Igbo Calendar for This Year | View Today’s Market Day and Igbo Month 

ỌNWA MBỤ (January 29-February 25)

ỌNWA ABỤỌ (February 26-March 25)

ÈKÉ (Feb 26) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Feb 27) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Feb 28) Friday	NKWỌ (Mar 1) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Mar 2) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 3) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 4) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Mar 5) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Mar 6) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 7) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 8) Saturday	NKWỌ (Mar 9) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Mar 10) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 11) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 12) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Mar 13) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Mar 14) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 15) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 16) Sunday	NKWỌ (Mar 17) Monday
ÈKÉ (Mar 18) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 19) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 20) Thursday	NKWỌ (Mar 21) Friday
ÈKÉ (Mar 22) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 23) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 24) Monday	NKWỌ (Mar 25) Tuesday

ỌNWA IFÉ EKE (March 26-April 22)

ÈKÉ (Mar 26) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 27) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Mar 28) Friday	NKWỌ (Mar 29) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Mar 30) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Mar 31) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 1) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Apr 2) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Apr 3) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 4) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 5) Saturday	NKWỌ (Apr 6) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Apr 7) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 8) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 9) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Ap 10) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Apr 11) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 12) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 13) Sunday	NKWỌ (Apr 14) Monday
ÈKÉ (Apr 15) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 16) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 17) Thursday	NKWỌ (Apr 18) Friday
ÈKÉ (Apr 19) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 20) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 21) Monday	NKWỌ (Apr 22) Tuesday

ỌNWA ANỌ (April 23-May 20)

ÈKÉ (Apr 23) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 24) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 25) Friday	NKWỌ (Apr 26) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Apr 27) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Apr 28) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Apr 29) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Apr 30) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (May 1) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (May 2) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 3) Saturday	NKWỌ (May 4) Sunday
ÈKÉ (May 5) Monday	ÓRIÈ (May 6) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 7) Wednesday	NKWỌ (May 8) Thursday
ÈKÉ (May 9) Friday	ÓRIÈ (May 10) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 11) Sunday	NKWỌ (May 12) Monday
ÈKÉ (May 13) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (May 14) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 15) Thursday	NKWỌ (May 16) Friday
ÈKÉ (May 17) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (May 18) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 19) Monday	NKWỌ (May 20) Tuesday

ỌNWA AGWU (May 21-June 16)

ÈKÉ (May 21) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (May 22) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 23) Friday	NKWỌ (May 24) Saturday
ÈKÉ (May 25) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (May 26) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 27) Tuesday	NKWỌ (May 28) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (May 28) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (May 29) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (May 30) Saturday	NKWỌ (May 31) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Jun 1) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 2) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 3) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Jun 4) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Jun 5) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 6) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 7) Sunday	NKWỌ (Jun 6) Monday
ÈKÉ (Jun 9) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 10) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 11) Thursday	NKWỌ (Jun 12) Friday
ÈKÉ (Jun 13) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 14) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 15) Monday	NKWỌ (Jun 16) Tuesday

ỌNWA ỊFEJIOKU (June 17-July 15)

ÈKÉ (Jun 17) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 18) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 19) Friday	NKWỌ (Jun 20) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Jun 21) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 22) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 23) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Jun 24) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Jun 25) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 26) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jun 27) Saturday	NKWỌ (Jun 28) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Jun 29) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Jun 30) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 1) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Jul 2) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Jul 3) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 4) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 5) Sunday	NKWỌ (Jul 6) Monday
ÈKÉ (Jul 7) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 8) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 9) Thursday	NKWỌ (Jul 10) Friday
ÈKÉ (Jul 12) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 13) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 14) Monday	NKWỌ (Jul 15) Tuesday

ỌNWA ALOM CHI (July 16-August 11)

ÈKÉ (Juy 15) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 16) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 17) Friday	NKWỌ (Jul 18) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Jul 19) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 20) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 21) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Jul 22) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Jul 23) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 24) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 25) Saturday	NKWỌ (Jul 26) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Jul 27) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Jul 28) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jul 29) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Jul 30) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Jul 31) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 1) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 2) Sunday	NKWỌ (Aug 3) Monday
ÈKÉ (Aug 4) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 5) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 6) Thursday	NKWỌ (Aug 7) Friday
ÈKÉ (Aug 8) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 9) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 10) Monday	NKWỌ (Aug 11) Tuesday

ỌNWA ỊLO MMỤỌ (August 12-September 8)

ÈKÉ (Aug 12) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 13) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 14) Friday	NKWỌ (Aug 15) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Aug 16) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 17) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 18) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Aug 19) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Aug 20) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 21) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 22) Saturday	NKWỌ (Aug 23) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Aug 24) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 25) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 26) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Aug 27) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Aug 28) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Aug 29) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Aug 30) Sunday	NKWỌ (Aug 31) Monday
ÈKÉ (Sep 1) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 2) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 3) Thursday	NKWỌ (Sep 4) Friday
ÈKÉ (Sep 5) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 6) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 7) Monday	NKWỌ (Sep 8) Tuesday

ỌNWA ANA (September 9-October 6)

ÈKÉ (Sep 9) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 10) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 11) Friday	NKWỌ (Sep 12) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Sep 13) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 14) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 15) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Sep 16) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Sep 17) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 18) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 19) Saturday	NKWỌ (Sep 20) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Sep 21) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 22) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 23) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Sep 24) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Sep 25) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 26) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Sep 27) Sunday	NKWỌ (Sep 28) Monday
ÈKÉ (Sep 29) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Sep 30) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 1) Thursday	NKWỌ (Oct 2) Friday
ÈKÉ (Oct 3) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 4) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 5) Monday	NKWỌ (Oct 6) Tuesday

ỌNWA OKIKE (October 7-November 3)

ÈKÉ (Oct 7) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 8) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 9) Friday	NKWỌ (Oct 10) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Oct 11) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 12) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 13) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Oct 14) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Oct 15) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 16) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 17) Saturday	NKWỌ (Oct 18) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Oct 19) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 20) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 21) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Oct 22) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Oct 23) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 24) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 25) Sunday	NKWỌ (Oct 26) Monday
ÈKÉ (Oct 27) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Oct 28) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Oct 29) Thursday	NKWỌ (Oct 30) Friday
ÈKÉ (Oct 31) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 1) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 2) Monday	NKWỌ (Nov 3) Tuesday

ỌNWA AJA ANA (November 4-December 1)

ÈKÉ (Nov 4) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 5) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 6) Friday	NKWỌ (Nov 7) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Nov 8) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 9) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 10) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Nov 11) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Nov 12) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 13) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 14) Saturday	NKWỌ (Nov 15) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Nov 16) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 17) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 18) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Nov 19) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Nov 20) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 21) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 22) Sunday	NKWỌ (Nov 23) Monday
ÈKÉ (Nov 24) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 25) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 26) Thursday	NKWỌ (Nov 27) Friday
ÈKÉ (Nov 28) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Nov 29) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Nov 30) Monday	NKWỌ (Dec 1) Tuesday

ỌNWA EDE AJA ANA (December 2-December 29)

ÈKÉ (Dec 2) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 3) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 4) Friday	NKWỌ (Dec 5) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Dec 6) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 7) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 8) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Dec 9) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Dec 10) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 11) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 12) Saturday	NKWỌ (Dec 13) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Dec 14) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 15) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 16) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Dec 17) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Dec 18) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 19) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 20) Sunday	NKWỌ (Dec 21) Monday
ÈKÉ (Dec 22) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 23) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 24) Thursday	NKWỌ (Dec 25) Friday
ÈKÉ (Dec 26) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 27) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Dec 28) Monday	NKWỌ (Dec 29) Tuesday

ỌNWA ỤZỌ ALUSI (December 30-January 26[2026])

ÈKÉ (Dec 30) Wednesday	ÓRIÈ (Dec 31) Thursday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 1) Friday	NKWỌ (Jan 2) Saturday
ÈKÉ (Jan 3) Sunday	ÓRIÈ (Jan 4) Monday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 5) Tuesday	NKWỌ (Jan 6) Wednesday
ÈKÉ (Jan 7) Thursday	ÓRIÈ (Jan 8) Friday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 9) Saturday	NKWỌ (Jan 10) Sunday
ÈKÉ (Jan 11) Monday	ÓRIÈ (Jan 12) Tuesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 13) Wednesday	NKWỌ (Jan 14) Thursday
ÈKÉ (Jan 15) Friday	ÓRIÈ (Jan 16) Saturday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 17) Sunday	NKWỌ (Jan 18) Monday
ÈKÉ (Jan 19) Tuesday	ÓRIÈ (Jan 20) Wednesday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 21) Thursday	NKWỌ (Jan 22) Friday
ÈKÉ (Jan 23) Saturday	ÓRIÈ (Jan 24) Sunday	ÀFỌ̀ (Jan 25) Monday	NKWỌ (Jan 26) Tuesday

This Igbo Calendar is the most complete and accurate, carrying the correct spelling of the Igbo market days, and the Igbo 13-month Lunar Calendar, with their respective names.

The Igbo Calendar is different from the Gregorian Calendar, as it is unique and adapted to Odinala na Omenala – the culture, beliefs, and spirituality of the Igbo people. The Igbo Calendar comprises four market days, namely Èké, Óriè, Àfọ̀, Nkwọ. These four market days make up the Igbo week – Izu. The four market days/names in the Igbo calendar are not just four exact days. We have Eke Ukwu and Eke Nta for instance – meaning ‘Big Eke’ and ‘Small Eke’. In this ‘Big’ and ‘Small’ identity, each of the Igbo market days appears twice in an 8-day cycle. 

The Onwa (Igbo month) in the Igbo Calendar is therefore made up of 7 Izu (weeks), with 4 having the big market days, and 3 having the small market days – all of which make up 28 days before the appearance of the new moon.  

The BIG WEEK (Izu) appears in the following order: 

• Èké Ukwu
• Óriè Ukwu
• Àfọ̀ Ukwu
• Nkwọ Ukwu

The SMALL WEEK (Izu) appears in the following order: 

• Èké Nta
• Óriè Nta
• Àfọ̀ Nta
• Nkwọ Nta

The demarcation between the Ukwu and Nta of each market day in the Igbo calendar is not known by many Ndi Igbo. What many of the modern Igbo people know is the parent-name of each market day, and not its particular child-name – Ukwu or Nta. However, those in our villages who have not been torn away from our culture, know and keep the different market days. 

Months (Onwa) In The Igbo Calendar

The Igbo calendar is made of 13 Lunar Months, by the Nri Igbo calendar. These 13 months all follow the moon cycle. Each month has a total of about 28 days, till the appearance of the new moon. In our experience and study of the moon’s cycle, we have realized that the moon appears earlier than the 28th day in some months, and in other months delayed till around the 32nd day. The months in the Igbo Calendar known as Onwa (which is also the name of the moon) all have their Igbo names, which are different from the names of the months in the Gregorian calendar.

Here are the names of the months in the Igbo Calendar, their meanings, and the approximated dates they fall into:

The Igbo Calendar strictly follows mother nature, and so it is interpreted only when the moon (Onwa) acts – appears and disappears. The Igbo cosmology is subject to the cosmos, and as such we cannot predict for nature – we cannot determine for Mother Nature on what particular date the moon should appear, disappear, and reappear. We can only approximate based on past sightings of the moon.

The yearly announcement of the Igbo Lunar Calendar is known as Igu Aro. It is a ritual performed every year in Nri, in today’s Anambra State. Igu Aro is done in February, and according to an author and authority in Omenana na Odinanan Nri, all the Lunar Months in the Igbo calendar approximate 29.53059 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds).

According to the authors of the book ‘Omenana Na Odinana Nri’, Chukwudi Nwokoye and Chizoba Chukwurah, for some lunar calendars, the first day of the month is the day when the eclipsed moon appears in a particular zone. Many other lunar calendars are based on the first sighting of a lunar crescent. The Igbo Calendar just like most Lunar Calendar of the world is based on the 13 lunar months of 28 days each, plus one extra day known as a year and a day. 

The Igbo market days that make up the Igbo calendar are all Alusi (deities) and have been said to have their originating shrines in Nri. According to the custodians of Odinana na Omenana Nri, Eze Nri introduced these four deities in Igboland, hence Nri priests (ezemmuo/aka ji ofo) traveled all over Igboland consecrating the alters/shrines of these deities – namely Èké, Óriè, Àfọ̀, Nkwọ.

According to Chukwudi Nwokoye and Chizoba Chukwurah, the authors of the book ‘Omenana Na Odinana Nri’, the proclamation of the Igbo Lunar Calendar from year to year is the prerogative of Eze Nri, being the custodian of Igbo culture and Tradition and the keeper of the ancestral ofo of the Igbo (of that region of Igboland).

During this period, Eze Nri proclaims and ushers at the beginning of Igbo planting season… Igu Aro is also the time that Eze Nri predicts what the weather holds for the farming year. In obedience to this directive by ‘Chukwu’. During the Igu Aro of each year, the Eze Nri gives out yam seedlings to heads of various Igbo Igbo communities to plant and feed their families/kindred.

During the Igu Aro delegates from Igbo settlements under the Nri hegemony gathered in the Eze Nri palace to pay tribute/homage and join in the Igu Aro for that year. The Eze Nri will then announce the New Year. He will give his blessings on the fertility of the yam planting for that year. When the British banned the Nri system in 1911 during the reign of Eze Nri Obalike, Igu Aro lost its wider ritual and political significance. 

According to the book ‘Omenana Na Odinana Nri’, the preparation for the Igu Aro lasts for almost a month. The Eze Nri and his council Nzemabua/Orunzenano decide the day the Igu Aro for the Igbo Calendar will take place – this is done in collaboration with the various Eze Mmuo OR Akajiofo of Nri, based on the moon phases/cycles. EzeNri emissaries (priests) announce it to all the towns under the Nri hegemony and influence. The Nzemabua/Orunzenano consult the Dibia Afia (diviner) to determine if there is any area of the festival that may likely confuse the people. Sacrifices and rituals are performed to impede ‘ekwensu’ and ‘akalogoli’ spirits from causing confusion. 

In their book ‘Omenana Na Odinana Nri’, Chukwudi Nwokoye and Chizoba Chukwurah in describing the preparations for the Igu Aro, wrote that the Eze Nri sounds his gong morning and evening calling on Chukwu Okike, greeting ‘Ndi Ichie Ukwu’ and ‘Ndi Ichie Nta’. While appealing for the success of the Igu Aro. The royal musicians begin to sound the ufie four market week (Izu Ino) or 16 market days before the festival, from dusk till dawn.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Igbo Calendar

The Igbo calendar is a traditional lunar calendar system that has been in use by Ndi Igbo for centuries. This unique calendar, with its months and days, may not be widely known or documented as other calendars. However, there are certain questions that the modern Igbo person may commonly ask about it for better understanding. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the Igbo calendar:

What Is The Igbo Calendar?

The Igbo calendar is a unique system through which Ndi Igbo count their days and months, in a four-day weekly rotation that culminates in a 28-day lunar cycle. This means that the Igbo month is dependent on the cycle of the moon, with the four Igbo market days making up an Izu (week).

How Does The Igbo Calendar Work?

The Igbo calendar is made up of four market days, namely Èké, Óriè, Àfọ̀, Nkwọ. These four market days make up the Igbo week – Izu. Seven (7) of these Izu make up an Onwa (Month), and the Igbo Calendar has 13 Onwa (months).

What Are The Names Of The Months In The Igbo Calendar?

The names of the months in the Igbo calendar are: (1) Onwa Mbu, (2) Onwa Abuo, (3) Onwa Ife Eke, (4) Onwa Ano, (5) Onwa Agwu, (6) Onwa Ifejioku, (7) Onwa Alom Chi, (8) Onwa Ilo Mmuo, (9) Onwa Ana, (10) Onwa Okike, (11) Onwa Ajana, (12) Onwa Ede Ajana, (13) Onwa Uzo Alusi     

How Is The Igbo Calendar Different From The Gregorian Calendar?

The Igbo Calendar and the Gregorian calendar are slightly different in the number of months but show a great difference in the number of days that make up a week. The Igbo calendar uses 4 days for a week (called Izu), while the Gregorian Calendar has a 7 days week structure. The Igbo calendar has 7 weeks that makeup one month, while the Gregorian Calendar has 4 weeks that make up one month. 

The Igbo Calendar has a 13-month lunar cycle, while the Gregorian Calendar has a 12-month cycle. The names of the days and months in the Igbo Calendar are dedicated to deities, and traditional and spiritual observances in the Igbo society, while the days and months Gregorian Calendar are dedicated to European gods and goddesses. 

 

What Cultural Or Religious Events Are Associated With The Igbo Calendar?

Numerous cultural and spiritual events are linked to the Igbo Calendar, and these events are unique to various regions of Igbo land. The Igbo calendar follows not just the moon cycle, but also the seasons. It starts at the end of the Gregorian month of February, when the rains are preparing to come, and the grasses are springing back to life. This signifies new beginnings. 

Other months such as Onwa Agwu are dedicated to celebrating the divine intelligence of the creator. Onwa Ifejioku is dedicated to the celebration of the Yam God, Ifejioku/Njoku. Onwa Ana is dedicated to the earth’s deity. Onwa Okike is dedicated to the creator of the universe. Every month in the Igbo Calendar has a cosmological and spiritual importance to Ndi Igbo. Read the article above to know them all. 

How Is The Igbo Calendar Used In Daily Life Or Traditional Practices?

The Igbo Calendar has a daily influence in the Igbo society. The individual market days of the Igbo Calendar are Èké, Óriè, Àfọ̀, and Nkwọ, and they are all deities that are attached to each man and woman, depending on the day you were born. The days are also attached to the reverence of one’s CHI since the day your Onwa Uwa was born will be the day you offer sacrifices to your CHI. 

These market days being deities, also have shrines and groves present in various markets across Igbo land, where sacrifices are offered to them. The market days are divided across four neighboring villages, with each village taking any of the Èké, Óriè, Àfọ̀, Nkwọ. For Example, Igbo Ukwu has Nkwọ as its market day, while Ekwulummili has Óriè market, Amichi has Èké market, and Unubi has Àfọ̀ market. 

The different markets enhance the relationship between various town and villages, and expands commerce among the Igbo people because they do not operate on the same day, and as such buyers and traders of all other towns will have to come to Nkwo Igbo Ukwu, for instance, to trade. The Eke market day is generally the day of rest in the Igbo Calendar, and as such, certain ceremonies cannot be fixed for that day. Ceremonies such as marriages and burials cannot be fixed on the Èké market day. 

Is The Igbo Calendar Still In Use Today?

The Igbo Calendar is still in use today. The market days of the Igbo calendar are at the root of all activities in Igbo land. The Igbo calendar is part and parcel of the Igbo who are back home in Igbo land. The days of the Igbo week are the primary method of counting days. The days of the Gregorian week, are used as a substitute. 

However, the months of the Igbo Calendar are not as popular as those of the Gregorian Calendar, and this is due to colonialism and the use of the Gregorian months in government, churches, schools, and in turn the general Igbo society. 

Nonetheless, the recent Igbo renaissance has seen a spike in the number of Igbo people who are interested in studying the unique months in the Igbo calendar and applying it to their daily lives. It is only a matter of time before our people return fully to the cosmic knowledge buried in our observance of the Igbo Lunar Calendar.

Are There Variations Or Regional Differences In The Igbo Calendar?

Yes, there are slight variations in the Igbo calendar when you go from region to region in Igbo land. However, these variations are specifically found in the names of the months, and the ceremonial rituals performed in these parts of Igbo land. For Example, Onwa Agwu is celebrated in Nri in June, and in Nise in August. Other parts of Igbo land might choose a different time to celebrate Agwu. But no matter what the different times of celebration and variation in the names of the months, the Igbo market days, weeks, and 13-month lunar cycle stays the same.

How Does The Igbo Calendar Align With Modern Timekeeping?

The Igbo Calendar runs parallel to modern timekeeping and does not alter it, since the Igbo follow the rising of the sun and its setting in marking the beginning and end of the day. Timekeeping in Igbo society follows the journey of the sun (Anyanwu) across the sky. Just by looking at the shadows of trees and sticks, one can tell the time of the day. Timekeeping in the Igbo Calendar does not follow the modern 24 hours in a clock, because not all days are equal, since not all years are equal. 

Are There Efforts To Preserve Or Promote The Igbo Calendar And Its Cultural Significance?

Yes, Voice Of The Sun is at the forefront of preserving and promoting the Igbo Calendar offline and online. We have designed one of the most accurate Igbo Calendar in modern times, and have fully listed and explained the names of the months in the Igbo Calendar. We are currently making sure that our Igbo calendar is used in every household, to mark the Igbo market days, and more importantly, make the Igbo lunar calendar a popular one among the young Igbo of this generation.