Iwu Okike! the 42 Ideals of Ma’at
This is where the ten commandments written in the collection of christain mythologies (the bible) was covetted from. If you’re curious, make sure to check out our ongoing list of recommended resources at the end of this post.
Modern rephrasing which can also be used as affirmations:
I honor virtue
I benefit with gratitude
I am peaceful
I respect the property of others
I affirm that all life is sacred
I give offerings that are genuine
I live in truth
I regard all altars with respect
I speak with sincerity
I consume only my fair share
I offer words of good intent
I relate in peace
I honor animals with reverence
I can be trusted
I care for the earth
I keep my own council
I speak positively of others
I remain in balance with my emotions
I am truthful in my relationships
I hold purity in high esteem
I spread Joy
I do the best i can
I communicate with compassion
I listen to opposing opinions
I create harmony
I invoke laughter
I am open to love in various forms
I am forgiving
I am kind
I act respectfully of others
I am accepting
I follow my inner guidance
I converse with awareness
I do good
I give blessings
I keep the waters pure
I speak with good intent
I praise the Goddess and the God
I am humble
I achieve with intergrity
I advance through my own abilities
I embrace the All
Here’s a translation by E. A. Wallis Budge from his original work of the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Please note: translations, especially translations to english language, are not always accurate enough to be taken as exact representations of original texts, however, they are usually sufficient to pass on the meaning of the text in question.
Each confession, in the original text, is preceded by a salutation to a specific judge (force) and the region they come from. I have not included them in this outline. Some of these so called regions, are not on earth but in the afterlife (non physical worlds). For Odinani adherents, most of the confessions listed here might be familiar language to you, especially if you practice Igo Ofo or Igo Mmuo rituals.
Original translation:
I have not committed sin.
I have not committed robbery with violence.
I have not stolen.
I have not slain men and women.
I have not stolen grain.
I have not purloined offerings.
I have not stolen the property of God.
I have not uttered lies.
I have not carried away food.
I have not uttered curses.
I have not committed adultery.
I have made none to weep.
I have not eaten the heart.
I have not attacked any man.
I am not a man of deceit.
I have not stolen cultivated land.
I have not been an eavesdropper.
I have not slandered anyone.
I have not been angry without just cause.
I have not debauched the wife of any man.
I have not debauched the wives of other men.
I have not polluted myself.
I have terrorized none.
I have not transgressed the law.
I have not been angry.
I have not shut my ears to the words of truth.
I have not blasphemed.
I am not a man of violence.
I have not been a stirrer up of strife.
I have not acted with undue haste.
I have not pried into other’s matters.
I have not multiplied my words in speaking.
I have wronged none, I have done no evil.
I have not worked witchcraft against the king.
I have never stopped the flow of water of a neighbor.
I have never raised my voice.
I have not cursed God.
I have not acted with arrogance.
I have not stolen the bread of the gods.
I have not carried away the khenfu cakes from the spirits of the dead.
I have not snatched away the bread of the child, nor treated with contempt the god of my city.
I have not slain the cattle belonging to the god.
Feel free to do with these whatever you please. (Re)phrase them, spellwork them, adopt them into your (re)affirmations, read them to draw out the values encoded in them, decode them, or ignore them. Udo!
Recommended Resources:
How Igbo People Became Christians | Udochi Okeke (Article)
400 Years Of Deception | Ugo Nwanne (Article)
African Ways of Knowing - How Ancient Igbo Approached Science (Beyond Decolonizing) | The Medicine Shell (YouTube)
Maazi Dibia On ''Etymology'' The hidden lies from Igbos and Africa | Ikechukwu Ezumezu (YouTube)
The REAL Origin of the Igbo People - Osu System Explained (FULL DOCUMENTARY) | The Medicine Shell (YouTube)
OMENAANI/ODINAANI/SPIRITUALITY VERSUS RELIGION: WHICH ONE IS NEEDED FOR IGBOS/AFRICANS | Maazi Dibia (YouTube)
Juju Explained - Understanding 'African Black Magic | The Medicine Shell (YouTube)
The "laws of the Moon and the Stars" Are the Divine Laws of the Universe | Igboheritage Tv (YouTube)
The 7 Rings of Mmuo - The Interesting Secret a Dibia Told Me About The 'Human Spirit | The Medicine Shell (YouTube)