Sacred Names of Igbo Market Days in Afa Ugili
The Igbo calendar system features a traditional four-day market week that remains an important part of Igbo culture. In Afa Ugili, these market days are called by specific sacred names that reflect their unseen dimension.
Here are some of the sacred names of the four Igbo market days in Afa Ugili:
Ora Naabo—Eke Day
Ijite Ululu—Orie Market
Otule Ululu—Afo Market Day
Atulukpa Ululu—Afo Market Day
Akwu Aka—Nkwo Market Day
In Afa divination, a skilled Dibia Afa interprets these terms in context, guided by divine intelligence. Even with modern calendars in use today, many Igbo communities still organize their cultural and communal activities according to this ancient four-day cycle—Eke, Orie, Afo, Nkwo. The sacred names of the four market days preserve an important aspect of Igbo heritage and identity.
These market days connect the past with the present. They remain central to community life, traditional ceremonies, and cultural practices. The preservation of these sacred names in Afa Ugili helps maintain an important link to Igbo ancestral consciousness, traditions and cultural wisdom.
In ancient Igbo communities, nearly every household had at least one member who understood Afa and could perform basic divinations for their family. What set a Dibia Afa apart was their ability to serve the entire community, acting as a bridge between the people and cosmic forces through mystical revelations. However, even those who weren’t Dibias typically had enough knowledge to guide their own households. Today, unfortunately, that tradition has largely faded.
If you are interested in learning more about Afa divination systems in the long term—Join Odinani Mystery School today. Yagazie!
