Igbo Philosophy Colloquium:
Reclaiming Indigenous Wisdom

This colloquium explores how the Igbo people have developed their own unique way of doing philosophy highlighting the indigenous resources through which the Igbo people articulate questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and communal life.

Often, people mistakenly believe that “real” philosophy only comes from Western, written books. In this colloquium, we challenge this idea by showing that the Igbo people have long used their own culture to think deeply about life, truth, right and wrong, and community.

Key components of this colloquium include examining Akuko Ifo (myths and folktales) not merely as stories, but as frameworks for understanding human nature, existence, and the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms, analyzing Ibuanyidanda as a philosophy of collective responsibility, highlighting how communal ties shape Igbo metaphysical and moral frameworks,  considering Ilu na Atumatu (proverbs and idioms) as essential tools for critical thought, social commentary, and intellectual preservation, investigating the ontological significance of the spoken word (Okwu) as a primary vehicle for creating meaning and defining reality and finally, addressing the problematics of translating and articulating indigenous concepts within a global academic environment dominated by Eurocentric paradigms.

By connecting traditional oral wisdom with modern academic study, this colloquium aims to show that indigenous knowledge is just as valuable as any other form of philosophy and deserves its place in the global conversation.