ESSENCE: Interdisciplinary- International Journal of Concerned African Philosophers

The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria maintain a profound theological belief in reincarnation, known as ilọ uwa or ino uwa, which posits that ancestral souls return to the world of the living, typically within the same family lineage. This article explores the psychological dimensions of this belief, examining its implications for identity formation, family dynamics, mental health, and existential meaning-making in both traditional and contemporary Igbo contexts. Drawing on the works of Prof. Charles Ogunndu Nnaji and other Igbo scholars such as Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, the study integrates theological, philosophical, and psychological perspectives. Through a qualitative methodology involving content analysis of existing literature and cultural narratives, it highlights how reincarnation beliefs provide psychological resilience, continuity of self, and moral frameworks while posing challenges in the face of modernization and Christianity. Findings underscore the belief's role in fostering intergenerational bonds and addressing grief, with recommendations for culturally sensitive psychological interventions.

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