Dibịa Calls for Indigenous Support to Produce Igbo Spirituality Documentary

Eket Province, Nigeria-Biafraland.

Renowned Igbo philosopher and Dibịa, Chuka Nduneseokwu, has called for greater institutional support to fund a documentary on Odinala Igbo (the spiritual traditions of the Igbo people), which he estimates would cost between 10 to 15 million Naira to meet Netflix standards. Nduneseokwu shared this during a recent discussion about the challenges of researching and representing Igbo spirituality in mainstream media.

In a passionate statement posted on his social media, the Dibịa emphasized that while he has dedicated his personal funds and time to researching and sharing the spiritual practices of the Igbo, the scope of the work requires more resources. "I have sacrificed myself to research and tell the world about the spirituality of the Igbo people. It is what I have been called to do, and I promise to do it till my last days in this cycle of life," he wrote.

However, he acknowledged the limitations he faces working alone and called for the support of Ndị Ichie (Igbo elders) and other indigenous bodies to partner with him. "What I now ask Ndị Ichie and Aja Ala Ìgbò is to send the right indigenous bodies and people that will partner with me on this journey. The Igbo nation deserves better representation than what I am able to research and publish currently."

Nduneseokwu, who is also the founder of Voice of The Sun, expressed concern about the lack of conscious institutions willing to invest in telling the stories of Igbo spirituality. He raised the critical question: "Do we have such conscious institutions or people that can fund such projects for our people?"

This appeal highlights the larger struggle to preserve and promote Igbo culture, particularly in a world where indigenous practices are often underrepresented in global media. The Dibịa’s efforts resonate with many who believe in the importance of documenting and sharing the rich spiritual heritage of the Igbo people for future generations.

For now, Nduneseokwu continues his mission, but his call for collective action remains clear: “Ka anyị na eje n'ubi ka ji na aka” — "Let us go to the farm with yams in hand,"