‘IGWEBUIKE’ AS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

Abstract

This work is a response to the questions within African philosophy and African traditional religion: the question of the underlying principle in both fields of study. It is a contribution to the ongoing investigations in the areas of African philosophy and African traditional religion in search for the keys to the understanding of both fields. This piece argued, contrary to the positions of Mbiti and Koech, that the key to understanding African traditional religion is Igwebuike. It also argued, in relation to African philosophy, that Igwebuike is the intricate web of African philosophy. It has remained constant in the midst of the changes in the history of African philosophy, and has continued to persist through changes. It argued that its sense of harmony, community, complementarity and solidarity have been expressed in virtually all the perspectives of African philosophers, from the time of Tempels to the contemporary era. This position was based on the fact that Igwebuike is based on or captures the African worldview which shapes African philosophy and religion. The method inquiry employed for the purpose of this investigation is the Igwebuike approach, which understands reality within the parameters of complementarity.