IGBO RETAIN SATURDAY AS IGBO HOLY (REST) DAY

BY OKECHUKWU ONONAEKE

As the Igbo return to CHI UKWU and his Omenala, the Igbo have retained Saturday as the Igbo Holy day ( Rest day). 

Why are the Igbo retaining Saturday as the Igbo holy day ( rest day) ? The Igbo is doing so for two reasons: it tallies with the holy day of its true identity- Israelites. The Igbo are Israelites and all Israelites keep the Saturday as their holy day ( Sabbath). Sabbath observance is central to the commandments, statutes and ordinances of CHI UKWU to the Igbo and all Israelites ( Igbo and Jews). Various people of the world keep various holy days. Non Israelites apart from Arabs and the arabized keep Sundays as their holy days while Arabs and the arabized keep Fridays as their holy day. For the Igbo, the holy day is Saturday. Secondly, the Igbo have always kept a holy day to honor CHI UKWU. Such holy days were observed as Eke Ukwu or orie ukwu depending on the Igbo republic. Retaining Saturday as the Igbo holiday is therefore in tandem with Igbo history, culture and identity.

Over five million Igbo in various Sabbath oriented denominations: Omenala, Sabbatharian movement, messiahnic Judaism, rabbinic Judaism now worship on Saturdays and observe the Sabbath. They are also increasingly using the Hebrew Bible ( Tanakh/ Torah) as the Igbo holy book with most Igbo congregating in obi( synagogues) on Saturdays to worship the Igbo sovereign monarch, CHI UKWU. Sunday is for the Igbo increasingly becoming the first day of the week and a day that witnesses full business activities. More Igbo are expected to return to the religion of the Igbo, Omenala.

Igbo return to CHI UKWU is expected to ensure Igbo compliance with the statutes, laws, ordinances and commandments of CHI UKWU, enthrone a safe and prosperous society for every Igbo and lead to Ala Igbo as a first world in a generation. Igbo return to CHI UKWU will also witness the transformation of Ala Igbo as a pilgrimage site for the 60-100 million Igbo all over the world.