Who is ‘Oma’ in Igbo Cosmology?
Art by Amber Peoples
Oma, like all cosmic forces in Igbo cosmology, is multifaceted. One thing that remains constant in the nature of Oma is that she is the divine feminine, the "Great Mother" of all things. She embodies the essence of creation and primordial power within Igbo cosmology.
Oma is the primordial force from which all life emerges, the divine womb from which the universe is birthed. Oma's presence is felt in the rhythms of nature, the cycles of the seasons, and in the innate nature of all living beings. In this post, we will explore different aspects and attributes of Oma, in an attempt to bring more light to the role this cosmic force plays in Igbo cosmology.
(OM) OMIMI N’IME OMIMI:
In this form as Omimi n’ime omimi, Oma exists as the full manifestatition of Nnechukwu Okike—source energy, as the universal anchor of all things. OM, is the primal vibration, the central vibration of the universe, resonating with the essence of creation itself. Oma, is the full manifestation of this energy as the divine feminine mother of all things. She is the primordial mother (force) from which the universe emerged.
Oma brings enlightenment and liberation. She holds the power to invoke inner peace, wisdom, and spiritual awakening. In Igbo cosmology, Oma is believed to have the power to penetrate the deepest layers of consciousness. Oma embodies the essence of the holy trinity in universal symbolism, she represents the triad of creation, preservation, and destruction, or the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states of consciousness. She encompasses the entirety of existence, from the birth of the universe to its eventual dissolution and rebirth.
In essence, Oma grounds all creation in the eternal presence of the divine. She is the sacred divine mother that reminds us of our inherent divinity, and guides us on our path of spiritual evolution. Oma is the first Igbo woman (divine feminine—Nne Okpu) to ever exist, before the concept of death was ever introduced to human consciousness.
Oma (Onwa), the Ancient Igbo Moon Goddess:
Oma is the moon goddess in Igbo cosmology, she is ONWA. Her celestial presence and essence illuminates darkness to bring light to her children—mankind—Umu Oma. Her celestial presence as the moon is symbolic to the control she holds, over the cycles of life and the tides of human emotions. As Onwa (the Moon), Oma is intricately linked with the realm of knowledge, symbolizing the role she plays in bringing enlightenment, affecting intuition, and having control over the realm of subconscious mind—Ikpa Chi. Oma is the source of all forms of knowledge in the universe.
Oma (Onwa), embodies the essence of knowledge itself. Just as the Moon waxes and wanes, revealing different aspects of itself in cycles, so too does knowledge unfold in layers, revealing deeper truths with each phase. Oma is equally a symbol of wisdom. As Onwa, her connection to knowledge is also multifaceted. In her fullness, she symbolizes illumination and clarity of thought. Conversely, during a new phase, when she is shrouded in darkness, the Moon represents the hidden realms of the subconscious mind, where knowledge resides in latent form, waiting to be discovered.
Oma, as the moon goddess, is a wise and nurturing figure, she is responsible as the mother of all things for guiding humanity. Her attributes reflect her dual nature - gentle yet powerful, serene yet enigmatic. She is the keeper of secrets, the guardian of ancient wisdom, and the mistress of the nocturnal realms. Oma’s influence is universal. In Igbo mythology, she is associated with fertility, motherhood, and divine feminine power. Oma inspires awe and reverence, she also serves as a symbol of transformation and renewal.
As the Moon goddess in Igbo cosmology, Oma transcends time and space, she embodies the eternal dance of light and darkness, knowledge and mystery, Chi na Eke. Through the ages, her influence as a cosmic force remains evident amongst Igbos, as till date the Igbo calendar system is based on the lunar cycles, which is ruled by Oma.
Oma as Ose Obala (Emblem of Purity) & the First Igbo Woman:
In Igbo cosmology, the first age of consciousness is known as Uga Aka. Oma was the first Igbo woman to exist during this time, she oversaw an era of spiritual purity and harmony. As the first Igbo woman, Oma emerged as the embodiment of all that is good and virtuous, her spirit imbued with the essence of Ose Obala—sacred purity that permeates all existence in Igbo spirituality. Uga Aka was equally the age of Oma, it was when everything existed in its uncorrupted form.
During this time, Oma’s essence infused every aspect of creation. In the age of Oma, humanity flourished in a state of unparalleled grace and virtue. People embodied the divine qualities of pure divine essence, naturally aligning their actions with the divine will of Nnechukwu Okike. During the age of Oma, the nature of humanity was so pure that mankind was able to live in harmony with the gods and spirits. Human consciousness was perfectly attuned to the cosmic vibrations and rhythms of the universe. Oma's divine essence at this time, enabled humanity to transcend the limitations of the physical realm, and to ascend to spiritual heights unseen in subsequent ages.
Oma played a central role in the genesis of the universe. It is believed that she is the force that breathed life into primordial chaos, shaping the formless void into material existence. Through her divine will, Oma brought forth the elements, the celestial bodies, and the myriad forms of life that populate the cosmos.
In Igbo mythology, the age of Oma—Uga Aka, remains a testament to the divine potential of humanity. It serves as a reminder of our divine origins and our capacity to embody the virtues of purity, compassion, wisdom and consequently raw power, when we aspire to such things.
The Divine Sisterhood of Oma & Ala:
Ala and Oma (Onwa) are synonymous with the Earth and Moon goddesses in Igbo cosmology. They are equally depicted as divine sisters in Igbo mythology. Ala—the Earth Goddess, is associated with fertility, creation, and nurturing, just like Oma, she is revered as the primordial mother who gives birth to all existence. Ala is the embodiment of the physical world, the fertile soil and divine womb from which all life springs forth in abundance.
Ala and Oma are depicted as twin sisters, two sides of the same divine feminine essence, in Igbo cosmology. They share a symbiotic relationship that sustains the balance of the universe. Ala and Oma rely on each other as divine companions for life to exist on earth. They also share an interconnected relationship with the sun (Anyanwu). Their bond is rooted in the very essence of creation itself, as they collaborate in the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
The union of ALA-OMA in Igbo spirituality is an unbreakable bond, together they manifest as the emblem of the sacred womb of the divine feminine, which is where human souls are believed to be preserved as living dead ancestors. This is partly why when we pour libation in Igbo spirituality, it is poured downwards towards the earth (Ala), where the souls of ancestors are believed to be able to receive the sacred offering granted by the benevolence of cosmic intelligence (Oma).
Final Thoughts:
OBIOMA—the soul (the heart center) belongs to Oma. CHIOMA—Chi (life force) finds its grounding and is centered in Oma’s energy. Every woman in (perfect) alignment with her divine feminine essence embodies Oma's presence in this world. In Igbo culture, Nwanyi bu alusi: a woman is a god (cosmic force), because women are the first and closest incarnations of Oma’s energy in this world.
We hope this post was insightful. Feel free to leave a comment below and share what you know of Oma in Igbo cosmology with us. Also check out the recommended resources we’ve shared below for more insight. Udo!
Recommended Resources:
Oma and Ala are Twin Sistars | Ugo Nwamama (Article)
Onwa Arushi of the Moon (and Ancient Igbo Calendar) Explained | Medicine Shell (YouTube)
Igbo / African Meditation: Oma Transmission | Sirius Ugo Art (YouTube)
