In Igbo spirituality, the path of a Dibia is a communal calling. Just as a doctor cannot exist without patients, peers, or a medical community to serve and hold them accountable, a Dibia does not stand alone. Their power, authority, and spiritual gifts are very much rooted in their connection to a community. Without this tethering to Aja Ani (the spiritual consciousness of a community), the true essence of what it means to be a Dibia becomes incomplete. First and foremost let’s consider what “initiation” is.

What is Initiation?

Initiation, in Igbo spirituality, is a sacred process that marks a person's formal entry into a spiritual path or role, like that of a Dibia. It involves specific rituals, guided by communal traditions (which can differ across Igbo communities), that connect the initiate to their community, spiritual forces, and ancestral lineage. More than a personal awakening, initiation is a communal act—it ties the individual's spiritual gifts to a collective purpose, grounding their power in the lifeforce of the land (Aja Ani) and the shared consciousness of their people. It is both a rite of passage and a bond of accountability, which ensures that spiritual authority is recognized, validated, and balanced by the community they serve.

The Communal Nature of Spiritual Practice

Igbo spiritual tradition is communal. A Dibia’s purpose is not self-serving, it is tied to the wellbeing, guidance, and protection of the people they are called to serve. They are spiritual doctors, healers, custodians, innovators, and mediators between the physical and unseen worlds. A Dibia’s role must be recognized and validated by the community they serve.

Initiation, consequently acts as a binding contract between the Dibia, their ancestors, their guiding deities, and their community. It affirms their spiritual calling and anchors their gifts in the life force of the land—Aja Ani. Without this communal bond, a Dibia’s spiritual energy remains ungrounded and their authority unconfirmed.

Why Self-Initiation Falls Short

While personal spiritual awakenings are important, they are only the first step. True mastery of Ogwu and the deeper mysteries of the unseen world requires rigorous training under the guidance of other Dibias or traditional priests. This mentorship cannot be bypassed because certain sacred teachings are only passed down through direct experience and communal wisdom.

A Dibia-in-training must undergo certain rites and rituals that open doors to access certain spiritual knowledge. These rites serve as checkpoints, to make sure that the apprentice is not only gifted but also prepared, accountable, and connected to the collective spiritual consciousness of their people. Without these processes, a self-initiated person may touch on certain spiritual insights but will inevitably hit a wall—a limit to what they can access, because they lack the communal wisdom.

The Importance of Aja Ani and Accountability

A Dibia’s power is a reflection of their relationship with Aja Ani, the spiritual consciousness of the land and the life force of their community. This bond cannot be formed in isolation. The community plays an active role in anchoring the Dibia’s spiritual energy.

Equally important is Ofo—the physical symbol of a Dibia’s spiritual authority. An Ofo is not something a person can simply declare for themselves. It must be validated by others—by those who have walked the path before them and by the community that acknowledges their role. Without this validation, an Ofo is just a piece of wood, lacking the spiritual weight it is meant to carry. Spiritual authority cannot be effective outside of systems that provide accountability.

The Role of Subjective Experience and Communal Wisdom

There are spiritual lessons that cannot be learned in isolation. Many of the deeper mysteries of working with spiritual energies are not written down, they are passed from Dibia to apprentice, from elder to initiate. These lessons are shaped by generations of subjective experience which include what worked, what failed, and what was revealed through trial and error over time.

A self-initiated Dibia may have powerful personal experiences, but without the guidance of others, they miss out on the collective wisdom that tempers raw spiritual gifts into true mastery. Spiritual power without accountability can easily become destructive, not just to the Dibia but to those they claim to serve.

To Sum It Up

Ultimately, a Dibia does not exist in a vacuum. Their spiritual identity is tied to their people, their land, and their ancestors. While personal awakenings are valid and powerful, they are not enough. True initiation—through community, through mentorship, through rituals that link them to Aja Ani—is what confirms a Dibia’s role.

It is difficult to trust a Dibia who cannot be traced to an Igbo community or lineage. Just as you would question a doctor with no credentials or peers, so too must a Dibia be validated by those who have walked the path before them and those they are called to serve.

In Igbo spirituality, mystical power is meant to flow through relationships, sustained by accountability and collective wisdom. And that is something self-initiation can never fully achieve. Self-initiation especially in this age of awakening is simply be the first step of alignment on the path to becoming a Dibia.