IGBO LANGUAGE: THE PIVOT OF IGBO RELIGIOUS WORSHIP

This paper focuses on Igbo language as a pivotal factor in determining the structure and practice of Igbo religious worship. Specifically, the work is geared towards discovering how Igbo language influences the understanding and the practice of religious worship among the Igbo people. The study, guided by Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, underscores that Igbo language holds a powerful stake in the practice of religious worship among the Igbo people of Nigeria and their appreciation of that experience. For instance, the Igbo experience of the reality of God’s existence, His nature and other invisible powers are better grasped through the prism of Igbo language. This is because following Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, the structure of a language goes beyond the instrumental function of conveying experience to determining a native speaker’s perception and categorization of experience. The paper forges the view that, the Igbo perception of the religious world would be more appreciated with a deeper grasp of the language of that world. This is even more in cases wherein the validity of some rituals and ceremonies are dependent on the use Igbo language, such as the case with breaking of kola nut.

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