6 Skills for Successful Dibias in the 21st Century (Don't Become Irrelevant)
The world is changing fast, and so must those who serve as spiritual gatekeepers. In ancient times in Igbo land, the Dibia was a highly respected figure. But in today’s digital, global, fast-paced society, simply knowing how to cast Afa or mix herbs is no longer enough.
If you are a Dibia or spiritual practitioner in the 21st century, you need more than spiritual gifts, you need relevant skills that will help you serve powerfully in modern contexts without compromising the true spirit of your tradition.
So here are 6 essential skills every Dibia needs today to stay effective, respected, and impactful, not just in the village, but on the world stage.
1. Be a Strong Communicator
The days of speaking only in riddles or esoteric language are over. A modern Dibia must learn how to translate complex spiritual insight into language that people can understand.
Break down your messages clearly and responsibly.
Learn to communicate with empathy, not authority alone.
Be able to teach, not just declare, so your clients walk away empowered, not confused.
People no longer follow blindly. If they don’t understand you, they’ll walk away. Or worse, they’ll misunderstand you. Communication is everything.
2. Be Tech-Savvy
You don't need to become a software engineer, but if you're still avoiding technology, you're falling behind. In this generation:
People seek consultations via Zoom, WhatsApp, and email.
Your teachings can reach thousands through blogs, podcasts, and social media.
Your credibility may depend on how accessible and organized your online presence is.
Technology is not your enemy, it’s a tool for expansion. Use it to document your wisdom, preserve your legacy, and connect with your global spiritual community.
3. Be Socially Conscious
A true Dibia doesn't only respond to personal problems. They must be attuned to collective pain and social injustice.
Speak up about societal ills.
Be aware of mental health, gender dynamics, systemic oppression, and climate change.
Offer spiritual solutions that are relevant to real-world challenges, not disconnected from them.
A Dibia who is silent while their society burns will be considered as part of the problem. This generation respects voices that are spiritually awake and socially aware.
4. Be Brand Conscious (Presentation Matters)
You are the face of your practice. How you show up matters.
This doesn’t mean being fake or flashy, it means:
Being consistent in how you dress, speak, and present your message.
Maintaining a professional and respectful online identity.
Understanding that your first impression can open or close doors, especially with those new to spiritual traditions.
Today, people buy into presence. How you carry your image publicly determines how it is received.
5. Be Intellectually Curious
The best Dibias are not stuck in the past, they are students of life.
You must:
Keep learning, not just spiritual knowledge, but science, psychology, economics, history, and culture.
Know how to integrate old wisdom with new insight.
Ask better questions, not just give old answers.
Your calling is not to be a relic of tradition, but a living bridge between past and future. Curiosity keeps you flexible, relevant, and wise.
6. Be Spiritually Accountable
Power can be intoxicating. But remember that the more people seek your guidance, the more you must hold yourself to a higher standard.
You must:
Stay in alignment with your source.
Continually reflect and recalibrate.
Have elders, peers, or spiritual mentors who can check you when necessary.
It’s not enough to “have power.” You have to carry it with humility, honesty, and transparency. That’s what makes your presence sustainable, not just mystical.
Final Thoughts
Evolve or become obsolete. Being a Dibia is an act service. If your skills do not serve the current needs of your people, then your relevance will fade, no matter how powerful your Afa is.
Our ancestors are not asking us to be stuck in time, they are asking us to carry their consciousness forward.
So yes, let’s stay true to ourselves, but also:
Learn how to speak with the people.
Show up where they are.
Grow with them.
Because a Dibia who cannot evolve with the times will become a threat to the evolution of the Igbo civilization.
