The Pleiades of Igbo Spirituality | Umu Nne Asaa Puru Ije by Sirius Ugo Art

The Pleiades are sacred star systems in Igbo spirituality. This star system represents the source of the first Igbo people. In Igbo Spirituality, Cosmology, Cosmogony, Astrology and Astronomy, the Pleiades goes by many names, depending on the community and clans. In some Igbo clans, this constellation is called "Nne Okuko na Umu Ya", which is the Hen and her children. In some other Igbo communities, the constellation is known as 'Inyom Igwe na Asaa", which means seven noble women of the sky. There's a pan Igbo cosmology associated with the stars.. The cosmology is called "Umu Nne Asaa Puru Ije".

These seven divine women landed on the newly formed Earth, and started to develop communities in Igbo land. They were the ones that laid the foundation of all Igbo communities. They were the daughters of Atu Nnenwanyi Chukwu - The sacred Cow of Heaven. They established the principles of Atu Nwanyi Okpu in Igboland, which is why they were also called Ndi Ọkpu. Today, their offspring are the modern Igbo women, which are known as Umu Ada.

Sirius Ugo Art