Ijile

Ijile is a significant spiritual entity in the Bassa culture, serving as an intermediary between the supreme deity, Agwatana, and humanity. According to Bassa mythology, Ijile is revered as a protective deity, safeguarding the village against external threats, internal conflicts, and immoral behaviors such as murder, theft, and other forms of malfeasance.

In the Bassa pantheon, Ijile is further divided into two distinct categories: Ijile Uwapa and Ijile Ihwɛ. Ijile Uwapa is considered a male deity, whose abode is believed to be located in the bush, a sacred realm in Bassa cosmology. In contrast, Ijile Ihwɛ is revered as a female deity, residing within the Uhangwụ, or the home.

The Bassa people believe that when an individual commits an offense, it is essential to placate Ijile Uwapa through a ritual sacrifice, which typically involves offering a big goat, a cock, benniseed, Ushenje, Ajɛshɛkpa and ishicɛ. Conversely, Ijile Ihwɛ is appeased with a more modest offering, consisting of a goat, a cock, Ụlụka and salt.

One of the most striking aspects of Ijile's influence is its ability to manifest physically, often through the issuance of blood from individuals who have engaged in nefarious activities, such as witchcraft, crime or murder. In extreme cases, the wrath of Ijile can even result in the loss of life for those who have transgressed against the community's moral code.