Nnadiebube Journal of Philosophy

Various researchers in Igboland have viewed reincarnation from different approaches, ranging from philosophical and psychological to theological perspectives, at different times. In this study, reincarnation in Igbo cosmology is understood as part of human personality, without which an Igbo man ceases to be complete in the real sense of the word. It is the belief in the coming back of a dead forefather, grandfather, or relative, with his personality found in a newborn child in the family. The objective of this study is to examine Reincarnation in Igbo Cosmology – A Critical Review of the Past and Present. This study collected secondary data through a review of literature from journal articles, textbooks, and internet sources. The study employed content analysis to analyze the data. The study found out that reincarnation is a common belief system among the Igbo people, wherein a dead ancestor is believed to return to their family in the form of a newborn child. It observed that the association of the newborn with a dead ancestor has specific indicators, which may be regarded as evidential realities. These indicators remain with the newborn throughout their adult life and indeed the whole lifespan. The study concluded that in the Igbo cosmology of reincarnation, Igbo people believe that nothing prevents a child from inheriting the qualities, physical marks, or signs of their ancestors or great-grandparents. Thus, this paper recommended that, despite the current views on reincarnation, there is a need to protect and preserve the Igbo traditional belief system. Reincarnation should be considered significant, as it neither diminishes the status of the dead in the Igbo spiritual world nor destroys the status of a newborn child, who should possess complete freedom and possibilities of attaining fulfillment.

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