How to Fast Properly as an Odinani Practitioner (And When to Fast)
Fasting in Odinani is an indigenous practice that is as old as time, not self-denial for display.
Essentially, fasting is a form of self-induced Nso, a temporary sacred restriction you place on yourself for purification, clarity, and alignment.
When done properly, fasting benefits both the body and the spirit. When done carelessly, it can create imbalance. The difference of outcomes is in intention, structure, and alignment with your Chi.
Fasting Through the Lens of Nso
In Odinani, the concept of Nso addresses sacred boundaries, things you do not do, or that you do, in order to preserve energetic balance for yourself. When you fast, you are voluntarily creating a sacred boundary around yourself.
You are saying:
“For this period, I withdraw.”
“For this period, I purify.”
“For this period, I realign.”
Fasting as much as it is about what you stop, is equally about what you start.
Most people make this mistake, they stop something (food, media, noise), but they do not define what replaces it. Without that clarity, fasting can become ineffective.
Every fast should answer two questions:
What am I abstaining from?
What am I intentionally cultivating in its place?
Without both, the fast is incomplete.
Different Forms of Fasting for Different Needs
Not all fasting is about food. Your Chi determines what type of fast serves you best.
Some examples include:
Food Fast
Abstaining from heavy foods
Reducing portions
Consuming only simple, light meals
Avoiding specific ingredients
Best for: physical cleansing, mental clarity, discipline.
Media Fast
No social media
No unnecessary news consumption
No entertainment distractions
Best for: mental detox and energetic purification.
Speech Fast
Reducing unnecessary talk
Avoiding gossip or arguments
Practicing silence at certain times
Best for: sharpening intuition and conserving spiritual energy.
Habit Fast
Pausing behaviors that drain you
Abstaining from indulgences
Restricting habits that weaken your discipline
Best for: strengthening Agwa (character).
The key is discernment. What weakens your Chi? What strengthens it? Fast accordingly.
When Should an Odinani Practitioner Fast?
Fasting becomes more powerful when aligned with sacred timing.
Here are structured options:
1. The 28 Days Leading to Each Equinox (March & September)
The equinox, connected to Akwali Omumu, is a powerful seasonal reset.
You may choose to fast during the 28 days leading up to:
The March Equinox
The September Equinox
Or both
This can be partial fasting (light food, media reduction, intentional cleansing).
Purpose:
Deep energetic cleansing
Resetting patterns
Preparing for seasonal transition
2. Weekly Fasting on a Chosen Market Day
The Igbo calendar is structured around market days. You may choose:
One specific market day each week
A consistent day aligned with your personal practice
This builds discipline and consistency.
Purpose:
Regular spiritual fortification
Consistent Chi alignment
Long-term character strengthening
3. Monthly Fasting Before the New Moon
The Igbo week leading up to each new moon is ideal for cleansing and intention-setting.
Purpose:
Releasing stagnation
Preparing for new beginnings
Strengthening internal clarity
These are structured suggestions, but your personal Nso should ultimately guide you on how you choose to fast.
What Should Determine How You Fast?
Three things must align:
Your Nso — What serves your Chi?
Clear Spiritual Intention — What are you cleansing or fortifying?
Sacred Timing — Is it aligned with a day or season meaningful to you?
Never fast without clear intentions. Always fast deliberately.
What NOT to Do During a Fast (Important Medical Perspective)
Spiritual discipline must never override physical safety.
Here are important precautions:
Do not engage in extreme food restriction if you have diabetes, low blood pressure, eating disorders, or chronic illness without medical supervision.
Do not stop drinking water. Dehydration can be dangerous.
Do not fast intensely while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not continue fasting if you experience dizziness, fainting, confusion, or severe weakness.
Do not overexert physically while on a strict fast.
Fasting should increase clarity, not harm your health.
If your body begins to destabilize, stop and adjust. Odinani values balance, not recklessness.
The Inner Purpose of Fasting
At its highest level, fasting does three things:
It regulates the ego.
It sharpens awareness.
It strengthens discipline.
It teaches you that you are not ruled by impulse. It builds internal authority (even confidence). And when combined with clear intention and sacred timing, it strengthens your Chi.
To Sum It Up
Fasting as an Odinani practitioner should be focused on creating sacred restriction that serves your Chi.
Frame it through Nso. Define what you stop. Define what you start. Align with sacred timing. Protect your health.
When done correctly, fasting becomes refinement. And refinement is one of the most powerful tools you have as a spiritually conscious person.
Special shout-out to Data Oruwari for suggesting and requesting this article.
Recommended Resources:
Fasting For Survival Lecture by Dr Pradip Jamnadas | The Galen Foundation (YouTube)
