An Introduction to Igbo Mythology, a book by Chinelo Anyadiegwu, does an extensive work of covering what can be identified by many as central themes on ancient as well as modern Igbo traditions and ways of being. Chinelo in typical west african griot style uses Igbo myths & folktales to pass on wisdom through the stories in this book to the younger generation. After starting off with a very sound introduction to familiarize the reader to central concepts in Igbo world view, they then proceed to tell us interesting stories that take us back to childhood memories if you are reading as an adult already familiar with some of the folktales or that fill the mind with wonder if you are encountering such stories for the first time.

The stories in this book carry enthralling titles such as, The Wrestler Whose Back Never Touched the Ground, Ojiugo: the Rare Gem, Why the Crocodiles Lives Alone, How Death Came To Be, The Mysteries Messengers and more. Titles which promise us sacred tales that explain the world and our human experiences in it. Chinelo delivers on this promise with stories that answer timeless questions and serve as a compass to each generation, reflecting the universal concerns of mankind throughout history: birth, death, the afterlife, the origin of our world, good and evil, the nature of the relationship between humans and animals. They bring up different subjects, in the stories told in this book, such as, Uli: an Igbo sacred art, Igba Mgba: the Igbo wrestling art, Nso ani: Sacrilege against the earth in Igbo culture, the Trickster archetype, Shapeshifting, how Mermaids came to be, the Value of community, Music, Animal fables, Marriage rituals e.t.c

Having a record as the first definitive collection of some Igbo legends and traditions for kids, this book explores mythological as well as folktale origins of Ndi Igbo (Igbo people), the ancient Nri Kingdom, and multiple aspects of Igbo cosmology taking the role of Dibias into account and their relations to Chukwu (God as source) and other Igbo deities in form of Alusi. As the name of the book implies, it is indeed a fun collection of stories that can be read as bedtime stories, as day-time stories, tales by moonlight, in one sitting or over a period of time. In the end, the author, Chinelo includes a list of recommended books and a detailed glossary to further apprise their readers. We found that this book even though it was written for kids can still be thoroughly enjoyed, and even be didactic for everyone regardless of one’s age. It’s the sort of book that should be available in every household. By the end of the book, anyone who reads it can be certain to come out of it more enlightened than when they started.