What Does Odinani Teach Us About Debt?
For many people, money is just money. But in Odinani, money, and how we relate to it, carries energetic weight. One of the most important lessons we can take away from Odinani on debt is this: Debt can be a clear sign of disharmony.
According to Afa (the Igbo language of divination), when debt shows up in a reading, it’s usually identified as "Ululu Ululu" (Ululu naabo) or "Ugwo" (Iji Ugwo). And when those appear, it’s rarely good news. Afa makes it clear: being in debt is a burden not just on your physical life, but also on your spiritual and energetic path. It suggests that something is out of alignment; your flow, your balance, your agreements, or your responsibilities may need realignment.
This doesn’t mean that anyone who has ever borrowed money is spiritually doomed. Life happens. Community support and helping hands are part of our culture. But repeated or unchecked debt, especially when driven by avoidable factors, is seen in Odinani as something to be avoided. It clouds your Chi, binds your energy, and limits your freedom to walk boldly in your purpose.
In fact, debt is such an obvious sign of disharmony that good Dibias advice against taking on debt to do certain spiritual works. They know for a certain that how the money was gotten can affect even the energy of rituals.
So what’s the alternative?
Odinani encourages us to optimize for enterprise, not debt. And this is deeply aligned with the Igbo spirit, which is Atulukpa Obi: the mind that turns ideas into value (problem solvers). Igbo worldview has always leaned toward innovation, trade, resilience, and creating solutions. That’s the true wealth.
In practical terms, this looks like:
Living within your means
Creating value before seeking loans
Using resources for sustainability, not just display
Asking your Chi for clarity before financial commitments
Debt creates energetic weight. But enterprise, rooted in alignment and purpose, creates expansion. The goal is not to hoard wealth or avoid help, but to conduct your affairs in a way that doesn’t tie your soul to endless owing.
So next time you’re about to make a financial decision, pause. Ask: “Is this in harmony with my Chi, or am I borrowing against myself?”
Choose alignment. Choose freedom. Choose growth. Yagazie!
