Rebirth:
Exploring Ancestral Connections

by Sally Bonn-Ohiaeriaku

1.
During the funeral activities that followed my father’s passing,
I found myself captivated by a life-changing aspect of our culture
–the belief in reincarnation.

In our tradition, certain kinsmen are believed to share the same soul
and spirit having been reincarnated from a common ancestor.
My late father was no exception.
He, along with some of his kinsmen, shared reincarnation
from my late great-grandfather who was a revered figure.

They refer to themselves as agbara (soul/spirit) when they gather.

It is a strict taboo for an agbara person
to attend the funeral rites of another agbara person,
witness their deceased body
or to partake in any funeral observances.

To do so risks the living agbara person
joining the deceased in the afterlife.
It is equivalent to attending one’s funeral.

2.
This belief is deeply rooted in the traditions
of my ancestral Abba village,
located within the Nwangele Local Government Area
of Imo State in Eastern Nigeria.
Where the Igbo-speaking tribe uniquely upholds such beliefs.

In honour of this custom, my father’s agbaras
paid their condolences early in the morning and departed
without participating in the funeral rites,
thus maintaining the sanctity of their beliefs.

To the knowledge of the guardians and enforcers of this tradition,
no one has ever defied it
by attending the funeral of their agbara
leaving the true nature of this belief open to interpretation.

I observed this agbara men connected to my father closely,
wondering if they bore any resemblance in character
and personality to him.

It saddened me that I was only now learning
about the depth of these ancestral connections
after my father’s death, as my understanding of reincarnation
had always been superficial at best.

They were four agbara men present and
I wondered what thoughts raced through their minds
after hearing of my father’s passing.
Did they fear that their deaths were imminent?

3.
“Death does not operate that way.”
a traditional guardian asserted to me,
as if reading my thoughts
or perhaps sensing my unspoken questions.

I managed a smile
quickly glancing at the visitors
who came to offer their condolences
and provide guidance on the funeral rites.

The custom in Abba village in the past,
dictates that a befitting burial ceremony
can last for at least seven days or more
but the influence of Christianity and modernity
reduced it to three days or less.

My father’s agbaras assisted
in any way they could
while remaining distant
from the venue of the funeral activities.

4.
Reflecting on this cultural belief,
I began to consider my connection to it.
The realization dawned on me
that I am the reincarnation of my maternal grandmother
who also hailed from Abba village and
died at the young age of thirty-two.

Before she passed, she made a vow to return,
to be outspoken and confident, and
to ensure that no one would take advantage of her kind heart
in her next life.

When I was born in a city miles away
from Abba village,
my late maternal grandfather remarked
on the uncanny resemblance
I bore to his late wife during my first moments
at the hospital,
as recounted by my mother.

His intuition led him to consult a diviner
back home in our ancestral Abba village,
who affirmed his suspicions and proclaimed
that I was indeed the reincarnation of my maternal grandmother
—an undeniable rebirth destined to fulfil her last words.

I was given the name Nneka, which means “Mother is great.”

5.
Even though I never met my late maternal grandmother,
many who did often reminded me
of her enduring presence in my life.
They would tell me that I was her splitting image
who returned to this world.

Her legacy has shaped my identity
in countless ways.
Her words echo within me:
“Be outspoken, be confident and
do not let anyone take advantage of your kind heart.”

My intense experiences sparked a curiosity
within me about whether
I was the sole incarnation of my grandmother
or if others shared similar connections
rooted in her lineage.

Determined to seek out my fellow agbaras
if they existed,
I initiated research into my ancestry
to ensure that I would not unintentionally
attend the funeral rites of my agbaras in the future
and violate any traditions.

I discovered that I am the only reincarnation
of my maternal grandmother.

There is comfort in knowing that through our beliefs and
customs, we remain connected to
our ancestors carrying their legacy forward
into future generations.

This reflection compels me to explore
the broader implications of our ancestral ties
and the concept of rebirth itself.

Do you believe in the phenomenon of reincarnation?
What ancestral ties connect you to those who preceded you?
Are you acquainted with your agbaras
with whom you share reincarnations from a common ancestor?

Rebirth: Exploring Ancestral Traditions continues 
it’s publication run through April 20th.

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