Uthqali Religion

Ọdonani, also Ọdinila, Ominala,Ominana, Odinena or Ọmonani is the traditional cultural beliefs and practises of the Uthqali people of southern Al'Badara. These terms, as used here in the Uthqali language, are synonymous with the traditional Uthqali "religious system" which was not considered separate from the social norms of ancient or traditional Uthqali societies. Theocratic in nature, spirituality played a huge role in their everyday lives. Although it has largely been supplanted by Islam, the indigenous belief system remains in strong effect among the rural and village populations of the Uthqali, where it has at times influenced by other religions. Odonani is a panentheistic faith, having a strong central deity at its head. All things spring from this deity. Although a semi-pantheon exists in the belief system, as it does in many indigenous Asli religions, the lesser deities prevalent in Odonani expressly serve as elements of Chukwo the central deity.

Like all religions, Odonani is the vehicle used by its practitioners to understand their World (called "Uwai"), or more specifically, the part of the World that affects them — which is to say the dry Land on which the Uthqali live and gather sustenance — and it is from this that the belief acquires its names: "Ọ do" (Uthqali: it is ) + n'(na - Uthqali: on/within) + "Ani" (Uthqali: the Land or the Earth goddess) in the Northern Uthqali dialects and also "O mi" (Uthqali: it happens ) + n'(na - Uthqali: on/within) + "Ala" (Uthqali: the Land or the physical manifestation of the Earth goddess as dry land) as used primarily in the Southern Uthqali dialects. Chukwo, as the central deity and driving force in the cosmos is unknowable, and too great of a power to be approached directly save by the manifestations that exist on the World (the Land, the Skies, and the Sea). Thus, Odonani rarely deals directly with the force that is Chukwo. Many other spirits and forces also exist in Odonani belief and folklore.