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Igbo Sacred Forests of Igboland (regional)
Southeastern Nigeria (Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia)
Nigeria
Active but declining (Christianity/urbanization)
Regional cluster
- Location
- Southeastern Nigeria (Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia)
- Coordinates
- ~6.0°N 7.3°E
- Elevation
- Lowland rainforest
- Size
- Varies
- Age / Founded
- Ancient (Igbo traditional religion)
- Status
- Active but declining (Christianity/urbanization)
- Deity & Religion
- Guardian/ancestral spirits & deities (alusi); Igbo traditional religion
- Community & Guardians
- Igbo communities
- Vernacular name
- Ajo-ofia (evil forest), Okwu-muo (sacred grove), Ana nso (sacred land)
- Record type
- Regional cluster
Cultural practices & uses
Abode of guardian spirits; burial of those killed by deities; taboo entry; e.g. Okija (Anambra), Nziko & Ogugwu (Imo)
Plant species
Relict rainforest flora preserved by taboo
Biome & fauna
Lowland tropical rainforest patches
Threats & protection
Taboo-protected; many lost to real estate/commerce as fear erodes
Source
Okwu-muo, Ori Oke… (IJIH 607); 'Encounter with Evil Forests in Igbo-land'