SACRIFICE AS A REVITALIZATION OF VITAL FORCE IN IGBO-AFRICAN METAPHYSICS: A PHILOSOPHICAL APPRAISAL
vital influence of the same in human life. Also, it aims at using the research data to reveal, expose, revalidate, and finally establish the recurring truth about the potency and undismissible relevance of sacrifice in the chain of diminution and invigoration of vital force. Because the epistemological and metaphysical awareness of the import of sacrifice is meant to draw us in, at least, to the very awareness of human indulgence and rank in the scheme of Cosmo-centric affairs, it then behoves on us all to honestly seek for this vital knowledge, successfully gain it and use same in the determination of vicissitudes of life. Henceforth, we shall limit our discourse to the Igbo-African experience and rational belief on the import of sacrifice. And so, in this work, we committedly and saliently sought to accentuate in appraisal the instrumentality of sacrifice in the restitution of vital force in the region of Igbo-Africans. Consequently, this work will employ the method of philosophical appraisal as it stands to consistently reveal the extent to which certain restitutions are achieved through sacrifices and the quality of sacrifices which make such headways and breakthroughs in nature. Indubitably, this would go a very long way to restore the sanctity of sacrifice, revitalise the practice of restitution of vital energy and finally restore the dignity of man.
Keywords: Sacrifice, Ritual, Revitalization, Diminution, Atonement, Reparation, Reconciliation, Morality, Vitality. Sacrifice refers to the ritual of offering something essential to curry favour, atone for sins, repair damages or appease god or gods to revitalise a vital force.