (Omenana Igbo). We came together, formed a group and mobilised as a family gathering — a place of teaching, enlightenment and understanding of Igbo culture and heritage.
The First Meeting
At that first gathering we consulted the oracle (gbaa afa) and made inquiries through divination to know the purpose of the meeting. We took a morning libation (ututu mbagana) and poured libation (ọkọ ofọ) in the spiritual realm, exactly as the divination revealed. There we performed the opening prayers from which everything began.
Before dispersing, we agreed that elections would be conducted to appoint the leaders who would direct the organisation. Votes were cast that day: Chika was elected Secretary, Igwe Vice Chairman, our elder Nwachukwu was made a Patron, and many other executives were appointed. More than forty people were present. We then agreed on a central venue where we would pour libations and hold our meetings.
Becoming a Registered Organisation
As the Forum grew, we formalised it. We registered with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Anambra State and received our certificate; we registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); we obtained our SCUML certification from the EFCC; and we secured our tax clearance certificate. With all this in place, we established our constitution to guide what we do and how we help people.
Today the Forum is guided by an Executive Council, a Board of Trustees, and a special office called the Power Base — the men and women who work directly with divination. When people come to us in difficulty, we step in: we consult the oracle, find out what needs to be done, and do it. Where a person has no means, we resolve the urgent matter and walk with them until they find their footing — as long as it preserves life and gives support.
This is why we began — to help one another in our heritage, and to spread the message of our ancestral tradition. Our story is still being written by every member who joins and every festival we celebrate. Become part of the story.