I visited eastern Nigeria in 1988 and visited an Mbari house. I had read about them in preparation for my trip.
An Mbari, is a mud structure built by the Igbo people in SE Nigeria. It can take years to build. Through the many complex layers of activities and materials involved in the construction, the community seeks to make amends to the earth deities for offences and a life out of balance, which has resulted in a variety of disasters experienced by the community. This grave situation creates the need to build this Mbari. Once built it is allowed to melt back into the earth as a “mud sacrifice”. Other offerings or sacrifices are NOT brought to this Mbari after it is opened.
Considering our dire need for rain this year, (2013 – 2014 the third dry year in a row) I began to feel that great sacrifices on our part are needed in order to bring us back in balance. What does the earth need from us? What can we do? What do we need to give back?