OBI OBASI

The word Obasi in its etymology means “in honor of the Supreme Chineke (God)”. It is an Igbo name commonly given to a male child in south eastern Nigeria. In religious terms, Obasi is a word used when referencing a special secluded space of worship or devotion.

 

An Obasi can be found in homes, either in the house, or behind it in most cases. Obasi Oha on the other hand is a specially designed structure or consecrated space where individuals or a group of people such as a congregation come to perform acts of devotion, veneration, or religious study. A building constructed or used for this purpose is called an Obasi Oha. Temples, churches, and mosques are examples of structures created for worship. Natural or topographical features may also serve as places of worship, and are considered holy or sacrosanct.

 

Religious architecture expresses the religious beliefs, aesthetic choices, and economic and technological capacity of those who create or adapt it, and thus places of worship show great variety depending on time and place. This grand building will grace the landscape in Nkporo and bring lots of tourists to come and spend their money, boosting the local economy.