Ekwensu

Ekwensu is a trickster of the Igbo people, a trickster spirit of confusion,[1] that serves as the Alusi (god) of bargains and the tortoise.[2] Crafty at trade and negotiations. He is often invoked for guidance in difficult mercantile situations. He is perceived as a spirit of violence that incites people to perform violent acts.[3] His companion was Ogbunabali.

Despite contemporary interpretations, Ekwensu was not originally regarded as the devil.[3] With the rise of Christianity, the more beneficent aspects of the deity were supplanted by missionaries who came to represent Ekwensu as Satan.[4] Europeans influenced their beliefs of good and evil to convince Igbo that Ekwensu was Satan-like.[5] The goal of European's influence was to easily colonize the Igbo tribe, forcing them to be fearful of something.[6] Originally, Ekwensu was highly honored as one of the benevolent lunar deities.[7]

The traditional Igbo do not think of Ekwensu as the force that stands in opposition to other beings. Hence, Ekwensu is the OGBO god of war , who guided warriorsin battle. They were tricksters. They only believe in spirits whose nature is either good or bad, but they do have what humans know as an afterlife.[8]

He was the testing force of Chukwu, and along with Ani the earth goddess, and Igwe, the sky god, make up the three highest Arusi of the ancient Igbo people.