Essential Ndubuisi
By Chibuzo Obidike
Idoto is a popular marine goddess that is resident in the river and has dominance across all the communities in Idemili, Anambra State .
History has it that Ojoto Community, a popular town in Idemili South Local Government Area, was merged with a village called Ojo and a kindred known as Oto to be formally called Ojoto as they were seen as brothers, an achievement made popular by the Idoto goddess as she connects the two brothers and fought for them in the olden days .
Talking about Idoto, the marine goddess that is resident in the river, the community has two shrines, the Ukpaka Oto and Idoto alongside its Ajana, which is also a female marine goddess.
According to a community stakeholder, Chief Luke Ezeoke, the Idoto deity is a goddess of war as he recounted how their neighbouring communities were defeated with the help of the marine goddess, which was later nicknamed Okemuo Napu Na Alor
He noted that the deity is regarded as the strongest around the South East Nigeria and is used in solving most difficult puzzles in the community, and capable of disarming other gods and opponents during wars.
Contributing, Mr Christopher Ikejiofor said “Ide” which signifies water, sums up the concept of Idemili and revealed that Idoto represents purity and as such, the deity accepts natural foods like yam, kola nuts and hot drinks which are used in praying to the goddess through her Chief priest, adding that after the prayers and libations, good things come forth.
Mr Ikejiofor acknowledged that irrespective of one’s religion, all should imbibe uprightness and frown at the belief that traditionalism is evil, noting that one’s religion could be attributed to their decision in life and not evil practice as all religion also have bad eggs among them.
The Chief Priest of Idoto Shrine, Mr Emekwue Ojemba is of the opinion that individually, one’s spirit tries on daily basis to connect with the creator and as such every onye Igbo must focus on the voice of their gods and not try to please his/her ethnicity, society or people, emphasizing that everyone has his calling and destiny in life, and stated that being a traditionalist does not make one a bad person.
