UKA DI N'OBI: A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE ON COVID-19 EXPERIENCE IN IGBO-AFRICAN SOCIETY

Abstract

The idea of Uka dị n'obi has both metaphysical and physical implications. Metaphysical because it tallies with the process philosopher – Alfred North Whitehead's postulation that Religion is what we do with our solitariness; if we were never solitary, then, we were never religious. Thus, a feeling of the self as the basis for true spirituality and not necessarily because we are part of organized religions. Physical, because it shows that the true church is not the physical building or monument but the heart as a reflection and sanctuary of charity, good works and moral rectitude. The Coronavirus pandemic that halted the activities of the World in all ramifications from late part of last year to now, has exposed the common adage that Uka dị n'obi and not necessarily that people must congregate on particular days of worship, say Sunday, to worship the Divine. Using the philosophical methods of analysis and hermeneutics, this present study seeks to evaluate the concept of Uka dị n’obi and interpret it in the light of the pandemic experience within the ecology of the Igbo society, as a conspicuous example of a society that actively believes in the Sunday physical presence in the Churches and what becomes of them, if there is a paradigm shift as witnessed during the lockdown caused by the pandemic. The Study concludes that true spirituality begins with the self before alignment to organized religions and that a personal relationship with God is better and will give more existential authentication than lip-service assembly and deviant lifestyles that have not aided society in the development index or better it in any way.