Here in New York, many people have heard of the Chi of Asia from multiple sources such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi gong, martial arts and similar disciplines. However, the Chi of Africa is mostly unknown. Although many Americans are familiar with the writers Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Adichie, most are unable to make the connect of the Chi in the names Chinua and Chimamanda, respectively. Chinua is short for Chinualumogu which means ‘May my Chi fight for me’ while Chimamanda means that “my Chi will not fall or fail.’
According to Chinua Achebe, the Chi is an individual entity and was referred to as ‘personal god.’ Although some refer to the Almighty God as ‘Chi’, the sagacious Mbonu Ojike wrote that there are as many Chi as personalities. The Chi is widely known as the determinant of a person’s destiny.
The Chi is a very big subject but it can be considered the internal energy of a person. Every person has their own unique Chi that determines the destiny of a person. The phrase ‘Chibundu’ suggests that the Chi is the source of a person’s life or the Chi is life.
In Africa, meditation and dance are used to uplift the Chi. There are numerous instruments that are also used to enhance the chi or life energy of a person. One of them is a process known as ‘ichi echi chi’ in which an individual, usually a prominent person in the community, is conferred with a title. This process is associated with costume in the form of jewelry. Carnelian agate is a popular gemstone used in these ceremonies. It is reddish brown stone that is mined in Africa and elsewhere on the planet.
An individual of high status in the community who is conferred with a title and issued the carnelian jewelry is expected to be truthful and peaceful and encourage harmony in the community.
Visit www.chiology.org for more about the Chi of Africa and @guchisachi on Instagram to learn more about gemstones that can be used in Chi-ing (echi-chi).
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