Michael+Ren+-+the+Oracle

- Oracles were usually female priestesses to a particular deity, usually dwelling in a cave or other secluded location away from urban areas

- The people are ruled not by a king or chief but by a kind of democracy, where the males meet and make decisions by consensus and in accordance to an "Oracle" that should be written down.

- Could deliver prophecies in an ecstatic state to visitors seeking advice

- Though the vast majority of Igbos today are Christian, many of them still use oracles.

- It is the divination of the oracle that tells them that twins are evil and they prevent evil befalling them by throwing them in the bush that spirits lives in (that is what is referred to as evil forest).

- ** Ogbuefi Ezeudu ** : The oldest man in the village and one of the most important clan elders and leaders. Ogbuefi Ezeudu was a great warrior in his youth and now delivers messages from the Oracle.

- ** Chielo ** : A priestess in Umuofia who is dedicated to the Oracle of the goddess Agbala. Chielo is a widow with two children. She is good friends with Ekwefi and is fond of Ezinma, whom she calls “my daughter.” At one point, she carries Ezinma on her back for miles in order to help purify her and appease the gods.