Ekwensu occupies a significant place in Igbo cosmology as the Alusi (deity) of war and trade. As a spirit associated with negotiation, bargains, and strategy, Ekwensu was both revered and feared for his ability to guide warriors in battle and assist traders in difficult situations. However, the advent of Christianity and colonial influence led to the mischaracterization of Ekwensu as the devil, a narrative far removed from his original essence in Igbo spirituality.
The Igbo people, also known as Ndi Igbo, are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, predominantly located in southeastern Nigeria. With a population exceeding 40 million, they inhabit states like Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, as well as parts of Delta and Rivers states. Known for their industriousness, the Igbo are prominent in trade, agriculture, and education. They are also deeply spiritual, with a cosmology that emphasizes harmony between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Central to Igbo spirituality are various deities, or Alusi, who represent different aspects of life. Among these is Ekwensu, the god of war and trade.
In traditional Igbo belief, Ekwensu was revered as a powerful deity who guided warriors in battle and assisted traders in negotiations. Far from being a purely evil force, Ekwensu symbolized the dual nature of life—he could be destructive in war but also protective and strategic when the situation demanded. Warriors called upon him for courage and victory, while traders sought his wisdom in difficult deals. His connection to cunning and trickery made him a revered figure, embodying the complexities of human existence rather than simple good or evil.
Ekwensu’s role as a God of war was balanced by his association with Ogbunabali, another spirit linked to sudden death. Together, they represented the unpredictable and often harsh realities of life.
With the arrival of European missionaries, Igbo spirituality underwent significant changes. These missionaries, eager to spread Christianity, reinterpreted indigenous deities within the binary framework of good and evil prevalent in Christian theology. In this context, Ekwensu was equated with Satan.
This reinterpretation was not accidental. European colonizers and missionaries used fear as a tool to suppress indigenous beliefs and scare people into embracing their christianity.
Historically, Ekwensu was one of the Igbo lunar deities, celebrated for his guidance and wisdom in times of conflict. However, this narrative was overshadowed by the missionary agenda, which sought to portray him as a force of pure evil.
To the Igbo, Ekwensu was never an adversary to Chukwu, the Supreme God. Instead, he was a testing force—a being who challenged individuals to grow through trials. Alongside Ani, the earth goddess, and Igwe, the sky god, Ekwensu formed a triad of powerful forces that shaped the Igbo understanding of life and the universe.
Unlike Christianity, which often views the afterlife in terms of reward and punishment, traditional Igbo spirituality emphasizes balance and the circular nature of existence. Ekwensu, as a God of war and strategy, played a crucial role in maintaining this balance.
Ekwensu’s role as a God of war and negotiation focuses attention on the Igbo appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. By misrepresenting Ekwensu as the devil, colonial narratives erased the deity’s true essence and disrupted the cultural identity of the Igbo people.
Today, there is a growing effort to challenge the narratives imposed by colonialism and reclaim Ekwensu’s original significance, portraying him not as a symbol of evil but as a representation of bravery, strategy, and human complexity.
