MEANING

Ikenga in its literal meaning is a place of strength. As a tool, it is the mighty secret of Ndi Igbo. In the past, many Igbo men has a personal god called the Ikenga. It is a ram-horned wooden effigy which many Igbo men communed with before they set out for the day’s work. It is this Ikenga that pushed the Igbo man to move beyond his confines out into the wide world with the sole aim of conquering and mastering anywhere he found himself. It is the spirit of individualism, industry, progress and self-determination or independence.

Mostly used for men. When one is called Ikenga m, it implies that this fellow is a strong pillar of hope and support, powerful, a defender, an achiever, a warrior, highly reputable, a man of integrity, successful, victorious, a man of valour and a figure of strength.