Liturgical Disjunction and Dual Religious Identity among the Christian Igbo

Abstract

This paper explores the persistent phenomenon of dual religious identity among the Christian Igbo of southeastern Nigeria, framing it not as a theological failure but as a pragmatic response to a significant liturgical disjunction. Despite Christianity's dominance, indigenous cosmologies and rituals rooted in traditional religion (Ọdịnala) still hold considerable influence, especially in areas such as burial, healing, and fertility. The study argues that this duality results from the historical imposition of Western missionary liturgies that did not engage the Igbo symbolic universe, creating a ritual vacuum in crucial areas of existential importance. This research is guided by the theoretical frameworks of multiple religious belonging and postcolonial critique, utilising qualitative document analysis. It shows how the resulting synculturation, the strategic blending of traditions, serves as a survival strategy for believers. The analysis highlights that neo-traditional movements are a cultural response to this unmet need for holistic spirituality. The paper concludes by proposing practical pastoral strategies for integration, including inculturated liturgy, contextual catechesis, and culturally sensitive theological education. The goal is to develop a unified Christian spirituality that genuinely respects both biblical orthodoxy and the rich Igbo heritage, transforming fragmentation into a resource for deeper theological understanding.