The March of Igbo Civilization, Vol. I

The Mystical History of the Igbo

In The March of Igbo Civilization, Vol. I, Professor John Anenechukwu Umeh offers a history of the Igbo people that is radically different from standard Western historiography. Writing as a practicing Dibia and a scholar, Umeh delves into the esoteric and mystical origins of the Igbo. He argues that Igbo history cannot be understood through archaeology and written records alone but must be accessed through Afa—the ancient spiritual language and divination system. The book posits that the Igbo are an ancient 'root race' whose civilization dates back to the dawn of humanity.

The Science of Afa

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the Afa language. Umeh describes it as the 'mother of all languages,' a sacred code used by the Dibia to communicate with the cosmic intelligence. He draws parallels between Igbo cosmology and quantum physics, suggesting that the ancestors possessed a form of 'sacred science' that allowed them to understand the universe's binary nature long before modern computers. The text explores the use of Aka Ose (spiritual records) to retrieve historical data that has been lost to the physical world.

Global Migration and Influence

Umeh presents a theory of hyper-diffusionism, claiming that ancient Igbos migrated to the 'four quadrants of the globe.' He cites linguistic similarities and cultural parallels to suggest Igbo connections to ancient Egypt, the Hebrews, and even pre-Columbian Americas. The book mentions the legend of 'Mbe's Ekili flight,' a metaphorical or literal journey that spread Igbo wisdom to other parts of the world. While controversial to mainstream historians, this narrative is central to Umeh's thesis of Igbo primacy in world civilization.

Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge

This volume is a call for the decolonization of knowledge. Umeh challenges the reader to look beyond the 'colonial library' and respect the oral and spiritual archives of the African people. He discusses the sophisticated systems of numerology, astrology, and medicine that sustained Igbo society for millennia. It is a dense, philosophical, and often challenging read that requires an open mind to the possibilities of metaphysical history.