26/03/2026
IGBO LUNAR CALENDAR (ỌNWA N’AFỌ IGBO)
1. What is the Igbo Lunar Calendar?
Igbo:
Kalenda Igbo bụ usoro ịgụ oge nke dabere na ọnwa (moon), ọ bụghị naanị anyanwụ.
English:
The Igbo calendar is a lunar-based system of timekeeping, structured around the cycles of the moon rather than the sun.
👉 This means:
Each month (ọnwa) begins with a new moon
Time is cyclical, not linear
*2. Structure of the Igbo Calendar*
A. Four-Day Week (Izu Igbo)
The Igbo week has 4 market days:
Eke
Orie (Oye)
Afor
Nkwo
Igbo:
Ụbọchị anọ a na-achịkwa ndụ ahịa, mmemme, na omume mmụọ.
English:
These four days regulate trade, rituals, and spiritual activities.
B. One Month (Ọnwa)
1 Ọnwa = 7 Igbo weeks
7 × 4 days = 28 days
Igbo:
Ọnwa Igbo nwere ụbọchị iri abụọ na asatọ.
English:
An Igbo month has 28 days, aligned with the lunar cycle.
C. One Year (Afọ Igbo)
13 months (ọnwa iri na atọ)
Total ≈ 364 days
3. The 13 Months of the Igbo Calendar
Here are the traditional months and their general meanings:
1.Ọnwa Mbụ
Igbo
Mbido afọ, ịkwadebe ala
English: Beginning of the year, preparation of land
2. Ọnwa Abụọ
Igbo: Uto na nhazi
English: Growth and consolidation
👉 This is the one you’re celebrating
3. Ọnwa Ife Eke
Igbo: Ịkụ ihe ubi amalite
English: Beginning of planting season
4. Ọnwa Anọ
Igbo: Ọrụ ugbo na-aga n’ihu
English: Active farming period
5. Ọnwa Agwụ
Igbo: Njikọ mmụọ na mmemme
English: Spiritual activities and rituals
6. Ọnwa Ifejiọkụ(Ahiajoku)
Igbo: Emume ji (New Yam Festival)
English: Yam festival and thanksgiving
7. Ọnwa Alọm Chi
Igbo: Njikọ chi na mmadụ
English: Alignment with personal Chi
8. Ọnwa Ilo Mmụọ
Igbo: Ịsọpụrụ ndị mmụọ
English: Honoring the spirits
9. Ọnwa Ana
Igbo: Idozi ala na omume
English: Focus on land and morality
10. Ọnwa Okike
Igbo: Mmegharị na okike ọhụrụ
English: Creation and renewal
11. Ọnwa Ajana
Igbo: Nchedo na ịkwadebe
English: Protection and preparation
12. Ọnwa Ede Ajana
Igbo: Mmechi nke afọ
English: Closing phase of the year
13. Ọnwa Ụzọ Alụsị
Igbo: Ịrụ arụsị na mmemme mmụọ
English: Spiritual rituals and deity reverence.
Onwa mbu (First Month) starts in February. This is when ndi Igbo celebrates their new year. Onwa abuo in in March and so on and so forth
